NRL Round 22. The Preview

By Stephen Gallagher

THURSDAY: Panthers V Storm  – BlueBet Stadium – 21.50NZT

The amount of injuries and players missing for the Storm is outrageous. We’ve never seen anything like this, especially for the Melbourne powerhouse.

Penrith are missing four key players, but still, they have that aura around them that they will be good enough.

A win here pretty much seals the JJ Giltinan Shield for finishing Minor Premiers, too.

Melbourne roll in with a different halves pairing for a third straight week.

Penrith’s back five are set, their spine look good, and they have points in them to put the Storm away.

TIP: Panthers 1-12

 

FRIDAY: Warriors V Bulldogs  – Mount Smart Stadium – 20.00NZT

Did you see that wholesome video of those two Bulldogs fans hanging out with them at The Coffee Club in Auckland?

Anyway, the Warriors are a total shambles, I’m sick of bagging them – but they don’t have a backbone.

They’ll rely on home advantage, but this Bulldogs side will be there to play.

The combinations built at Canterbury Bankstown are paying dividends. Polar opposite to the Warriors, where you can see chopping and changing every week is hampering any chance they have.

TIP: Bulldogs 1-12

 

Eels V Rabbitohs  – Commbank Stadium – 21.55NZT

A loss here from Parramatta would see the Rabbitohs leapfrog them into a top-four spot. All on the back of the return from injury by Latrell Mitchell. Pretty good stuff by the red n greens.

Parramatta have put a couple of wins together, and look to keep some momentum going with the finals just around the corner.

Parramatta’s forward pack is probably the most mobile in the comp, and the Rabbitohs big boys are coming into some form of their own.

Lots to play for in this Friday night clash. Eels will be feeling the pressure of Souths. 

TIP: Rabbitohs 1-12

 

SATURDAY: Roosters V Cowboys – SCG – 17.00NZT

Another blockbuster game!

Roosters just need to keep winning. It’s as simple as that as they currently sit in 8th spot.

For North Queensland, their unprecedented rise to the top continues. A really enjoyable side to watch.

I’ve tipped against the Cowboys the last two weeks, and I’m gonna do it again here. It’s probably while they’ll end up winning!

The tri-colours look to be timing their run well, but there is still pressure on them with the potential to miss out on the eight.

This is their first test for the finals really. A strong, fast Cowboys side will be coming for them.

TIP: Roosters 1-12

Tigers V Sharks – Scully Park, Tamworth – 19.30NZT

It’s the Tamworth Tigers this weekend.

They head to the music capital of Australia to play out a big performance against the third-placed Cronulla.

After some strong footy, Wests went south and fell to a very weak Newcastle outfit.

Cronulla, much like North Queensland, are having a lot of success in 2022 and you can see these Sharks want to keep pushing each other and keep on winning.

Sitting lowly in 15th spot, they are in danger of getting the spoon. Ouch. Tigers, surely not.

Cronulla are a couple of steps above this Wests side, and it’ll show on the night.

TIP: Sharks 13+

 

Broncos V Knights – Suncorp Stadium – 21.30NZT

If you follow the Bloke In A Bar podcast, you’ll know that Denan Kemp may have put a curse on his Broncos side, but not cursed enough to lose to Newcastle, surely!?

The Knights had so much promise at the beginning, but they are lacking some key players in important positions, and that shows every week as they struggle.

Brisbane losing two in a row might be the buck they need to keep this Bronco going.

Too many attacking weapons to drop a game to the Knights.

TIP: Broncos 13+

 

SUNDAY: Raiders V Dragons – GIO Stadium – 16.00NZT

We’re all aware of Ricky Stuart’s comments last week, but what’s even more disappointing than that is the Raiders performance when they had a great chance to upset Penrith.

Lucky for them they come up against Saint George Illawarra on a Sunday in Canberra.

They are without enforcer Joe Tapine, but I think they’ll still be okay.

The Dragons just seem to lack cohesion. They look to struggle with ball in hand, and no one is really making that lethal impact. No Sims and no Suli doesn’t help either for the rest of this season.

The Raiders also will be hurting after “that loss” a couple of months ago to the Red V. That must be motivation enough to secure the two points.

TIP: Raiders 1-12

 

Titans V Sea Eagles – Cbus Super Stadium – 18.05NZT

Can the Titans get off the bottom of the ladder? Probably not!

Will they win this week against the Sea Eagles? Again, probably not.

Will they score some luck box tries and look okay for about 25 minutes? More than likely.

Manly let themselves down big time last week, and with two losses on the trot, they will need to bounce back if they have any chance of making the top 8.

This has high scoring game written all over it.

TIP: Sea Eagles 13+

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