A duck was broken, the top eight change and plenty more as we look ahead to NRL Teams for round 8.
With teams wanting to continue momentum or get back in the winners’ circle, no game is an easy game in 2018.
So sit back, as we take you for a ride for the ups and downs of teamlist Tuesday.
Here are the teams for round eight of the NRL Telstra Premiership:
St George Illawarra Dragons v Sydney Roosters (#NRLsgisyd); Allianz Stadium, Moore Park; Wednesday, April 25. Kick-off: 4:10 pm.
Dragons: 1. Matt Dufty 2. Nene Macdonald 3. Euan Aitken 4. Tim Lafai 5. Jason Nightingale 6. Gareth Widdop (C) 7. Ben Hunt 8. James Graham 9. Cameron McInnes 10. James Graham 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Tariq Sims 13. Jack de Belin.
Interchange: 14. Jeremy Latimore 15. Kurt Mann 16. Leeson Ah Mau 17. Jacob Host.
Reserves: 18. Hame Sele 19. Zac Loma 20. Mitch Allgood 21. Reece Robson.
Coach: Paul McGregor
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Joseph Manu 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Mitchell Aubusson 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Luke Keary 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Zane Tetevano 9. Jake Friend (C) 10. Dylan Napa 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Ryan Matterson 13. Isaac Liu.
Interchange: 14. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 15. Sio Siua Taukeiaho 16. Nat Butcher 17. Victor Radley.
Reserves: 18. Frank-Paul Nuuausala 20. Kurt Baptiste 21. Sitili Tupouniua 22. Reece Robinson.
Coach: Trent Robinson.
Ricky’s View: It was bound to happen eventually and the Dragons lost their first game at the hands of the Warriors. No Shaun Johnson, yet they still stood up. For the Dragons, perhaps it was a reality check. Although they were not poor, it sends alarm bells that no game or team is a cakewalk.
As the Roosters build some momentum, it makes tipping this one tough. The clash means so much to so many players, fans, coaches and staff and there is always added meaning.
Dragons by 2
Melbourne Storm v New Zealand Warriors (#NRLmelwar); AAMI Park, Melbourne; Wednesday, April 25. Kick-off: 7 pm.
Storm: 1. Billy Slater 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. Will Chambers 4. Curtis Scott 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Ryley Jacks 8. Tim Glasby 9. Cameron Smith (C) 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Ryan Hoffman 13. Kenny Bromwich.
Interchange: 14. Brandon Smith 15. Christian Welch 16. Sam Kasiano 17. Joe Stimson.
Reserves: 18. Patrick Kaufusi 19. Tui Kamikamica 20. Brodie Croft 21. Young Tonumaipea.
Coach: Craig Bellamy.
Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (C) 2. David Fusitu’a 3. Peta Hiku 4. Anthony Gelling 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Blake Green 7. Mason Lino 8. Bunty Afoa 9. Issac Luke 10. Agnatius Paasi 11. Simon Mannering 12. Isaiah Papali’i 13. Adam Blair.
Interchange: 14. Jazz Tevaga 15. Sam Lisone 16. Albert Vete 17. Charnze Nicholl-Klokstad.
Reserves: 18. Ligi Sao 19. Joseph Vuna 20. Tevita Satae 21. Sam Cook.
Coach: Stephen Kearney.
Ricky’s View: Another traditional ANZAC Day clash, and one that the Storm enjoy immensely with the rub of the green. The Johnson-less Warriors proved they can still beat top sides. With depth in Lino and others, is this the year the Warriors put away late season flops for good?
The Storm are also building momentum on the back of the return of Ryley Jacks. The steady, no-nonsense half gives Munster a chance to play his natural running style.
The Warriors have been good but the Storm just look like they are yet to reach peak form.
Storm by 6.
South Sydney Rabbitohs v Brisbane Broncos (#NRLsoubri); ANZ Stadium, Olympic Park; Thursday, April 26. Kick-off: 7:50 pm.
Rabbitohs: 1. Alex Johnston 2. Richie Kennar 3. Greg Inglis (C) 4. Dane Gagai 5. Robert Jennings 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Burgess 9. Damien Cook 10. George Burgess 11. John Sutton 12. Angus Crichton 13. Cameron Murray.
Interchange: 14. Adam Doueihi 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Jason Clark 17. Tevita Tatola.
Reserves: 18. Robbie Farah 19. Hymel Hunt 20. Campbell Graham 21. Kyle Turner.
Coach: Anthony Seibold.
Broncos: 1. Darius Boyd (C) 2. Corey Oates 3. James Roberts 18. Tom Opacic 5. Jamayne Isaako 6. Anthony Milford 7. Jack Bird 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Josh McGuire 10. Sam Thaiday 11. Alex Glenn 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Tevita Pangai Jr.
Interchange: 14. Sam Tagataese 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Kodi Nikorima 17. Korbin Sims.
Reserves: 18. Jonus Pearson 19. Todd Murphy 20. Patrick Mago 21. Payne Haas.
Coach: Wayne Bennett.
Ricky’s View: Another interesting contest at ANZ on Thursday. The loss of Sam Burgess will impact the Bunnies go forward. Although, the Broncos forced changes of their own may derail their recent momentum.
The halves battle looms as the key as the revamped Milford/Bird combo seek to gain rhythm. Up against Walker/Reynolds, the key battle is there as well as the forwards.
Both sides have been good and bad but where it matters, the Broncos might just have too much firepower. Broncos by 4.
Manly Sea Eagles v Newcastle Knights (#NRLmannew); Lottoland, Brookvale; Friday, April 27. Kick-off: 6 pm.
Manly: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Matt Wright 3. Dylan Walker 4. Brian Kelly 5. Akuila Uate 6. Lachlan Croker 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Marty Taupau 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Joel Thompson 13. Jake Trbojevic.
Interchange: 14. Lewis Brown 15. Shaun Lane 16. Lloyd Perrett 17. Taniela Paseka.
Reserves: 18. Frank Winterstein 19. Jonathan Wright 20. Thomas Wright 21. Toafofoa Sipley.
Coach: Trent Barrett.
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Ken Sio 3. Sione Mata’utia 4. Nathan Ross 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 6. Connor Watson 7. Jack Cogger 8. Herman Ese’ese 9. Slade Griffin 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 12. Aidan Guerra (C) 13. Mitchell Barnett.
Interchange: 14. Jamie Buhrer (C) 15. Chris Heighington 16. Luke Yates 17. Jacob Saifiti.
Reserves: 18. Cory Denniss 19. Josh King 20. Brock Lamb 21. Jacob Lillyman.
Coach: Nathan Brown.
Ricky’s View: After some heavy recent defeats, it is do-or-die for Manly. Buck the trend and your losing streak or continue to lose momentum and confidence. The firepower is there, it just, quite simply, needs to fire.
Pearce is a huge loss for the Knights with the structure and guidance he provided. Though Watson’s return is timely and a boost for the club. Given their relative consistency and strong attack, it’s hard not to pick the Knights in this one. Knights by 10.
Penrith Panthers v Canterbury Bulldogs (#NRLpencby); Penrith Stadium; Friday, April 27. Kick-off: 7:55 pm.
Penrith: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Christian Crichton 3. Corey Harawira-Naera 4. Dean Whare 5. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 6. Tyrone Peachey 7. James Maloney 8. Trent Merrin 9. Peter Wallace (C) 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Isaah Yeo 12. Viliame Kikau 13. James Fisher-Harris.
Interchange: 14. Sione Katoa 15. Jack Hetherington 16. Moses Leota 17. James Tamou.
Reserves: 18. Wayde Egan 19. Nick Lui-Toso 20. Thomas Eisenhuth 21. Kaide Ellis.
Coach: Anthony Griffin.
Canterbury: 1. Moses Mbye 2. Brett Morris 3. Josh Morris 4. Will Hopoate 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Jeremy Marshall-King 7. Kieran Foran 8. Aaron Woods 9. Michael Lichaa 10. David Klemmer 11. Josh Jackson (C) 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13. Adam Elliott.
Interchange: 14. Asipeli Fine 15. Danny Fualalo 16. Greg Eastwood 17. Kerrod Holland.
Reserves: 18. John Olive 19. Rhyse Martin 20. Renouf Toomaga 21. Matthew Frawley.
Coach: Dean Pay.
Ricky’s View: Although there was a mild improvement in the Dogs attack, in recent weeks, it seems to have disappeared. Struggling for points and cohesion, they need a change and fast. Although, they come up against a Penrith side with their own issues.
Inconsistency for one is a major issue, as well as giving up leads.
Rarely do Penrith set the tone, forcing themselves into a corner with nowhere to go. That said, their attack is more fluid.
Penrith by 6.
Gold Coast Titans v Cronulla Sharks (#NRLgldcro); Cbus Super Stadium, Robina; Saturday, April 28. Kick-off: 5:30 pm.
Titans: 1. Michael Gordon 2. Anthony Don 3. Brendan Elliott 4. Konrad Hurrell 5. Philip Sami 6. Bryce Cartwright 7. Ashley Taylor 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Mitch Rein 10. Ryan James (C) 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Will Matthews 13. Jai Arrow.
Interchange: 14. Max King 15. Jack Stockwell 16. Keegan Hipgrave 17. Morgan Boyle.
Reserves: 18. Brenko Lee 19. Ryan Simpkins 20. AJ Brimson 21. Kane Elgey.
Coach: Garth Brennan.
Sharks: 1. Josh Dugan 2. Edrick Lee 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Ricky Leutele 5. Valentine Holmes 6. Matt Moylan 7. Chad Townsend 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Matt Prior 11. Scott Sorenson 12. Wade Graham (C) 13. Joseph Paulo.
Interchange: 14. Jayson Bukuya 15. James Segeyaro 16. Ava Seumanufagai 17. Kurt Dillon.
Reserves: 18. Kurt Capewell 19. Jack Williams 20. Braden Uele 21. Trent Hodkinson.
Coach: Shane Flanagan.
Ricky’s View: The Sharks enjoyed a good win, the Titans, not so much. The axe has been thrown by Brennan, wielding it mightily to reverse their fortunes. With Cartwright to start at 5/8, is that the x-factor the Titans need?
The Sharks have craved consistency all season but injuries have stifled their progress. The return of Wade Graham is a boost and the energy of Scott Sorenson is promising.
Compared to the last couple of weeks of play, it has to be the Sharks. Sharks by 8.
North Queensland Cowboys v Canberra Raiders (#NRLnqlcan); 1300 Smiles Stadium, Townsville; Saturday, April 28. Kick-off: 7:30 pm.
Cowboys: 1. Lachlan Coote 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Justin O’Neill 4. Ben Hampton 5. Antonio Winterstein 6. Michael Morgan 7. Johnathan Thurston (C) 8. Matt Scott (C) 9. Jake Granville 10. Scott Bolton 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Coen Hess 13. Jason Taumalolo.
Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Shaun Fensom 16. Corey Jensen 17. Ethan Lowe.
Interchange: 18. Francis Molo 19. Jake Clifford 20. Enari Tuala 21. Sam Hoare.
Coach: Paul Green.
Raiders: 1. Jack Wighton 2. Nick Cotric 3. Jarrod Croker (C) 4. Joey Leilua 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Blake Austin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Iosia Soliola 9. Siliva Havili 10. Junior Paulo 11. Joseph Tapine 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Josh Papalii.
Interchange: 14. Ata Hingano 15. Shannon Boyd 16. Luke Bateman 17. Dunamis Lui
Reserves: 18. Liam Knight 19. Michael Oldfield 20. Bradley Abbey 21. Jack Murchie.
Coach: Ricky Stuart.
Ricky’s View: It may well be close to do-or-die connotations for both sides. They need wins and they need consistency. Thurston and Morgan need to rediscover their mojo if the Cowboys are to gain consistency. The form of Coen Hess is promising.
For the Raiders, they can score the points, they just cannot defend the line to win. Defence is the key and they really need to shore that up against a Cowboys side nearing breaking point.
Cowboys by 1.
Parramatta Eels v Wests Tigers (#NRLparwst); ANZ Stadium, Olympic Park; Sunday, April 29. Kick-off: 4:10 pm.
Eels: 1. Clint Gutherson (C) 2. Bevan French 3. Michael Jennings 4. Brad Takairangi 5. George Jennings 6. Corey Norman 7. Mitch Moses 8. Daniel Alvaro 9. Kaysa Pritchard 10. Suaia Matagi 11. Manu Ma’u 12. Tony Williams 13. Peni Terepo.
Interchange: 14. Will Smith 15. Kenny Edwards 16. David Gower 17. Tim Mannah (C).
Reserves: 18. Tepai Moeroa 19. Kane Evans 20. Josh Hoffman 21. Cameron King.
Coach: Brad Arthur.
Tigers: 1. Corey Thompson 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Esan Marsters 4. Kevin Naiqama 5. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak 6. Benji Marshall (C) 7. Luke Brooks 8. Matthew Eisenhuth 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Ben Matulino 11. Chris Lawrence 12. Robbie Rochow 13. Elijah Taylor (C).
Interchange: 14. Pita Godinet 15. Josh Aloiai 16. Michael Chee-Kam 17. Sauaso Sue.
Reserves: 18. Tim Grant 19. Chris McQueen 20. Tyson Gamble 21. Mahe Fonua.
Coach: Ivan Cleary.
Ricky’s View: The Eels broke their 2018 winless duck with a big win over Manly. Is it the start of a revival, though? The Tigers are no slouches, however, and will want to do the double over the Eels. With the form the Eels showed last week, they will have to dig deep.
The Eels need wins to climb up the ladder, the Tigers need wins to cement their current position. Plenty to play for but momentum and confidence is everything in the NRL. Eels by 8.