NRL Round 20: The Preview

By Stephen Gallagher

Tipped two wrong last week. 89/142 for the season!

 

THURSDAY: Roosters V Eels – BB Print Stadium, Mackay – 21.50NZT

Looking a little rudderless without Moses, the Eels have to turn up the heat against the Roosters.

While JWH celebrates 250 games in the tri-colours, there’s no doubt this enforcer will be up for it against the blue n gold army.

Parramatta’s forward pack is the best it’s ever been in recent years, which will give them a much needed boost of muscle up front.

Roosters love to match it in the middle.

If Tedesco plays like he did last week, it’s going to be hard to contain the Roosters

TIP: Roosters 1-12

 

FRIDAY: Tigers V Warriors – Suncorp Stadium – 20.00NZT

A try separated these two teams six weeks ago, but I can’t see it being this close for this game.

The Warriors looked dismal last weekend, and had no answers on attack. Yet another new-look spine only hampers their chances.

The Tigers aren’t the best side going around, but they’re surely good enough to put the Warriors away who have absolutely thrown in the towel in yet another tough season away from home.

TIP: Tigers 13+

 

Broncos V Cowboys – Suncorp Stadium – 22.05NZT

We’ve all grown accustomed to seeing this fixture being tight and tough. Can’t say it’s going to play out like this again, but there’s definitely points on both teams when they’re on.

Brisbane struggled in the last quarter of their loss last week, where the Cowboys really gave it their all and came up just short against Melbourne.

The Broncos attack should be centered around Kotoni Staggs. When he gets the ball in his hands, things happen. They didn’t give him much pill last week and it showed.

North Queensland will be up for this.

TIP: Broncos 1-12

 

SATURDAY: Dragons V Rabbitohs – Browne Park, Rockhampton – 17.00NZT

There’s definitely some warning signs for the Dragons as their chances of remaining in the eight comes under a lot of heat against this Souths outfit.

The Red V look convoluted in attack, and aren’t able to convert pressure in to points as errors disrupt their flow.

Souths are just full of gusto. Scoring points through the middle of teams with ease. It’s fun to watch the Rabbitohs when they’re like this.

Watch them tear the Dragons to shreds.

TIP: Rabbitohs 13+

 

Knights V Raiders – Suncorp Stadium – 19.30NZT

If I’m a forward from Newcastle, I’m livid with the mistakes the backs are making. The forwards are doing their job and then some, while the pressure valve is released when the backs drop it and stuff it up.

They can’t allow to do that against the Raiders who have somehow got themselves back in to top eight contention by stringing some wins together.

That mettle they’ve found is doing them wonders. I’d like to see them once again win this winnable game.

Knights are just not doing enough for eighty minutes. When they unravel, it happens quickly.

Canberra will be tough to beat.

TIP: Raiders 1-12

 

Storm V Panthers – Suncorp Stadium – 21.30NZT

While this one is being touted as a Grand Final replay, or a Grand Final preview for this season – the Panthers have suffered another blow with Brian To’o out for the remainder of the regular season.

It comes at such a tough time as the Storm are flying with having won so many on the trot it’s hard to keep up.

I don’t see Melbourne being undone by the Panthers either. It’ll be tight for the first 50 minutes, but I see the Storm’s class just shine and see them polish off a tidy win.

TIP: Storm13+

 

SUNDAY: Bulldogs V Titans – Cbus Super Stadium – 16.00NZT

More suspension issues for the Bulldogs who sit comfortably on the bottom of the table.

While the Titans led themselves to a strong victory last week, they need to back it up again over the last placed Canterbury side.

I was impressed by Titans’ debutante Toby Sexton last week, and he looks like a really solid player.

Kyle Flanagan is back through the turnstiles again, named at 7 for the Bulldogs needing to really show his worth with a halves log jam in 2022.

Titans by plenty, however.

TIP: Titans 13+

 

Sharks V Sea Eagles – Moreton Daily Stadium, Redcliffe – 18.05NZT

Losing Shaun Johnson for a few weeks looks to have put the brakes on the Sharks season, but we’ve seen some shining lights through Connor Tracey and Braydon Trindall.

Yet again though, any side coming up against this high-flying Manly side are going to be in for a real challenge.

Manly are just brilliant to watch, and when they flick the switch, they’re excellent.

Their backrowers continuing the play with offloads are killing sides. Cronulla need to keep an eye on that.

TIP: Sea Eagles 13+

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