Preview of League Round 4 matches (all times AEDT).
FRIDAY, March 23
Parramatta Eels v Penrith Panthers at Parramatta Stadium 7.35pm
Head to Head: Eels 51 Panthers 31
Last clash: Round 19 2011 – Panthers 23 bt Eels 22 at Centrebet Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Eels $2.10 Panthers $1.75
FootyTAB: Eels +2.5
The Battle of the West is certainly not shaping up as a battle for the best this weekend. Both teams enter this match in miserable form. The Eels are winless and got spanked 42-6 by North Queensland last round, while Penrith were hammered by South Sydney. Remarkably, the Eels are unchanged despite their embarrassing loss, although fullback Jarryd Hayne remains a slim chance to recover from his knee injury. The Panthers have brought back injured prop Tim Grant in their only change.
Key: Chris Sandow is the Eels money man. He’s been wholehearted and scored three tries in the opening rounds without much support, but against a weaker opposition he desperately needs to deliver.
Tip: Panthers
South Sydney Rabbitohs v Brisbane Broncos at nib Stadium 9.00pm
Head to Head: Souths 5 Broncos 19 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 25 2011 – Broncos 22 bt Souths 10 at Suncorp Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Souths $2.20 Broncos $1.70 FootyTAB: Souths +2.5
Beware the upset. Favourites Brisbane have looked sloppy in their two wins, and probably at their best in their one loss, while Souths were perhaps unlucky in the opening two weeks before blowing Penrith away last round. Greg Inglis’ move to fullback was a masterstroke against Penrith, and he’s retained his spot there. Having Inglis at the back gives the Rabbitohs more options in attack and halfback Adam Reynolds played his most confident game of NRL as a result. Brisbane need to show lots of improvement from the Knights game, where they made 13 errors.
Key: Dave Taylor announced this week he’ll be leaving the Rabbitohs at the end of 2012. The monster forward started the year in fine form and now has added motivation to do well this season. Watch out.
Tip: Souths
SATURDAY, March 24
Warriors v Gold Coast Titans at Mt Smart Stadium 5.30pm
Head to Head: Warriors 4 Titans 6
Last clash: Round 18 2011 – Warriors 22 bt Titans 6 at Mt Smart Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Warriors $1.22 Titans $4.50
FootyTAB: Titans +14.5
We’re only three rounds in, but the same problems are surfacing – both on and off the field – at the Gold Coast which led to them picking up the wooden spoon last year. The Titans have just the one win this season and danger signs are starting to appear. However, the Warriors also only have the one win to their name but came close to adding to that in Sunday’s loss to Canterbury. However, they can’t keep letting losses mount, especially at home. They get a perfect opportunity to get their first home victory against a Titan side coming off a thumping by Melbourne. Jamal Idris remains sidelined with a hamstring injury for the Titans, while Test prop Sam Rapira is rated a 50/50 chance to return for the hosts.
Key: Despite a poor start, the Titans have been well served by their forwards. They’ll have their work cut out for them however, with Warrior Ben Matulino proving his worth as a starting prop.
Tip: Warriors
St George-Illawarra Dragons v Manly Sea Eagles at Oki Jubilee Stadium 7.30pm
Head to Head: Dragons 13 Sea Eagles 5
Last clash: Round 16 2011 – Dragons 24 bt Sea Eagles 6 at WIN Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Dragons $1.73 Sea Eagles $2.15
FootyTAB: Dragons +2.5
St George Illawarra quickly returned to form with a crushing victory over Wests Tigers last weekend, announcing to the competition that they have plenty to offer this season. Manly suffered a shock loss to Cronulla on Monday night – and have to contend with a five-day turnaround plus the loss of another star player. Test second-rower Tony Williams copped a seven-week ban for a dangerous throw charge, adding to the loss of Glenn Stewart and Steve Matai, giving coach Geoff Toovey plenty of headaches. One of which will be how to contain Brett Morris. He moved to fullback last week to great effect, adding another element to the Dragons’ attack. Manly have a horror record at Kogarah, having lost all four encounters at the ground.
Key: Defence in the middle of the ruck. The Dragons ran rampant through the Tigers’ soft underbelly last week, scoring easy tries in the middle of the park. If they can do that against Manly, the premiers will stand no chance.
Tip: Dragons
North Queensland Cowboys v Cronulla Sharks at Dairy Farmers Stadium 9.30pm
Head to Head: Cowboys 9 Sharks 19
Last clash: Round 25 2011 – Cowboys 28 bt Sharks 20 at Dairy Farmers Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Cowboys $1.41 Sharks $3.00
FootyTAB: Sharks +6.5
After a miserable performance in round one, North Queensland seem to have quickly found their groove – producing impressive back-to-back wins to move into the top eight. A brave last-ditch victory over rivals Brisbane was followed by a 36-point win over the Eels last weekend. Johnathan Thurston and Matt Bowen were at their majestic best, while Jason Taumololo had an impact off the bench – scoring a try and setting up another within two minutes of taking the field. Cronulla won’t be overawed however, having just knocked off Manly in a strong performance. The new halves combination of Jeff Robson and Todd Carney paid instant dividends as the Sharks looked more composed in attack than they have in years.
Key: Paul Gallen is the heart and soul of the Sharks. He made 249 metres and 34 tackles against Manly. Any game in which he can get that sort of output, Cronulla are a chance.
Tip: Cowboys
SUNDAY, March 25
Melbourne Storm v Sydney Roosters at AAMI Park 2.00pm
Head to Head: Storm 12 Roosters 11
Last clash: Round 26 2011 – Roosters 40 bt Storm 8 at Allianz Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Storm $1.22 Roosters $4.50
FootyTAB: Roosters +12.5
The quiet achievers of the NRL this season have been the Sydney Roosters, who have already notched up two wins despite nobody taking much notice. Sunday’s error-strewn game against the Raiders showed that they can win ugly – and boy was it ugly. The Roosters made 23 errors, but still managed to escape. That won’t happen against the Storm who are in superb touch. They’re looking a lot like the team that romped to last year’s minor premiership. But the Roosters have had the wood over them in recent seasons, winning two out of the past three clashes.
Key: Could it be anyone but Billy? Slater’s form has reached a new stratosphere this season, crossing for two tries in all three matches so far. The Dally M medal winner is in career best form and looks unstoppable.
Tip: Storm
Canterbury Bulldogs v Newcastle Knights at ANZ Stadium 3.00pm
Head to Head: Bulldogs 18 Knights 16 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 25 2011 – Bulldogs 32 bt Knights 22 at ANZ Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Bulldogs $1.45 Knights $2.80
FootyTAB: Knights +6.5
Des Hasler’s Canterbury team have leapt every hurdle so far, including a stern test thrown at them by the Warriors last round. When the game got tight, the Dogs defended grimly and counter-attacked with success to come away with a comfortable win. They look a confident and drilled side under their new coach, unlike Newcastle – who have yet to reach any great heights under Wayne Bennett. The Knights attack was a shambles against the Broncos. Their only try came from a piece of individual brilliance by Akuila Uate. And outside of him there doesn’t seem to be anyone interested in scoring tries. Injuries haven’t helped, and they’ll again be without captain Kurt Gidley (shoulder) and centre Wes Naiqama (knee).
Key: For Newcastle to be a threat they need more spark from dummy-half. Fan favourite Danny Buderus has been excellent in defence, but the 34-year-old needs to produce more in attack.
Tip: Bulldogs
MONDAY, March 26
Wests Tigers v Canberra Raiders at Campbelltown Sports Stadium 7.00pm
Head to Head: Tigers 14 Raiders 9
Last clash: Round 8 2011 – Tigers 49 bt Raiders 12 at Canberra Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Tigers $1.45 Raiders $2.80 Draw $0.00
FootyTAB: Raiders +6.5
We’re only at round four but already this looms as a must-win game for the Tigers, who have quickly faded from premiership favouritism after three lacklustre performances – and just one victory. Their goal-line and ruck defence were particularly disappointing against St George Illawarra last weekend, an area they’ll need to sort out before facing Canberra. The Raiders have concerns of their own, with fullback Josh Dugan (shoulder) and tackling machine Shaun Fensom (bicep) both ruled out for up to six weeks. The Raiders will miss Dugan’s attack and kick returns dearly, but Fensom’s defensive workload could be equally difficult to replace. Gareth Ellis returns for the Tigers, but they’ll be without captain Robbie Farah (suspension). Back-rower Liam Fulton will deputise at hooker.
Key: Benji Marshall has carried the Tigers attack all season, racking up an NRL-leading four try assists. His halves partner, Tim Moltzen, has been less impressive. The Tigers will be a major threat when these two start to click.
Tip: Tigers
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