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Preview of this weekend’s National Rugby League round 24 games (all times AEST).
FRIDAY
CRONULLA SHARKS v SYDNEY ROOSTERS at Toyota Stadium, 7.35pm
Head to head: Roosters 22, Sharks 12, drawn 1
Last match: Roosters 23 bt Sharks 12 at Aussie Stadium (Rd 18, 2007)
TAB Sportsbet: Sharks $1.80, Roosters $2.00
Footy TAB: Roosters +1.5
Both of these top four hopefuls are looking to get themselves back on track after stumbling in recent weeks. The Roosters were hammered by Melbourne last week while the Sharks went down to the Warriors in New Zealand. This is a must win for each sides’ top two aspirations and an important one for the Roosters’ top four hopes. A loss here means fifth-placed Brisbane could cut the gap to one if they beat the Titans. Brad Fittler’s side has a strong record at Toyota Park, having won six of their past seven games there, and they welcome back skipper Craig Fitzgibbon, Nate Myles and Setaimata Sa.
Key: The Sharks’ attacking deficiencies continue to put them under pressure to win games and they will need plenty of points against a Roosters side averaging 23 points a game.
Tip: Roosters
BRISBANE BRONCOS v GOLD COAST TITANS at Suncorp Stadium, 7.35pm
Head to head: Titans 2, Broncos 1
Last match: Titans 26 bt Broncos 24 at Skilled Park (Rd 6, 2008)
TAB Sportsbet: Broncos $1.22, Titans $4.00
Footy TAB: Titans +11.5
The Titans are battling to keep their top eight hopes alive in this south Queensland derby. Last week’s win over North Queensland ended a four match losing streak and revived their hopes of a top eight finish but they know they need to win their remaining three games to have any chance. Brisbane can still make a late dash at a top four finish despite suffering two straight losses. The good news is they welcome back Justin Hodges, Karmichael Hunt and Tonie Carroll. The bad news is Scott Prince has returned for the Titans. It’s no coincidence that Prince’s return from a broken arm last week coincided with them breaking their losing streak.
Key: A battle of the playmakers. Prince’s influence is huge and so too is that of Brisbane halves Darren Lockyer and Peter Wallace.
Tip: Broncos
SATURDAY
WESTS TIGERS v MANLY SEA EAGLES at ANZ Stadium, 5.30pm
Head to head: Sea Eagles 6, Tigers 4
Last match: Sea Eagles 34 bt Tigers 4 at Brookvale Oval (Rd 18, 2007)
TAB Sportsbet: Tigers $2.65, Sea Eagles $1.45
Footy TAB: Tigers +6.5
Has Manly’s bubble burst? Up until a month ago, the Sea Eagles were a picture of consistency but after three losses in their past four games, some are questioning whether last year’s runners up have hit a form slump at just the wrong time. Coach Des Hasler and the players are adamant last week’s shock loss to Souths was nothing more than a one-off slip up and they will be out to prove that against the Tigers. Tim Sheens’ side will throw everything at them though, knowing that only two and possibly three wins from their last three games will get them to their first finals series since winning the premiership in 2005. Recent history is against the Tigers, having lost their past three matches between the sides.
Key: The Tigers are capable of plenty of points but have been let down this season by their defence, which could spell trouble against Manly.
Tip: Sea Eagles
BULLDOGS v PARRAMATTA EELS at ANZ Stadium, 7.30pm
Head to head: Bulldogs 65, Eels 52, drawn 5
Last match: Eels 28 bt Bulldogs 20 at ANZ Stadium (Rd 1, 2008)
TAB Sportsbet: Bulldogs $7.00, Eels $1.08
Footy TAB: Bulldogs +18.5
The sad and sorry Bulldogs have lost their last five and nine of the last 10. That awful run looks certain to continue against the in-form Eels, who’ve kept their top eight hopes alive with back-to-back wins over the Roosters and Tigers. Perhaps the question is not who, but by how much? With two points separating sixth to 13th, for and against could prove pivotal over the next three rounds. The Eels, currently 12th, have the third worst points differential of the eight teams vying for three spots. A blowout over the hapless Dogs would do their chances no harm.
Key: The Eels will look to the likes of backline stars Krisnan Inu and Jarryd Hayne to pile on the points.
Tip: Eels
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS v NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS at EnergyAustralia Stadium, 7.30pm
Head to head: Knights 12, Cowboys 7
Last match: Knights 30 bt Cowboys 18 at Dairy Farmers Stadium (Rd 14, 2008)
TAB Sportsbet: Knights $1.25, Cowboys $3.75
Footy TAB: Cowboys +10.5
With matches against Melbourne and Brisbane awaiting them in the final two competition rounds, this is a must-win game for the Knights if they are any hope of a top-eight finish. Last week’s heavy loss to Canberra severely dented their prospects and they need a confidence-boosting win at home here. The Cowboys have proved they are no pushovers in recent weeks by thumping the Bulldogs and coming close to wins over the Sydney Roosters and Gold Coast. They’re still some chance of palming off the wooden spoon to the struggling Dogs and that will serve as plenty of motivation over the closing weeks of the competition.
Key: The world’s best halfback Johnathan Thurston is back for the Cowboys but the Knights forwards will be sure to test him out following knee surgery.
Tip: Knights
SUNDAY
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS v CANBERRA RAIDERS at ANZ Stadium, 2pm
Head to head: Raiders 25, Rabbitohs 15
Last match: Raiders 38 bt Rabbitohs 10 at Canberra Stadium (Rd 10, 2008)
TAB Sportsbet: Souths $2.65, Raiders $1.45
Footy TAB: Rabbitohs +6.5
South Sydney coach Jason Taylor says he doesn’t care about his side being a “nuisance” team to top eight hopefuls but they proved just that with their big win over Manly last week. They have the chance to do it again here with the Raiders full of confidence and flying high in sixth place. Amazingly, for a side rated among the wooden spoon favourites at the start of the year, a top four place is not out of reach for Canberra. Their young, inexperienced squad has proved its doubters wrong in the past month, led by outstanding five-eighth Terry Campese. They’re unlikely to be regretting their decision to release troubled halfback Todd Carney a month ago.
Key: The Raiders should have too much attacking power, having averaged almost 35 points a game over the past 10 rounds.
Tip: Raiders
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS v NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS at WIN Stadium, 3pm
Head to head: Dragons 8, Warriors 4
Last match: Warriors 44 bt Dragons 16 at Mt Smart Stadium (Rd 18, 2007)
TAB Sportsbet: Dragons $1.45, Warriors $2.65
Footy TAB: Warriors +6.5
Probably the most important match of either sides’ season and the match with most at stake this round. The Dragons and Warriors sit in seventh and eighth respectively, locked on 26 points. A loss here will put one of them under heavy pressure while the winner would likely be just a win away from securing a finals berth. The Dragons returned to some form by beating Brisbane last week but have won only two of their past six outings. The Warriors have won six of their past seven and are charging towards the finals with key men Wade McKinnon and Steve Price back on deck.
Key: In year’s past the Warriors would suffer from a key match like this being played away from home but the New Zealanders have proved this year they can win regularly in Australia.
Tip: Warriors
MONDAY
PENRITH PANTHERS v MELBOURNE STORM at CUA Stadium, 7pm
Head to head: Storm 11, Panthers 6
Last match: Storm 30 bt Panthers 20 at Olympic Park (Rd 6, 2007)
TAB Sportsbet: Panthers $4.00, Storm $1.22
Footy TAB: Panthers +11.5
Reigning premiers Melbourne appear to be hitting their straps and headed for another premiership, but they face an interesting challenge against Penrith. The Panthers completed a remarkable 98-point turnaround when they thrashed the Bulldogs just six days after being thumped 74-12 by Canberra. Their inconsistency and unpredictability means they are capable of producing any sort of performance here. What is certain is the fact their damaging backs will not get the space afforded to them by the Bulldogs last week. They’ll have to grind out a win and if they don’t turn up to play, the Storm could run up a cricket score.
Key: Width. The Panthers can attack out wide but its their defence against the likes of Israel Folau, Greg Inglis and Billy Slater that will determine their chances.
Tip: Storm
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