A Queensland derby to continue round 8 as the Broncos
host the Titans from Suncorp. Brisbane are 6 from 7 on the season whilst
playing an entertaining brand and boasting some of the best young talent in the
NRL. The Titans, well, would be happy to boast that the club is still afloat
these days, but have not lost any of their pride. They stood up to be counted
at Brookvale last start and came away from the fortress with a win.
This assignment will be very different. Wonder boy Aidan
Sezer will be brought back down to earth and the relentless Broncos attack will
prove too much for the visitors. Tantalising matchup out wide with Jack Reed
facing Jamal Idris but it will be the likes of Alex Glenn and Sam Thaiday
bending the Titans line that will cause the most damage. Brisbane finish
stronger but the boys from Robina simply refuse to crumble.
My tip: Brisbane 30-14
Canterbury Bulldogs v Manly Sea Eagles
If you've had a chance to catch your breath after the
ANZAC Day matches, then settle in for another blockbuster from ANZ stadium on
Friday night. The Eagles and the 'Dogs have a great rivalry to begin with, but
now it’s been juiced up a little. Accusations of poaching, court cases, players
jumping ship... the drama continues. Strangely, this is the way of things in
2012 as coaches can be plotting the downfall of an opposing player one day; and
trying to sign him the next.
Kieran Foran is that player. He returns from injury with
the Stewart brothers to put Manly ahead in the betting and in the end, ahead on
the scoreboard. Whilst Hasler has the 'Dogs playing the type of football that
almost beat the Storm a fortnight ago, it will not be enough to get over his
old club. The Kris Keating/Josh Reynolds combination simply won't have enough
points in them to dethrone the reigning premiers, but they will give it a
bloody good go.
My tip: Manly 24-14
Flip a coin, people. The Cowboys come off a complete
annihilation of the Roosters while the Bunnies defence is reeling from a 40
point thrashing by the Warriors last start. Both clubs bouncing between good
and bad games, never quite nailing down a consistent approach so expect exactly
the same in this match at Homebush on Saturday night. Momentum shifts, lead
changes and no doubt a big finish.
So, with the game on the line in the final 20, Jonathan
Thurston and Matt Bowen deliver once again to get the 2 points for the visitors
from Townsville. On a night where all Cowboy fans will be salivating at the
thought Tariq Sims and James Taumalolo being on the field at the same time,
these young firebrands will deliver and deliver well. Adam Reynolds and John
Sutton might want to double up in the underwear department.
My tip: North Queensland 30-20
Canberra Raiders v Cronulla Sharks
Sunday afternoon in our nation's capital has the mighty
Sharks on the road to face the Raiders under duress. Whilst they get the
amazing Shaun Fensom back from injury this week, the Raiders once again take
the field without their biggest stars. Josh Dugan still confined to the circus
with that horrendous looking shoulder and Terry Campese out of action for
season 2012. Heartbreak for Campo but another opportunity for the talented Sam
Williams.
Talented, yes... but against the Sharks... No. The
Gallen, Bukuya and Smith back row continues to inspire memories of Gavin Miller
and Dan Stains whilst the Todd Carney experiment continues to succeed. Carney's
combination with Jeff Robson will lead the visitors to a hard fought win
against a tough opposition. The Raiders will start strong but its Carney who
reminds the Raiders fans how unlucky they are.
My tip: Cronulla 24-20
Parramatta Eels v Wests Tigers
Only a few short seasons ago, this fixture had fans and
commentators alike turning rabid with excitement. Jarryd Hayne might have been
the best they had ever seen and Benji Marshall was a magician with the
football. These days, the Eels are winners of 1 from 7 and the Tigers once
famous attack has not yet shifted into high gear. Perhaps a result of new age
defensive strategies in the NRL, or perhaps the dream is over.
Either way, the traditional battle between two Western
Sydney clubs on Sunday afternoon at Parramatta Stadium can still draw a crowd.
Hayne will fire, no doubt, but it will be Benji and Robbie Farah who finish on
top. The home side still lack direction with Sandow and Roberts in charge and
this will cost them dearly as the weight of possession tells a story once
again. The Tigers control the ball and get their mojo back.
My tip: Wests 30-12
Newcastle Knights v Penrith Panthers
Monday Night Football from the Hunter and you won't find
a more excited bunch than the Knights faithful this week. Kurt Gidley returns
from injury, Danny Buderus being heralded as NSW favourite son and the return
of a mighty force known as Evarn Tuimavave. It all points to a big crowd and a
big win for Newcastle especially since the struggling Panthers are coming to
town as losers of 3 in a row.
Make that 4. Whilst Panthers coach Ivan Cleary makes a
few changes in an attempt to shake his team out of its attacking funk, it is
his defence that will be left with more questions to answer. The Knights strike
power finally starts to reach its potential as the likes of Uate and Boyd see
more of the ball and cause havoc on the right side. Tough times for the boys
from Penrith; they have not scored a premiership point since March 31. A test
of their character here.
My tip: Newcastle 25-6
for live updates throughout the weekend, go to http://leagueunlimited.com/
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