NRL Round 22
0THURSDAY: Broncos V Roosters – The Gabba – 21.50NZT
What a game to kick this round off.
The Broncos are pushing very hard for a minor premiership, against a side who looked very care-free and made light work of the Titans last week.
Brisbane want blood. If Sydney rock up with the same attitude as last weekend, they will make this game very interesting.
The Broncos have grown massively since this time last year when they fell from the top eight. The form they’ve been in so far will pay dividends in the result. I think they’re too physical and too good for this Roosters side.
TIP: Broncos 1-12
FRIDAY: Wests Tigers V Rabbitohs – Scully Park, Tamworth – 20.00NZT
The Tamworth Tigers have their departing halfback return from injury, but the way they’ve been going this year they’ll need more than just him to play well.
Souths will be disappointed they have dropped out of the top eight. And the return of Latrell Mitchell (Maybe!? Or will he drop out again pre-match?) is timely for them.
The Rabbitohs can win pretty or ugly. They can drag you through the mud and also put 50 on you.
Wests surely have to put up some fight, but it definitely won’t be enough.
TIP: Rabbitohs 13+
Storm V Eels – Marvel Stadium – 22.00NZT
Melbourne had their pants pulled down last time they took a home game to Marvel Stadium, and after a bad loss last week, they’ll want to knuckle down this week on the one-percenters.
Parramatta don’t strike me as a side who are having much fun right now. They’re missing key players, they teeter on the edge of the top eight, and they have this big game ahead of them.
The Storm haven’t been at their best this year either. They won’t want to drop this one. I can see them putting the pieces together to get the result over the Eels.
A strong first half will be too much for them.
TIP: Storm 13+
SATURDAY: Raiders V Knights – GIO Stadium – 17.00NZT
Game of the round for me. There are a lot of similarities for these sides. They both have a lot of grit in their performances. They both like a close game. They both play their best footy when they’re in the fight.To get so close just to lose in golden point will have been a tough pill for the Raiders to swallow.
The Knights will want to keep that momentum up. They’re riding great form as they close into the top eight.
Canberra’s right-edge defence will have to be up for the right. Newcastle have scored so many points down their left and will look to go down there all game.
TIP: Raiders 1-12
Dragons V Sea Eagles – WIN Stadium – 19.30NZT
The Red V have put a little buffer between them and the Tigers in last place, but they need to get a couple more wins in the run home to avoid the wooden spoon.
Manly will be firing for Daly Cherry-Evans in his 300th game. This is a massive occasion for the Queensland half who will no doubt play like a man possessed.
A good game to play with a poor opposition, this Sea Eagles side will no doubt get up and grab the two points.
TIP: Sea Eagles 13+
Panthers V Sharks – PointsBet Stadium – 21.30NZT
Can this Panthers side be stopped? A couple of injuries from last week will flow into this one, but we see time and time again in the face of adversity, they come to play.
This is the opposite to Cronulla, who are really looking like they will miss the top eight if they keep on this downward trajectory.
Penrith play fast, they play slow, they can come home with a wet sail, and they can lead all game no worries.
It’s the defensive deficiencies that the Sharks have that will cause plenty of problems for them yet again. The Panthers will run at them and keep them on the back foot all game.
TIP: Panthers 1-12
SUNDAY: Bulldogs V Dolphins – Salter Oval, Bundaberg – 16.00NZT
This Bulldogs side have plenty of key inclusions for this big clash against Redcliffe in Bundaberg.
This is close to full strength for them for the first time in a long time in 2023. They will take on a Dolphins side fresh off the bye and will want to still push for a top eight finish.
Canterbury Bankstown play better when they play direct. If they can tighten up their attack and run shape at this Dolphins’ side they will cause them some issues.
Redcliffe have their DNA already and will compete and have that ability and belief they’ll beat the Bulldogs. They can’t just show up, they have to work for it.
TIP: Bulldogs 1-12
Titans V Cowboys – CBus Super Stadium – 18.00NZT
A big ask for the Titans to disarm their Queensland counterparts. While the Cowboys are missing two key forwards, they still have plenty of troops on deck to get this win.
The Titans look lost without their captain, and just don’t look likely to win those close games.
I’m sure the Cowboys will take a leaf out of the Roosters book last week, and try to get themselves off to a commanding lead at the start to be in complete control for the full 80.
Plenty of talented individuals in this Titans side, they just don’t come together as a team enough.
TIP: Cowboys 13+
BYE – Warriors
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