Preview of League Round 5 matches (all times AEDT).
FRIDAY, April 4
Sydney Roosters v Canterbury at Allianz Stadium 7.40pm
Head to Head: Roosters 80 Bulldogs 77 drawn 5
Last clash: Round 15 2013 – Roosters 20 bt Bulldogs 18 at ANZ Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Roosters $1.40 Bulldogs $3.75
FootyTAB: Bulldogs +8.5
After last week’s bruising 8-0 loss to Manly, the Roosters won’t relish facing a tough and resilient Bulldogs side. The return of Sonny Bill Williams will be a boost for coach Trent Robinson but the absence of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves means young big boppers Dylan Napa and Kane Evans will really need to step up against one of the best front rows in the NRL. The Roosters followed up their only other loss of the season by putting 50 on an improving Parramatta side, but Des Hasler’s men will pose a much tougher test.
Key: Trent Hodkinson is the in-form goal kicker in the NRL, missing just twice in 19 attempts. If the Roosters find themselves on the wrong end of another penalty count it could be another night of frustration.
Tip: Roosters
Brisbane Broncos v Parramatta Eels at Suncorp Stadium 8.40pm
Head to Head: Broncos 28 Eels 18 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 23 2013 – Broncos 22 bt Eels 12 at Suncorp Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Broncos $1.35 Eels $3.25
FootyTAB: Eels +8.5
Brisbane have started the season in fine fashion and the much-maligned Ben Hunt is improving with each game he plays at halfback. The win over an unbeaten St George Illawarra last week in Wollongong was impressive with back-rower Matt Gillett beginning to add some consistency to his unquestionable talent. After a miserable 2013 the Eels look much improved under new coach Brad Arthur and were excellent in the victory against Penrith last week. A win at Suncorp would be another massive step in the right direction for the blue and gold
Key: Corey Norman returns to Suncorp for the first time since his left the Broncos and will be desperate to prove to his former club they should have played him in the halves. Can he prove he’s worth the big money the Eels shelled out to sign him?
Tip: Broncos
SATURDAY, April 5
Cronulla Sharks v Warriors at Remondis Stadium 3.00pm
Head to Head: Sharks 17 Warriors 14
Last clash: Round 21 2013 – Sharks 18 bt Warriors 14 at Mt Smart Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Sharks $2.45 Warriors $1.55
FootyTAB: Sharks +2.5
A newly re-signed coach who’s banned from coaching, a thumping loss to nil at an emotionally-charged Newcastle and a star prop who doesn’t know if he’s coming or going next year – just another wacky week in Sharks land. Stand-in coach Peter Sharp is one of life’s good guys and even he must be wondering what he’s done to deserve being handed the reins of a Cronulla side who are the only team in the NRL without a win. Kooky Warriors coach Matt Elliott has eased pressure on his position with back-to-back victories, but they look far from convincing – especially when star halfback Shaun Johnson is not at the top of his game.
Key: Halfback Jeff Robson could be in line for an earlier than expected return and will be a huge boost for the Sharks and takes the pressure off Todd Carney.
Tip: Sharks
Penrith Panthers v Canberra at Sportingbet Stadium 5.30pm
Head to Head: Panthers 31 Raiders 31 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 14 2013 – Raiders 24 bt Panthers 12 at GIO Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Panthers $1.45 Raiders $2.75
FootyTAB: Raiders +6.5
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary was at his monosyllabic best after last week’s disappointing loss to Parramatta – especially when it came to giving his reasons for dropping former NSW prop Tim Grant. Grant, along with Peter Wallace, returns to the starting side this week for the first time this year for a game that sees commentator’s nightmare Dallin Watene Zelezniak make his debut. The young Kiwi is rated as one of the Panthers’ best prospects for years and he gets his chance to shine on the wing. Canberra didn’t have to be at their best to beat an out-of-form Souths last week, but will arrive in Sydney full of confidence.
Key: Anthony Milford showed in the win against the Rabbitohs just why Brisbane are so desperate to sign him despite already having Ben Barba. The young fullback in full flight is worth the admission fee alone.
Tip: Panthers
St George-Illawarra Dragons v South Sydney Rabbitohs at Sydney Cricket Ground 7.30pm
Head to Head: Dragons 15 Souths 6
Last clash: Round 19 2013 – Dragons 22 bt Souths 18 at ANZ Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Dragons $2.25 Souths $1.65
FootyTAB: Dragons +2.5
Probably the most intriguing fixture of the round and fitting it’s being played at the magisterial setting of the Sydney Cricket Ground. The Dragons were brought crashing down to earth by Brisbane last week while Souths are in their worst run of form since Michael Maguire became coach. Sam Burgess has denied there are any dressing room dramas at the club after three straight losses, but was honest enough to admit rumours won’t go away while the team is not winning. Another defeat would almost trigger a full scale crisis for a club expected to be challenging for the premiership this year.
Key: Greg Inglis has struggled to reach the heights of his hat-trick heroics over the Roosters in round one in recent weeks but great players are never quiet for long and there are few better than the Queensland and Australian superstar.
Tip: Souths
SUNDAY, April 6
Melbourne Storm v Gold Coast Titans at AAMI Park 2.00pm
Head to Head: Storm 7 Titans 4
Last clash: Round 26 2013 – Storm 23 bt Titans 22 at AAMI Park
Tab Sportsbet: Storm $1.25 Titans $4.00
FootyTAB: Storm +12.5
It’s been a difficult week for Melbourne with the Alex McKinnon incident hanging over the club and young prop Jordan McLean who now starts his seven-match ban. Cameron Smith’s return in a huge boost after his absence against Canterbury was followed by a 40-12 humbling in Perth. The Titans have never won in the Victorian capital and despite a 3-1 record, they look about as convincing as an doorstep encyclopedia salesman. It could be a long afternoon for John Cartwright if the Storm unleash their frustrations on his side.
Key: Craig Bellamy ripped into his players after their poor display against the Bulldogs and there is sure to be a backlash.
Tip: Storm
Wests Tigers v Manly Sea Eagles at Leichhardt Oval 3.00pm
Head to Head: Tigers 7 Sea Eagles 12
Last clash: Round 20 2013 – Sea Eagles 36 bt Tigers 18 at Campbelltown Sports Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Tigers $2.75 Sea Eagles $1.45
FootyTAB: Tigers +6.5
Sunday afternoon football at Leichhardt is one of life’s great pleasures and a big sell-out crowd is expected for the first match on the Sabbath at the venerable old venue since June 2012. The Tigers’ young guns of James Tedesco and Luke Brooks continue to impress, despite last week’s big loss to the Warriors, but they face a big test against a Manly side that were superb against the Sydney Roosters last Friday. Jason King and Glenn Stewart are back for the Sea Eagles after injury and suspension.
Key: Brooks will face one of the best halfbacks in the game in Daly Cherry-Evans and a big performance against the representative star will send the hype machine into overdrive.
Tip: Sea Eagles
MONDAY, April 7
North Queensland Cowboys v Newcastle Knights at 1300SMILES Stadium 7.00pm
Head to Head: Cowboys 13 Knights 13
Last clash: Round 24 2013 – Cowboys 26 bt Knights 6 at 1300SMILES Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Cowboys $1.53 Knights $2.50
FootyTAB: Cowboys +6.5
North Queensland coach Paul Green is discovering just how hard a job Neil Henry had in getting a side littered with star quality to perform on a regular basis. An unconvincing and somewhat fortunate win over Canberra in round one is all that separates the Cowboys from a 0-4 start to the season and defeat here would have the alarm bells sounding. The Knights crushed Cronulla on the back of a tidal wave of emotion last week and represent a real threat to Green’s side.
Key: Darius Boyd’s return from injury was a huge fillip for Wayne Bennett’s side and using the motivation of Alex McKinnon will serve as a powerful tool for the visitors.
Tip: Cowboys
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