NRL Round 15: The Preview

By Stephen Gallagher

THURSDAY: Parramatta Eels V Melbourne Storm – Bankswest Stadium – 21.50NZT

Are the wheels starting to fall off in Parra-dise?

After a scrappy month, they copped an L against the lowly Dragons, and now have to prove they’re contenders against one of the best teams this millennium.

Melbourne will make  Parramatta pay if they are sloppy.

The Storm have named injured Hughes in the halves, but Cooper Johns could make his debut.

Parra have to really dig their heels in and perform for the full eighty, otherwise it might be two losses in a row for the blue n gold.

TIP: Storm 1-12

FRIDAY:  Penrith Panthers V Cronulla Sharks – Panthers Stadium – 20.00NZT

As Penrith continue winning nine straight, the Sharks who are also in quite the form will provide a challenge for the Blue Mountain men.

Both sides are unchanged from their wins on the weekend, as they’re both building towards a solid finish to the regular season.

Two teams with great kicking games, and prolific try scorers.

Penrith’s defensive record is superior to the Sharks, and that strong defence could be the difference.

TIP: Panthers 1-12

Brisbane Broncos V Saint George Illawarra Dragons – Suncorp Stadium – 21.55NZT

Again, it doesn’t get any easier for the Broncos. A side they haven’t beaten since 2017.

The Dragons looked strong last week against the Eels, and they’ll be looking to push for that eighth spot.

It needs to be a convincing performance for the Red V, but the Broncos surely have some resilience left in them?

If they roll over once again, that’s it for the Broncos.

TIP: Dragons 13+

SATURDAY: Gold Coast Titans V Canberra Raiders – Cbus Super Stadium – 17.00NZT

The Raiders look to be timing their finals run well once again as they look to get the chocolates against the Titans.

Gold Coast’s squad is bolstered by some key ins back from injury, but the Raiders look well-oiled at the moment and they’ll be hard to beat.

Their best chance is a strong start, and they have to win the battle in the middle, otherwise the Raiders get momentum and steam roll.

TIP: Raiders 13+

Wests Tigers V Sydney Roosters – Leichhardt Oval – 19.30NZT

There’s plenty of injury concerns with the Roosters side, and the Tigers will back themselves to get the result here, especially at Leichhardt.

There’s still plenty of class on paper for the Roosters, so there’s no way you can write them off.

Wests are still hard to read. They clocked off big time last week and only survived thanks to a Luke Brooks field goal.

They could spring an upset here, and that wouldn’t surprise me, but I have to think the Roosters will be good enough.

TIP: Roosters 1-12

South Sydney Rabbitohs V Manly Warringah Sea Eagles – ANZ Stadium – 21.30NZT

It’s more injuries forcing the hand of the Sea Eagles, as the Rabbitohs look to push in to fifth spot by the end of the weekend.

Definitely tough going for Manly, but they have a forceful, resilient nature when it comes to tough games.

Souths should win this, they’re definitely good enough, and the last few weeks are showing they will be in the finals at the end of the season.

TIP: Rabbitohs 1-12

SUNDAY: Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs V New Zealand Warriors – ANZ Stadium – 16.00NZT

Canterbury were unlucky not to get a win last week as they still sit in last place with only two wins this season.

Whatever’s happening at the Warriors is working well. They’re competitive, and they’re getting the right results even when they lose since sacking their coach.

I think the Bulldogs will continue to surprise teams for the rest of this season, they always seem to have a flourish with about six weeks to go.

Warriors do have a slight sniff of the top eight, and I think that’ll be enough motivation to win.

TIP: Warriors 1-12

Newcastle Knights V North Queensland Cowboys – McDonald Jones Stadium – 18.00NZT

Newcastle look a lot more settled over recent weeks without suffering multiple major injuries.

They come up against a Cowboys side who are better now with Michael Morgan at the helm.

The Knights were lucky last week, and North Queensland unlucky.

These are the games Newcastle need to win to keep pushing for a top four finish, and I think they’ll do just that.

TIP: Knights 1-12

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