Round 5 of the NRL will feature yet more close contests, as a number of important players make their returns from injury and suspension.
Sea Eagles vs Rabbitohs
Manly notched up two wins on the trot with their victory over a 0-4 Roosters outfit, but it came at a cost, as the Sea Eagles will be without star half Daly Cherry-Evans for up to a month.
They do however welcome back centre Steve Matai and prop Brenton Lawrence.
Also working in Manly’s favour is a return to Brookvale Oval. Although last year’s 5-5 record suggests the ground is not the fortress it used to be, the Sea Eagles will hope to make it 2-1 at Brookvale this year.
Souths have been truly dreadful the last two weeks. While torrential rain in Round 3 prohibited the Bunnies from playing with their usual flair – and conversely fell into the favour of the Dragons’ grind – Round 4’s performance against the Bulldogs was out-and-out awful. They were completely dominated by the Dogs pack, and Canterbury’s outside backs had a field day.
That said, Souths’ pack gets a huge addition in the form of the returning Sam and Tom Burgess, which makes for their best forward line-up of the season.
Despite being at Brookvale, the loss of Cherry-Evans will be too much for Manly to handle, as Sam Burgess returns with a bang.
Tip: Souths 1-12
Titans vs Broncos
The Titans continue to be the NRL’s surprise packet, now sporting a 3-1 record to sit equal first on the ladder. They have shown guts and determination, securing come-from-behind victories in both Rounds 2 and 3. This week they also receive the added boost of co-captain Nathan Friend returning.
The Broncos were sensational against the Cowboys last round, with Anthony Milford kicking a field goal in extra time to secure a win in the best game of the season so far. Brisbane will be riding high following this win and their spirits will be further boosted by the return of Jack Reed and Corey Oates from injury.
Tip: Broncos 13+
Storm vs Knights
Last week the Storm suffered their first loss of the season, to the Sharks, proving that they are indeed mortals. Boom rookie Curtis Scott will unfortunately not feature against the Knights due to a leg injury, which sees Ben Hampton start in the centres, while Kevin Proctor is a welcome return at second row.
The Knights continue to be favourites for the wooden spoon, and with good cause. I stand by my statements from Round 2 – and each week since – that I can’t see who they will beat in the near future. This is a developmental team in every sense, but some rough gems have been uncovered, such as Cory Denniss.
The Storm should follow the suit of the Warriors and rack up a big score against Newcastle.
Tip: Storm 13+
Wests Tigers vs Sharks
Based on the past two rounds the Sharks seem like a no-brainer, but the stats suggest this could be a coin-flip.
The Tigers have won three of their four matches against Cronulla at this venue – their only loss coming in Round 23, 2002 – however the last match between the two sides at Campbeltown was in 2007. The Tigers have also won 16 of their past 25 games at the venue, the last coming in Round 1 against the Warriors.
Robbie Farah, who returned from injury last week, has had a great deal of joy against the men from the Shire, winning 13 of his 17 matches against the Sharks.
In the Sharks’ favour though, in conjunction with their solid start to the season, is that Farah’s arch-nemesis, Michael Ennis, has defeated Farah in ten of the 14 matches the two have opposed one another.
I can’t help but feel the Tigers will prove me wrong and click back into gear this week, but I’m going to tip for the Sharks to make it two in a row in a nail bitter.
Tip: Sharks 1-12
Cowboys vs Dragons
The Cowboys were unfortunate extra-time losers against the Broncos last week, which means they will be extra driven to get a result.
For the first time in eight matches the Cowboys have not named the same 17, Kane Linnett has withdrawn with injury, offering Javid Bowen – nephew of Cowboys legend Matthew Bowen – a debut in the centres.
The Dragons have now strung together back-to-back victories in equally nail-biting circumstances, defeating Souths in Round 3 and the Panthers in Round 4 by two points.
The return of Benji Marshall should add attacking flair for the Red V, but you cannot go past the Cowboys in Townsville.
Tip: Cowboys 1-12
Roosters vs Warriors
The Roosters produced an improved performance at home against the Sea Eagles to go down by two, but they remain winless. Eloni Vunakece was the feel-good story of Round 4, the 28-year-old garbage man finally earning an NRL debut, and it is great to see he has been retained.
The Warriors finally got their season started at home in New Zealand, thrashing the Knights 40-18, and they have named the same 17 to take on Sydney. Working in their favour is that this ‘home’ fixture for the Roosters will actually take place on the Central Coast.
That fact alone could see the Warriors record two in a row, but I am predicting a close encounter.
Tip: Warriors 1-12
Eels vs Panthers
Parramatta have made a tremendous start to the season, discovering a steel-like backbone for defence in 2016. They are ranked number one for fewest points conceded, having let in a mere 39 in four games – for you statistical nuts, that’s just 9.75 points per game.
That average is of course helped by holding the Tigers to nil in Round 4, and while that was a tremendous effort, a bigger takeaway was the Eels’ lack of attack, securing just eight points despite dominating the encounter.
The Panthers had their hearts broken against the Dragons, going down 14-12 despite leading with just five minutes to go. They receive a massive boost for Round 5 with their captain and x-factor Matt Moylan returning at fullback, and the proposition of Moylan and Te Maire Martin combining is exciting.
Expect an improved showing from both sides in this Battle of the West, but the only way I can see the Panthers winning is if the Eels attack again fails to click.
With a big home crowd cheering the Parramatta boys at Pirtek Stadium, the Eels should be fine.
Tip: Eels 1-12
Bulldogs vs Raiders
The Bulldogs have emerged as arguably the form team of the competition after four rounds, having smashed Souths into submission last week, belting Manly 28-6 in Round 1, and outlasting the Panthers in Round 2.
Their only loss this season came against the Eels, who were flying high having defeated the reigning premiers the week before.
The Raiders were undefeated until last week’s loss to the Titans. In saying that, they did manage a draw with the hapless Knights in Round 3, and their other scalps – the Panthers and Roosters – have managed just one win from eight games between them. In this respect, a gauge on their form is hard to muster.
With that said, they did manage to collect three of a possible six points without their two star-players, halves Blake Austin and Aiden Sezer, which is no small feat.
With Austin and Sezer returning for the first time since Round 1, and BJ Leilua back in the centres, the Raiders have named their strongest side of the season, which could spell trouble for the Bulldogs.
But with a capacity crowd expected at their spiritual home of Belmore, the Dogs should sink their teeth into a victory.
Tip: Dogs 1-12
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