Round five of the NRL season is upon us and here is my most confident tip and the most likely game to be an upset.
A guarantee was hard to find for round five, as there is so many close games this weekend. I’m most confident in the Bulldogs being defeated by the Chooks.
The Dogs were in a tight contest for most of last week’s good Friday game against South Sydney. However, Jack Wighton’s try in the 44th minute and a penalty goal shortly after, placed Souths ahead by eight points and Connor Tracey’s try in the final minute was too late.
Canterbury did well to lead at half time after facing a ten-point deficit early in the game. As usual though, the Bulldogs couldn’t play a full 80 minutes and allowed an average Bunnies team to achieve their first win of the season.
The Roosters were a popular team to tip last week, due to Nathan Cleary’s unavailability due to injury. The Chooks let tipsters down though, as they trailed 22-6, which is almost impossible to comeback from against Penrith.
Despite their strong late, efforts it was not enough to steal the two competition points. The Bondi club’s win in the week before against Souths shown why they’re a team to reckon with this season.
Penrith played a near perfect game, despite Cleary being out. No team in the league would’ve been able to beat Penrith last Thursday night, which is why I wouldn’t sob over it too much if I was a Roosters fan.
I can see them dominating on Friday. If The Dogs couldn’t beat Souths, but the Chooks beat them by 42 points, then imagine what they’ll do to Canterbury.
The absence of Jacob Preston and Josh Addo-Carr will also be in their favour.
The Roosters also have a much stronger forward pack and have much more class in the halves. Expect a blood bath in this fixture.
If there is going to be an upset this week, then it’s going to come in the Dolphins and Tigers battle.
A major focus will be on the coaching battle between veteran coach Wayne Bennett and Benji Marshall who is in his first NRL season – can he bring down the master at his first attempt?
But for me the Tigers were the story of round four, as they were able to defeat the Eels on Easter Monday in an incredible one-point victory.
Lachlan Galvin gave Tigers fans a taste of the future, as he put on a superb display in his third career game. Wests were major outsiders against Paramatta and if they were the 2023 Tigers, I think the game would’ve been decided by half time.
The Eels had so many chances on the Tigers goal line during the first half, however, only came away with one try.
This was a remarkable effort defensively, however it looked like it was going to all for nothing, as the Eels got out to a 14-6 lead early in the second half and Galvin was placed in the sin bin during this time.
Once he entered the field though, the game changed and the men in orange and black came away with their second straight victory.
On the other hand, The Dolphins also made it two victories on the trot, as they knocked over Gold Coast comfortably.
Dolphins’ fans were worried in the first 20 minutes, as the Titans led 10-0. This was quickly turned around though, as the ‘Phins scored five consecutive tries.
This placed them on top of the ladder and will give them momentum as they return to Suncorp this weekend.
Besides the first 20 minutes, they had really nothing to deal with defensively, as the Titans were playing like got garbage in attack; offering little to nothing.
Last Saturday night, I don’t think Gold Coast could’ve beaten any team in the competition.
This match will be a thriller in Brisbane. Due to suspension, Galvin will be absent.
I think Jayden Sullivan will do a good enough job as a replacement. The Tigers win this game through their defence and significantly lowering their penalties conceded count, which finished as 10 last week.
If they can play lock-down defence on their line for another week and are able to score points when they get chances, like last week, then a third straight win is very likely for the Tigers.
I think they can do all those things listed. The Dolphins got off to a poor start, and if it was against any other team besides the Titans, I think it would’ve been tough for them to get back into the game.
I’m giving the Tigers a superb chance to beat the Dolphins and will be disappointed if they can’t back up last week’s efforts.
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