A quarter of the season has flown by so quickly. By now, we know who are the real contenders and pretenders for this year’s premiership, with Melbourne, Souths, the Roosters and Manly already displaying their title credentials.
This week’s feature match, for mine, is Friday night’s Broncos versus Rabbitohs match.
The Broncos are playing their way into the season after losing three of their first four matches, while the Rabbitohs continue to impress every week, with their only blemish a 17-10 defeat to the Melbourne Storm in round six.
Brisbane Broncos versus South Sydney Rabbitohs
Friday May 3
7:35pm
Suncorp Stadium
Last meeting: Broncos 26-12 at Suncorp Stadium, Round 16, 2012.
This is the ultimate test for the young Brisbane Broncos side. While they have won their last three matches, history between these two sides suggests this will become four.
The Broncos put in an impressive performance last week against the Wests Tigers following their victories over the Titans and Cowboys in the weeks preceding the first bye of the season.
Yet Brisbane will be chasing only their second home victory of the season, with three of their four wins this year coming outside of Suncorp Stadium.
If the Rabbitohs are to triumph on Friday night, they will need to overcome a terrible record in the Sunshine City, where they have only won once since 1989.
Last year, the Bunnies were beaten convincingly by the Broncos on both occasions and never looked like winning either one.
However, one of Souths’ most notable performances came back in 2009, when they ran over an all-star Broncos side then led by none other than Darren Lockyer.
On that cold July night in Brisbane, the Rabbitohs put on an attacking exhibition that showed just how great they could be.
Although they would miss the finals that year, the victory showed how far the Bunnies had come from the dark days of being re-admitted into the NRL in 2002.
Last week, the team was very impressive in the defensive ranks against Manly, keeping the Silvertails tryless in the first half and going on with the job in the second to win 20-12.
Their impressive 6-1 start to the season shouldn’t be threatened here, but if they have an off night, like they did twice against the Broncos last year, it will cost them.
Match-up: Josh Hoffman versus Greg Inglis. The Broncos boast one of the most exciting fullbacks in the competition, but how will he handle a man that has been unstoppable since switching to fullback last year?
Key: In years past, the Rabbitohs feared playing at Suncorp Stadium, but they no longer do. The question will be whether they can continue to handle big crowds week in, week out. Also, home ground advantage might work in the Broncos’ favour here.
Tip: Broncos by six points.
OTHER MATCHES
Bulldogs versus Wests Tigers
The Bulldogs played their way back into form last week against the Sharks and should continue their resurgence against an injury-hit Wests Tigers side. Both teams have only two wins each; the Tigers have lost their last four on the trot.
Tip: Bulldogs by 12 points.
Melbourne Storm versus Canberra Raiders
The Storm are 7-0 to start the season and shouldn’t be threatened by the Canberra Raiders, though the Raiders have won their last two matches against the Storm in Melbourne to eliminate any fear they have of playing down south.
Tip: Storm by 16 points.
Parramatta Eels versus North Queensland Cowboys
The Eels were very poor last week but they return home to Parramatta Stadium for this one, where they are yet to drop a game this season. The Cowboys should still prove too good for them.
Tip: Cowboys by 14 points.
New Zealand Warriors versus Gold Coast Titans
The Warriors have just one victory for the season but come up against a team that was very poor last week.
The Titans, though, seem to have more bigger names in form than the Warriors at this stage, and should get up here.
Tip: Titans by eight points.
Newcastle Knights versus Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
The Knights return home on the back of their first victory outside of Newcastle this season, and shouldn’t be threatened by a crisis-ridden Cronulla side which is still feeling the effects of the ASADA investigation.
Tip: Knights by 18 points.
Sydney Roosters versus Penrith Panthers
The Roosters continue to impress every week, with the Dragons their latest victims. But they come across a side who themselves were also very impressive last week.
Tip: Roosters by 14 points.
St George Illawarra Dragons versus Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Both sides were very disappointing last week, but the Dragons return home to WIN Jubilee Oval for the first time since round five. This was the venue of their greatest ever comeback against the Sea Eagles back in 2004.
Manly, on the other hand, will be trying to protect their position in the top four, but will have to overcome a poor record at WIN to do so.
Tip: Dragons by eight points.
uPelican
Guest
They also kept a bloody good Souths tryless in the first half. Manly bombed four tries by having the kick 12 inches too far at the dead ball line; on another day, they would have touched three of those. They weren't disappointing, its just that Souths caught them still back in the sheds for the first eight minutes after half-time. That game was an absolute pearler and both sides played well, but Souths got over the top of them; too good on the night.They fought hard for the win. Manly by 4 over the Dragons Go Manly
The eye
Guest
Wow,I think you've got him.
fullback?
Guest
A few odd observations in your column - - the Broncos were terrible for most of last week, not "impressive" at all - about Souths: "Their impressive 6-1 start to the season shouldn’t be threatened here..." - yet you tipped them to lose - Key Match up: I'd check again on who actually plays fullback for the Broncos? ;) - calling Manly "very disappointing last week" is just plain wrong. You could be disappointed they didn't score tries but they actually played great. The Titans have a bunch of injuries and the Warriors are getting back players so I think it'll be close.
Avatar
Roar Guru
This was in reference to their first half last week, then they went try-less. Other times, they are scoring without relenting.
Football_illiterate
Guest
IMO souths will have a massive come down in particular - Brisbane would be absolute specials if hodges was playing, i still like broncs but far less confidence.. only other variation i have is Knights by 1-12, not 13+, cronulla turn every game into a scrapfest and rarely get beaten by 13+..
Mals
Guest
MM: some called the Manly v Bunnies match the game of the year yet you say that Manly were disappointing?? If Manly had played the Dragons that night they would have won by 20+.
Ronald M
Guest
Scrutiny such as that going on at the sharks at the moment creates a very negative attitude that then permeates right through the organisation. It will affect them mentally and knock them off balance by a couple of percent. That means they don't quite train as hard, don't concentrate as much, don't listen to their coach as much who in turn is probably off his game by a couple of per cent as well, And as we all know, a couple of per cent in this comp is often all there is between winning and losing.
The Spectator
Roar Guru
I think both south's and manly are vulnerable after such a big game only manly have ten days to recover but still it's there bogy side , correct tips unfortunately.
The eye
Guest
Broncos will have to play out of their skins to cover for Hodges and McGuire,don't have a good feeling about that happening.And why the huge odds about the Sharkies ? Score line disguised a pretty average Knights display last week,as a Shark supporter I sympathise with what's going on,but its starting to feel like a cop out for under performing.Did Stapo and Pomeroy throw the ball over the sideline last week cause they were too worried about the drug inquest ?Get 'em going Flanno !!
Ronald M
Guest
Tipping the Dragons against Manly is a very brave call. Only a couple of weeks ago, the red v were being tipped for the spoon. I didn't think that was right at the time but then again, I don't think they are tough enough to stand up to Manlys big bash. Unless the officials wise up early on, I expect Manly to soften up the dragons in the first half before running away with it in the second. Bunnies v Broncos is a hard call but I reckon the Bunnies will get edge in the end. Bunnies by 10. I think the rest of these predictions are spot on.