Will EvansRound 26 Preview
September 4th 2008 11:40
Sydney vs. St. George-Illawarra at SFS
The key clash of the round to the make-up of the middle part of the top-8. The Roosters will start underdogs after a poor month of form culminated in a lucky two-point win over the resurgent Rabbitohs last weekend. Nathan Brown’s men are arguably the form team in the competition, while managing to sneak under the radar when experts talk about genuine premiership contenders. The equation for the Sydney is simple: lose to the Dragons and they miss out on a home final. If the Dragons win and Newcastle beat Brisbane, St. George-Illawarra will host a game at Kogarah next weekend but a loss could consign them to seventh.
Brisbane vs. Newcastle at Suncorp
Emotion will be sweeping Suncorp Stadium tomorrow with the clash doubling as a farewell from the Broncos for master coach Wayne Bennett and club stalwart Tonie Carroll. But the match has much more riding on it – for both sides. A win for Brisbane could keep the Suncorp party going for a week longer if the Roosters succumb to the Dragons, while a loss could see them drop to sixth. Newcastle need a win to guarantee a spot in the finals with the ninth-placed Warriors breathing down their necks.
Penrith vs. Manly at CUA
A big win for the Sea Eagles could secure Manly the minor premiership and a sizeable payday. Des Hasler’s boys currently sit in first position, ahead of Melbourne on points differential by eight points. It is difficult to see any outcome besides a comfortable Manly victory over the Panthers, who have little to play for except to send out long-time servants Luke Priddis, Tony Puletua, Rhys Wesser and Luke Rooney.
Parramatta vs. New Zealand at Parramatta
The Warriors must win to stay in the finals race – and hope that either Newcastle or Canberra stumble. They will have to overcome a 13-year hoodoo to do so however, having not won at Parramatta Stadium since their debut season in 1995. Wade McKinnon’s spitting suspension is a potentially mortal wound to their quest – they look decidedly short on attacking punch without the fiery fullback. The Eels will be looking to finish their forgettable campaign on a positive note.
Cronulla vs. North Queensland at Toyota
The Sharks are guaranteed a top-3 finish, but a couple of king-sized upsets could see the minor premiership end up in the Shire. They are tied at the top of the table with Manly and Melbourne, but suffer from an inferior points differential. Cronulla’s form over the past fortnight has been superb, while also moving past the Greg Bird drama seamlessly, and their premiership credentials are finally getting some coverage. An upset win to the Cowboys would be the perfect tonic for disastrous season, and would see them avoid the wooden spoon.
Canberra vs. Bulldogs at Canberra
The Raiders exhilarating run came to end last weekend against the lowly Cowboys, a result that put their finals spot in jeopardy and relegated the Bulldogs to last place on the ladder. If Canberra are upset again they will miss the finals if the Warriors and Knights both get up. Their horrific injury toll appeared to finally catch up with them last week, but if they rebound with a big victory they could finish sixth. The Bulldogs need to win to have any chance of offloading the wooden spoon.
Gold Coast vs. Wests Tigers at Skilled
The only match of the weekend that has no bearing on the finals. This could amount to an entertaining match with no pressure on either side – both of whom like to play an attractive brand of football. Popular Tigers’ skipper will play his last NRL match, while team-mate Chris Heighington and Titans quartet Scott Prince, Anthony Laffranchi, Ashley Harrison and Nathan Friend will be eager to take their last chance to impress World Cup selectors.
Melbourne vs. South Sydney at Olympic
After a shock defeat at the hands of Newcastle, the Storm suddenly find themselves in a points differential shootout with Manly for the minor premiership. Melbourne will give the Eagles an eight-point start, and take on an opponent in much better shape. Souths form over the last few weeks has been impressive, including a win over Manly and a big comeback against the Roosters that fell just short. The defending premiers should be too strong at Olympic Park, but will they be able to win by enough to claim a third straight minor premiership?
The key clash of the round to the make-up of the middle part of the top-8. The Roosters will start underdogs after a poor month of form culminated in a lucky two-point win over the resurgent Rabbitohs last weekend. Nathan Brown’s men are arguably the form team in the competition, while managing to sneak under the radar when experts talk about genuine premiership contenders. The equation for the Sydney is simple: lose to the Dragons and they miss out on a home final. If the Dragons win and Newcastle beat Brisbane, St. George-Illawarra will host a game at Kogarah next weekend but a loss could consign them to seventh.
Brisbane vs. Newcastle at Suncorp
Emotion will be sweeping Suncorp Stadium tomorrow with the clash doubling as a farewell from the Broncos for master coach Wayne Bennett and club stalwart Tonie Carroll. But the match has much more riding on it – for both sides. A win for Brisbane could keep the Suncorp party going for a week longer if the Roosters succumb to the Dragons, while a loss could see them drop to sixth. Newcastle need a win to guarantee a spot in the finals with the ninth-placed Warriors breathing down their necks.
Penrith vs. Manly at CUA
A big win for the Sea Eagles could secure Manly the minor premiership and a sizeable payday. Des Hasler’s boys currently sit in first position, ahead of Melbourne on points differential by eight points. It is difficult to see any outcome besides a comfortable Manly victory over the Panthers, who have little to play for except to send out long-time servants Luke Priddis, Tony Puletua, Rhys Wesser and Luke Rooney.
Parramatta vs. New Zealand at Parramatta
The Warriors must win to stay in the finals race – and hope that either Newcastle or Canberra stumble. They will have to overcome a 13-year hoodoo to do so however, having not won at Parramatta Stadium since their debut season in 1995. Wade McKinnon’s spitting suspension is a potentially mortal wound to their quest – they look decidedly short on attacking punch without the fiery fullback. The Eels will be looking to finish their forgettable campaign on a positive note.
Cronulla vs. North Queensland at Toyota
The Sharks are guaranteed a top-3 finish, but a couple of king-sized upsets could see the minor premiership end up in the Shire. They are tied at the top of the table with Manly and Melbourne, but suffer from an inferior points differential. Cronulla’s form over the past fortnight has been superb, while also moving past the Greg Bird drama seamlessly, and their premiership credentials are finally getting some coverage. An upset win to the Cowboys would be the perfect tonic for disastrous season, and would see them avoid the wooden spoon.
Canberra vs. Bulldogs at Canberra
The Raiders exhilarating run came to end last weekend against the lowly Cowboys, a result that put their finals spot in jeopardy and relegated the Bulldogs to last place on the ladder. If Canberra are upset again they will miss the finals if the Warriors and Knights both get up. Their horrific injury toll appeared to finally catch up with them last week, but if they rebound with a big victory they could finish sixth. The Bulldogs need to win to have any chance of offloading the wooden spoon.
Gold Coast vs. Wests Tigers at Skilled
The only match of the weekend that has no bearing on the finals. This could amount to an entertaining match with no pressure on either side – both of whom like to play an attractive brand of football. Popular Tigers’ skipper will play his last NRL match, while team-mate Chris Heighington and Titans quartet Scott Prince, Anthony Laffranchi, Ashley Harrison and Nathan Friend will be eager to take their last chance to impress World Cup selectors.
Melbourne vs. South Sydney at Olympic
After a shock defeat at the hands of Newcastle, the Storm suddenly find themselves in a points differential shootout with Manly for the minor premiership. Melbourne will give the Eagles an eight-point start, and take on an opponent in much better shape. Souths form over the last few weeks has been impressive, including a win over Manly and a big comeback against the Roosters that fell just short. The defending premiers should be too strong at Olympic Park, but will they be able to win by enough to claim a third straight minor premiership?
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