The second half of Round 19 has two clashes between the competition’s trendsetters and perennial losers in store.
The Knights will be looking to cause a massive upset when they host premiership favourites Melbourne Storm, while it is do or die for the Roosters as they prepare to take on the Cronulla Sharks.
Meanwhile, the Panthers and Eels will do battle once again in the Western Sydney derby amid crisis at Parramatta and a form slump at the foot of the particularly chilly mountains.
There is plenty to look forward to as the run to the finals begins.
Newcastle Knights versus Melbourne Storm
Sunday, July 17, 2pm (AEST) at Hunter Stadium
The Knights long ago gave up the premiership race, and instead play for pride and for seasons future. They’ll be hoping to forget the latter part of the game against the Canberra Raiders and play more like the first stint. The problem is the Storm are white-hot.
The Novocastrians are expected to play in front of a healthy home crowd on Sunday afternoon despite having had a shocking season thus far with just one win and a draw to their name so far in 2016.
Jarrod Mullen will return in the red and blue for just his ninth game this year following a hamstring injury, taking the place of Jack Cogger at five-eighth.
Danny Levi moves into the starting side with the loss of Tyler Randell opening up a spot at dummy half. It leaves Mickey Paea, Pat Mata’utia and Pauli Pauli in a fight to claim the final interchange spot on a six-man bench.
Their meeting might be a lost cause, especially considering the Storm are fresh off a massive 48-6 win over the sixth-placed Broncos.
However, it won’t diminish any hope in the Hunter with Nathan Brown’s troops no doubt to put plenty of pride in the jersey.
Both Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith have been named to back-up from Wednesday night’s State of Origin fixture.
Craig Bellamy has made just one change to his side that defeated Brisbane with Felise Kaufusi starting at prop in place of the injured Jordan McLean, bringing Matt White onto the bench to make his club debut.
The Storm sit only two points behind ladder leaders Cronulla and will be hunting a minor premiership, meaning a win will be crucial despite the massive disparity between them and the Knights.
Regardless it will be the same old formula for Melbourne with Cooper Cronk to guide the team, helping flying Fijian Suliasi Vunivalu to add to his try scoring tally of 16 in only ten game. All while New Zealand internationals Jesse Bromwich and Tohu Harris will continue to provide a platform in the middle of the park.
The Knights put up a real fight earlier this year when they went down 18-14 at AAMI Park during round 5.
It was the 35th meeting between the club with the Storm having won a total of 20 fixtures since 1998, the remaining 15 going the way of the Novocastrians.
Prediction: One way traffic with Melbourne to put on a massive score. Storm by 30.
What you need to know
Kickoff: 2pm (AEST)
Venue: Hunter Stadium
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Last meeting: Storm defeated Knights 18-14 (Round 5, 2016)
Head-to-head: 35 played – Knights 15, Storm 20
Knights last three games: 25-29 versus Raiders, 18-30 versus Dragons, 14-50 versus Warriors
Storms last three games: 48-6 versus Broncos, 29-20 versus Wests Tigers, 10-20 versus DragonsNewcastle Knights
1. Dane Gagai, 2. Nathan Ross, 3. Brendan Elliot, 4. Peter Mata’utia, 5. Jake Mamo, 6. Jarrod Mullen, 7. Trent Hodkinson (c), 8. Robbie Rochow, 9. Danny Levi, 10. Korbin Sims, 11. Sione Mata’utia, 12. Mitchell Barnett, 13. Jeremy Smith (c)
Interchange: 14. Josh King, 15. Sam Mataora, 16. Daniel Saifiti, 17. Mickey Paea, 18. Pat Mata’utia, 23. Pauli PauliMelbourne Storm
1. Young Tonumaipea, 2. Suliasi Vunivalu, 3. Cheyse Blair, 4. Ryan Morgan, 5. Marika Koroibete, 6. Blake Green, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Cameron Smith (c), 10. Felise Kaufusi, 11. Kevin Proctor, 12. Tohu Harris, 13. Dale Finucane
Interchange: 14. Kenneath Bromwich, 15. Christian Welch, 16. Matt White, 17. Ben Hampton
Penrith Panthers versus Parramatta Eels
Sunday, July 17, 4pm (AEST) at Pepper Stadium
The Panthers didn’t have much luck last outing and will be looking to bound back against the Eels in a battle of the West.
The chocolate soldiers were unable to end the Sharks’ winning streak going down 26-10 without Origin stars Matt Moylan and Josh Mansour.
The pair will return alongside Tyrone Peachey after Pepper Stadium was cursed by Ryan Purrdler, who has since become a cult hero in the Nepean district.
Anthony Griffin will have his fingers crossed the (very real) black cat doesn’t make another appearance with Nathan Cleary needing to lead the young Panthers after two losses on the trot.
The Eels are in dire straits with even more bad news continuing to pepper the club.
Four major players including Kieran Foran have already said au revoir this season with Corey Norman now finding himself in hot water after yesterday pleading guilty to drug possession charges.
The playmaker has since been stood down and is unlikely to run out onto the field. It could see Kenny Edwards partner Jeff Robson in the halves which would see Rory O’Brien move back onto the bench.
Brad Takairangi and Michael Jennings will return in the centres after Parramatta’s backline took a massive hit with a knee injury leaving Semi Radradra on the sidelines for up to six weeks.
Bryce Cartwright pipped the blue and gold on the siren during their last meeting back in round 5 to give the mountain men a 20-18 victory.
It was their 16th win in 34 meetings throughout the NRL era with Parramatta claiming the other 18 matches.
Prediction: Penrith will narrowly come away with a win as the situation at the Eels continues to go from bad to worse. Panthers by 2.
What you need to know
Kickoff: 4pm (AEST)
Venue: Pepper Stadium
TV: Live, Nine Network and Fox Sports
Last meeting: Panthers defeated Eels 20-18 (Round 5, 2016)
Head-to-head: 34 played – Panthers 16, Eels 18
Panthers last three games: 10-26 versus Sharks, 26-34 versus Wests Tigers, 28-26 versus Rabbitohs
Eels last three games: 22-18 versus Roosters, 24-34 versus Sharks, 30-12 versus RabbitohsPenrith Panthers
1. Matt Moylan (c), 2. Josh Mansour, 3. Waqa Blake, 4. Zak Hardaker, 5. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 6. Bryce Cartwright, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Leilani Latu, 9. Peter Wallace, 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 11. Isaah Yeo, 12. James Fisher-Harris, 13. Trent Merrin
Interchange: 14. Suaia Matagi, 15. Jeremy Latimore, 16. Chris Grevsmuhl, 17. Tyrone Peachey, 18. Dylan Edwards, 19. Will Smith, 20. Sitaleki AkauolaParramatta Eels
1. Michael Gordon, 2. Clinton Gutherson, 3. Michael Jennings, 4. Brad Takairangi, 5. Bevan French, 6. Corey Norman, 7. Jeff Robson, 8. Danny Wicks, 9. Isaac De Gois, 10. Tim Mannah (c), 11. Manu Ma’u, 12. Tepai Moeroa, 13. Beau Scott
Interchange: 14. Kenny Edwards, 15. Peni Terepo, 16. David Gower, 17. Daniel Alvaro, 18. Rory O’Brien
Sydney Roosters versus Cronulla Sharks
Monday, July 18, 7pm (AEST) at Allianz Stadium
The Roosters came so close to earning a win last week against the Eels, but face a tough Monday night task against the Sharks with their season in serious danger.
With 26 points now being granted the pass mark for finals qualification, a loss to the ladder leaders at Moore Park would see them become the second team to exit the premiership race.
It has been a shocking 2016 campaign for Easts after years of success, claiming three minor premierships in succession as well as a premiership in 2013.
Trent Robinson has made a tough decision that could prove costly with Blake Ferguson and Aidan Guerra not named to back up from Origin despite a five-day turnaround. He has also named Ryan Matterson at five-eighth with the omission of Jackson Hastings.
The Bondi boys will need an increased effort after close losses to the Eels, Bulldogs and Warriors in recent weeks 22-18 and 24-20.
Easts may have left their form resurgence too late with Shane Flanagan’s Sharks to be full-strength as they look to break a 49-year premiership drought.
Their Origin quintet, headlined by retiring Blues skipper Paul Gallen, will return after Ben Barba led Cronulla to a 26-10 victory in Penrith.
It was a club record 13th win in a row with just two losses to the Sharks’ name in 2016, the Roosters will be hoping Cronulla accrue a loss and come crashing back down to earth.
The two sides last met in round 13 last year with Cronulla coming away 10-4 victors.
It was one of two meetings in 2015, Cronulla winning 20-12 in round 5, and the 34th meeting between the clubs since 1998 of which the Sharkies have won 13 and Easts 20 with one tied.
Prediction: James Maloney will help the Sharks to their 14th win in a row, putting and end to the Roosters’ season from hell. Sharks by 16.
What you need to know
Kickoff: 7pm (AEST)
Venue: Allianz Stadium
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Last meeting: Sharks defeated Roosters 10-4 (Round 13, 2015)
Head-to-head: 34 played – Roosters 20, Sharks 13, 1 Drawn
Roosters last three games: 18-22 versus Eels, 20-24 versus Bulldogs, 10-12 versus Warriors
Sharks last three games: 26-10 versus Panthers, 34-24 versus Eels, 19-18 versus WarriorsSydney Roosters
1. Latrell Mitchell, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Dale Copley, 4. Shaun Kenny-Dowall, 5. Joseph Manu, 6. Ryan Matterson, 7. Mitchell Pearce, 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 9. Jake Friend (c), 10. Dylan Napa, 11. Boyd Cordner, 12. Mitchell Aubusson, 13. Sio Siua Taukeiaho
Interchange: 14. Sam Moa, 15. Kane Evans, 16. Isaac Liu, 17. Connor WatsonCronulla Sharks
1. Ben Barba, 2. Sosaia Feki, 3. Jack Bird, 4. Gerard Beale, 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. Paul Gallen (c)
Interchange: 14. Joseph Paulo, 15. Chris Heighington, 16. Matt Prior, 17. Jayson Bukuya
Roarers, which game are you most looking forward to in Round 19?
In case you missed it you can read Part 1 of my NRL Round 19 preview here.
You can find Riley on Twitter @rileypettigrew
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