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NRL preview panel for round 25 (all times AEST):
FRIDAY
PARRAMATTA EELS v PENRITH PANTHERS at Parramatta Stadium, 7.35pm
Head to head: Eels 49, Panthers 29, Drawn 2
Last clash: Panthers 38 bt Eels 34 at Parramatta Stadium (Rd 17, 2009)
TAB Sportsbet: Eels $1.36, Panthers $3.00
FootyTAB: Panthers +8.5 points
Last week’s battle between Parramatta and Wests Tigers at the Sydney Football Stadium showcased everything great about the NRL but this clash has the potential to eclipse it. The eighth-placed Panthers sit one place above the Eels on the ladder, thanks to a fractionally superior points differential, and defeat is not an option for either side. The Eels have been electrified by Jarryd Hayne’s brilliance in a run of six successive victories. However, they were blitzed by the Panthers’ very own superstar Michael Jennings in round 17, with the NSW centre scoring a hat-trick in a dramatic 38-34 win. Jennings tied Parramatta winger Joel Reddy in knots that day and if he does the same again the Panthers have a great chance of ending their local rivals’ season. Stopping Hayne will go a long way to doing that, but Matt Elliott’s side must also contend with a reborn Krisnan Inu and an Eels forward pack that offloads the ball better than any team in the competition.
Key: Parramatta have tightened up considerably in defence since the last time the two sides met, conceding just 80 points. The same cannot be said for Penrith, who have given up 195.
Tip: Eels
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS v BRISBANE BRONCOS at Dairy Farmers Stadium, 7.35pm
Head to head: Broncos 20, Cowboys 4, drawn 1
Last clash: Broncos 19 bt Cowboys 18 at Suncorp Stadium (Rd 1, 2009)
TAB Sportsbet: Cowboys $2.65, Broncos $1.45
FootyTAB: Cowboys +6.5 points
After being humiliated by Canberra four weeks ago Brisbane have bounced back impressively with three successive wins to get their season back on track. The return of Israel Folau from injury comes at the perfect time for the Broncos with victory almost certain to secure an incredible 18th successive finals appearance, while the crisis that had threatened to envelop Red Hill looks firmly behind them. The 10th-placed Cowboys were abysmal in the second half against Newcastle last week, surrendering a 22-8 halftime lead to lose 32-26, and now require results to go in their favour to make the eight. The loss of Matt Bowen with a knee injury was the main factor in their capitulation at EnergyAustralia Stadium and Neil Henry has called on his players to step up and ease the burden on Johnathan Thurston. Thurston has carried the team for most of this season and will need to be at his best to halt the Broncos, who have scored 106 points in their last three games.
Key: Thurston up against his Queensland and Kangaroos teammate Darren Lockyer is a mouthwatering prospect, but he will need to be at his brilliant best to win this one for the Cowboys.
Tip: Broncos
SATURDAY
GOLD COAST TITANS v WESTS TIGERS at Skilled Park, 5.30pm
Head to head: Titans 2, Tigers 2
Last clash: Tigers 28 bt Titans 12 at Skilled Park (Rd 26, 2008)
TAB Sportsbet: Titans $1.36, Tigers $3.00
FootyTAB: Tigers +8.5 points
It is hard not to feel sorry for the Tigers who once again have been hit by a catalogue of injuries. The 26-18 defeat by Parramatta last week cost them more than a place in the top eight with leading tryscorer Taniela Tuiaki breaking his leg and Beau Ryan injuring his knee to rule them out of this game. Utility Tim Moltzen (collarbone) and forward Chris Heighington (knee) also pulled up hurt after a bruising encounter and are both rated as doubtful. The Tigers took on the Eels on the back of six straight wins, but face a massive test against a Titans side that have already sealed a top-four spot and tasted just one defeat in 11 home games this season. However, with Benji Marshall in his best form since the premiership-winning season in 2005, and giant English second-rower Gareth Ellis enjoying a a stellar first season in the NRL, the Tigers will head to south-east Queensland in confident mood. The Titans, may have one eye on their first ever finals encounter, and this could work in favour of the Tim Sheens’ side who must win to keep alive their season.
Key: Queensland has been hit by some unseasonably high temperatures with the mercury rising to 31 degrees last Sunday in the Titans’ win over Cronulla. However, this could work in the visitors’ favour with their flamboyant style well suited to dry conditions.
Tip: Titans
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS v ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA at ANZ Stadium, 7.30pm
Head to head: Dragons 11, Rabbitohs 2
Last clash: Dragons 26 bt Rabbitohs 12 at ANZ Stadium (Rd 12, 2008)
TAB Sportsbet: Dragons $1.11, Rabbitohs $6.00
FootyTAB: Rabbitohs +8.5 points
Another year of disappointment for the Rabbitohs was ensured last week with defeat to Penrith ending their finals hopes. The ladder-leading Dragons have lost their last two games but rumours suggest this is down to coach Wayne Bennett flogging his troops in training in a bid to prepare them for the finals. This game should give a better indication as to where the Dragons are, with the Rabbitohs having nothing to play for. However, with momentum so important at this stage of the season, a defeat could have a few alarm bells ringing down Kogarah way. It could also ensure those infamous commemorative minor premiership t-shirts never see the light of day. The loss of Roy Asotasi (knee) and Michael Crocker (hamstring) hit Souths hard at CUA Stadium last week. However, coach Jason Taylor will be hoping his halves pairing of Chris Sandow and John Sutton can finish an indifferent campaign with a flourish in their final home game.
Key: Bennett will be looking for a response from his players after two successive defeats and the injury-hit Souths could be in for a long night.
Tip: Dragons
MELBOURNE STORM v SYDNEY ROOSTERS at Olympic Park, 7.30pm
Head to head: Storm 10, Roosters 9
Last clash: Storm 28 bt Roosters 12 at Bluetongue Stadium (Rd 9, 2009)
TAB Sportsbet: Storm $1.11, Roosters $6.00
FootyTAB: Roosters +18.5 points
Another week and another step closer to a first wooden spoon since 1966 for the Roosters, who have only just accumulated enough points to stop them driving. This will be the Storm’s final game at Olympic Park, where the Roosters have not won for five years. After three defeats in four games, the hosts must win to preserve their top four spot. Coach Craig Bellamy lived up to his nickname of ‘Bellyache’ after last week’s loss to Manly and warned his players they will miss out on the finals altogether unless they turn around their poor form. The Roosters will be desperate to win but the Storm don’t lose two successive games at home very often. Key: The likely return of Greg Inglis, after he was reinstated by the club on Thursday, will be a huge boost to the Storm and make the Roosters’ task even harder.
Tip: Storm
SUNDAY
MANLY SEA EAGLES v CRONULLA SHARKS at Brookvale Oval, 2pm
Head to head: Sea Eagles 51, Sharks 22 Drawn 2
Last clash: Sea Eagles 32 bt Sharks 26 at Toyota Stadium (Rd 19, 2009)
TAB Sportsbet: Sea Eagles $1.05, Sharks $9.00
FootyTAB: Sharks +23.5 points
Hard to believe these two sides met for a place in the grand final last year, with the hapless Sharks as threatening in attack as a Swiss war veteran. The reigning premiers were at their hard-working best grinding out a dour 20-16 win over Melbourne last week. And with Brookvale’s favourite son Brett Stewart returning, the home supporters will be expecting a try-fest. Cronulla coach Ricky Stuart has said he can’t wait for the 2009 season – the most difficult in his long career – to end. His young side have shown great character if not results and will not go down lightly against the Sea Eagles, who they were unlucky to lose when the teams last met six weeks ago. The form of Anthony Watmough has been sensational this season and the match-up between him and NSW team-mate Paul Gallen in the forwards should be telling.
Key: Manly seem to grow an extra leg with Brett Stewart in their team and the return of the NRL’s leading tryscorer in 2008 is a big boost at a vital time of the season.
Tip: Sea Eagles
BULLDOGS V WARRIORS at ANZ Stadium, 3pm
Head to head: Bulldogs 13, Warriors 10
Last clash: Bulldogs 18 bt Warriors 14 at Mount Smart Stadium (Rd 18, 2009)
TAB Sportsbet: Bulldogs $1.09, Warriors $7.00
FootyTAB: Warriors +19.5 points
Bulldogs scoring machine Hazem El Masri bows out at the end of this season after a 14-year career and the club are using their last regular game of the season at ANZ Stadium to pay tribute to the NRL’s record points getter. The Dogs can move to the top of the ladder with a victory if results go in their favour. The New Zealanders have been a huge disappointment in a season that promised so much and the Bulldogs will fancy their chances of securing a fifth successive win against a side that travels about as well as imported Guinness. Brett Kimmorley was outstanding against the Roosters on Monday and the expected bumper crowd should relish the chance to see him take on Kiwi legend Stacey Jones in his penultimate game in the NRL.
Key: Bulldogs
Tip: El Masri has been an ornament to the game, and the Bulldogs will want to ensure his last non-finals home game is a special one.
MONDAY
CANBERRA RAIDERS v NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Head to head: Raiders 17 Knights 13 Drawn 1
Last clash: Knights 23 bt Raiders 4 at EnergyAustralia (Rd 18 2009)
TAB Sportsbet: Raiders $1.90 Knights $1.90
FootyTab: Knights +2.5
New Knights coach Rick Stone has shown he has the midas touch with two wins in his first two games since replacing Brian Smith and confidence will be soaring after last week’s come-from-behind win over North Queensland. Jarrod Mullen and Isaac De Gois were sensational against the Cowboys and they will need to repeat that at Canberra Stadium where Newcastle have lost six of their last seven games. The Raiders’ season is over but, as St George Illawarra found out two weeks ago, David Furner’s side are a tough proposition on their own patch. This will not be an easy test for the Knights but one they have to pass to ensure they keep their place in the top eight.
Key: Mullen and De Gois will be crucial for the Knights but they can’t expect to give up 22 points in the first half, like they did against the Cowboys, and win every week.
Tip: Knights
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