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NRL preview panel for round 17 (all times AEST).
FRIDAY
BRISBANE v WARRIORS at Suncorp Stadium, 7.35pm
Head to head: Broncos 15, Warriors 9
Last clash: Broncos 26 bt Warriors 10 at Mt Smart Stadium (Rd 3, 2009)
TAB Sportsbet: Broncos $1.36, Warriors $3
FootyTAB: Warriors +8.5 points
Brisbane are desperate to return to winning ways after four straight defeats and the Warriors have been miserable on the road this year, winning just one away match from seven starts. Returning veteran Tonie Carroll will give the Broncos a boost, although the loss of fullback Karmichael Hunt is a blow. The Warriors haven’t won at Suncorp Stadium since 2005 but will be desperate to resurrect their season against a Broncos team out of form and missing forwards Ben Te’o (suspension) and Nick Kenny (knee).
Key: How will the Broncos handle a short turnaround after their defeat to Parramatta on Sunday?
Tip: Broncos
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA v SYDNEY ROOSTERS at WIN Jubilee Oval, 7.35pm
Head to head: Dragons 11, Roosters 8, drawn 1
Last clash: Dragons 29 bt Roosters 0 at SFS (Rd 7, 2009)
TAB Sportsbet: Dragons $1.18, Roosters $4.65
FootyTAB: Roosters +12.5 points
As gutsy as the Roosters were to end their losing streak against Cronulla last Saturday, they will have to pull off one of the upsets of the year to beat the Dragons. The controversy surrounding Jake Friend and Sandor Earl wouldn’t have helped preparations either. The Dragons may have lost NSW prop Michael Weyman but halves Jamie Soward and Ben Hornby will be looking forward to this game after their dominance in the Anzac Day clash earlier this year where Soward scored 21 of the Dragons’ 29 points.
Key: Can the Roosters pack learn their lesson after being destroyed on Anzac Day by Soward and Hornby?
Tip: Dragons
SATURDAY
SOUTH SYDNEY v WESTS TIGERS at ANZ Stadium, 5.30pm
Head to head: Tigers 7, Rabbitohs 6
Last clash: Rabbitohs 23 bt Tigers 22 at SCG (Rd 10, 2009)
TAB Sportsbet: Rabbitohs $1.85, Tigers $1.95
FootyTAB: Tigers +2.5 points
This is make-or-break time for both of these teams, with a loss for either club all but ending their finals hopes. The Tigers have shuffled the deck after their loss to the Dragons last time out, while the Rabbitohs are hoping for an 80-minute display after going missing again for periods against Newcastle but still doing enough to score four tries. Basically this one could come down to which of these error-riddled teams is most consistent on the night.
Key: Benji Marshall’s move back to No.6 may see the Tigers playmaker back to his devastating best.
Tip: Tigers
MELBOURNE v NEWCASTLE at Olympic Park, 7.30pm
Head to head: Knights 11, Storm 10
Last clash: Knights 17 bt Storm 16 at EnergyAustralia Stadium (Rd 25, 2008)
TAB Sportsbet: Storm $1.30, Knights $3.40
FootyTAB: Knights +9.5 points
Newcastle have only won one of their past eight matches against the Storm, but that victory was the last time these two sides met. The Knights were good against South Sydney on Monday night but coach Brian Smith wasn’t happy to concede 20 points. The short turnaround and a trip to Olympic Park is daunting, especially with the Knights having not won in Melbourne since 2004 and the Storm keen to make up for last week’s loss to Canberra.
Key: Dallas Johnson’s return should stiffen the Storm defence and the Queensland lock’s presence could be the difference.
Tip: Storm
NORTH QUEENSLAND v CRONULLA at Dairy Farmers Stadium, 7.30pm
Head to head: Sharks 18, Cowboys 6
Last clash: Cowboys 34 bt Sharks 10 at Hindmarsh Stadium (Rd 6, 2009)
TAB Sportsbet: Cowboys $1.18, Sharks $4.60
FootyTAB: Sharks +13.5 points
Paul Gallen and Trent Barrett will again be missing for the Sharks, while the Cowboys welcome back Matt Bowen, Luke O’Donnell and Carl Webb. Brett Seymour’s sacking shouldn’t have too much effect on the boys from Shire, given they amount of off-field drama they’ve had to handle this year. But a trip to Townsville is always tough and the Cowboys should be desperate to return to winning ways after losing to the Bulldogs last time out.
Key: Fresh from signing a two-year deal with the Sharks, rookie halfback Scott Porter faces one of the biggest challenges in the game against Cowboys skipper Johnathan Thurston.
Tip: Cowboys
SUNDAY
CANBERRA v GOLD COAST at Canberra Stadium, 2pm
Head to head: Titans 3, Raiders 2
Last clash: Titans 16 bt Raiders 10 at Skilled Park (Rd 6, 2009)
TAB Sportsbet: Raiders $1.50, Titans $2.50
FootyTAB: Titans +5.5 points
With four wins on the trot, the Titans appear to have overcome the mid-season slumps which derailed their past two campaigns, while the Raiders snapped a seven-year drought against the Storm last time out. No Gold Coast team has ever won in the nation’s capital and the Raiders will be desperate to keep their slim finals hopes alive with a win.
Key: With both backlines on fire last week, whoever comes out on top in the battle of the props will go a long way to victory.
Tip: Canberra
PENRITH v PARRAMATTA at CUA Stadium, 3pm
Head to head: Eels 49, Panthers 28, drawn 1
Last clash: Panthers 22 bt Eels 16 at Parramatta Stadium (Rd 17, 2008)
TAB Sportsbet: Panthers $1.80, Eels $2
FootyTAB: Eels +1.5 points
Penrith are ailing with captain Petero Civoniceva joining utility Luke Lewis and young fullback Luke Sandow on the injury list. At least last week’s bye has given the Panthers the chance to bring NSW centre Michael Jennings back from his calf injury. Parramatta are flying after their win over Brisbane and victory over Penrith will bring them within a point of the Panthers on the ladder.
Key: Stopping Jarryd Hayne will be vital for the Panthers. The NSW flyer is at another level right now.
Tip: Parramatta
MONDAY
MANLY v BULLDOGS at Brookvale Oval, 7pm
Head to head: Sea Eagles 57, Bulldogs 47, drawn 5
Last clash: Bulldogs 34 bt Sea Eagles 12 at ANZ Stadium (Rd 1, 2009)
TAB Sportsbet: Sea Eagles $1.70, Bulldogs $2.10
FootyTAB: Bulldogs +2.5 points
The Bulldogs’ 2009 intentions were announced when they smashed the premiers at a sodden ANZ Stadium in round one. Since then they have gone on to be one of the teams of the year along with the Titans and Dragons, but Manly are improving fast with five wins from their past six. Sea Eagles David Williams and Brent Kite will be keen for a big display to convince NSW selectors to keep them in the Blues squad while Josh Morris and Michael Ennis are in a similar boat for the Bulldogs.
Key: The battle between veteran halves Brett Kimmorley and Matt Orford.
Tip: Manly
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