A quarter of the season has flown by so quickly. By now, we know who are the real contenders and pretenders for this year’s premiership, with Melbourne, Souths, the Roosters and Manly already displaying their title credentials.
This week’s feature match, for mine, is Friday night’s Broncos versus Rabbitohs match.
The Broncos are playing their way into the season after losing three of their first four matches, while the Rabbitohs continue to impress every week, with their only blemish a 17-10 defeat to the Melbourne Storm in round six.
Brisbane Broncos versus South Sydney Rabbitohs
Friday May 3
7:35pm
Suncorp Stadium
Last meeting: Broncos 26-12 at Suncorp Stadium, Round 16, 2012.
This is the ultimate test for the young Brisbane Broncos side. While they have won their last three matches, history between these two sides suggests this will become four.
The Broncos put in an impressive performance last week against the Wests Tigers following their victories over the Titans and Cowboys in the weeks preceding the first bye of the season.
Yet Brisbane will be chasing only their second home victory of the season, with three of their four wins this year coming outside of Suncorp Stadium.
If the Rabbitohs are to triumph on Friday night, they will need to overcome a terrible record in the Sunshine City, where they have only won once since 1989.
Last year, the Bunnies were beaten convincingly by the Broncos on both occasions and never looked like winning either one.
However, one of Souths’ most notable performances came back in 2009, when they ran over an all-star Broncos side then led by none other than Darren Lockyer.
On that cold July night in Brisbane, the Rabbitohs put on an attacking exhibition that showed just how great they could be.
Although they would miss the finals that year, the victory showed how far the Bunnies had come from the dark days of being re-admitted into the NRL in 2002.
Last week, the team was very impressive in the defensive ranks against Manly, keeping the Silvertails tryless in the first half and going on with the job in the second to win 20-12.
Their impressive 6-1 start to the season shouldn’t be threatened here, but if they have an off night, like they did twice against the Broncos last year, it will cost them.
Match-up: Josh Hoffman versus Greg Inglis. The Broncos boast one of the most exciting fullbacks in the competition, but how will he handle a man that has been unstoppable since switching to fullback last year?
Key: In years past, the Rabbitohs feared playing at Suncorp Stadium, but they no longer do. The question will be whether they can continue to handle big crowds week in, week out. Also, home ground advantage might work in the Broncos’ favour here.
Tip: Broncos by six points.
OTHER MATCHES
Bulldogs versus Wests Tigers
The Bulldogs played their way back into form last week against the Sharks and should continue their resurgence against an injury-hit Wests Tigers side. Both teams have only two wins each; the Tigers have lost their last four on the trot.
Tip: Bulldogs by 12 points.
Melbourne Storm versus Canberra Raiders
The Storm are 7-0 to start the season and shouldn’t be threatened by the Canberra Raiders, though the Raiders have won their last two matches against the Storm in Melbourne to eliminate any fear they have of playing down south.
Tip: Storm by 16 points.
Parramatta Eels versus North Queensland Cowboys
The Eels were very poor last week but they return home to Parramatta Stadium for this one, where they are yet to drop a game this season. The Cowboys should still prove too good for them.
Tip: Cowboys by 14 points.
New Zealand Warriors versus Gold Coast Titans
The Warriors have just one victory for the season but come up against a team that was very poor last week.
The Titans, though, seem to have more bigger names in form than the Warriors at this stage, and should get up here.
Tip: Titans by eight points.
Newcastle Knights versus Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
The Knights return home on the back of their first victory outside of Newcastle this season, and shouldn’t be threatened by a crisis-ridden Cronulla side which is still feeling the effects of the ASADA investigation.
Tip: Knights by 18 points.
Sydney Roosters versus Penrith Panthers
The Roosters continue to impress every week, with the Dragons their latest victims. But they come across a side who themselves were also very impressive last week.
Tip: Roosters by 14 points.
St George Illawarra Dragons versus Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Both sides were very disappointing last week, but the Dragons return home to WIN Jubilee Oval for the first time since round five. This was the venue of their greatest ever comeback against the Sea Eagles back in 2004.
Manly, on the other hand, will be trying to protect their position in the top four, but will have to overcome a poor record at WIN to do so.
Tip: Dragons by eight points.
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