- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
This weekend we have a big Easter round of matches, highlighted by the grand final rematch between the Bulldogs and the Rabbitohs at ANZ. Who will take the choccies this weekend?
Bulldogs (4th) versus Rabbitohs (3rd) – Friday third April – 4pm – ANZ Stadium (Sydney)
This one appears an interesting contest, the Rabbits on the back of a loss to Parramatta, while the Bulldogs somehow snuck home from 24-6 down against the Tigers in golden point.
Naturally people would be doubting the Rabbitohs somewhat, but really it was only a few finishing issues that stood between them overcoming the Eels.
The class of Greg Inglis and Adam Reynolds should step up on Friday, supported by the powerful forward pack led by Glenn Stewart and George Burgess. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs had no right to win last week, only let back into the contest by a number of Tigers errors.
A very different side will take the field this Friday. Brett Morris, Josh Reynolds and Tim Lafai all return. It could go either way, but key for the Bulldogs will be winning the battle of the forwards, which they should do powered by James Graham and Aiden Tolman.
If they fail to do so the likes of the brilliant Inglis and niggling Issac Luke will run rampage. A very hard one to call, but the Rabbits have turned themselves into a big game side. I’ll tip them by a mere six.
Titans (14th) versus Broncos (5th) – Friday third April – 8:35pm – Cbus Super Stadium (Gold Coast)
The Titans have the potential to cause many a side trouble this year, and their recent performances – almost knocking off front runners Newcastle before James Roberts stole a victory at Cronulla last week – give Brisbane reason to be worried.
The Broncos will come into the match with confidence, having won their last three matches, including a gutsy victory across the Tasman in Auckland last Sunday. The loss of captain Justin Hodges to injury will hurt the visitors’ inexperienced backline, but there is still good reason to fancy the experienced heads of Corey Parker and Sam Thaiday to lead the Broncos to victory.
Aidan Sezer has been excellent in recent weeks at five eighth, but I’m going to have to back the Broncos. I’ll tip them by ten.
Sea Eagles (13th) versus Raiders (12th) – Saturday fourth April – 5:30pm – Lavington Sports Ground (Albury)
Both sides come into this clash with only one win from four matches, including losses last weekend. Manly were surprising losers to an improved St George Illawarra, while Canberra were outclassed away to a rampant Roosters side.
Interestingly this Manly ‘home’ match will be played far closer to Canberra than the northern beaches, and could provide an opportunity for the ‘visitors’ to record their second away victory. Manly will miss captain Jamie Lyon to injury, but Steve Matai returns as an able replacement.
Halves Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran have the potential to take the game away from a youthful Canberra side, but haven’t been in great form in recent times, especially since Cherry-Evans’ departure to the Gold Coast was announced.
If Manly turn on they will win, and could win by a large margin. I’ll take them by 16.
Knights versus Dragons – Saturday fourth April – 7:30pm – Hunter Stadium (Newcastle)
On the back of a hard fought home victory over Manly, St George-Illawarra will make the trip up to Newcastle, to test the undefeated competition leaders.
Dragons fullback Josh Dugan was superb in last week’s win, prompting widespread plaudits and suggestions of potential Origin selection. Their defence was a key component of last week’s win, but it will have to be at its best to withstand an inspired Newcastle attack.
Under Rick Stone, the Knights have discovered newfound confidence, a brutal forward pack led by enforcers Beau Scott, Kade Snowden and Jeremy Smith, to be supported this week for the first time by major signing Tariq Sims.
Youthful centres Joseph Leilua and Dane Gagi have played in a similar fashion, supported out wide by Akuila Uate. This will be a very different test for the Dragons, playing a side with far more confidence than the deflated Raiders and Manly outfits that they conquered.
It should still be a very tight match, but I’ll take Newcastle by eight
Roosters (second) versus Sharks (16th) – Sunday fifth April – 4pm – Allianz Stadium (Sydney)
It seems an awful mismatch. The Roosters thrashed Canberra last start, while Cronulla are still left searching for a first victory in 2015 after the Gold Coast stole the match last Saturday.
Blake Ferguson will be missing for the Roosters, but with Shaun Kenny-Dowall moving to cover in the centres, it should have little impact. Former NSW Origin halves combination Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney continue to be prolific, with Pearce playing a role in five of their six tries against the Raiders.
Meanwhile, Cronulla have made unforced changes in a desperate attempt to see some improvements. Valentine Holmes has been named at fullback, exchanging places with now winger Michael Gordon. NSW Origin prop Andrew Fifita has been dropped to the bench, following a very disappointing start to 2015.
It is hard to see this one being close, with the class of the Roosters likely to shine through. I’ll tip them by 20.
Eels (8th) versus Tigers (10th) – Monday sixth April – 3pm – ANZ Stadium (Sydney)
A Western Sydney match-up sees the conquerors of premiers South Sydney, take on a Tigers side who undid a substantial lead to go down to Canterbury in golden point. Both have been inconsistent yet appear improved from last season.
Eels halfback Chris Sandow was instrumental in last week’s shock win, and will continue to be key to Parramatta’s chances this season. Brother of superstar Israel, John Folau marked his second match in the top grade with a double last week and the Eels will need their young backs to shine, in light of the major injury sustained by winger Semi Radradra in Round 3.
They will go into the match buoyed by last week’s win, but the Tigers will be boosted by the return of Aaron Woods, Dene Halatau and Pat Richards, whose kicking game was much missed in golden point last week. Given the inconsistency of both sides, this game will be hard to tip but I’ll take a trip on the Chrissy Sandow train, and back Parramatta by four
Storm (7th) versus Warriors (9th) – Monday sixth April – 5pm – AAMI Park (Melbourne)
Both sides will be looking to bounce back from tight victories, to secure a place in the top eight at the end of the round.
Melbourne were the better side for much of their match in North Queensland, but were pipped in golden point. The triumvirate of Cam Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater are still potent at times, but sutained performances will be required if Melbourne are to challenge for the title.
Winger Marika Koroibete scored with a stunning solo effort last week, but that was a mere flash of brilliance among a generally average performance.
The Warriors, led by the boot of Golden Boot-winning halfback Shaun Johnson, almost overcame a 16-0 half time deficit at home to the Broncos, levelling up before being beaten by a penalty goal and last-minute try. At home, Melbourne will be fancied to win, especially given the Warriors’ away history, but likely won’t do it easy.
They need their big players to stand up, but I’ll take the Storm by 10.
Panthers (6th) versus Cowboys (15th) – Monday sixth April – 7pm – Pepper Stadium (Penrith)
An intriguing clash completes the round, despite the large discrepancy in ladder placings. Penrith were highly fancied coming into last week’s meeting with Newcastle following an impressive first few rounds, but were out of sorts for much of the match. The absences of Jamie Soward and James Segeyaro hurt them dearly.
Soward will remain on the sidelines, but Segeyaro will add much needed vigour around the ruck, returning as hooker this week. They will meet a North Queensland side who completed a stunning Johnathan Thurston led comeback, to defeat Melbourne last round and secure their first victory for the season.
Jason Taumalolo was prominent in that victory, providing great strength up front, but he and fellow lynchpin Matt Scott will need to fire to stop a Penrith side who will be determined to get their season back on track.
It has the potential to be a high-scoring contest, with both defences suggesting insecurities in recent time, but Penrith should respond well at home. I’ll take them by eight.
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.