The competition continues to ramp up as the Origin period comes to an end and the focus on finals football begins.
The Raiders, Bulldogs, Cowboys and Wests Tigers have earnt a much-needed week off and will watch on as the remaining 12 teams go toe-to-toe.
It all kicks off at Kogarah when the Dragons host the Titans for a spot inside the eight, before the Warriors make the long trip to Perth where they will take on the struggling Sea Eagles.
The Origin stars will then descend upon Homebush as the Rabbitohs clamour to keep their season alive against the Broncos.
St George Illawarra Dragons versus Gold Coast Titans
Friday, July 15, 7:50pm (AEST) at UOW Jubilee Oval
Fresh off the bye week, the Dragons and Titans will be ready to begin the final leg of the NRL season.
The Red V expect to welcome back Josh Dugan and Tyson Frizell from State of Origin, however they face a shaky situation up front.
Jacob Host moves into the starting back row, pushing Frizell to prop and Leeson Ah Mau onto the bench, as Paul McGregor looks to dominate the Titans’ underrated pack.
The joint venture need a big effort from their forwards, while Benji Marshall must play for his future and prove himself as the man to lead the Dragons to yet another finals series.
The red and white currently sit in eighth position, with the Titans just two points behind, however a poor differential could see them drop to tenth position if results go against them.
This fixture shapes as a strong foundation for the Dragons’ run home, which has them playing three teams inside the top six – Canterbury, Cronulla and the Broncos.
The Titans also have a tough finish to the season, with the Sharks and Cowboys in the coming weeks.
Ashley Taylor will provide a massive boost in the halves, replacing Cameron Cullen, while David Mead returns from a knee injury.
Konrad Hurrell is promoted to the starting side, shifting Chris McQueen to the back row and Agnatius Paasi to the bench. This sees Lachlan Burr drop out, with Neil Henry naming a six-man bench featuring Eddy Pettybourne and skipper Nathan Friend.
The Gold Coast hold the slight advantage up front in terms of experience, with the likes of McQueen, Greg Bird and Luke Douglas.
Last time these clubs met, in Round 7 of this year, the Dragons won 19-14 at Cbus Super Stadium.
It was their 16th meeting since the Titans narrowly went down to the Red V in their first ever premiership game back in 2007.
Of those matches, the Dragons have a win percentage of nearly 70 per cent with 11 wins to the Titans’ five.
Prediction
St George Illawarra will scrape home and veer ever closer to securing another finals finish.
Dragons by 6.
What you need to know
Kickoff: 7:50pm (AEST)
Venue: UOW Jubilee Oval
TV: Live, Nine Network and Fox Sports
Last meeting: Dragons defeated Titans 19-14 (Round 7, 2016)
Head-to-head: 16 played – Dragons 11, Titans 5
Dragons’ last three games: 6-36 versus Sea Eagles, 30-18 versus Knights, 20-10 versus Storm
Titans’ last three games: 18-27 versus Warriors, 22-30 versus Raiders, 30-10 versus Sea EaglesSt George Illawarra Dragons
1. Josh Dugan, 2. Kalifa Faifai Loa, 3. Euan Aitken, 4. Kurt Mann, 5. Jason Nightingale, 6. Gareth Widdop (c), 7. Benji Marshall, 8. Russell Packer, 9. Mitch Rein, 10. Tyson Frizell, 11. Jacob Host, 12. Joel Thompson, 13. Jack de Belin
Interchange: 14. Tariq Sims, 15. Leeson Ah Mau, 16. Dunamis Lui, 17. Jake Marketo, 19. Tyrone McCarthyGold Coast Titans
1. David Mead, 2. Anthony Don, 3. Josh Hoffman, 4. Konrad Hurrell, 5. Nene Macdonald, 6. Tyrone Roberts, 7. Ashley Taylor, 8. Luke Douglas, 9. Nathan Peats, 10. Ryan James, 11. Zeb Taia, 12. Chris McQueen, 13. Greg Bird
Interchange: 14. Eddy Pettybourne, 15. Leivaha Pulu, 16. Agnatius Paasi, 17. Nathan Friend (c), 18. Nathaniel Peteru, 19. Ryan Simpkins
Manly Sea Eagles versus New Zealand Warriors
Saturday, July 16, 5:30pm (AEST) at nib Stadium
The Sea Eagles venture to the golden west after ending a near-record losing streak a fortnight ago with a big win over the Dragons 36-6 at Fortress Brookvale.
Trent Barrett has been forced to fly over young gun Brad Parker, who will make his NRL debut following Dylan Walker sustaining a bizarre hand injury by punching his front door.
Lewis Brown moves to the centres to fill in the void left by the suspended Brayden Wiliame, with the Northern Beaches club also missing Steve Matai and Brett Stewart for the season.
The Sea Eagles need at least six wins in their last eight matches to make the finals, meaning a win is crucial.
Distance will play a major role in this fixture with the Warriors making the long, seven-plus-hour haul to Perth.
They will be happy to see Ryan Hoffman return after Simon Mannering celebrated his 250th NRL game in style with a 27-18 win over the Titans.
Andrew McFadden’s troops will be without Albert Vete however, which sees Ben Matulino start in the front row. Charlie Gubb and Tuimoala Lolohea meanwhile will sit on a five-man bench as Manu Vatuvei makes his return on the wing.
The biggest problem for the Warriors will be the time difference, with Perth four hours behind Auckland, especially considering they won’t cross the ditch until only a couple of days prior to their game.
Manly have dominated matches played against the Warriors with 18 wins from 26 meetings since 1998, the New Zealand side only coming out on top eight times.
Last time they met, in Round 6 this year, Manly drubbed the Kiwis in Auckland 34-18.
Prediction
The Silvertails will keep their slim chances of playing September footy alive.
Sea Eagles by 6.
What you need to know
Kickoff: 5:30pm (AEST)
Venue: nib Stadium
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Last meeting: Sea Eagles defeated Warriors 34-18 (Round 6, 2016)
Head-to-head: 26 played – Sea Eagles 18, Warriors 8
Sea Eagles’ last three games: 36-6 versus Dragons, 26-30 versus Cowboys, 10-30 versus Titans
Warriors’ last three games: 27-18 versus Titans, 18-19 versus Sharks, 12-10 versus RoostersManly Sea Eagles
1. Tom Trbojevic, 2. Jorge Taufua, 3. Lewis Brown, 4. Matthew Wright, 5. Brad Parker, 6. Jamie Lyon (c), 7. Daly Cherry-Evans, 8. Darcy Lussick, 9. Apisai Koroisau, 10. Martin Taupau, 11. Nathan Green, 12. Jamie Buhrer, 13. Jake Trbojevic
Interchange: 14. Blake Leary, 15. Josh Starling, 16. Addin Fonua-Blake, 17. Siosaia Vave, 18. Luke BurgessNew Zealand Warriors
1. David Fusitu’a, 2. Ken Maumalo, 3. Blake Ayshford, 4. Solomone Kata, 5. Manu Vatuvei, 6. Thomas Leuluai, 7. Shaun Johnson, 8. Jacob Lillyman, 9. Issac Luke, 10. Ben Matulino, 11. Bodene Thompson, 12. Ryan Hoffman (c), 13. Simon Mannering
Interchange: 14. Tuimoala Lolohea, 15. Sam Lisone, 16. Bunty Afoa, 17. Charlie Gubb, 18. James Gavet
South Sydney Rabbitohs versus Brisbane Broncos
Saturday, July 16, 7:30pm (AEST) at ANZ Stadium
Drama continues to escalate at Redfern, with Paul Carter packing his bags and Kirisome Auva’a in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons once again.
It comes after five losses on the trot, their last win coming back in Round 11 against the Dragons.
Souths currently sit in 12th position, with a 5-11 record, however, with the Broncos also hitting a rough patch, it could be the perfect time to get back in the winner’s circle.
Adam Reynolds will play for the cardinal and myrtle despite being ruled out from State of Origin due to a shoulder injury, while Greg Inglis has been named to back-up in the centres, leading a side that will feature all three Burgess brothers following the return of George from a groin injury.
George takes Tasi Tasi’s place on the bench and will be ready to lock horns with a monstrous Broncos pack.
There have been two good news stories at Red Hill, with Sam Thaiday returning from a four-week suspension and Jordan Kahu coming back from a pectoral injury.
Kodi Nikorima will be watching on from the stands with Marion Seve named on a six-man bench as he hopes to make his NRL debut.
With more experience added up front, alongside the security of Kahu on the wing, Wayne Bennett’s side is regaining its strength at just the right time following embarrassing losses to the Bulldogs and Storm.
In their last two starts, the Broncos have conceded at least 40 points a game, the first time it has happened in their 28-year history.
They have a strong record against Souths, with 16 wins in 24 meetings since 1998, including a 30-8 victory in Round 8 this year. One match has been drawn, while the Bunnies have won only seven matches.
Prediction
Brisbane will come back from a form slump and get their momentum back as the competition intensifies.
Broncos by 10.
What you need to know
Kickoff: 7:30pm (AEST)
Venue: ANZ Stadium
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Last meeting: Broncos defeated Rabbitohs 30-8 (Round 8, 2016)
Head-to-head: 24 played – Rabbitohs 7, Broncos 16, 1 Drawn
Rabbitohs’ last three games: 0-20 versus Cowboys, 26-28 versus Panthers, 12-30 versus Eels
Broncos’ last three games: 6-48 versus Storm, 14-40 versus Bulldogs, 26-18 versus RaidersSouth Sydney Rabbitohs
1. Cody Walker, 2. Alex Johnston, 3. Greg Inglis (c), 4. Aaron Gray, 5. Joe Burgess, 6. Luke Keary, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Thomas Burgess, 9. Cameron McInnes, 10. Nathan Brown, 11. John Sutton, 12. Kyle Turner, 13. Sam Burgess
Interchange: 14. Damien Cook, 15. Jason Clark, 16. David Tyrrell, 17. George Burgess, 18. Angus Crichton, 19. Jack Gosiewski, 20. Ed MurphyBrisbane Broncos
1. Darius Boyd, 2. Corey Oates, 3. Alex Glenn, 4. James Roberts, 5. Jordan Kahu, 6. Anthony Milford, 7. Ben Hunt, 8. Josh McGuire, 9. Andrew McCullough, 10. Adam Blair, 11. Sam Thaiday, 12. Matt Gillett, 13. Corey Parker (c)
Interchange: 14. Jarrod Wallace, 15. Tevita Pangai Junior, 16. Joe Ofahengaue, 17. Herman Ese’ese, 18. Marion Seve, 19. Joe Boyce
Roarers, who are you tipping in Round 19?
Stay tuned tomorrow as I preview the remaining three games of Round 19.
You can find Riley on Twitter @rileypettigrew
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