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NRL preview panel for the qualifying finals.
FRIDAY
4-MELBOURNE STORM (14-9-1) v 5-MANLY SEA EAGLES (14-10-0) at Etihad Stadium, 7.45pm
Head to head: Storm 9, Sea Eagles 7
Last time: Sea Eagles 20 bt Storm 16 at Olympic Park (Rnd 24, 2009)
Recent form: Storm WLLWW, Sea Eagles LWWWW
TAB SportsBet: Storm $1.90, Sea Eagles $1.90
FootyTab: Storm +0.5 points
Manly buried their Melbourne demons with their first ever win in Victoria three weeks ago at Olympic Park, but this game is at Etihad Stadium where the Storm are undefeated in five visits. Their last clash was a dour affair but both sides will be considerably boosted in attack this week with Brett Stewart (Manly) and Greg Inglis (Melbourne) back and firing in time for the finals. The Sea Eagles hit top gear with a 38-4 win over the Gold Coast, while the Storm’s defence was superb in the 30-0 thumping of the Warriors. Sea Eagles centre Jamie Lyon is expected to play his first game since injuring his shoulder in the win over the Storm.
Key: Games between Manly and Melbourne are always won in the forwards. With injuries in both packs, forward depth could be crucial to the outcome.
Tip: SEA EAGLES
SATURDAY
3-GOLD COAST TITANS (16-8) v 6-BRISBANE BRONCOS (14-10) at Skilled Park, 6.30pm
Head to head: Titans 3, Broncos 3
Last time: Titans 34 bt Broncos 18 at Skilled Park (Rnd 20, 2009)
Recent form: Titans: WWWWL Broncos WWWWW
TAB SportsBet: Titans $2.50, Broncos $1.50
FootyTab: Titans +5.5 points
It’s been billed as civil war in south-east Queensland, as big brother Brisbane tramples down the M1 on a five-game winning streak to meet finals debutants Gold Coast. The Titans have been rock solid at home this year, winning 11 of 12 games at Skilled Park. Brisbane haven’t won on the coast since 2001 and despite winning the premiership in 2006, their recent finals record isn’t pretty with four wins from their last 13 finals game. But there’s no shortage of big game players in the Broncos and the Titans will need their leaders to stand tall, particularly after a brutal final round defeat from Manly. Titans duo Mat Rogers (hamstring) and Brett Delaney (hamstring) remain in doubt, with former Queensland flyer Chris Walker a likely starter.
Key: Can the Gold Coast handle their finals nerves and the pressure to win at home?
Tip: BRONCOS
2-BULLDOGS (18-6) v 7-NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (12-12) at ANZ Stadium, 8.30pm
Head to head: Bulldogs 16, Knights 14, drawn 1
Last time: Knights 22 bt Bulldogs 14 at EnergyAustralia Stadium (Rnd 12, 2009)
Recent form: Bulldogs – WWWWL; Knights – LWWLW
TAB SportsBet: Bulldogs $1.50, Knights $2.50
FootyTab: Knights +5.5 points
The Bulldogs were virtually named team of the year during the week taking home eight prizes at the Dally M awards. They’ll need to play like a true team this week as they seek to bounce back from last week’s horror loss and cover the absence of star halfback Brett Kimmorley. The Dogs were torn apart by free-flowing footy last week and a similar game plan is expected from the spirited Newcastle side. The Knights love throwing the footy around and unlike the Dogs there is no burden of expectation on their season. Hooker Isaac De Gois (knee) remains in doubt for the Knights and would be a huge loss if ruled out.
Key: Can the Bulldogs find a way to win without Kimmorley? Can Newcastle break a six-game away losing streak?
Tip: BULLDOGS
SUNDAY
1-ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS (17-7) v 8-PARRAMATTA EELS (12-11-1) at WIN Jubilee Oval, 4pm
Head to head: Eels 10, Dragons 8, drawn 1
Last time: Dragons 37 bt Eels 0 at WIN Jubilee Oval (Rnd 26, 2009)
TAB SportsBet: Dragons $1.45, Eels $2.65
FootyTab: Eels +6.5 points
Don’t be fooled by last week’s scoreline, this game is wide open. The Dragons had all to play for when these sides met six days ago and played like it to claim the minor premiership. Parramatta would have been coming back to Kogarah had they won and would have been facing a must-win game anyway. No point slaying a Dragon twice. Now the Eels know what to expect from Wayne Bennett’s Dragons and they’ve got Nathan Hindmarsh (toe) and Eric Grothe (virus) back to boost their side. Fullback Jarryd Hayne will also be buoyed by his stunning Dally M medal win during the week.
Key: Can the Dragons keep the game’s best player Jarryd Hayne silent two weeks running?
Tip: DRAGONS
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