Both the Warriors and Knights will be in the hunt for their first wins of 2016 in the second half of Round 4 while the Storm will be hoping to extend their unbeaten run to 4-0.

St George Illawarra Dragons versus Penrith Panthers
Sunday, March 27, 4pm (AEDT) at WIN Stadium

Here is the link to Riley’s preview of NRL Round 4 part one.

Trent Merrin will face off against his old team for the first time since leaving the Red V when the Penrith Panthers head south to Wollongong to take on the St George Illawarra Dragons.

Despite a health scare, Merrin is expected to line up for the Panthers. He had symptoms of glandular fever which saw him sidelined in last week’s 23-22 win over the Brisbane Broncos.

Te Maire Martin will play just his second NRL game after burying the Broncos with a late try and field goal to secure the win for the chocolate soldiers.

Martin impressed making two line breaks while also running 100 metres and making 25 tackles, more than any other player in the backline or halves on both sides.

While Martin prepares to spearhead the Panthers’ attack for the second week in a row, Gareth Widdop will suit up for the Dragons having helped the Red V to a gritty win over the Rabbitohs 8-6 in wet weather at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

In tough circumstances Widdop helped to lift the Dragons alongside Jack de Belin, Mitch Rein and Tyson Frizell however, the England international will need all the help he can get from his halves partner Josh McCrone who is currently filling in for the injured Benji Marshall.

The former Raider failed to inspire his side last week and must step up if the Dragons are to defeat the Panthers and claim their second win of the season.

The Dragons have won the majority of their 29 meetings with the Panthers with 17 wins as opposed to Penrith’s 12. Last time they met, the Red V downed the Panthers in Wollongong 19-12 in Round 24 of the 2015 season.

Prediction
Gareth Widdop will guide the Dragons to their second straight win in a close match.

Dragons by four

What you need to know
Kickoff: 4pm (AEDT)
Venue: WIN Stadium
TV: Live, Nine Network and Fox Sports
Last meeting: Dragons defeated Panthers 19-12 (Round 24, 2015)
Head-to-head: 29 played – Dragons 17, Panthers 12
Dragons last three games: 8-6 versus Rabbitohs, 2-30 versus Sharks, 16-18 versus Storm
Panthers last three games: 23-22 versus Broncos, 16-18 versus Bulldogs, 22-30 versus Raiders

St George Illawarra Dragons
1. Josh Dugan, 2 Peter Mata’utia, 3. Euan Aitken, 4. Timoteo Lafai, 5. Jason Nightingale, 6. Gareth Widdop (c), 7. Josh McCrone, 8. Leeson Ah Mau, 9. Mitch Rein, 10. Russell Packer, 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Joel Thompson, 13. Jack de Belin
Interchange: 14. Ben Creagh (c), 15. Mike Cooper, 16. Will Matthews, 17. Siliva Havili

Penrith Panthers
1. Will Smith, 2. Josh Mansour, 3. Waqa Blake, 4. Peta Hiku, 5. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 6. Te Maire Martin, 7. Jamie Soward, 8. Sam McKendry, 9. Peter Wallace, 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 11. Bryce Cartwright, 12. Isaah Yeo, 13. Trent Merrin
Interchange: 14. Tyrone Peachey, 15. Leilani Latu, 16. Suaia Matagi, 17. Elijah Taylor, 20. James Fisher-Harris

New Zealand Warriors versus Newcastle Knights
Monday, March 28, 2pm (AEDT) at Mt Smart Stadium

Both the Warriors and Knights are yet to get a win on the board in 2016 with pressure building for both sides and their coaches.

The Newcastle Knights were let off the hook after coming back from a 16-0 deficit against the Canberra Raiders after almost 40 minutes to hold on for a 24-all draw.

Winger Cory Denniss came from nowhere and starred for the Novocastrians notching up two tries in his debut which has earned him another first grade appearance in Round 4.

New Zealand meanwhile felt the absence of Issac Luke with Shaun Johnson unable to lead his side when it counted.

The Warriors weathered a 21-14 loss to the Storm after they failed to take advantage of opportunities late in the game. Cooper Cronk helped Melbourne storm home for a win in the dying stages of the match.

Johnson must shoulder the weight of the team and make the right decisions to promote an attacking brand of football. If the former Golden Boot winner takes the reigns, the Warriors could be near unstoppable and prove a real threat to the competition.

Their meeting with Newcastle shapes as the perfect opportunity to rebuild their brand of football and earn their first win for 2016.

The Warriors and Knights have met a total of 32 times with the Warriors winning 32 times while the Knights have come out on top in 15 matches. One game between the two was drawn.

In 2015 the two clubs played each other twice. Their first meeting coming in Round 1 with the Knights winning in Newcastle 24-14 before losing 24-20 to the Warriors in Auckland in Round 12.

Prediction
Shaun Johnson will finally step up and help the Warriors to their first win of 2016.

Warriors by 10.

What you need to know
Kickoff: 2pm (AEDT)
Venue: Mt Smart Stadium
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Last meeting: Warriors defeated Knights 24-20 (Round 12, 2015)
Head-to-head: 32 played – Warriors 16, Knights 15
Warriors last three games: 14-21 versus Storm, 10-25 versus Broncos, 26-34 versus Wests Tigers
Knights last three games: 24-24 versus Raiders, 6-48 versus Rabbitohs, 12-30 versus Titans

New Zealand Warriors
1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2. Tuimoala Lolohea, 3. Blake Ayshford, 4. Solomone Kata, 5. Jonathan Wright, 6. Shaun Johnson, 7. Jeff Robson, 8. Jacob Lillyman, 9. Jazz Tevaga, 10. Ben Matulino, 11. Bodene Thompson, 12. Ryan Hoffman (c), 13. Simon Mannering
Interchange: 14. Charlie Gubb, 15. Sam Lisone, 16. Konrad Hurrell, 17. Albert Vete

Newcastle Knights
1. Dane Gagai, 2. Nathan Ross, 3. Sione Mata’utia, 4. Pat Mata’utia, 5. Cory Denniss, 6. Jarrod Mullen, 7. Trent Hodkinson (c), 8. Sam Mataora, 9. Tyler Randell, 10. Korbin Sims, 11. Jacob Saifiti, 12. Robbie Rochow, 13. Jeremy Smith
Interchange: 14. Danny Levi, 15. Mickey Paea, 16. Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 17. Pauli Pauli

Wests Tigers versus Parramatta Eels
Monday, March 28, 4pm (AEDT) at ANZ Stadium

Robbie Farah will return for the Wests Tigers as the joint venture look for their third win in this Easter Monday match with the Parramatta Eels.

Farah’s return from a knee injury comes after the Wests Tigers suffered their first loss of 2016, a 30-18 defeat at the hands of the Gold Coast Titans on Saturday night.

The Jason Taylor-coached side struggled defensively after Luke Brooks, Mitchell Moses and James Tedesco had helped the Tigers to get off to a great start to the season.

The forward pack will be required to step up especially considering the absence of both Chris Lawrence and Curtis Sironen have left a sizeable hole in their back row.

The Parramatta Eels meanwhile will welcome back monster backrower Manu Ma’u from suspension with Kenny Edwards moving back to the bench following a standout performance in the Eels’ 20-6 win over the Bulldogs.

Semi Radradra finally showed why he is considered one of the best wingers in the NRL scoring two tries to bury the ‘Dogs, with Corey Norman and Kieran Foran showing good signs in the halves.

In 31 games the Eels have won 17 meetings. One match between the two has been drawn with the Wests Tigers winning the other 13 matches.

They won one match each in 2015 with the Tigers taking the first win in round 5 22-6 on Easter Monday before the Eels knocked them over in Round 17 28-16.

Prediction
The Wests Tigers will struggle to keep the Eels out and their defence will see them record their second consecutive loss.

Eels by eight

What you need to know
Kickoff: 4pm (AEDT)
Venue: ANZ Stadium
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Last meeting: Eels defeated Wests Tigers 28-16 (Round 17, 2015)
Head-to-head: 31 played – Wests Tigers 13, Eels 17
Wests Tigers last three games: 18-30 versus Titans, 36-22 versus Sea Eagles, 34-26 versus Warriors
Eels last three games: 20-6 versus Bulldogs, 20-16 versus Cowboys, 4-17 versus Broncos

Wests Tigers
1. James Tedesco, 2. David Nofoaluma, 3. Tim Simona, 4. Kevin Naiqama, 5. Jordan Rankin, 6. Mitchell Moses, 7. Luke Brooks, 8. Aaron Woods (c), 9. Robbie Farah, 10. Tim Grant, 11. Kyle Lovett, 12. Dene Halatau, 13. Sauaso Sue
Interchange: 14. Josh Aloiai, 15. Ava Seumanufagai, 16. Jack Buchanan, 17. Manaia Cherrington

Parramatta Eels
1. Michael Gordon, 2. Semi Radradra, 3. Michael Jennings, 4. Brad Takairangi, 5. Clint Gutherson, 6. Corey Norman, 7. Kieran Foran (c), 8. Junior Paulo, 9. Isaac De Gois, 10. Tim Mannah (c), 11. Manu Ma’u, 12. Beau Scott, 13. Tepai Moeroa
Interchange: 14. Kaysa Pritchard, 15. Peni Terepo, 16. Danny Wicks, 17. Kenny Edwards, 18. David Gower

Cronulla Sharks versus Melbourne Storm
Monday, March 28, 7pm (AEDT) at Southern Cross Group Stadium

Cronulla Sharks fans were left bitter after their loss to Manly on Monday night and they will look to get a win when they meet the Melbourne Storm in Woolooware.

The Melbourne Storm remain the only undefeated team so far in 2016, beating the Dragons, Titans and most recently the Warriors in Auckland. A late Cooper Cronk field goal and Marika Koroibete try saw them bury the Warriors, seeing the New Zealand side accrue their 11th consecutive loss.

Kiwi backrower Tohu Harris will appear in the centres for the Storm with Kenneath Bromwich moving to the back row following some strong efforts in recent weeks.

Melbourne will be a tough team to beat and the Sharks will need to bring their A-game if they are to knock them off their perch.

Shane Flanagan has named the same 17 that lost to Manly on Monday night, with James Maloney to shoulder a greater role as Cronulla look to press their claims early on in the season.

Cronulla are still without Paul Gallen, however they will make the match tough for the Storm with the team yet to concede a try at Shark Park in 2016.

In all, 29 matches have been played between the Sharks and Storm with nine and 20 wins respectively.

Melbourne won both meetings in 2015 with a win coming in round 3 36-18 while twenty weeks later they hammered Cronulla 30-2.

Prediction
Cronulla will break Melbourne’s undefeated run with James Maloney to help the Sharks to a win.

Sharks by six

What you need to know
Kickoff: 7pm (AEDT)
Venue: Southern Cross Group Stadium
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Last meeting: Storm defeated Sharks 30-2 (Round 23, 2015)
Head-to-head: 29 played – Sharks 9, Storm 20
Sharks last three games: 12-22 versus Sea Eagles, 30-2 versus Dragons, 14-20 versus Cowboys
Storm last three games: 21-14 versus Warriors, 34-16 versus Titans, 18-16 versus Dragons

Cronulla Sharks
1. Ben Barba, 2. Sosaia Feki, 3. Jack Bird, 4. Ricky Leutele, 5. Valentine Holmes, 6. James Maloney, 7. Chad Townsend, 8. Andrew Fifita, 9. Michael Ennis, 10. Sam Tagataese, 11. Luke Lewis, 12. Wade Graham, 13. Jayson Bukuya
Interchange: 14. Gerard Beale, 15. Chris Heighington, 16. Matt Prior, 17. Joseph Paulo

Melbourne Storm
1. Cameron Munster, 2. Young Tonumaipea, 3. Will Chambers, 4. Tohu Harris, 5. Marika Koroibete, 6. Blake Green, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Cameron Smith (c), 10. Jordan McLean, 11. Kevin Proctor, 12. Kenneath Bromwich, 13. Dale Finucane
Interchange: 14. Christian Welch, 15. Tim Glasby, 16. Felise Kaufusi, 17. Ben Hampton

Roarers, who are you tipping in Round 4?