NRLReview 4 / Preview 5

By Stephen Gallagher

Eels 29 Rabbitohs 16

This was easily the upset of the round. I still can’t pick the Eels, as they are up and down and in and out. The Rabbitohs were caught short by their Parramatta counterparts, but would only be a mere blimp on the radar. The Eels did look strong, with John Folau making some great runs emulating his brother.

Bulldogs 25 Tigers 24

The Tigers BLEW IT! They threw this game away. Up by too much to lose, they lost. A Moses Mybe field goal in golden point was the difference. Jason Taylor would be bitterly disappointed in his young cubs, and Des Hasler would have been relieved of his sides Houdini effort.

Knights 26 Panthers 14

The Knights are the only side to be undefeated so far in 2015. They aren’t blowing teams off the park, but they are being physical and they are grinding their way through a solid 80 minute performance to beat their opponents. The Panthers were good, the Knights were just better.

Titans 24 Sharks 22

Wade Graham literally threw the game away with about 8 minutes to go.  An intercept try cost the Sharks what should have been a win at home, except now they are winless through four matches and don’t look like getting any better. Titans were lucky.

Dragons 12 Sea Eagles 4

The Dragons have won two in a row, after fighting absolutely hard to win this one. Manly were rattled throughout with injuries and concussions, but they still should have performed better. The Dragons are starting to gel.

Broncos 24 Warriors 16

The Warriors had twenty years of preperation for this match, and couldn’t win it. The Broncos first half blitz was the clincher as they kept the Warriors scoreless. The Broncos now go three straight, and the Warriors fall to two and two.

Roosters 34 Raiders 6

Watching Blake Ferguson carve up the Raiders was great viewing. Some said it was sad, but it just shows how far he has come. The Raiders stood no chance, and the Roosters were just too strong and are looking hard to beat.

Cowboys 18 Storm 17

The Cowboys used their “Get out of jail free” card. Down 16-4, they managed to get the game in to Golden Point from a JT sideline conversion, and a JT field goal. Then he stepped up once again and sealed the victory. Courageous first win of the season.

 Preview

FRIDAY: • Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs v South Sydney Rabbitohs – ANZ Stadium 18.00NZT

This should be a doozy to kick off the round on Easter Friday. The Rabbitohs will be bitter at themselves for losing last week, and these two always put on a show when they play each other. The Bulldogs will have to be 10x better than last week to get up. The Rabbitohs are dymaic all over the park. A grand final rematch too.

Rabbitohs 1-12

• Gold Coast Titans V Brisbane Broncos – CBUS Super Stadium 22.35NZT
The Titans are in the comfort of their home, but big brother are in red hot bucking form and will look to use this match as another stepping stone for their season. The Titans will have to have a say about that. In front of their home fans, I think they can do it in an upset.

Titans 1-12

SATURDAY: • Manly Warringah Sea Eagles V Canberra Raiders – Lavington Sports Ground 19.30NZT
The Sea Eagles have been battered and bruised this season, and Ricky’s Raiders have been underwhelming to say the least.

Toovey will have to get his men to march to the same beat if they want to win this one. The Raiders could surprise them if they are not careful.

Sea Eagles 1-12

• Newcastle Knights V Saint George Illawarra Dragons – Hunter Stadium 21.30NZT
The Knights are undefeated. The Dragons are starting to get some form together. This game will also double as the inaugural Alex McKinnon Cup. There will be plenty of emotion attached to this fixture and both teams will fight hard to be the first winners of this cup.

Knights 1-12

SUNDAY: • Sydney Roosters V Cronulla Sharks – Allianz Stadium 14.00NZT
The Roosters look to continue their roll, and the Sharks would love to get off the bottom of the ladder. Too bad they won’t. This game has the potential to be one way traffic, and I don’t see it being anything other than that.

Roosters 13+

MONDAY: • Parramatta Eels V Wests Tigers – ANZ Stadium 17.00NZT
The battle of Western Sydney is on. The Eels look to bully the Tigers in to submission, but with some bulk on both sides of the fence it won’t be that easy. The Tigers have been competitive this season, but that’s not enough. They lack execution and that will let them down again. The Eels will get up.

Eels 1-12

• Melbourne Storm V New Zealand Warriors – AAMI Park 19.00NZT
These two teams always play out classic matches. This Easter Monday match up has the writing on the cards to be another classic too. A few injury concerns could haunt the Warriors, and a cruel Golden Point loss last week for the Storm will be fresh on their mind, making them perform to the full.

Storm 1-12

• Penrith Panthers V North Queensland Cowboys – Pepper Stadium 21.00NZT
The Panthers back on home soil. The Cowboys have been supbar all year but a last gast win might have been the win they needed to get things going. The Panthers are an exciting young team, and I think they will have enough across the park to get a win.

Panthers 1-12

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