Manly Warringah v Penrith
A Good Friday special to kick off your Easter weekend feast of Rugby League. The Penrith Panthers make the trek up to Brookvale Oval to face a Manly Sea Eagles team looking for its third win in a row. The Panthers have looked alive at times this season but mostly, they have been a step behind their opposition and the results reflect this. 2 wins from 6 matches and the 2nd worst 'for and against' record in the competition.
The Eagles, on the other hand, have reinvented themselves behind a new halfback, some familiar rough heads in the forwards and talented youngsters like Jamie Buhrer and Will Hopoate. The major difference, however, in this match will be the play of the halves. Foran and Cherry-Evans continue their impressive start to 2011 as their kicking game keeps the Panthers at bay and home ground advantage does the rest. Jennings v Lyon a highlight.
My tip: Manly 22-14
Wests v Brisbane
Enjoy it while it lasts, footy fans. Arguably the two best footballers of a generation come together at the Sydney Football Stadium for perhaps the very last time on Friday night. Benji Marshall may have a few years left in him, but his opposite number in this match does not. What a beauty it will be.... a good balance of youth and experience in both teams and match winners all over the park.
Speaking of match winners, hard to go past the proven combination of Wallace and Lockyer in this match, they are playing outstanding football at the moment and their kicking game is superb. The Tigers will not be given many chances to apply their particular brand of entertaining footy and when the pressure builds, the visitors will capitalise. Ben Hannant and Sam Thaiday tear holes up the middle and the Broncos make it 6 in a row.
My tip: Brisbane 20-16
Cronulla v North Queensland
The Cronulla Sharks are playing a better brand of football in season 2011. An impressive forward pack who toil away bravely up the middle combined with a pair of attacking weapons in Albert Kelly and Nathan Gardner have made this club less of a chore to watch compared to recent seasons. Unfortunately for Sharks fans, their record does not reflect this improvement.
Even more unfortunate for Sharks fans is the impending arrival of Jonathan Thurston and the Cowboys to Toyota Stadium on Saturday Night. Usually a graveyard for the boys from Townsville, their form this season suggests they have the barrels to sneak away with a win here. Keep an eye on the two fullbacks as they blur across your screen with lightning speed and enjoy the battle up front between Kade Snowden and Matt Scott in a mini origin preview.
My tip: North Queensland 21-20
Canterbury Bankstown v South Sydney
Whilst some fans at Redfern might have been impressed with 65 minutes of their team’s performance against the Dragons on Monday night, others will be concerned with the fact that Souths have scored 1 try in their last two games of football. Admittedly, these games were against 2 of the competitions elite sides, but it must be a concern for John Lang and his 'play what's in front of you' approach to offence.
Against the Bulldogs at Homebush on Saturday night, this plan of attack will only work if the Rabbitohs defence holds firm against an extremely potent Canterbury side. It won't. The 'Dogs control possession and the scoreboard. Whatever your plans are for the long weekend, tune in to this match in the hope that Mick Ennis repeats his sledge from last week, only this time to Dave Taylor. The resulting chase around ANZ stadium will be akin to a Benny Hill skit.
My tip: Canterbury Bankstown 30-20
Canberra v Newcastle
Minimum 2... Maximum 20. That is the weather prediction for our nation's capital on Easter Sunday and this chilly reception awaiting the Newcastle Knights is usually enough to tip against anyone travelling down the Barton Highway. However, the Raiders sit in the wooden spoon position after 6 rounds and what's worse is that the Canberra forwards seem to have lost their reputation as intimidators.
The bookies, on the other hand are still leaning towards home side and have placed them favourites during the week. So if you're a betting man, the form of Jarrod Mullen and Kurt Gidley might inspire you but the rest of the Knights will not. They struggle with this road trip and the boys from Canberra get their second win of the season behind the play of Blake Ferguson and the return to form of David Shillington and his pack.
My tip: Canberra 28-24
Parramatta v Gold Coast
William Zillman has been a patient man. Starring for Raiders junior teams as a halfback a few years ago, then moving to the Gold Coast to eventually play from either the interchange bench or at fullback, Zillman must have now finally completed his Rugby League apprenticeship. Titans coach John Cartwright played him in the halves last week and has named him outside Scott Prince again this week.
Why is this important? Simply because Zillman brings with him the two things the Titans have been lacking this year - originality in attack and some youth to go with their experience. Zillman will shine as he faces a team whose weakness is directly opposite him. The Eels halves will again fail to produce enough points to keep them in front and the Titans turnaround continues to finish up your Easter Sunday double header.
My tip: Gold Coast 24-16
Eastern Suburbs v St George Illawarra
Take in a dawn service and remember those who have fallen...... Then, cheer on the parade and enjoy some two-up before kick off because you won't want to miss this. The traditional Anzac Day match between the Dragons and the Roosters is just the antidote required by Brian Smith's men to bring their season back from the brink on Monday afternoon at the SFS.
Typical of this rivalry, form will not matter in the opening 20 minutes as both sets of forwards turn the clock back and launch themselves into each other to establish early dominance. It will be the single minded St George Illawarra team, however, who finish stronger and shut down a Roosters attack lacking confidence and patience. SKD v Matt Cooper a definite highlight as the Roosters give it their all but fall short again.
My tip: St George Illawarra 19-6
Melbourne v NZ Warriors
It did not take them very long to re-establish this status, but the Melbourne Storm are once again the benchmark by which all clubs are now measured. They do all the little things right – winning the ruck, chasing kicks, support play, last tackle options – and not just when they are on song; they deliver at a high level every weekend in attack and defence.
This Monday Night at AAMI Park, the New Zealand Warriors will be the next team to fall victim to the machine and with a 10.5 start from bookies, nobody is expecting an upset. The visitors will find themselves in a position to win this game at some point during the contest with James Maloney playing a leading role, but it will be quickly snuffed out and the Storm make it 6 from 7.
My tip: Melbourne 30-14
For live updates throughout the weekend - go to http://www.leagueunlimited.com/index.php
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