NRL Round 20

By Stephen Gallagher

FRIDAY: Raiders V Warriors – GIO Stadium – 22.00NZT

Two teams ready to be tossed up for do-or-die footy for the next seven weeks as they are in that awkward spot on the ladder.

The biggest inclusion for this one is Jamal Fogarty who has been out for 13 weeks.

There is no doubt that these sides have been a huge disappointment, but with the season’s crunch time well and truly here – there’s not much time left to faff about.

Canberra’s forward pack has a bit more size and statute than their opponents, but there’s a bit more silk in the Wahs’ backline.

Hard to beat Canberra in Canberra, but the Warriors have a good record down there of late.

TIP: Raiders 1-12

 

SATURDAY: Rabbitohs V Tigers – Industree Group Stadium, Gosford – 17.00NZT

The resurging Rabbitohs will be happy they get another win this week against the Tigers who, quite frankly in my opinion, have gone backwards as a whole this year.

Souths get the luxury of playing Wests without Koroisau, too.

I’ve got nothing good about the Tigers to say. They just look like a team of headless chooks, and Adam Doueihi.

TIP: Rabbitohs 13+

 

Knights V Broncos – McDonald Jones Stadium – 19.30NZT

Much like the Friday fixture, this is two teams with their season on life-support. Both can’t afford to lose a game from here on out.

Newcastle looked woeful last week but I’m not reading too deeply into it. 

The Broncos, winless since Magic Round – are in freefall. This run of form is horrid. There is no fun in this football side and they look desperate to have Adam Reynolds back, as he is named in the extended side.

Knights have more direction and go forward. Their left edge is going to be lethal with some early ball. The Broncos might not have the answer.

TIP: Knights 1-12

 

Storm V Roosters – AAMI Park – 21.35NZT

The biggest game of the weekend is this one.

The Storm remarkably once again sit atop of the table in some sort of effortless way. It’s annoying. I genuinely don’t get it.

The Roosters are the side everyone is scared to play, especially with so much on the line this season with departing players.

Melbourne are such toilers. That’s the best way to describe them.

What the Roosters can do to take away that dominance is to win the ruck. Smith hasn’t had much luck against his old side, but he does love to play at AAMI. If his forwards can help him out, he can be a menace.

Lots on the line here, especially with the Roosters in fine form.

TIP: Roosters 1-12

 

SUNDAY: Panthers V Dolphins – BlueBet Stadium – 16.00NZT

After ten weeks out – the Prince is back. Nathan Cleary has ticked all the rehab boxes and is ready to roll out a fourth straight Grand Final win for the Panthers. 

But first, they have to get over the Dolphins who are bringing their Origin stars to town.

Penrith will look to kick Redcliffe all around the park. That’s the Cleary way. And with a strong forward pack, the expectation to do so will be there.

Dolphins are a scrappy side – so it won’t be a pretty performance.

TIP: Panthers 1-12

 

Sea Eagles V Titans – 4 Pines Park – 18.05NZT

Manly at home on a Sunday is one of life’s true joys. Especially for those who live on the Northern Beaches.

And with the prospects of a niggly, unorthodox Titans team in front of them – it’s got the potential to be one of those performances that no one will be able to predict.

What we know that does work for Manly is early ball to the backs. They look so fluid when they’re having fun. And when the likes of Trbojevic, Talau, Saab and Brooks are connected – it’s hard to knock down.

The Gold Coast are lingering in 14th, but are better than that in my opinion. They just don’t get an 80-minute performance out regularly enough.

TIP: Sea Eagles 1-12

 

Cowboys V Bulldogs – Queensland Country Bank Stadium – 20.15NZT

The last game of the round puts a lot of pressure on this Cowboys team. The Bulldogs have been brilliant this year. A true joy to watch when they’re on.

If they can get the jump on the Cowboys, it’s going to pretty much cement a top-eight finish for Canterbury-Bankstown.

For North Queensland, there are shades of 2023 about the remaining 7 weeks of the season.

They will understand the pressure they’re under. A mixed bag of performances over the last six weeks needs to be addressed and put to bed with a strong win here.

TIP: Bulldogs 1-12

BYE: Dragons, Sharks, Eels

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