Preliminary finals NRL match previews

NRL preview panel for this weekend’s preliminary finals.

FRIDAY
BULLDOGS V PARRAMATTA EELS at ANZ Stadium, 7.45pm
Head to head: Bulldogs 66, Eels 54, drawn 5
Last time: Eels 27-8, rd 20 at ANZ Stadium
Recent form: Bulldogs WWWLW, Eels WWLWW
TAB SportsBet: Bulldogs $1.90, Eels $1.90
FootyTab: Bulldogs +1.5

Parramatta have proven they thrive on do-or-die football and will back themselves to be the first team into the grand final. The Eels have won nine of their last 10 matches, including a 27-8 victory over the `Dogs in round 20 which was instrumental in their electric late-season streak. Five-eighth Daniel Mortimer is yet to prove his fitness but Feleti Mateo says he’s ready to take the reins as he did in the Eels’ semi-final win over Gold Coast. The `Dogs, who enjoyed the week off leading up to the blockbuster match, are well rested and buoyed by the return of star halfback Brett Kimmorley (fractured cheekbone). The Bulldogs’ strong defence and imposing forward pack will make it difficult for the Eels to offload and attack from broken play, where they have been at their most dangerous in recent weeks. A massive crowd of more than 70,000 is expected for the clash of the western Sydney rivals.

Key: A successful return for Kimmorley, who possesses the nous and experience the Bulldogs will need to have any chance of halting Parramatta’s momentum.
Tip: Bulldogs

SATURDAY
MELBOURNE STORM V BRISBANE BRONCOS v at Etihad Stadium, 7.45pm
Head to head: Storm 15, Broncos 10, drawn 1
Last time: Storm 48-4, rd 13 at Olympic Park
Recent form: Storm LLWWW, Broncos WWWWW
TAB SportsBet: Storm $1.38, Broncos $3.00
FootyTab: Brisbane +8.5

The Storm may have been less consistent in 2009 than in previous years, but showed that meant nothing with a 40-12 ambush of Manly two weeks ago. This time they wait quietly over the southern border for Brisbane seeking a fourth straight grand final appearance. They’ve won their last six at Etihad, where fullback Billy Slater has scored a remarkable 11 tries in four matches, and could be boosted by the return of prop Scott Anderson. It looks bleak for a Brisbane side desperate to avenge their heartbreaking loss to the Storm in last year’s finals. Halfback Peter Wallace (ankle) is out and the Broncos have won only two of their last 11 against Melbourne.

Key: Ashton Sims. He cost Brisbane victory in their semi-final loss to Melbourne last year, but will give them hope with a performance as aggressive as last weeks’ against St George Illawarra.
Tip: Melbourne

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