Melbourne v St George Illawarra
A month or so ago, this was the most anticipated match of the season and one that league fans had circled in their calendars as must see. Not to say it won’t be an intense game of football, but for those of us who love to see spirited defence balanced with exciting attack, you may want to wait for the other Friday might match this week.
The Dragons are desperate to return to early season form, which means they will go back to a drawing board that reads, “grind, grind, grind”. This will not be pretty. The Storm will do much of the same... holding the opposition up in tackles that resemble a group hug, but there will be nothing cuddly about this one. Melbourne at home too good in a defensive arm wrestle.
My tip: Melbourne 16-8
South Sydney v North Queensland
With the Bunnies in this kind of form and carrying this much confidence, anything seems possible now. With the Cowboys in town and Jonathan Thurston clear of any cobwebs, anything IS possible in this match at Homebush on Friday night. Match of the Round for mine and perhaps the home side’s season on the line; who would have guessed??
North Queensland’s away record suggests they might not be prepared for this encounter against the resurgent Redfern club but rest assured, they will rip in. Matt Scott should lead the charge and will be ably supported by a couple of Sims brothers up front. Speaking of which, if Tariq runs into Dave Taylor, the old Olympic Stadium will be rocked to its very foundations. Awesome.
My tip: North Queensland 28-22
Gold Coast v Canberra
This is a danger game for the visiting Raiders. In fact anything could happen if this group of young footballers are let loose on Cavill Avenue with the smell of Mad Monday perhaps too strong to resist. Hence the danger. Fingers crossed Canberra coach David Furner has booked a flight home for the boys from our nation’s capital on Saturday night, rather than Sunday morning.
The Titans, on the other hand, have been dealing with a season of horror since May but are the more professional outfit and this will be made abundantly clear right from kick off. The Titans young backline feed off the energy of Preston Campbell and may even learn a few things from him as well: before it’s too late. Home side drag this one out and finish stronger.
My tip: Titans 26-8
Penrith v New Zealand
The coming of age of the Warriors spine has been a testament to coach Ivan Cleary’s patience, vision and teaching skills. On Saturday night at the foot of the mountains, he gets a small insight into what similar challenges he will face when coaching the opposition in a few months time. But before any of that happens, James Maloney and the rest of this dangerous quartet will teach the Panthers a lesson.
The Warriors defence has been the catalyst for some magnificent attacking displays by their army of speedsters. Shaun Johnson and Kevin Locke will again find the space they need to burn up Centrebet Stadium and the visitors win again. Interesting to watch step 1 of the Michael Jennings experiment at fullback whilst the battle of front rowers in this match will be a beauty.
My tip: New Zealand 24-12
Eastern Suburbs v Cronulla
More talent on the park in this match than their results suggest. Disappointing seasons for both clubs, especially the Roosters as they continue to try and salvage some pride after some forgettable moments on and off the field. The Sharks continue to struggle for points and will do so again at the SFS on Saturday night. Good news is that not too many people will see it.
If the Roosters and the Sharks play a game of football in front of 3000 fans and another 200 on pay TV.... did it really happen? You bet it did. The home side play chock full of confidence after last week’s big win in Wollongong and finish the season strong and sober. Keep an eye on Paul Gallen teaching a very young Roosters back row a thing or two about using your body as a battering ram.
My tip: Eastern Suburbs 26-18
Manly v Canterbury Bankstown
In the round 13 match between these clubs, Manly put the Bulldogs to the sword and a 38-4 score line was to be the catalyst for a crisis at Canterbury. The Belmore club have since fired their coach but suddenly seem to have some spirit under interim mentor Jim Dymock. Will this be enough to go to Brookvale Oval on Sunday afternoon and cause a major upset?
No. The Eagles play a similar style to the old Bulldogs teams and will punish the visitors early and often with a dominant performance up front. The class of their halves then take over and we will see exactly why Manly coach Des Hasler was not too distressed to see Trent Hodkinson leave last year. The Stewart brothers carve it up and end any hopes of a ‘Dogs revival.
My tip: Manly 30-14
Wests v Parramatta
In a recent article in a Sydney metro paper, Jarryd Hayne was labelled as no more than a decent winger or fullback. Apparently, he is simply not in the class of other superstars in his position such as Darren Lockyer, Kieran Foran and Josh McCrone. Assuming Hayne has been told of this attack, he gets his chance to prove otherwise as Parramatta head to Moore Park to play the Tigers on Sunday afternoon.
The Eels’ superstar is on a hiding to nothing here: his club’s season is all but over, his backline ravaged by injury and his team on a horribly unlucky losing streak. Just for kicks, Benji Marshall and the red hot Wests Tigers await. Two years ago, when these two teams met in the corresponding fixture, the league universe was treated to a beauty. This time round, the Eels could be subject to humiliation.
My tip: Wests 30-12
Newcastle v Brisbane
Newcastle’s performance across the Tasman last week would have made believers out of most league fans. They were resolute in defence and just lacking a little cohesion in attack, they were also whacked with some ridiculous refereeing decisions but this is not something new to the NRL for season 2011. Jarrod Mullen seems to be hitting one of his purple patches and the Knights back row is hitting everything that moves.
All this points to a Monday Night beauty at Ausgrid stadium as Darren Lockyer and the Broncos come to town. The visitors have weapons all over the park and if given a sniff of the try line, will nearly always find a way across it. Alex Glenn, Corey Parker and Sam Thaiday will be charging at Ryan Stig and Mullen all night and if these young halves can handle the traffic, an upset is on the cards. They won’t.
My tip: Brisbane 23-10
For live updates throughout the weekend, go to http://leagueunlimited.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment