Lucky Round 13 kicks off with the Dragons travelling up to Brooky under lights on Friday night. With a 7.30pm kick off, fans and players alike would want to leave home early to avoid the shambles that is Military Rd on a Friday arvo but rest assured - they will delay kick until Ben Hornby and his crew can make it. Well... maybe. The Sea Eagles have been known to do worse to visiting teams and this rivalry is no exception.
After nearly losing at home to the cellar dwellers of the competition, St George Illawarra will need to lift more than a few notches to have any chance in this match. Speaking of cellar dwellers, Manly had their own troubles at Penrith last week. They were beaten well but Brookvale Oval and an angry mob of locals will give them all the energy they need to outlast a disciplined but impotent Dragons attack.
My tip: Manly 20-6
Gold Coast Titans v North Queensland Cowboys
This is where critics of a Friday night double header will get their panties in a bunch; and it's hard to blame them. For Sydney viewers, you would no doubt have been treated to a beauty from Brookvale and before you've had a chance to catch your breath, the TV takes you to Skilled Park. An empty stadium, a struggling home team, delayed telecast, bloody commercials, and just when you think that’s bad enough, Ray Hadley gets the call.
So, for those of you who haven't succumbed to live updates on twitter or via leagueunlimited.com, this match probably won't be half bad. The Cowboys, on their second consecutive road trip, will have a point to prove and the Titans are coming off victories over Canterbury and Newcastle. An impressive turnaround for Cartwright and co but not enough to stop the Cowboys. A great battle up front with rep forwards scattered all over your team sheet and willing to rip in.
My tip: North Queensland 24-14
Canberra Raiders v Wests Tigers
Saturday night from our nation's capital and for the one or two who’ve read the odd match preview in this column, you'll know about my fascination with the weather in Canberra. Just can't keep myself from mentioning the bitterly cold evenings. Can't stop talking about frosty conditions. Refuse to consider other factors. It's like no footy team has ever warmed up before kick off!! Well - the dribble ends here. This far and no further.
Sans Gareth Ellis, this is the Tigers best forward pack and one that will challenge the Raiders own size and speed. Speaking of size and speed, anyone who saw the Origin under 20s match earlier this year will recognise Canberra winger and debutant, Edrick Lee. This young Maroon stands tall and looms large. Keep an eye on Lee - he should be lining up on the Raiders left side against Matt Utai. If the Raiders can control posession, they could stop the Tigers winning streak.
My tip: Raiders 24-22
Canterbury Bulldogs v South Sydney Rabbitohs
A classic matchup and one of the few Sydney rivalries left to celebrate. Souths and Canterbury have met 143 times and never have the people of Punchbowl hated the rowdies from Redfern more. Souths are a consistent and genuine threat and gone are the days when Canterbury were dominating this fixture to a point of embarrassment. Michael Maguire has introduced a level of pride and consistency none expected so quickly.
Last time out, Souths were able to exploit the advantage they gained from good field position to attack through the air and come up with enough points to cover the 'Dogs quite easily. This time round, hard to expect the 'home' side will blow as many opportunities as they did back in round 6. Josh Morris should dominate his matchup against Matt King and the Bulldogs roll from there. Should be a beauty.
My tip: Canterbury 18-16
New Zealand Warriors v The Melbourne Storm
A masterpiece from Mt Smart Stadium on Sunday afternoon and your match of the round. Credit must go to Warriors coach Brian McClennan for turning a bad start to the season around where his team is now just outside the top 8, but more importantly he has blooded some super talent. Konrad Hurrell and Ben Henry continue to impress and have complimented the more experienced Warriors with aplomb.
However, if we are talking about coaches, we must make mention of McClennan's counterpart for this match. The seething, spitting, simmering, smouldering psychopath that is Craig Bellamy. He will have the Storm well-prepared for the toughest road trip in the NRL and more so, will come away with the two points. Cooper Cronk teaches Shaun Johnson and former understudy James Maloney a few lessons as the Storm pull away late.
My tip: Melbourne 25-12
Brisbane Broncos v Newcastle Knights
The once mighty Broncos have not won a game since their dream run of Friday night matches came to an end. Heralded as bigger, stronger and quicker than everyone in the NRL earlier this year, they now face a fourth straight loss after winning 6 in a row. Perhaps the sudden change in scheduling has affected them... or perhaps it hasn’t; but either way they had their hats handed to them last week in Melbourne and will be out for redemption.
The Knights, meanwhile, have their own 3 game losing streak to worry about. They too, were lauded as bigger, stronger and quicker.... hang on... I’m confusing that with richer and richer and richer. Newcastle may have to wait for their rags to turn to riches as season 2012 slowly slips away. It keeps slipping at Suncorp on Sunday afternoon as the Broncos rally behind Ben Hannant, Peter Wallace and Jack Reed. Mock the Ginger at your peril.
My tip: Brisbane 24-12
Parramatta Eels v Cronulla Sharks
The Eels are 1 and 10; their coach has apparently 'lost' the dressing room; morale in tatters; heartbreak against the Dragons last week. On top off all of this... the Blue and Gold army now have to deal with Ben Roberts making his return to first grade. Wouldn't wanna be a Parramatta fan right now. They have some great young talent but nobody to lead them and Monday night presents a huge challenge for this struggling club.
The Sharks, meanwhile, welcome back their origin players, welcome back their coach from his intestinal issues and will finish off your round 13 fixtures with a win. The Bukuya, Smith, Gallen back row will get things rolling early and then it’s over to Jeff Robson to rip apart his old club with the able assistance of Todd Carney. The visitors get out to a good lead and their defence, ranked 3rd best in the NRL, does the rest.
My tip: Cronulla 26-10
for live updates throughout the weekend, go to http://leagueunlimited.com/
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