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Despite the State of Origin disruption, there is still an interesting round of NRL matches this weekend with some clutch games for a number of clubs.
The Sharks and Storm will remain at the top of the table, which is a fair reflection of their consistency, but below them, a number of finals contenders go head to head which is sure to make for a captivating weekend.
Titans backflip, now September certainties?
The Sea Eagles were a doddle for the Titans, but after the Raiders at home this Sunday we’ll know if Neil Henry’s surprise packet is a serious finals contender.
Following a disastrous off-season and five consecutive losses leading into Round 10, the revitalised Gold Coast have flown far and wide winning four of their last five to land in eighth place.
But if the Titans are going to genuinely take the next step towards a finals berth, then this week’s game is exactly the type they have to win. All those teams around the Titans on the table – the Raiders, Panthers, Warriors and Dragons – are the teams the Gold Coast need to regularly beat.
They snuck under the Panthers’ guard in Round 11 and the golden-point win over the Rabbitohs in Perth was important as it allowed the Titans to move clear of the competition’s cellar dwellers.
A win this week will see them leapfrog the Raiders fuelling their finals run with away games to the Warriors and Dragons separated by a bye to follow.
Playing largely with an unchanged side for the last five outings, Tyrone Roberts and Ashley Taylor’s confidence has grown in combination with an energetic pack strengthened by the addition of Nathan Peats.
On the flipside, this week’s outcome is equally critical for Ricky Stuart. In what shapes as the clash of the round, the Raiders will be eager to reverse their surprise Round 4 loss.
Bulldogs poised to oust Brisbane from the top four
Questioning one of the premiership favourites during the Origin period might seem strange, but there’s a real chance the Broncos could slip from the top four.
A loss to the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night will draw both sides level in fourth place (assuming the Eels are penalised) on 20 points.
Regardless of the result, expect Des Hasler’s side to appear from under the radar over the subsequent seven rounds. With games against five sides currently outside the top eight plus the Cowboys and the bye, it’s possible Canterbury will be entrenched inside the top four after Round 23.
A late surge is nothing new for the Bulldogs. In three of the four seasons completed under Hasler’s guidance, they’ve finished higher on the ladder than their Round 15 position.
Broncos fans could also make a decent case for why their side will remain inside the four until the sides meet again in Round 24. Brisbane face four sides outside the top-eight, as well as Melbourne, Parramatta plus the bye.
This time last year Brisbane topped the table with two extra wins, now with six stars backing up from Origin, the standard question remains. Will the Broncos have enough points in the bank prior to regaining top speed?
Come the end of the home-and-away season, the result of this weekend’s match could prove decisive as both the Broncos and Bulldogs fight for two bites of the September cherry.
Munster Storm surge
The experts weren’t the only ones to rule a line through the Storm’s title prospects when Billy Slater’s season ended, even club diehards acknowledged Melbourne’s long haul just to make the eight.
But fill-in Cameron Munster hasn’t missed a beat for the second-placed Storm, whose spot in the top four appears safe even if they drop half their remaining ten games.
Munster’s contribution is reflected by his stats; second for most runs, third for line breaks and fifth for tackle breaks. But for Craig Bellamy – who admitted Munster has developed quicker than expected – stats are only part of the story.
Munster’s importance was magnified by his absence last week in Wollongong where the Dragons defence was never seriously threatened.
Named to play alongside the returning Origin stars this week at AAMI Park, the Tigers will have their hands full. Munster’s snoops around the ruck and angled runs will ensure Fijian flyers Marika Koroibete and Suliasi Vunivalu’s hands are also full – converting the space he creates.
End of an era: Rabbitohs, Roosters, Sea Eagles
Leicester City’s title odds were considered long, but only the vindictive would have placed their hard earned on the Rabbitohs, Roosters and Manly being slumped together in the bottom four after 15 rounds.
I’m not sure which is more breathtaking, the depth of the drop or the fact all three are in simultaneous freefall.
The Roosters’ hat-trick of minor premierships is a distant memory as is Manly’s ten consecutive finals appearances prior to 2015. Last start losses officially downgraded both club’s finals prospects to first Mad Monday off the rank.
Souths’ resurgence since returning to finals football in 2012 has been a welcome adrenaline shot for Sydney rugby league. Now needing at least another seven wins to extend their playoff streak, should the Rabbitohs fall short, it will be the first series since 1992 where at least one of the three former high-flyers hasn’t featured.
The rebuilding strategy for each will be intriguing. All three are flushed with cash and despite losing big names in recent seasons, it’s fair to assume others will follow or even be hurried into retirement.
Who’s up for the June 30 deadline shuffle?
This is the final round before the June 30 deadline to register players and recent movements suggest it’ll be a busy week.
With Michael Gordon the latest dispatch, have the Eels delivered their last?
Tom Symonds has been shipped to Huddersfield and James Segeyaro will trade places with Leeds’ Zak Hardaker. So who else will join the Super League exodus?
Will Jarryd Hayne’s uncertain future stifle bidding and can part-time second graders like Tony Williams, Jeff Robson, Sam Williams and Feleti Mateo find love elsewhere?
Here’s to a thrilling week of NRL and may all your recruitment dreams come true.
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