The match of the round kicks off week 6 of the NRL with the fourth placed Titans hosting the top of the table Dragons. They took care of the Storm at their beloved Skilled Park last week and are even money to do likewise to the Dragons even without Scott Prince.
The Dragons have been near perfect for the most part, however, any away team at Skilled Park finds it hard. This should be a cracker game – one that the Titans should win. Their attack is unpredictable and hard for opponents to stop.
The other match on Friday night sees Wests take on the Bulldogs and it is a serious test to see whether the Tigers are the real deal. A loss for the Bulldogs will see them on only one win from six and making September action look like a dream. No doubt, the Canterbury side will be desperate and will throw everything at the Tiggers here. No Moltzen is a worry for Wests, and coach Kevin Moore will have his Dogs really pumped for this one. Bulldogs to win in a fierce battle.
On Saturday the Knights will welcome back skipper Kurt Gidley and their opposition, the Cowboys, will be without Jonathan Thurston, enough said. Every Knights supporter will be praying Gidley isn’t underdone – their team depends on him so much. A positive mindset from the Newcastle outfit on the back of Gids returning should see them win this match.
The Roosters are favoured to win over the Raiders with Todd Carney up against his old team. While they are favoured with the bookies, this doesn’t seem like a clear cut choice. The Raiders really aimed up against the Eels, they probably didn’t get the kudos they deserved as everyone was talking about how bad Parra was. The Raiders are going ok and judging by last weeks effort by Sydney – this could be closer than many think.
Both the Warriors and the Panthers are looking good at the moment with the Warriors having the home ground advantage but the Panthers getting back to full strength. Penrith aren’t great travelers, and the game in Auckland is always a tough ask. Penny too inconsistent one feels, so the Warriors should get the chocolates in this one.
On Sunday the sliding Broncos will welcome back Israel Folau and despite their form will start short priced favourites against the Sharks, such is the visitors’ plight. Battle of the beggars here, but on the back of Folau returning, the Brisbane side should have just enough to burn the battling Sharks.
It ‘s now or never for the Eels against the Rabbitohs and with Nathan Hindmarsh passing Brett Kenny’s games record surely the incentive to win is there, but who is game enough to tip the Eels in 2010? They are looking so disjointed and it’s going to take some real motivation for them to win anything. The early minutes will govern this game, if Souths start well – they will run away with it. On the flipside, if the Eels start well – this could be an armwrestle, where they remain in contention.
Featuring on Monday Night Football Storm and Sea Eagles. A good crowd should be on hand at Etihad Stadium to see the Storm and the Sea Eagles go at it again, with the home team set to bounce back after their first loss of the year at the hands of the Titans. Almost impossible to tip against the Storm here, especially at Etihad. There should be a good crowd on hand here, only chance for Manly is if their experienced forward pack really rev up the new-look Storm forwards. This will allow Hodkinson and Foran to do their thing.