NRL Round 21

By Stephen Gallagher

FRIDAY: Warriors V Tigers – Go Media Mount Smart Stadium – 20.00NZT

Being back at home must be an important cog in the machine of this Warriors side, especially as they come up against Wooden Spoon favourites Wests Tigers.

There’s not a lot to get excited about in arguably the most boring game of the weekend.

Warriors have been a huge disappointment this season, a lot of injuries – yes. However, their style of play hasn’t been as good as 2023.

Tigers have the youngest halves pairing in their clubs history which is worth highlighting, but the lack of genuine game breakers and experience in this side leaves a lot to be desired.

Will be scrappy, but plenty of tries on offer.

TIP: Warriors 13+

 

Eels V Storm – CommBank Stadium – 22.00NZT

Going to be a hard ask for the Eels to get up with arguably their top three players all missing through injury.

Melbourne keep on Melbourne-ing. Doesn’t matter how they do it, they just win.

And with the likely inclusion of Cameron Munster this week is an ominous sight for the Eels to try to handle them defensively.

Eels really lack that go-forward on attack, which plays perfectly into how the Storm will get them.

Pressure on, play in the Eels half, and capitalise. 

TIP: Storm 13+

 

SATURDAY: Broncos V Bulldogs – Suncorp Stadium – 17.00NZT

Brisbane are playing finals footy every week in order to try finish the season in the top eight.

They will have a tough task ahead of them with the Bulldogs being the second-best defensive side in 2024.

The Broncos won’t have too much luck on their left-side attack with Stephen Crichton shutting them down. They will have to show patience, which is something that Adam Reynolds instantly added with his inclusion last week.

Reckon this is the game of the round for me. The Bulldogs have the chance to end the Broncos season, and Brisbane have a lot of pressure on them to get it done, especially in front of their home fans.

TIP: Broncos 1-12

 

Cowboys V Sharks – Queensland Country Bank Stadium – 19.30NZT

Much like their Queensland counterparts the Broncos, the Cowboys are finding some form at the right end of the season to try to avoid missing the finals for a second straight year.

It will be a hard ask for the Sharks to win without Hynes and away from home, but they are in a position where they can afford to drop a game or two.

That won’t be their mindset under coach Fitzgibbon, however.

Cowboys are still struggling to put it all together in attack, but the glimpses are there.

Tom Dearden is the key to unlocking their flair. If they can keep the Sharks on the back foot, it’ll be a dangerous opportunity to punish them.

TIP: Cowboys 1-12

 

Roosters V Sea Eagles – Allianz Stadium – 21.35NZT

Plenty at stake.

Whoever wins will cement their spot in the top four.

For the Roosters, who seemingly can’t beat Penrith or Melbourne, will take their focus into this one as a must-win. Sure, they’re in a better position than they were this time last year, but they still have to win these big games.

Manly are flying right now. Finding points easily, and you can tell they have plenty of belief in themselves regardless of the game situation.

You have to back the Roosters on paper, but the Sea Eagles will come to play. They just have to match it in the middle.

TIP: Roosters 1-12

 

SUNDAY: Dragons V Panthers – WIN Stadium – 16.00NZT

The Dragons got the win earlier in the season on a wet night in Penrith, but that feels like a lifetime ago and the Panthers won’t want to go down to the Red V twice in one season.

Saint George Illawarra are definitely bringing a more exciting element to their performances in 2024, but they’ll need to ice all the opportunities that Penrith give them, which won’t be many.

Penrith are so clinical for the whole 80 minutes. They will force the Red V to play the way Penrith want them to, and will control the outcome.

TIP: Panthers 1-12

 

Dolphins V Titans – Suncorp Stadium – 18.05NZT

A Queensland battle with plenty writing on it. The Dolphins are on the verge of making the finals if they manage to win three of their last seven games.

For the Titans, they have always been playing catch-up. Especially after their poor start to the year.

They are out there having fun every week, trying to ruin other teams’ finals hopes which is a good position to be in knowing their season is over. Somewhat of a motivating factor.

I’m so impressed by the Dolphins, more so Isaiya Katoa and his maturity in steering this side around and being a very clinical half for a kid.

Backing the Dolphins, but will be closer than most think.

TIP: Dolphins 1-12

 

Raiders V Rabbitohs – GIO Stadium – 20.15NZT

It showed just how important Jamal Fogarty is to the Raiders. His kicking game was the reason why Canberra got the dub last weekend.

Compare that to the success that Cody Walker and Jack Wighton are having together in the halves for Souths, which is going to cause some headaches for Wayne Bennett leading into 2025.

Both sides sit in the same amount of points, with the same amount of chance of making the finals. Mathematically they’re both a chance, but the loser is pretty much done for 2024.

There’s so much fight and spirit in the Raiders despite getting flustered close to the line on attack.Souths have a big hill to climb to get over the line down in the Nation’s capital.

TIP: Raiders 1-12

 

BYE: Knights

Follow Stephen Gallagher on Twitter