Weekly Preview – Round 7
Fri Apr 18, 4:00pm Rabbitohs v Bulldogs ANZ Stadium
This is a matchup of the NRL’s two best defences. On that basis I can’t see it being a high scoring affair. NRLCEO coaches should see this as a match to name their forwards.
Souths were crazy good defensively against Penrith, not missing a single tackle in the first half of a game. I still remain unimpressed with their outside backs and George Burgess and Ben Teo are key outs. This gives NRLCEO coaches struggling for workhorses some hope with players like McQueen and Luke Burgess set to see more game time.
The Bulldogs managed to come back from 8 points down in the last 13 minutes against the Warriors last Sunday. Reynolds and Hodkinson have been in great form, and I like the centre pairing of Morris and Lafai. Coming off consecutive wins against the Storm, Roosters and Warriors in New Zealand I can’t find a reason to tip against them in an ‘away’ game at home.
Tip: Bulldogs
Fri Apr 18, 7:40pm Sea Eagles v Cowboys Central Coast Stadium
It was a typical performance from Manly against the Sharks at Brookvale last week. After coasting to a comfortable 20 point halftime lead, the Sea Eagles shut up shop and did what was necessary to snag the two competition points.
The Cowboys again put forward a strong case for the 2014 Underachievers Award, managing only one try in 80 minutes against the Tigers. Their ruck defense was terrible, and Robbie Farah topped 120 metres for the match. Thankfully for Cowboys supporters, Matt Ballin isn’t much of an attacking threat from dummy half and I expect a much better defensive performance this week.
I don’t expect this game to be a blowout, but I’d be surprised to see Manly lose.
Tip: Manly
Fri Apr 18, 7:40pm Knights v Broncos Hunter Stadium
This matchup should be a cracking contest. Recent clashes between the sides have been close, and the last match at Hunter Stadium even ended in a draw.
The Knights recorded a nice win against Canberra in the nation’s capital in Jarrod Mullen’s return game. I’m not sure how impressive a feat this is in 2014, with Canberra having only won 2 matches and having a dismal home record in recent seasons. Still, I expect the direction Mullen offers to the squad will mean an improved consistency over what we have seen so far this season.
For NRLCEO coaches, the Broncos are still much the same as recent weeks: Anthony Griffin is still p*#$ing off fantasy coaches by benching Hannant and playing Parker at prop, but McGuire, Thaiday and Gillett are all living up to expectations. In the backline, Hunt has been a revelation in recent weeks and Copley remains serviceable, but Barba, Hoffman, Vidot and co have shown little.
The Broncos have a 3-3 record so far this year, but have led in the last 20minutes of all three losses. I see the Knights being prepared for a big match at home, and see this as another close result.
Tip: Broncos in a close one
Sat Apr 19, 5:30pm Dragons v Warriors WIN Jubilee Oval
The Warriors managed to butcher an 8 point lead.
In just 13 minutes.
At home.
In the Coach-Fired bounce-back game.
They now are forced to travel to face a fired up Dragons outfit. Would you want to be on them? This competition is even enough that any side can win on a given week. I’m not sure this is a ‘given week’ for the Warriors.
The Dragons were the hard luck story of last week, losing in extra time to the Storm. Lost in all of the controversy was the strong performance of the Dragons to build a 14 point lead against the Storm in Melbourne. It will be interesting to see whether the events of the week galvanise the squad or break them. The Dragons have a top 3 attack and bottom 4 defense, so this game could spell points. Name your backs.
Tip: Dragons
Sat Apr 19, 7:30pm Sharks v Roosters Remondis Stadium
I know the Sharks have been worse, but which of these two teams has underachieved more? This clash looms as season defining; Can the Roosters reignite their premiership campaign or will the Sharks turn it all around and make a late season surge to 11th?
Whilst for their fans the Sharks have shown absolutely nothing in 2014, for NRLCEO coaches their forward pack has had plenty of value. Arona and Sopoaga would’ve been lucky to get drafted by anyone at the start of the year, but if they are still free agents in your league you aren’t coaching right.
The Roosters have been everything I could’ve dreamed of and more this year. After hearing every talking head bang on about how the Roosters were ‘so far ahead of the competition’ and would be the first team to go back to back in the modern area, nothing makes me happier than watching them fail. Saying that, this team has too much talent to be this bad, and the Sharks are as good a side as any to play them into form
Tip: Roosters by 40.
Sun Apr 20, 3:00pm Raiders v Storm GIO Stadium
Melbourne scraped an extra time victory against the Dragons last week, whilst the Raiders lost their sixth straight at home against the lowly Knights.
I don’t like the way either team is performing and their relative inconsistencies make it difficult to get a solid grasp on this matchup. I get the feeling the Storm are on the way up whilst the Raiders are flat-lining and looking more like the spoon contenders I expected them to be in the pre-season.
It’s hard not to remember the 68-4 drubbing in their last matchup in Canberra.
Tip: Storm
Mon Apr 21, 4:00pm Eels v Tigers ANZ Stadium
Did anyone legitimately have these teams in their top 8 this season? If you did, put your hand up so we all know who the liar is.
This clash might have been robbed of match of the round status with the absence of Robbie Farah, but it is still the match I am most excited to watch. Both teams are overachieving in 2014, but one of these teams is going to come away with a 5-2 record. It is going to be tough to miss the playoffs from there.
I expect points to be scored in this match. The Radradra v Nofoaluma matchup on one wing will be great to watch. Both teams have top 5 attacks and bottom 5 defenses. The Tigers are missing their two key weapons in Tedesco and Farah however, and I expect that the Eels will simply have more points in them. Both sides are coming off their best defensive performances of the year, but I’m willing to chalk that up to the wet weather and out of form opponents last round. Name your backs and tune in for an exciting match either way.
Tip: Eels
Mon Apr 21, 7:00pm Panthers v Titans Sportingbet Stadium
Are the Titans the worst team to lead the competition in the modern era? I’d say yes, but I’m not overly impressed with the Panthers either.
The Titans are leading the comp, but still retain a negative for and against and a bottom 5 attack. NRLCEO coaches will struggle to find a lot of value in this squad outside Myles, Harrison and Kelly, with few tries scored and a well rotated forward pack.
The Panthers have the second worst attack in the comp, and despite having 5 more sets than the Bunnies last start failed to cross the stripe. Much like the Titans, the pack is well rotated and again holds little fantasy value.
I don’t know either side has the ability to put many points up in this game. The Titans have made a habit of winning close games so far in 2014 and are undefeated on the road. This game is a toss up, and I’ll stick with the old adage ‘winning form is good form’.
Tip: Titans
Ryan
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