Weekly Preview – Round 6
Trade Doctors Weekly Preview
Panthers (+3.5) v Rabbitohs
The Panthers have only topped 20 points once this year, whilst the Rabbitohs bounced back with a strong performance last week demolishing the Dragons. Whichever side wins the forward battle this week will win the match. The Bunnies outside backs have been crap, whilst the Panthers’ men aside from Idris have still managed scores.
Tip: Souffs (forward battle: name your big men)
Titans (+2.5) v Broncos
Both sides have surprised, being near the top of the ladder this year. The Titans lead the comp (with a negative for and against), but all four teams they have beaten sit outside the top 8. The Broncos have a great forward rotation, which is almost too good; killing value for NRLCEO coaches. The return of Justin Hodges to the starting lineup should be enough to see the Broncos win a close contest.
Tip: Broncos (I feel a high scoring affair – name your backs)
Raiders v Knights (+3.5)
The Raiders have struggled with consistency in 2014, and their attack has struggled in fits and starts. They only managed 6 points last week despite a lot of late ball against the Panthers.
The Knights managed to band together for a stirring win two weeks ago before falling in a heap against the Cowboys last Monday. On a short backup, with a lot of travel in between, even the return of Jarrod Mullen is unlikely to see them home.
Tip: Raiders
Eels (+6.5) v Roosters
The Roosters smashed the Eels in round 2, but it’s hard to see it happening like that again. Nathan Peats was a notable omission from that game, and with him in the lineup the Eels are a different team on both ends of the park.
Radradra has been amazing; he has scored 8 tries in 5 games despite having one of the worst starting centres in the NRL inside him. Dead set, Willie Tonga is such a bad outside back I expect the Sharks to offer him a deal any day now.
For the Roosters, someone has to say it; is Daniel Tupou really any good? The man-child can leap with the best of them, but with referees being very lenient with ‘blockers’ keeping attacking men away from the high ball his one NRL-quality skill is nullified.
I expect that the Roosters will be full of confidence coming into a match against a team they put 50 past only a month ago. This is a true test for the Eels: if they can redeem themselves with a strong performance this week, I’ll start to believe their position in the eight could last.
Tip: Roosters (just)
Tigers (+1.5) v Cowboys
The Tigers beat the living daylights out of my beloved Sea Eagles last week. The big men off the bench have been impressive all year and Farah is having a blinder of a year. Injuries and suspension look sure to slow them down and Tedesco is a huge loss.
The Cowboys have looked flat all year, with Robert Lui seemingly having his hands on the ball more than Thurston. Taumololo continues to ruin any cohesiveness in attack down the left edge, preventing Linnett and Winterstein from ever seeing quality ball. I am siding with the Knights having played the Cowboys into some form, and after seeing the Tigers without Tedesco against the Warriors am tipping a rare away win for the men from Townsville.
Tip: Cowboys
Warriors (+2.5) v Bulldogs
The Warriors will be hoping the ‘bounce’ after firing a coach is enough to get them over the line, because their recent performances give little reason to think they can win this. The Bulldogs have back to back wins over the Storm and Roosters and this Warriors side would need to play at a level they haven’t shown this year to be a chance.
Tip: Bulldogs (in a canter)
Sea Eagles v Sharks (+12.5)
Manly were woeful in the downpour at Leichhardt last Sunday. The forward pack was woeful, with no one breaking 65metres. They come up against a Sharks side that scored its first win of the season against a Warriors side who threw the game away as hard as any Pakistani cricket team in recent memory. Returning to Brookie on a Sunday afternoon, I can’t see Manly throwing up another bad performance. All hands look to be on deck for Manly with Taufua expected to be a late inclusion, whilst rumours are swirling that Carney may miss out for the Sharks.
Tip: Manly (big score- name your backs!)
Melbourne v St George (+8.5)
Both squads are coming off back-to-back losses and will be looking to right their 2014 campaigns with a win. The Storm will be seething after a controversial last minute penalty goal to Greg Bird cost them a chance at victory, whilst the Dragons were smashed apart by the Burgess brothers who dragged Souths to a win.
The matchup against Gareth Widdop reeks of a ‘big brother v little brother’ to me, and I think the big brother Storm teach the little brother a lesson. Josh “I don’t know what a pass is” Dugan will be jinking around the middle, taking hitups and ignoring potential ball-runners again; and I don’t think the Storm are stupid enough to fall for this tactic.
Tip: Storm (another big margin)
It seems I have been a bit of a tosser and picked all the favourites. The Eels, Titans and Panthers are the only outsiders I personally see as a chance. The Friday night games should be good forward battles and lead to plenty of Workhorses being scored. The Sunday/Monday games look to be paddlin’s and good picks for some backs to score NRLCEO points.
Good luck with your matchups this week and don’t forget to hit me up with any trade or lineup questions in the comments or @aussiepiston
Ryan
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