Parramatta v Brisbane
A test of depth again here for the Broncos, which historically they have passed with flying colours. In fact, disregarding the win-loss column for Brisbane during the rep season, what’s more important is the amount of talent that has been given an opportunity during this annual mid-season shambles. A credit to their development system and a slap in the face of Sydney based teams.
Speaking of Sydney teams, the Parramatta Eels host the ‘baby broncos’ this Friday night in what should be a very close one. The visitors bring with them a collection of Gen Y footballers wrapped around Peter Wallace whilst the Eels have a good balance of youth and savvy veterans In Nathan Hindmarsh and Luke Burt. This is why the Eels sneak home at the death.
My tip: Parramatta 20-18
Penrith v Canterbury
Welcome back Franky Pritchard. Whilst the Panthers faithful won’t stoop to throwing projectiles onto the field in anger of Pritchard leaving their club, Frank will not be hearing the warmest ovation of his life either. For that matter, neither will the Bulldogs in what shapes up a beauty at Centrebet Stadium in Saturday night’s only game for this shortened round.
Somehow, with their collective futures in limbo and a new coach due in 2012, the Panthers have found some form. Playing at home has always been their best medicine and this match will be no different. They blow the Bulldogs off the park early with sheer enthusiasm and hold on to win. Two great fullbacks on display here in Barba and Coote but fingers crossed for a physical battle between the Panthers forwards and Pritchard.
My tip: Penrith 24-18
Cronulla v South Sydney
Tough to predict that either of these teams will figure in the finals for season 2011, but at Toyota Stadium on Sunday afternoon they will beat the stuffing out of each other nonetheless. The Cronulla forward pack tore strips off the Titans last week and flat out embarrassed the Bulldogs pack the week before with Paul Gallen a standout in both wins.
Without Gallen though, the Sharks find themselves underdogs at home against a Souths team who just played their best game of the season - but this smells like an upset of the week. Led by Jeremy Smith and Nathan Gardner, the Sharks run over South Sydney and never look back in a brutal encounter. Ben Ross continues his good run of form but runs into two young bulls in Snowden and Douglas. Brutal.
My tip: Cronulla 18-16
St George Illawarra v Newcastle
A dress rehearsal of sorts for the visiting Newcastle Knights as they head to Wollongong on Sunday afternoon to play the Dragons at WIN Stadium. Current Saints coach Wayne Bennett will no doubt be able to ignore the fact that he will be coaching the opposition in a matter of months, but the Knights will not. Especially their two young halves in Ryan Stig and Tyrone Roberts.
Having already seen Bennett pull the strings to remove Beau Henry from the 2012 equation, Stig and Roberts will feel the pressure and not be able to repeat their match winning performance from last week against Mitchell Pearce and Todd Carney. Instead they struggle to match wits with two cagey veterans in Ben Hornby and Nathan Fein. The Dragons win at home in a tight one as the understudies get a chance to perform again.
My tip: St George Illawarra 14-8
Eastern Suburbs v Canberra
This match might have the smallest crowd ever seen at a game of Rugby League since fans travelled by horse and cart. Not sure if my historical hyperbole is accurate but you get the point. Roosters fans are notoriously prone to ‘forget’ games like this and on Monday Night, the Sydney Football Stadium will be a very quiet place. You will however, be able to hear the Green Machine faithful who take a ‘sicky’ from their Public Service jobs and travel up the Barton.
All 30 of them will be treated to a great night. They will enjoy yelling obscenities at Todd Carney (for his entire career no doubt), they will enjoy watching their monstrous forward pack run right through the Roosters, they will enjoy sweet victory as their team song echoes around a cavernous stadium and finally, when all is said and done, they will enjoy their trip home with no traffic to speak of on Anzac Parade. For once.
My tip: Canberra 30-22
For live updates throughout the weekend, go to http://leagueunlimited.com/
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