Five rounds down and what a strange top eight we have, with the Gold Coast Titans leading the competition with a negative percentage, and last year’s wooden spooners Parramatta placed higher than the reigning premiers, the Sydney Roosters, ahead of their rematch on Saturday night.
This round could be considered a ‘rivalry round’, with so many marquee matches to occur, including the local Queensland derby, the match-up of two former Test coaches, two grand final rematches from 1999 and 2005 and the battle of the beaches between Manly and Cronulla.
Once again, only the two Friday night matches will be previewed in detail.
Panthers versus Rabbitohs
Big things are expected for the Panthers and Rabbitohs this year, but both teams have been inconsistent to start off the season.
For all the hard work that had been done during the off-season as far as recruitment is concerned, the Panthers’ season has gone on a win-loss trend, with the club winning its three games at home and losing two away.
The Bunnies had endured three straight losses since beating the Roosters in Round 1 but bounced back for John Sutton’s record-breaking appearance against the Dragons.
Another win for Michael Maguire’s men will put their premiership aspirations back on track, another loss could cause some panic among fans of a team who have not won the premiership since 1971.
Based on both teams’ inconsistencies so far this season, this really is a hard match to pick a winner with confidence, but I’ll take the Panthers.
Titans versus Broncos
The Gold Coast Titans sit on top of the ladder with a points differential of -9, the sticking point being a 42-12 thrashing by the Wests Tigers in Round 2.
On that merit it’s hard to say whether the Titans are actually making any progress or not. Their four victories have been by no more than 12 points, but they do enter this round on the back of a narrow but confidence-boosting victory over the Melbourne Storm.
Their lead at the top of the ladder may not last long, as they welcome the Brisbane Broncos to the holiday strip for the third all-Queensland showdown this year.
The Broncos are making steady progress this season but enter this match on the back of an upset loss against Parramatta, and fullback Ben Barba struggling to rediscover his touch since returning home to Queensland. The Broncos need him firing if they are to become a genuine force this season.
For the Titans, forward Luke Douglas will line-up for his 200th consecutive game, after debuting for Cronulla, ironically against the Broncos in Round 2 of the 2006 season – an amazing achievement.
Another hard match to pick but I will tip the Broncos on the basis of their dominant record in the South East Queensland derby.
Raiders versus Knights
It was only four weeks ago that these teams last met, with the Raiders triumphing over an injury-hit Newcastle side away from home. This marked Ricky Stuart’s first coaching win against Wayne Bennett since 2007.
The Raiders and Knights will resume hostilities once again, with the rematch to be held at GIO Stadium in Canberra, where the Raiders were 24-12 losers to the Titans in Round 3.
Prediction: Raiders by 10.
Eels versus Roosters
As with the Raiders and Knights, it has been four weeks since the Eels and Roosters last met. That was at Allianz Stadium, when the Roosters inflicted a heavy loss on Parramatta, causing many Eels fans to fear another long season ahead.
Since then, the Eels have narrowly lost to Manly while also beating the Panthers at home and the Broncos in Brisbane. By contrast, the Roosters also defeated the Broncos in Brisbane before losing narrow contests against the Sea Eagles and Bulldogs.
The Eels will be keen to atone for the early-season thrashing they copped from the Chooks and will be cheered on by their home fans, who have seen their team win two of their three matches so far.
I still think the Roosters will be too good.
Prediction: Roosters by 14.
Wests Tigers versus Cowboys
The resurgence of the Wests Tigers continued when they dominated Manly in wet conditions last Sunday, and they will be favoured to continue their recent impressive form when they welcome the notoriously inconsistent Cowboys to Campbelltown on Saturday night.
The Cowboys lost three matches in a row since beating the Raiders in Round 1, but bounced back to their best to keep Newcastle try-less last Monday night at home, getting their season back on track.
The Tigers will be without James Tedesco (injured) and Braith Anasta (suspended), though I feel they can more than get the job done.
Prediction: Tigers by six.
Warriors versus Bulldogs
Yet another new era will dawn at the New Zealand Warriors, with Matthew Elliott having left the club, and caretaker coach Andrew McFadden will oversee the club for the remainder of the season.
The Warriors were inept against the Sharks last week and against the Bulldogs they could be in for an even tougher ask, as Des Hasler’s men arrive in New Zealand not only with a 3-2 record for the season but also two impressive victories over the Storm and Roosters.
Another loss for the Warriors could see the fans in for another long season, but if they can beat the Bulldogs on Sunday their confidence will rise, given the events of the last few days.
Prediction: Bulldogs by 14.
Sea Eagles versus Sharks
After an impressive start to the new season, the Sea Eagles came crashing back to earth with a dismal performance against the Tigers on Sunday. The Sea Eagles were completely outplayed from the opening whistle and were never in the contest at any stage.
Peter Sharp’s men enter this match on the back of their first victory of the season. Playing together for the first time all year, Todd Carney and Jeff Robson combined to finally put the Sharks on the board, thrashing the Warriors at home 37-6.
But can the Sharks pull off a boilover against a side badly outplayed last weekend, or will the Sea Eagles bounce back at their Brookvale fortress?
Prediction: Sea Eagles by 18.
Storm versus Dragons
After promising starts to the new season, things are threatening to fall apart for both the Storm and the Dragons.
Both sides won their first three matches of the year but have dropped their last two: the Storm were disappointing against the Bulldogs and were pipped by the Titans at home, while the Dragons were outplayed by the Broncos and Rabbitohs.
The Red V have not won in Melbourne since 1999, and on the basis of their last two weeks, the jinx does not appear to be ending anytime soon.
The Storm, on the other hand, were unlucky to be beaten by a final-minute penalty goal but nevertheless it was a good way to rebound after the embarrassing Round 4 loss to the Bulldogs in Perth.
At home, the Storm should re-enter the winner’s circle at the expense of the Dragons, whose star recruit Gareth Widdop returns to Melbourne for the first time since leaving the 2012 premiers at the end of last season.
Prediction: Storm by 14.
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