Eric Grothe in action during the NRL, Parramatta Eels v Canberra Raiders. AAP Image/Action Photographics, Grant Trouville
With more teams becoming ‘also-rans’ each week as we officially enter the business end of the season there are four games which stand out for me this week in the NRL.
Friday night: Broncos v Eels
A few weeks ago the Eels looked set to charge into the finals and set up another dash for the big one. Some poor results followed and suddenly it didn’t look so easy. What’s more they head to Brisbane to face a side which was written off earlier in the year and are now the team most likely to upset the apple cart late in the season.
The Eels are desperate and they look it with the decision to dump Daniel Mortimer for Kris Keating 24 hours out from the game. Mortimer has been struggling from the second season syndrome but the way Mortimer’s demotion has been handled smacks of a team teetering on the brink.
The Broncos have suffered a blow with the withdrawal of Darren Lockyer, and we’ll get another look at his heir apparent Corey Norman at five eighth. Norman’s job will be simple, get the ball to Israel Folau.
Tip: Against the odds, the Eels to find a way to keep the dream alive for at least one more week.
Sunday: Warriors v Knights
The Warriors were most people’s tip for the wooden spoon, yet they look a good shout for the top eight and are even pushing for a top four spot. They could well prove to be the surprise packet of the year and James Maloney is surely in the lead pack for “Buy of the Season”.
The Knights were another team written off by those who thought criminal charges was not the ideal way to start a season. They hung in there and the Kurt Gidley and Jarrod Mullen combinations looked to be finally working but that’s been hit by Mullen’s injury.
Tip: The Knights must win, but I fancy the Warriors to push on here.
Sunday: Tigers v Panthers
A massive game for both teams as they look for a boost ahead of the finals. The Tigers have looked down on style of late and that is normally not something they are short of, while the Panthers have fallen in a heap over the last five weeks.
Both teams have key players either returning from injury or facing fitness tests.
Tip: The Panthers’ Lachlan Coote and Luke Walsh face late tests, while for the Tigers its Chris Lawrence and Keith Galloway. That could have a major bearing on the game, should all players make it I’ll back the Tigers but I wouldn’t parting with any hard earned until I saw the final team sheets.
Sunday: Dragons v Sea Eagles
The Dragons showed they can win “finals type” games last week with a gutsy win over the Roosters but their attack is still yet to regain its early season spark.
Manly reignited their season with a defeat of the Dragons at Brookvale, their defeat at the hands of Knights had the critics putting a line through their chances and they’ll want to bag this one to put them back in the frame for glory.
Tip: Can’t go past the Dragons after last week’s effort.
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