Can the Sharks score a home semi-final?

 

Roar Guru

By Alan Nicolea, 22 Aug 2008 Alan Nicolea is a Roar Guru

Tagged:

 Darren Lockyer, NRL, Parramatta, Rabbitohs, Roosters, Rugby League, South Sydney, South Sydney Rabbitohs, St George Illawarra, St George Illawarra Dragons, Sydney Roosters

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Whoever wins the Sharks-Roosters game this weekend will secure a home semi-final and stay in the running for a top two finish.

The Sharks were out muscled in an error-riddled game against the Warriors, while the Roosters were humbled against the Melbourne Storm.

The return of Nate Myles, Craig Fitzgibbon and Setamata Sa will give the Roosters the grunt upfront that was lacking against Melbourne last week. Cronulla have been terrific at home this season, but their inability to rack on the points against top sides remains their Achilles heel. The Roosters have a terrific record against Cronulla, winning eight of their past ten matches.

Meanwhile, in other big matches this weekend, three weeks ago, the Brisbane Broncos Vs Gold Coast Titans match had a Broncos victory written all over it. Brisbane had just disposed of the Raiders and looked in tune for a top four birth. Since then, though, they have lost to the Warriors and Dragons in consecutive weeks and face a Titans side containing messiah Scott Prince. This game has the potential to be a high scoring affair resembling the early season tussle in which the Gold Coast won. A Darren Lockyer field goal was all that separated them the last time they met at Suncorp stadium. It will be close again.

And this is it for Newcastle. Their 2008 aspirations hang on the line against a Cowboys outfit welcoming the return of superstar Johnathon Thurston. Despite them running last, the Cowboys look a different unit with Thurston on board and will cause the Knights problems. North Queeensland have a good record at Energy Australia stadium, winning three of the past four matches there. Newcastle’s recent form makes them favourites here, but tread carefully in this one. If the Cowboys score first, this should go the full eighty. The Knights though should sneak home.

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