An exceptional tradition started 12 years ago that has
now turned into a highlight of the entire season. The Dragons against the
Roosters on Anzac Day and what a short and stunning history it has been. Saints
lead the 12 match series 8 wins to 4 but were crushed last year by the eventual
premiers. This time around, Saints are vastly improved, having won 4 games
already compared to 2013’s horrifying total of 7.
The defending premiers are not excused, even after last
week’s win at Remondis Stadium. Their kicking game needs a re-boot (hold your
applause) and their go-forward is stuck in reverse (wait a second). Worse than
any of these issues is their attack; The Roosters are averaging 11 points per
game over the past month and this simply won’t fly (thank you, and don’t forget
to try the veal). Saints are your upset of the week with Trent Merrin playing
his 100th first grade match.
My tip: Dragons 24-22
A battle between the two worst defensive teams in the
competition, statistically speaking. The Storm’s much publicised woes continue
on the back of their 3rd loss in 4 matches but you won’t find any
sympathisers north of the Murray River and Craig Bellamy won’t be looking for
any. He won’t need anyone’s help to realise his defence is on the brink of
collapse and it’s not because of missing personnel. Something has changed with
the most successful club of the last decade.
Can the Warriors exploit this turmoil in their opponent’s
defensive line on Friday night at AAMI Park? No. The visitors may still have a
spark in them but won’t be able to sustain it over 80 minutes. Melbourne have
been competitive in every game Cameron Smith has played this year. Smith will
keep the Storm involved for 60 minutes and the Warriors will implode from
there. Manu Vatuvei v Sisa Waqa a highlight out wide in front of a near sell-out
crowd.
My tip: Melbourne 28-20
Suncorp Stadium on a Friday night and just as you feel
more national pride than you’ve ever felt before, this game will pop up on your
TV and ruin your day just a tiny little bit when ‘Bolts’ Hadley gets the call.
Brisbane v Souths to round out your Anzac Day triple header and from here on,
we’ll focus on the positives. Souths have won 2 from their last 3 and defended
very well in all three matches. They were the better team for 65 minutes last week
and will take that form to Brisbane.
The Broncos bounced back from a tough loss to the Titans
a fortnight ago by clinically destroying the Knights at Hunter Stadium. Not
easy to do. If they are any chance at beating Souths, they’ll need to replace
Sam Thaiday’s missing cover defence; an area where he has been magnificent. This
will be a grind with both teams defending well but if anyone can break the
shackles, it will be the likes of Greg Inglis and Ben Barba. A beauty from
Brisbane with Souths scraping home.
My tip: Souths 19-18
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks v Penrith Panthers
Saturday afternoon footy comes to you from Remondis
Stadium with the bottom-of-the-table Sharks hosting the Panthers. Cronulla did
all they could last week but still came up empty against the Roosters. Another frustrating
year for the boys from the Shire but with their team looking more and more like
a first grade squad, things might be looking up. Jeff Robson, Paul Gallen and
Todd Carney all now with some match fitness to try and stop the slide.
The Sharks have 1 win from 7 starts but this stat will
mean nothing when the Panthers arrive. Ivan Cleary’s squad has been the picture
of inconsistency this year, as is often the case when fielding a brand new
spine, and will struggle to knock off the home side in this one. Cronulla get
their second win of the season through improved performances from their
forwards and big games from ex-Panthers Wade Graham and Michael Gordon.
My tip: Cronulla 18-14The Cowboys have two options from here, don’t they? Either spend their week wondering why they find themselves bent over a barrel every year, with the referees carrying a very big stick… or simply control what they can and get on with the season. Coach Paul Green seems to be pointing his team towards the latter, by dropping his halfback for this match against the Eels. This might mean he doesn’t think the referees are to blame, just his 7.
And by gum, if anyone knows, Green would. Ray Thompson comes
in for Robert Lui to shore up the home side’s defence and fingers crossed for
Cowboys fans, this works. They’ll need something positive to happen and they
just might get it. Whilst Parramatta continue to surprise this year, travelling
to Townsville after a brutal Monday afternoon match might be too much to ask.
The Cowboys bounce back and avoid a third straight loss.
My tip: North Queensland 24-18
Saturday night from Sydney Olympic Park has the NRL’s form
team, the Bulldogs, hosting the Knights. You can bet coach Des Hasler has
watched plenty of video in preparation for this match, with Wayne Bennett’s
team beating the ‘Dogs three times last year, including an elimination
semi-final where the visitors crushed Canterbury into the ANZ Stadium turf.
This year brings a different mentality for the Bulldogs.
They sit atop the table with the league’s best defence,
the league’s best for-and-against and an NRL best 4 game winning streak. Get
ready for 80 minutes of niggling as three of the best in the business square
off against each other. None better than Mick Ennis who will be in the ear of fellow
pest, Beau Scott for as long as he can while ably supported by a flourishing
protégé in Josh Reynolds. The natives could get restless and by jobe we hope
they do. Dogs by a nose in a physical encounter.
My tip: Canterbury Bankstown 18-16
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles v Canberra Raiders
The mighty Eagles have won 4 from their past 5 with the
only loss coming from that ambush at Leichhardt Oval. This group keeps finding
ways to win when they have certainly not been the better team and now, they
host the Canberra Raiders on Sunday afternoon at Brookvale Oval. Your match of
the round and if you don’t believe me, don’t worry – simply tune in to see the
Eagles backline, even without last week’s MoM, Kieran Foran. Ridiculous.
If that’s not enough to keep you entertained; stand by
for a classic battle of hard hitting forwards up front in this match with the
veteran combination of Brett White and Dave Shillington tackling the much less
experienced Josh Starling and Brenton Lawrence. It will be a beauty and if the
heavens open as predicted, this match will be more violent and a lot closer
than the odds suggest. If Manly hold on to the pill, they have too many weapons
out wide.
My tip: Manly 20-16
Round 8 comes to a close from Sydney’s inner west on
Sunday afternoon and there is no better advertisement for the romance of a
suburban rugby league ground than Leichhardt Oval. The Tigers have won 7 from
their past 10 at this ground including some very big upsets and this week, they
get the Titans. John Cartwright’s men lost their first match in 5 weeks last
Monday at Penrith and will be struggling with their second away game in 6 days.
This puts Wests as very slight favourites with the
bookies but it will be a close one. More than this, it will be another test for
the Tigers new and improved forward pack. They’ve been the talk of the town so
far this season but this reputation will face its biggest challenge on Sunday.
The likes of Greg Bird, Nate Myles and Luke Douglas are as tough as they come
so get ready for some fireworks. This forwards battle will decide the winner
and the home side has the edge.
My tip: Tigers 21-20
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