Preston's previews: NRL Round 25

So close yet so far in Round 24, the Bunnies denying a perfect round of tipping with their upset victory over the Sharks.

While the top eight is all but set the hopes of the Tigers and Warriors will rest on beating one another and hoping the results of the Titans and the Panthers go south if they are to sneak into the finals.

Last week’s tips – 7/8, running total – 119/176

Dogs versus Cowboys

The Dogs suffered their first defeat in four matches against the Broncos last Thursday night. But the writing was already on the wall given their run of three unimpressive victories was against the Knights, Dragons and a lucky golden point win over Manly in Round 23. Sam Kasiano’s absence cannot be understated given Canterbury have lacked creativity of late.

The Cowboys fortunes have been in complete contrast to the Dogs. They recorded their first win in four matches last week against the Warriors and did so in impressive fashion. Johnathan Thurston’s return to form is a great sign and the return of Matt Scott will boost them immensely.

Their biggest obstacle will be overcoming a poor away record in 2016 which has seen them win just three of 11 matches on the road.

Tip: Cowboys 1-12

Storm versus Broncos

The Storm machine rolls on. With eight victories from nine matches at AAMI Park this season, the ground is well and truly a graveyard for visiting sides. A win here will officially secure the minor premiership for Melbourne.

The Broncos have returned to form recently but defeating the Storm is entirely different prospect compared to the Eels and Dogs. A loss here and a win to the Panthers could see them drop to seventh.

Tip: Storm 13+

Manly versus Raiders

Manly have shown enough improvement in 2016 to ensure the survival of coach Trent Barrett. Brad Parker has been axed to make way for Dylan Walker despite scoring two tries in a solid performance against the Storm. Matthew Wright assuming the five-eighth role highlights the injury toll that the Sea Eagles are facing.

On form the Raiders are the competitions top team. Despite scoring four tries in a tremendous performance, the outstanding Brenko Lee can’t find a spot in Ricky Stuart’s backline. Not since Bureta Faraimo scored a hat trick of tries for the Eels against the Broncos in Round 8 of the 2015 season has a player been axed after such a points haul.

Josh Hodgson returns and while the Raiders lose the damaging Junior Paulo, 2016 NSW hopeful Paul Vaughan is brought up from the Intrust Super Premiership – talk about depth.

Tip: Raiders 13+

Titans versus Panthers

With both teams in great form this is the match of the round.

The Titans recorded back to back victories after dominating the Knights and now possess one of the most potent spines in the competition with the return of Ash Taylor and Jarryd Hayne shifting to fullback.

Hayne has done some excellent things in his first three matches but is yet to string together a complete 80 minute performance. A return to fullback should allow him to focus more on his biggest strength, his running game.

Like the Titans, the Panthers are hitting form at the right time in the season. With a similarly young and talented spine and a free flowing attack they can cause problems all across the park.

With both sides offering similar strengths in their spine and backline this one will come down to which ever forward pack can dominate.

Tip: Titans 1-12

Sharks versus Roosters

The poor old Sharkies have suffered the traditional fate of big brother the Dragons, choking at just the wrong time in the season. Round 24’s loss to the Bunnies must surely register as the lowest point for Cronulla this season.

The Sharks are in such a way that they are no certainties to defeat the 14th placed Roosters. The return of Paul Gallen and Sosaia Feki are major inclusions though.

I have been saying for a good two months now that the Roosters are a quality football team that simply needed a few things to go their way. Over the past two weeks that has occurred and it resulted in an upset over the Cowboys and a thrashing of the Dragons.

If they perform to potential it could well be a winless August for the Sharks.

Tip: Sharks 1-12

Warriors versus Tigers

It’s do or die for both teams in this match.

A win, by a good margin, along with results in rounds 25 and 26 could actually see one of these teams play finals football in 2016.

It’s amazingly unlikely, but not impossible.

The Warriors were hammered by the Cowboys last round and humiliated by Souths in Round 23. These results and a likely failure to make the eight despite the squad at coach Andrew McFadden’s disposal should mean curtains for his time with the Warriors.

The Tigers season effectively ended when James Tedesco copped a broken jaw. Had he played those final 15 minutes against the Titans in Round 23, I have every confidence the Tigers would have claimed the two points.

Teddy’s absence was highlighted in Round 24 when Jordan Rankin offered one of the worst NRL performances in recent memory. Four knock-ons resulting in two tries to the opposition and bombing a try of his own, will unfortunately live long in the memory banks of Tigers fans.

David Nofoaluma will now play in the custodian role but by the end of the 80 minutes the Tigers will be planning for 2017.

Tip: Warriors 1-12

Knights versus Souths

A month ago I was confident the Knights would actually defeat the Rabbitohs in this encounter.

But unfortunately over the past two rounds Newcastle’s development has not only stopped, but has gone backwards.

There are plenty of changes to the Knights 17, the most significant of which is the return of Jarrod Mullen.

Souths will finally be playing with a bit of confidence following consecutive wins over the Warriors and second placed Sharks. Damien Cook should have been the Bunnies first choice at hooker since day one, while Cody Walker is quickly becoming one of the most enigmatic players in the NRL.

There will be plenty of sentiment at Hunter Stadium on their traditional Old Boy’s day, with a tribute to James McManus along with Jeremy Smith playing his final home NRL game. Still, emotions can only provide so much.

Tip: Souths 13+

Eels versus Dragons

The Eels put up a hell of a fight against the Raiders in Round 24, but simply couldn’t keep them at bay.

Despite loosing five of their past six matches, the Eels are in better form than their position on the ladder suggests.

The Dragons however are in far worse form than their 11th placed position suggests. I have said on numerous occasions throughout the last two months that this team is in the same class as Newcastle performance wise.

Dropping Benji Marshall is a terrible decision and unbefitting of the legacy his NRL career has amassed.

Drew Hutchinson has played just three career games since debuting in Round 18, 2015. He has not been injured and when Marshall or Gareth Widdop has been absent, Josh McCrone has been called upon. That suggests that put simply he is not the future nor is he the answer to their current problems.

The fact the club attempted to sign Luke Keary and is interested in Jackson Hastings further shows a lack of faith in his abilities and development. Offering him a solitary game at seasons end therefore makes no sense and simply paints a picture of Marshall the scapegoat at a club who’s problems run far deeper than the form of it’s five-eighth.

Tip: Eels 1-12