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The NRL is heading into Round 3 and like the Melbourne Cup, teams are jockeying for a good position. The difference is that the favourite has gone out hard.
The Rabbitohs are looking awesome so far, and are joined by the Panthers, Knights and Tigers as undefeated.
The Rabbitohs play the Tigers in a top of the table clash, so we know that at least one team will be undefeated into Round 4.
The weather is ready to turn over the weekend, so it should be ‘proper’ footy conditions for a lot of the games. All of the big boppers will be happy about that.
Sea Eagles vs Bulldogs
These two teams always have a good battle at Brookie, and the Dogs have a surprisingly good record in recent years (just not last year).
Both teams scored their first win last week. The Eagles will be relying on Daly Cherry-Evans and Brett Stewart to provide the thrust and also the offload of Feleti Mateo, although he has set his one try for the season, so he may go back to sleep. The two five-eighths may influence the game a lot, as both are subbing in for injured incumbents.
The Dogs will likely play a forwards-based game, given that the five-man bench are all forwards. The other juicy clash is the centres – Jamie Lyon vs Josh Morris and Steve Matai vs Tim Lafai.
The Dogs will be just too strong in the end.
Broncos vs Cowboys
Once this would have been salivating, but neither team is anywhere near the leaders at the moment. I am unconvinced whether Brisbane can get there, but the Cowboys should be one of the elite teams.
Expect a big melee when Johnathan Thurston is tackled after a kick, with girly slaps and shoving everywhere.
Brisbane need Andrew McCullough and Ben Hunt to create something around the rucks and use Matt Gillet running hard. Both back rows have the ability to carve, so hopefully we will see an open game.
The Cowboys will lift their game enormously and win well.
Warriors vs Eels
The Warriors’ first game at home will see a big, loud crowd and the Warriors throwing the ball around. Shaun Johnson may just produce one of his special games.
I have been impressed with the Eels, but this is a hell of a week to lose two outside backs and have your playmaker on ice all week. Ryan Morgan is a very good attacker, but can be a little dusty in defence.
Expect the Warriors to explode this week and win well.
Raiders vs Dragons
Canberra will be buoyed by their first two weeks, but losing Jack Wighton is a huge blow. This is where the lesser teams struggle, with lack of depth. Canberra have worked hard and if they use Blake Austin’s obvious ability and turn half breaks into points they will go very well. Their back row and bench back row also look very good.
The Dragons are looking horrible, luckily they have such a great record at Canberra (not). I still can’t see where the points are in this team.
The clash of the wingers will be fun, Eto Nabuli looks very good and should be facing Edrick Lee, while Sisa Waqa takes on the experience of Jason Nightingale.
I tip Canberra by about six.
Storm vs Sharks
This will be like a very physical chess match. Melbourne will organise their plays, knowing where they will be three moves ahead. Cronulla will just smash their pawns upfield thinking that one might take the King.
Melbourne’s effort against Manly was commendable, especially after the halftime score, but they need to play like that before they slip behind.
The Sharks are such a worry. They need Andrew Fifita to make the good yards, but go easy on the crazy offloads.
Speaking of crazy, I am tipping the Sharks. They will play with a siege mentality, and Ben Barba will remember how to run with the ball. I also expect to see Luke Lewis play. If it happens, remember you read it here first.
Rabbitohs vs Tigers
This will sort the men from the boys: everyone’s hot favourites against everyone’s second team. The Rabbitohs will try and overpower the Tigers’ pack early, then run them ragged with the backs and especially Greg Inglis chiming in.
Aaron Woods and Keith Galloway really need to take the Bunnies on from the whistle, and Martin Taupau has to get among them as well, as I am sure he will.
If the Tigers hold their defence together James Tedesco could cause some real trouble with his pace and step. Luke Brooks also needs to dummy and run sometimes to make the defence think twice.
This will be very tight for a long time, but Souths’ experience and class will ensure victory.
Titans vs Knights
The Titans will feel like it is Round 1 with all their players available. Despite the controversy, once they cross the white line it will be business as usual. Greg Bird will have a blinder and the whole team will lift around him. In both games so far, they have been very competitive – even though Penrith nailed them, it took a long time.
The Knights would be very satisfied so far. Their outside backs are proving to be very penetrative and they have a really clever pair of halves. Kade Snowden is playing as well as he ever did, and the back row are very professional.
I expect the Knights to get home, but in a real tight one.
Roosters vs Panthers
This is the match of the round. The Roosters were gallant in defeat and the Panthers could not do any more than they have so far.
The Roosters will be very determined to not lose two in a row. Their forwards will be determined to set a good platform, and with what is universally regarded as the best bench in the competition they will keep the pace up. The halves will be more dominant and expect James Maloney to be sniffing around the rucks a lot more.
The Panthers lose Jamie Soward, but let’s face it, they just keep turning up regardless of the 17 selected. Josh Mansour is back, which is good, but it is a shame that young George Jennings was dropped.
The Panthers have a creative bench and will use them to help James Segeyaro carve up in the middle.
I can’t split them, but will have the Roosters, just.
So, put your house on my tips and enjoy sleeping in the gutter next week!
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