NRL FW2

By Stephen Gallagher

SATURDAY: Raiders (1) V Sharks (5) – GIO Stadium

It was one of those games the Raiders would hate to relive, last week. A game that went for 96 minutes and didn’t go in their favour.

They take on the Sharks, a side they beat with a miracle last play earlier this season to get the choccies.

Everyone’s writing off the Sharks. Saying they’re too boring. They are pretenders. But this is the best chance to take on the Raiders and make the Grand Final Qualifier.

That emotional turmoil the Raiders went through last week will be a tough one to back up to this week.

While they are the best team this year, it’s a huge ask to get it done against a Sharks side who are absolute underdogs.

The Raiders forwards dominated the Broncos for most of the game last week and still didn’t get the win.

The Sharks were gallant and strong to overcome the Roosters.

For the Raiders, it’s about recovering emotionally from that loss, flushing it, and moving on to this huge ask this week.

Their forwards have to give it to the Sharks in order to survive.

If the Sharks can start strong, the damage could be done and Canberra could struggle to recover.

Overall, I think the Raiders are the better side – and at home will win this.

TIP: Raiders 1-12

 

Bulldogs (3) V Panthers (7) – Accor Stadium – 18.05NZT

Well, well, well.

It’s 1-1 between these two this season. Winner advances to the Grand Final Qualifier. Loser off to Mad Monday.

The Bulldogs are sweating on some key injury returns, whereas the Panthers are basically full strength for the first time this season.

We all know the narrative that will be spun if the Bulldogs lose this. It’s that they will be 0/3 in finals games in the last two years, and that the disruption of bringing in Lachlan Galvin derailed their season.

For Penrith – they’re the most experienced side. They’ve won 13 finals games in a row. A feat that’ll be tough to beat.

They are September specialists. They barely got out of third gear to dispose of the Wahs last week and will be more than ready to give it to the Doggies in front of their loyal fans.

Bulldogs have been written off all week. I don’t see it that way. This is going to be an EPIC game. I feel like there’s so much emotion and physicality going into this that really, despite winning the last four premierships, the Panthers will be up against it.

A really close game here.

TIP: Panthers 1-12

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