NRL Round 22: The Preview

By Stephen Gallagher

A couple of gambles didn’t pay off. 4/8. 99/158 for the season!

THURSDAY: Storm V Raiders – Sunshine Coast Stadium – 21.50NZT

This Storm side are on a massive win streak, and I don’t see this train coming off its tracks any time soon.

They’re putting sides to the sword with ease, and even in the tight games they still look comfortable.

Canberra get a couple of key players returning from injury, but again, so does Melbourne.

Canberra sit sneakily in eighth place, but a loss here doesn’t end it all.

Melbourne is far too strong.

TIP: Storm 13+

 

FRIDAY: Dragons V Panthers – Suncorp Super Stadium – 20.00NZT

Nothing seems to be working for the Dragons, not even a barbecue could cure their end of season blues as they slide down the ladder despite spending 17 weeks in the top eight.

Penrith’s slight stumbles have seemed to have eased, but a strong win is needed against the Red V.

Winning three of their last four against St George Illawarra is good for the confidence, and with only four games left before the finals, it’s an important step to make. Winning and winning well against these teams.

Penrith have got the talent to do so.

TIP: Panthers 13+

 

Broncos V Roosters – Suncorp Stadium – 22.05NZT

While there’s been an effort and attitude adjustment in Brisbane it seems, they are still lacking that x factor to their performances.

Lacking that, coming up against a Roosters side whose season has been well documented due to their sheer determination will only be a tough ask.

Another halves change for the Broncos doesn’t look good for the club, whereas the Roosters still have a fairly strong third-string side.

Brisbane have only beaten top eight sides twice in thirteen attempts in 2021. That doesn’t reflect well for the outcome of this one.

TIP: Roosters 13+

 

SATURDAY: Rabbitohs V Titans – Cbus Super Stadium – 17.00NZT

I seem to say this every week about the Rabbitohs, but they love to outscore a side. They’ll happy beat you 40-30.

Gold Coast have shored up their defence over the last fortnight, only leaking twenty points in those two games.

The amount of talent in the Rabbitohs ranks is so impressive, and with lots of inexperienced players in key positions for Gold Coast is a slight concern for them.

However, with the confidence the Titans seem to have at the moment, they could throw everything against Souths and come away with the win.

Should be an entertaining match.

TIP: Rabbitohs 13+

 

Cowboys V Tigers – Queensland Country Bank Stadium – 19.30NZT

With more L’s than the word ballistically, the Cowboys are searching for anything that’ll help them get a win.

You’d think this fixture could give them that win, but they look so disorganised and so lost on the field that I don’t know if they can put it together across eighty minutes to get victory.

While the Tigers are just ugly, a win is a win, and that seems to be their motto right now. Taking the two points after eighty minutes is just something you’re happy to have sometimes.

North Queensland might have to set themselves some mini goals in game to achieve to help. Holding the ball and turning the Tigers around would certainly contribute.

TIP: Tigers 1-12

 

Sea Eagles V Eels – Sunshine Coast Stadium – 21.30NZT

While it’s not quite panic stations yet, the Eels certainly have to compete, if not win, against Manly to get a beat back into their season’s heart.

A couple of key injuries is hard to swallow, but they have the man power to fire and compete.

Manly showed last week that they’re the real deal. A couple of costly errors were the difference, but cleaning those up would have made it a very tight contest.

They’ll be disappointed with that, too. So a turnaround in execution will be on the cards all week as they look to finish off Parramatta with a slam dunk win.

TIP: Sea Eagles 13+

 

SUNDAY: Warriors V Bulldogs – Moreton Daily Stadium, Redcliffe – 16.00NZT

Initially this was going to be Tuivasa-Sheck’s “farewell home game” but of course the pandemic has other plans, and so does RTS.

Confidence must be really low at the Bulldogs. Losing key players every other week to suspensions, and a rotating door of players hasn’t laid the best platform for success.

The Warriors on the other hand, have managed to put two wins back to back, and are searching for a third.

With a top eight finish on the horizon, a win in this one would certainly help them get there.

A couple of key suspensions doesn’t help, but the belief is certainly there.

Could be another ugly game.

TIP: Warriors 1-12

 

Sharks V Knights – Moreton Daily Stadium, Redcliffe – 18.05NZT

I had high hopes for both of these sides at the launch of the 2021 season. The Knights are surging back with some oomph, while Cronulla look limp to round 25 and miss out on finals football.

Two inexperienced halves with plenty of energy, but lacking the vision and football smarts is something they have to live and die by right now due to injuries.

Newcastle have seemed to have found their feet at a good time. They’ve turned their error rate around, made the use of territory, and capitalised on plenty of chances.

I think it could be a big win for the Knights.

TIP: Knights 13+

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