Brisbane v Cronulla
The second meeting of the season between these clubs after the round 13 match at Toyota Stadium was dominated by Brisbane. In fact after this loss, the Sharks reportedly went to the room of mirrors to have a good, long, hard look at themselves and promised to turn their season around. They won their next 4 but just to prove how hard the grind of the NRL is, they have since lost their last two by big margins.
Can they get motivated by this and turn another corner in this fluctuating season that is the Cronulla tilt of 2011? No. Even though the Broncos lost the ‘wrestle’ last week against Melbourne, this week they get to play footy again and they will. Darren Lockyer edges closer towards the curtain of his career by leading his troops to another demolition of the Sharks.
My tip: Brisbane 30-12
Manly v Wests Tigers
Match of the Round for mine: and don’t the people of the Central Coast deserve it. The recent announcement that the NRL’s expansion plans for the near future involve another Queensland team, rather than the mighty Bears, would have been a kick in the guts for this Rugby League nursery. Fingers cross they find some joy when the Eagles host Benji Marshall and his boys on Friday night.
They won’t be disappointed. Manly’s methodical and almost violent approach to its football, pitted against a Tigers team looking to come home with a wet sail and rip their way into the finals. Fantastic. The on-field battles between Chris Lawrence and Jamie Lyon, Benji facing Kieran Foran and two angry forward packs going head to head will ensure this is a beauty.
My tip: Manly 19-18
Eastern Suburbs v Canterbury
In beating the Eels last Friday and notching their first victory in 4 weeks, the Bulldogs did not show a lot of improvement but did step up their enthusiasm. Joel Romelo and Josh Reynolds led the way in this department in what could be a sign of the times at Belmore. The next generation of stars could be ready to replace this current crop.
Before they do though, the ‘Dogs attack still needs an overhaul as they have averaged just over 12 points per game in the last 10 rounds. The Roosters attack can sympathise with this plight but the boys from Bondi may not be able to do much else. Their cohesion is shot but their spirit seems, somehow, intact. This will keep them in the hunt for 70 minutes on Saturday, but will not get them home. Dogs in a tight one.
My tip: Canterbury 24-22
North Queensland v Penrith
Must give credit to the boys from Townsville. With a bit of luck, a monster pack of forwards and Matthew Bowen playing out of this world, they sit 4th on the ladder and have won 2 from 3 without Jonathan Thurston. Whilst it might be too early to tell if they can maintain this form for another few weeks, a tip of the hat to them nonetheless.
Bowen, in particular, is in white hot form and considering what he has been through and how others have fared after suffering similar injuries, he is special. Not too many athletes in world sport could come back the way he has after multiple knee surgeries. So, taking a rest from my position as president of the M. Bowen fan club, the edge here goes to the home team against a Panthers squad with a less than impressive away record.
My tip: North Queensland 26-20
NZ Warriors v Canberra
The statistics tell an interesting story in this match at Mt Smart stadium on Sunday. Well, more to the point it’s an obvious story. The away team in this fixture is very often up against it and understandably so: It’s a long trip. Whilst the Raiders would be high on confidence after tasting success at this venue last year, they will come to Auckland as underdogs and rightly so.
Even after their brilliant win against the Dragons last Monday Night, the visitors will struggle against a disciplined and in-form New Zealand outfit. James Maloney continues to impress to the point where he should be mentioned in the class of great five eighths in the NRL. Speaking of impressive, two very exciting fullbacks on show here in a wonderful battle between Kevin Locke and Josh Dugan. The future looks bright.
My tip: New Zealand 30-18
Newcastle v Gold Coast
As Titans’ coach John Cartwright prepares for season 2012, the make-up of his team changes every week but the results remain the same. This week, it’s time for young Jordan Rankin to have a crack at the fullback position where a host of others have tried this season. Rankin is a much heralded star from the Titans NYC nursery and should go well.
The Knights sit 8th on the ladder and are desperate to stay in contention for the finals. No better opportunity presents itself than this match at home against the cellar dwellers of the competition on Sunday afternoon. With so much more to play for, not many will be game to back against Newcastle, even with question marks over the fitness of Jarrod Mullen. Should also be interesting to see Beau Henry against his former teammates.
My tip: Newcastle 24-22
St George Illawarra v South Sydney
Pre merger days, this fixture had more meaning and more history behind it than any other. I was weaned on its legend. The 1965 decider when 78,000 turned out at the SCG; The Semi Final in ’68; The Grand Final in ‘71. Folkes used to talk about it at the dinner table with a sparkle in the eye and sideburns in their hearts. Post merger, the bad blood still exists but in Souths’ case; oh how the mighty have fallen.
Their forward pack ravaged by injury, their coach out of ideas, their half and five eighth playing random good footy when the mood strikes and their souls with nothing left to give: The South Sydney Rabbitohs head down the Princes Highway to Wollongong to take their medicine and go home. In possibly the only highlight for Souths’ fans, Greg Inglis gives it to Mark Gasnier one last time.
My tip: St George Illawarra 32-12
Parramatta v Melbourne
A recent rivalry with plenty of feeling sees its next chapter written this Monday night when the competition leaders travel to Parramatta stadium. Eels fans simply do not like the Storm and feel as though they were robbed of a premiership in 2009. Even if they have gotten over it, we find out this week that Melbourne are apparently the ‘dirtiest’ team in the comp and this could reignite the fire.
Fingers crossed it does and sets the scene for more fireworks, more head butting, less wrestling and frequent meetings between Billy Slater and Jarryd Hayne. They have plenty to talk about I’m sure but at the end of the day, the Storm defence will do all the talking as the home side simply can’t find a way through. Smith and Cronk the standouts in a close one.
My tip: Melbourne 18-12
For live updates throughout the weekend go to http://leagueunlimited.com/
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