Preston's previews: NRL Round 22

The good times keep rolling with a stack of quality match ups for Round 22! If you fancy having a wager or you need that extra tip to win your pub comp, then this is the analysis for you.

Last week’s tips – 6/8, running tip total – 104/152

Dragons vs Broncos
When broadcasters penned this game in for Thursday night I’m sure they thought it would be a blockbuster, but instead, two of the worst teams in the competition will square off.

While the Dragons proved more resilient against the Dogs last round, the Broncos were hammered by the 15th-placed Roosters, making it seven losses from their past nine matches.

But with the Broncos having won five of their past six against Saints, and with the Red V missing Josh Dugan and Tyson Frizell, it’s hard to see them getting up.

Tip: Broncos 1-12

Eels vs Sea Eagles
Another week, another drama for Parramatta as the Hayne Plane touches down in Queensland, not the golden west.

The Eels have now lost three on the trot and despite putting up a fight each time, the season from hell seems to have finally taken its toll on the squad.

They will be boosted by the returns of Michael Jennings, Beau Scott and Manu Ma’u, along with their home fans at Pirtek Stadium, where they have won three of seven matches in 2016.

Manly are on a hot streak, courtesy of Tom Trbojevic and the resurgent Daly Cherry-Evans. While they may be on a four-game winning streak, it is important to note that just one of those teams has won more matches then the Sea Eagles this season – the Warriors.

This will be a tight affair but the lure of a finals berth should be too great for Manly to slip up.

Tip: Sea Eagles 1-12

Knights vs Dogs
The Knights have continued to improve throughout 2016, pushing a number of teams in recent weeks. The return of Jarrod Mullen among others will help their cause, but Round 25 against Souths appears their best bet for their second win of the season.

Big, strong and powerful are the key words associated with the Bulldogs. Newcastle are in for a tough day against their monstrous forward pack, which will create plenty of space for the likes of Moses Mbye.

Tip: Dogs 13+

Sharks vs Raiders
The match of the round, and what I personally hope will be the two teams meeting in the grand final. These sides play a fantastic brand of football.

Cronulla will be smarting that their winning run has been ended, furthermore the chance to continue their undefeated streak is still an attractive option.

Canberra ran riot against Souths last week, thrashing the red and green to the tune of 54-4, the Rabbitohs’ worst defeat in ten years.

Both sides have fire power across the paddock, so this match could well be decided in a forward tussle.

Tip: Sharks 1-12

Storm vs Souths
The Storm continue to put pressure on the Sharks for the minor premiership and will be aiming for six straight against Souths.

In Round 21 they disposed of a Cowboys side missing Johnathan Thurston and with the way Souths are travelling this could get ugly.

Michael Maguire has wisely opted to revamp his side by promoting youth. With 2016 done and dusted, giving players such as Zane Musgrove, Hymel Hunt and Angus Crichton extra game time is exactly what the doctor ordered.

Damien Cook’s inclusion as the sole hooker has come 21 rounds late. Cameron McInnes has offered very little all season, and the enigmatic Cook has been left to languish in the NSW Cup for the majority of 2016.

Expect an improved showing from Souths, but the Storm will still run away with it.

Tip: Storm 13+

Titans vs Warriors
The Titans have emerged as a genuine contender in recent weeks. A string of victories and a draw with the ladder-leading Sharks to end their winning streak has the Gold Coast club well placed running into the finals.

The acquisition of Jarryd Hayne and the possibility that he could be a late inclusion in this match will only boost their spirits.

The Warriors finally enjoyed a golden-point victory in Round 21, having lost in extra time to both Manly and the Raiders in Rounds 19 and 20 respectively. Ironically, their last match not to go to golden point was a winning result against the Titans just a month ago.

The Warriors have included budding cult figure Bunty Afoa and have replaced Jazz Tevaga with Nathaniel Roache.

The result of this match could come down to location. The Titans have won five, drawn one and lost four at CBUS Super Stadium this season, while the Warriors’ Australian form has been poor – winning just two of eight matches, against the Roosters and Knights.

Tip: Titans 1-12

Tigers vs Cowboys
A surprise blockbuster fixture.

The Tigers have emerged as a shock chance to make the finals, with a win in this match potentially placing them in the top eight.

Both the Tigers and Cowboys are missing their halfbacks, Luke Brooks and Johnathan Thurston respectively, though it is fair to say this will affect the Cowboys far more than the Tigers.

Mitchell Moses has thrived without Brooks, and his replacement, Jack Littlejohn, is one of the best understudies in the game. Similarly though, while the Cowboys loose JT they gain RT – Ray Thompson, a fully fledged first grader with over 100 games of experience, who has also picked up a man of the match award this season.

The Leichardt effect may come back to haunt my tip, but this one might be a bridge too far for the Tigers.

Tip: Cowboys 1-12

Panthers vs Roosters
Despite Penrith sitting at ninth and the Roosters 15th, the former are no certainties to win this match.

Easts have shown drastic improvement over the last two months, and performance-wise are playing more like a top-four team than a bottom-four side.

They have pushed the Dogs, Sharks, Storm and Eels recently, in addition to defeating the Broncos. Given the fantastic form of exciting youngsters Connor Watson and Latrell Mitchell, the decision to purchase Luke Keary and Michael Gordon for next season are strange ones.

In a game ridiculously even on paper, there are perhaps two things working in the Panthers’ favour. The Roosters have an atrocious away record this season, with their only win in nine matches coming against Souths at the ‘away’ venue of ANZ Stadium. The other decisive factor is desire; Penrith need to win and have all the motivation to do so – at this point in the season the only useful thing the Roosters can offer is to alter the make-up of the eight for other teams.

Don’t be surprised if this one goes to golden point.

Tip: Panthers 1-12