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NRL preview panel for round 19 (all times AEST).
FRIDAY
BRISBANE BRONCOS v SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS at Suncorp Stadium, 6.40pm
Head to head: Broncos 17, Rabbitohs 3, Drawn 1
Last clash: Broncos 32 bt Rabbitohs 18 at Suncorp Stadium (Rd 7, 2008)
TAB Sportsbet: Broncos $1.50, Souths $2.50
Centrebet: Broncos $1.52, Souths $2.50
The Rabbitohs bounced back to form by demolishing an understrength Panthers at ANZ Stadium last time out. While they have a poor history against the Broncos, key Brisbane players Darren Lockyer and Sam Thaiday have already pulled out of the match after Wednesday’s bruising Origin while Justin Hodges and Karmichael Hunt remain in doubt. Souths’ Origin duo Michael Crocker and Craig Wing appeared to avoid any major bumps and bruises and should be fine for the match. With star winger Israel Folau and forward Nick Kenny already missing for the home team, this might be the Bunnies’ best chance to end their 20-year wait to beat the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.
Key: The form of hot and cold Souths five-eighth John Sutton. He blew hot against the Panthers and the Rabbitohs were good, can he keep it going?
Tip: Souths
BULLDOGS v GOLD COAST TITANS at Suncorp Stadium, 8.30pm
Head to head: Bulldogs 2, Titans 2
Last clash: Titans 20 bt Bulldogs 12 at Skilled Park (Rd 3, 2009)
TAB Sportsbet: Bulldogs $1.67, Titans $2.15
Centrebet: Bulldogs $1.67, Titans $2.20
If anyone had any doubt about the Bulldogs’ premiership credentials they were silenced with a gutsy win over the Warriors in Auckland last week. Down on troops and coming off a short turnaround after their Monday night match against Manly, the Dogs showed plenty of fight to take the chocolates in New Zealand. The second half of the season has seen the Titans fade in the past two years but this time they’re close to full strength and this should be a cracker with several key Bulldogs coming back into the fold.
Key: The Bulldogs decision to take this game to Suncorp Stadium might not be an odd one. They’ve won three of their past four visits to Brisbane, while the Titans have lost four of their five games at the venue.
Tip: Bulldogs
SATURDAY
PENRITH PANTHERS v CANBERRA RAIDERS at CUA Stadium, 5.30pm
Head to head: Raiders 27, Panthers 26, drawn 1
Last clash: Panthers 18 bt Raiders 10 at Canberra (Rd 8, 2009)
TAB Sportsbet: Panthers $1.80, Raiders $2
Centrebet: Panthers $1.85, Raiders $1.95
Generally in any NRL season, injuries play a big role for at least one team chasing finals football and this year’s contenders could be the Panthers. Penrith are still in the eight despite conceding 70 points in their last two games but are struggling with Luke Lewis, Petero Civoniceva, Lachlan Coote and Frank Pritchard all sidelined. Add to that Trent Waterhouse’s likely suspension from his late hit on Steve Price in Origin III and coach Matt Elliott is again scraping the barrel for a team this weekend. Canberra were good against the Knights but ineffective in attack and need a win here to keep their finals hopes alive.
Key: Canberra’s halves. Terry Campese and Marc Herbert failed to use the territory and possession their teammates won for them against the Knights and will need to improve here.
Tip: Raiders
CRONULLA SHARKS v MANLY SEA EAGLES at Toyota Stadium, 7.30pm
Head to head: Sea Eagles 50, Sharks 22, drawn 2
Last clash: Sea Eagles 34 bt Sharks 6 at Toyota Stadium (Rd 18, 2008)
TAB Sportsbet: Sharks $2.65, Manly $1.45
Centrebet: Sharks $2.75, Manly $1.45
Manly were fairly thumped by St George Illawarra but the return of Origin stars Glenn Stewart, Anthony Watmough, Josh Perry and David Williams as well as centre Jamie Lyon will see a different Sea Eagles take on the Sharks this weekend. Cronulla’s mini-revival has somewhat stalled with just 16 points scored in their last two matches and they could struggle with former skipper Paul Gallen still battling a shoulder injury.
Key: The return of so many key players will be an obvious boost to the Sea Eagles. It should prove enough to get their finals charge back on track.
Tip: Sea Eagles
SUNDAY
SYDNEY ROOSTERS v WARRIORS at Sydney Football Stadium, 2pm
Head to head: Warriors 13, Roosters 10, drawn 1
Last clash: Warriors 17 bt Roosters 16 at Mt Smart Stadium (Rd 6, 2008)
TAB Sportsbet: Roosters $1.60, Warriors $2.30
Centrebet: Roosters $1.67, Warriors $2.20
Crunch time for the game’s two biggest disappointments this season. The Warriors were widely tipped by many as an outside bet for a top-four finish while the Roosters are trying to avoid their first wooden spoon in over 40 years after a crisis-laden year. Last time these teams met the Roosters blew a 16-0 halftime lead and Stacey Jones won it with a field goal in golden point. The Warriors can’t score points, they’ve failed to get more than 20 in any of their past 11 matches, and will give the Roosters a fighting chance considering they’ve not won in Australia since round two’s defeat of Manly. Losing skipper Steve Price after his KO in Origin III is a big blow for the Kiwis.
Key: Points. The Warriors have struggled to score all year while the Roosters have leaked worryingly at times. If the Warriors click in attack they could turn things around pretty quickly.
Tip: Roosters
WESTS TIGERS v NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS at Leichhardt Oval, 3pm
Head to head: Cowboys 11, Tigers 9
Last clash: Cowboys 42 bt Tigers 14 at Dairy Farmers Stadium (Rd 2, 2009)
TAB Sportsbet: Tigers $1.60, Cowboys $2.30
Centrebet: Tigers $1.63, Cowboys $2.28
The Cowboys have all the potential to be a top-four team, if only they could win in Sydney. Not since round 22 in 2007 have the boys from Townsville come down to the big smoke and grabbed the two competition points. Three weeks ago a win over the Tigers would have been a distinct possibility but Benji Marshall’s return to five-eighth and a 54-20 drubbing of Souths last time out will give the home team plenty of confidence. How the Cowboys’ Origin trio of Johnathan Thurston, Willie Tonga and Matt Scott back up from Wednesday night will be crucial.
Key: The form of Marshall will again be vital to the Tigers’ chances of prising apart the Cowboys defence.
Tip: Tigers
MONDAY
PARRAMATTA EELS v MELBOURNE STORM at Parramatta Stadium, 7pm
Head to head: Storm 12, Eels 8
Last clash: Eels 24 bt Storm 22 at Parramatta Stadium (Rd 16, 2008)
TAB Sportsbet: Eels $2.60, Storm $1.47
Centrebet: Eels $2.65, Storm $1.48
The Storm are much less dominant this year than in previous campaigns but they do hold a solid recent record against the Eels. Despite losing last time the two teams met, the Storm have won eight of their past 10 against the Eels including four from five at Parramatta Stadium. While Cameron Smith is in doubt the Storm’s other Origin stars – Billy Slater, Greg Inglis, Dallas Johnson and Brett are all expected to play. As such the visitors should be too strong for an Eels team which has only won three of eight matches at home this year.
Key: Can Jarryd Hayne continue his sensational form? If he’s on fire the Eels have a chance but it’s only a slim one.
Tip: Storm
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