Canterbury v Parramatta
One week too late. There is no greater rivalry over the past 15 years and there was no bigger club football match in NRL history than the semi final played between these teams in 2009. Going back further for you historians out there, hard to argue against the fact that Canterbury and Parramatta hated each other more than anyone in the 80’s except for maybe the US and Soviet Union.
Speaking of cold wars, the last meeting between these famous Sydney clubs was in round 6 this year and what a ferocious battle it was. Hindmarsh v Ennis, Payne v Hayne and another great chapter written in the Eels v Bulldogs rivalry. This Friday, when they meet again at Homebush, we might not see as much good football played with these teams sitting 12th and 13th on the ladder, but you will get plenty of effort and this is where Parramatta have been faultless in recent weeks.
My tip: Parramatta 24-12
Melbourne v Brisbane
1st versus 4th on the ladder and compared to the other Friday Night Football game to kick off round 20..... well, there is no comparison. The Storm have rebuilt from last year using discipline and defence whilst the Broncos continue to build for the future using a perfect balance of youth and experience. Soon-to-be superstars like Josh Hoffman, Alex Glenn and Jack Reed are learning from the best each week and coming into their own.
On paper, the hosts for this blockbuster at AAMI Park don’t seem to have the same athletic ability as their opponents but they don’t need to. Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk have the highest Rugby League IQs in the NRL and this will prove the difference on the night. Home ground advantage and their resolute defence keep the Storm driving towards the finals in a cracker and easily the Match of the Round.
My tip: Melbourne 14-12
Gold Coast v North Queensland
A few weeks ago we tipped the smallest crowd in Rugby League history to turn out for a Roosters v Raiders Monday night game. If this Saturday’s match between the Titans and the Cowboys will prove anything, it will be that records are meant to be broken. The over/under betting for attendance to this one must start at about 3000 people but the poor folk from the Gold Coast won’t know what they are missing.
Beau Henry gets his first start for the Titans and in an ominous sign for his future and for the new culture of footballers; this is his 3rd club in two years. William Zillman has been named to play centre for the home side in another effort by John Cartwright to turn the club around from a disastrous season. Finally, Tariq Sims starts for the Cowboys and that is enough for many to tune in and probably enough to get the Cowboys home.
My tip: North Queensland 24-18
Cronulla v Newcastle
Plenty of league commentators have predicted that only 4 teams can win the competition this year. If this is fact, nobody came to that realisation quicker the Knights and the Sharks last week. Both teams were crushed by competition heavyweights in rivalry round after putting in good performances in the weeks before. A harsh lesson for two clubs on the cusp of the top 8 and further proof that perhaps our post season structure needs an upgrade.
Before we do that though, it is still a sign of success if you can make the semi finals and winning this match at Toyota Park on Saturday night will help one of these teams do exactly that. It could be a cold, wet and windy welcome for the Newcastle boys and the toughness of the Sharks forward pack will make the task even harder for Kurt Gidley and his crew. Cronulla bounce back from last week to keep their season alive.
My tip: Cronulla 24-14
Wests v Easts
Rugby League fans are generally a forgiving and loyal bunch. We can get over players leaving our clubs and the NRL treating us like fools, we can deal with all the off-field drama and salary cap issues... but when it comes to Leichardt Oval and the Tigers on a Saturday night, this forgiveness is thrown out the window. The place will be baying for blood with the memory of last year’s semi finals still keeping them up nights.
On that occasion it was the Roosters who stole a win from the Tigers in extraordinary circumstances and the Leichardt faithful will not have forgotten. They will turn out in numbers and Benji Marshall and co will thrive on this atmosphere and deliver for the masses. On paper, this is essentially the home side’s best 13 and they play like it to blow the visitors off the park early and cruise home to start their finals run.
My tip: Wests 40-14
South Sydney v NZ Warriors
A credit to coach John Lang and South Sydney for still finding a way to compete after injury had annihilated their forward pack. They’ve played with purpose recently but, as expected from the bunnies, played with utter confusion at times as well. What they are not confused about anymore, it seems, is how to play with Greg Inglis. “Get him the ball and get out of the way” seems to be the game plan.
The Warriors, on the other hand, have been under no illusions about how their football team should attack. Just do whatever James Maloney tells you to do. Maloney has been a star for two seasons now and this Central Coast product is the perfect link between a hard working forward pack and a very aggressive backline. His leadership in the final quarter of this match will be the difference in a close one.
My tip: New Zealand 20-18
Penrith v Manly
The Panthers are yet to lose at home since Steve Georgallis took over as head coach; in fact they have not lost at Centrebet Stadium since round 6 this year. A Sunday afternoon kick off out west has the boys from Manly very cautious this week and rightly so. If Luke Lewis is fit and ready for this match, it will be closer than the bookies are predicting and closer than competition ladder suggests.
The Sea Eagles have lost only one from their past 8 matches on the back of superb play from their spine and a pack of forwards that never lets you breath. They win the wrestle in defence and find your weakness in attack. You can bet they will be running at old teammate Travis Burns this weekend, as well as Luke Walsh in attempt to stifle the Panthers’ offence. It works, but only just. Jennings v Jamie Lyon an absolute highlight.
My tip: Manly 24-22
Canberra v St George Illawarra
Can the mighty St George Illawarra Dragons actually be jinxed? Are they really incapable of beating the boys from our nation’s capital, no matter what advantage they have? It can’t be that far a road trip from Wollongong to Bruce, can it? Can my questions get any more annoying... can they?!?! Monday night Football heads south to the ACT this week as the Dragons try to beat Canberra for the first time since round 17, 2007.
If the Raiders are any chance of another upset in this bizarre rivalry, they will have to score early and get themselves a decent head start before the visitors acclimatise to the conditions. Once they do, the near negative temperatures will not be a hindrance and Saints will finish stronger. If the home side fail to get on top early, there is a real danger that they will go 160 minutes without scoring a point. Stranger things have happened.
My tip: St George Illawarra 25-0
For live updates throughout the weekend, go to http://leagueunlimited.com/
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