Weekly Previews: Round 3
Tigers v Souths
I expect the Tigers left hand attack to cause the Reddy/Merritt combination fits. Tedesco, Simona and Richards simply outmatch their opposing men on current form and all look good. Saying that, don’t be surprised if the Burgess Brothers aim up after being called out by a 45 year old on one leg in Jason King last week. Souths have shown nothing in attack this year and I expect Sutton to be back in the halves by round four, but their forwards may get them home this week.
Broncos v Roosters
Who knows which Roosters side will show up this week? The amazing prop depth of the Broncos looks to be tested though with the suspension to McGuire and late injury to Hannant. Expect big things from all Broncos starting forwards.
The real question is can the Broncos score enough points to win this game? Wins over the Bulldogs and Cowboys are nice, but they are playing with the big boys now. I tip the Roosters to win this one. An interesting move by Trent Robinson has Anthony Miniciello standing on the wing when attacking the try-line and he is a great pickup for NRLCEO coaches if this role continues.
Panthers v Bulldogs
The points scored by the Bulldogs last week are like the runs Dizzy Gillespie scored in his final ‘Test’ knock against Bangladesh: sure it happened, but nobody should really take them seriously. The opposition was a bunch of park footballers playing for match payments against a professional outfit.
The Panthers on the other hand went to Melbourne and nearly overcame both the Storm and men in pink to record win. I’ve been very disappointed in Dean Whare who hasn’t shown the creativity he did last year and expect a bigger focus on using Jamal Idris in attack. Jamal won’t get it all his own way being marked by a great defensive centre in Jorris, but Kevin Naiqama should be a walk-up starter in any NRLCEO squad this week.
Sharks v Dragons
The Dragons against all predictions have looked like world-beaters so far in 2014. The Sharks have scored 16 points in two games. Thankfully Todd Carney returns to breathe some life into this local derby. I still just can’t see the Sharks doing enough this week and have to tip the Dragons to win.
Due to injuries and suspension, the Sharks have a bunch of little name forwards getting big minutes. Thanks to their own ineptitude, they also get to spend a lot of time on defence racking up nice tackling numbers. Heighington may get bigger minutes this week, but if you are looking for a potential free agent forward to scrape a workhorse, you could do worse than Prior, Sopoaga or Arona.
The Dragons’ attack has been sparked wholly and solely by Gareth Widdop, and he has looked the most dangerous down the left-edge. Look for this trend to continue and name any Dragons attacking down this edge (including try-scoring phenom Ben Creagh).
Cowboys v Warriors
You could spend an eternity waiting for the Warriors to ‘click’ each year. It’ll happen at some point, but for now I’ll stick with the Cowboys to be too good at home.
If you asked me to name my bottom four sides at the start of the year, the Dragons and Eels would’ve been firmly in the mix. The Warriors have managed just five tries in their opening two matchups against these squads and aren’t giving fans and coaches much reason for hope. The forwards have also spent too much time lined up behind the posts for anyone outside work-pig Nathan Friend to have any NRLCEO value, and I predict this trend to continue.
For the Cowboys, somewhat surprisingly James Tamou and Matt Scott have done bugger all so far this year. I’ll be interested to see if this trend continues and hesitant to name them until I start to see some results. Gavin Cooper has seen extended minutes and could be seeing a return to his 2012 form. Otherwise this matchup is tough to predict. Stick with the safe bet and name your Cowboys backs to get the job done at home.
Manly v Parramatta
This game will decide the wooden spoon for mine. If Parramatta can stick within 20, I’d be willing to bet they are safe this year. Name any Manly backline player you have and those really desperate for points in the forwards could pick up Justin Horo and look for a sneaky try.
For Parramatta, Semi Radradra is going to be marked up against David Williams and as a Manly fan still smarting after last year’s Grand Final I’m not sure there are many winger’s with worse decision making skills in defence than the Wolfman. It’s just a shame that Brad Arthur chooses to nullify all that attacking potential by finding a spot in first grade for Willie Tonga yet again.
Nathan Peats is a big ‘in’ for the Eels and Manly still lack Brett Stewart. They could show up, but I would lean towards Manly racking up an early lead and coasting to a 10+ point victory.
Raiders v Titans
Watching last week it’d be near on impossible to see the Titans winning and Aiden Sezer being out isn’t going to help. Some key outs for both sides however could make this an interesting game.
The great leveller in this matchup is the losses of Fensom and Papalii for the Raiders. 160 minutes are going to have to be filled by players that frankly aren’t in the same league. It might hurt the Raiders, but NRLCEO coaches could look to pick up players like Joel Edwards and Paul Vaughan hoping for bigger minutes and numbers as a result.
John Cartwright has again made the curious decision of shifting Ash Harrison to 5/8 to cover for the loss of Sezer. Coaches of Harrison will be fuming as he looks certain to miss a workhorse. I’m not expecting any quality service to the backline and I’d be hesitant naming any outside men from the Titans this week.
I’ll tip the Raiders pack to lift and Milford to be too good and lead them to victory. Titans forwards not moved out of position by Cartwright should still hold value for NRLCEO coaches.
Storm v Knights
The Storm in Melbourne will win this week, with the question being by how many. I haven’t been impressed with Melbourne so far this year, but I’m banking on them firing against a Knights side suffering injuries to key players.
Coaches will be left scratching their heads with the poor NRLCEO form of Hoffman and Hinchcliffe, but I don’t expect the Storm to spend enough time on defence this week for that to change. Name your Melbourne outside backs in what I expect to be a drubbing and get the added NRLCEO bonus of ‘Monday Night Hope’.
I don’t like to name backs in squads I expect to lose and will be avoiding any Knights outside men like the plague. Bennett also has an annoying habit of rotating his forwards well, and if you can avoid it I’d give nearly any Knights players a miss this week.
So far in 2014 I am 0/2 in matches I predict as ‘certainties’, so Knights fans should retain hope; but I’d rather name Braith Anasta captain/kicker before having my hard-earned on a Knights victory.
Ryan
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