NRL Round 4

By Stephen Gallagher

THURSDAY: Roosters V Panthers – Allianz Stadium – 22.00NZT

Reckon the loss of Cleary and Fisher-Harris will be a big test for this Panthers side who are coming up against arguably the form-side of the competition after Roosters smoked Souths last week.

Penrith will remain with that cool, calm, and collected mindset – nothing will phase them, especially this early on in the season.

Whether it was just the Rabbitohs being woeful or not, the Roosters looked incredibly sharp, and showing just how their depth is making them a serious threat.

Be an entertaining affair.

TIP: Roosters 1-12

 

FRIDAY: Rabbitohs V Bulldogs – Accor Stadium – 18.00NZT

Oh this is juicy! A Rabbitohs side that’s barely fired a shot in 2024, winless, bottom of the table, a walking media timebomb, against a Bulldogs side who looked incredibly competent in their win over the Titans last week.

How can you go against this Bunnies side? They’re so much better than this – they have flare, strike power through the middle, an some brilliant players.

But, how can you not go against the Bunnies? They’ve proven nothing.

I think the Bulldogs will ambush them. Yes, Souths won’t be as awful as they have been – but it’ll be a close game and the Doggies will come home late to snatch it.

TIP: Bulldogs 1-12

 

Broncos V Cowboys – Suncorp Stadium – 22.00NZT

Despite getting trounced last week, the Broncos aren’t in that bad of form, especially since we all know what Tristian Sailor can do as Walsh’s replacement.

The Cowboys were a Raymond Faitala-Mariner knock-on away from losing last week, but that caused a sensation ripple effect in the time/space continuum and therefore the Cowboys kicked on to carve up.

I think North Queensland’s forwards will be the deciding factor. They have it over their opponents in size and skill, but it won’t be a walk over.

This Broncos side will compete, and will look to spread it wide which seems to be a successful plan against this Cowboys team.

TIP: Cowboys 1-12

 

SATURDAY: Dragons V Sea Eagles – 19.30NZT

Much like what I wrote above, if Raymond Faitala-Mariner doesn’t knock that ball on…. Oh the Saints!

However this is going to be their toughest test of the season, I believe.

The performance that Manly are putting in over the opening month of this competition leads me to believe they are a serious contender.

Opponents are struggling to keep up pace with them, and their ability to play under and turn teams in is a strong strategy.

This is yet again an opportunity for the Red V to show they are better then their last two bouts. Surely this is a close one? 

TIP: Sea Eagles 1-12

 

Titans V Dolphins – Cbus Super Stadium – 19.30NZT

I’ve got my black pen ready to put a line through the Titans if they fail to fire this week.

But then again, we saw how terrible the Dolphins were in Round One, and they managed to turn it around in the space of a week.

This is not a Des Hasler coached side. The Titans are leaking points for fun and that is polar opposite of what sort of DNA he usually has on teams.

In saying that, he has lost 9 NRL games in a row as head coach.

This is an almost unchanged Dolphins side from their triumphant win over the Dragons which will give them confidence in the second Queensland Derby of the week.

TIP: Dolphins 1-12

SUNDAY: Warriors V Knights – Go Media Mount Smart Stadium – 18.00NZT

Third-choice fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is called upon to fill the number one jersey as both these sides look to go 2-2 in the season.

The Knights could have lost that Storm game if it went for any longer as their steam from the first half ran out quick.

There’s a lot of similarities to these two sides this season in comparison to their success of 2023.

That win last week would have meant a lot to the Wahs, who arguably put out their worst performance of the year for their first win.

They know what they did to the Knights the last time Newcastle came to town, and will want to do what they can to replicate that.

TIP: Warriors 1-12

 

Sharks V Raiders – PointsBet Stadium – 20.15 NZT

Well, after the shemozzle of whatever last week was for the Sharks doesn’t get any easier with injuries galore hampering their preparations for this crucial match against a battle-hardened Ricky’s Raiders.

Missing a fair chunk of their starting forward pack, it’s already backs against the wall for the Sharkies.

Last week was only a blip on the radar for the Raiders, who will still have all the confidence and belief in their ability to win away from home against the Sharks by doing what they do best.Bully them in to submission.

TIP: Raiders 1-12

 

MONDAY: Eels V Tigers – CommBank Stadium – 18.00NZT

Another traditional Easter fixture will be worth keeping an eye on this week.

Eels without Mitchell Moses, against the Tigers side who turned it on last week and got their first dub under coach Benji Marshall.

Partnering Dylan Brown in the halves will be last week’s debutant Blaize Tuilagi – with plenty of pressure on him.

The Tigers won’t be lured into any false pretences before this one. I feel like they’re slowly finding their own identity under the new coach.

We won’t see them shying away from the battle. The Eels will absolutely bring it to them, and after last week, we know they have the ability to be patient and stay close throughout the 80 minutes. That might take the Tigers out.

TIP: Eels 1-12

BYE: Melbourne Storm

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