By CASEY O’CONNOR
THE front runners in the race for the minor premiership, the Broncos and Cowboys both faltered in round 22 and hold only a two point buffer ahead of the in-form Roosters. Lurking behind them is a wall of hopefuls who are finding form at the right end of the season.
The Bunnies have a sense of deja vu and the Sharks, who can smell blood, are circling. Melbourne is doing enough to stay in the hunt. The Dragons have overcome a mid-season slump and along with the Dogs round out the eight.
The elephant in the room is certainly the Manly Sea Eagles. Touted only weeks ago as potential wooden spooners the players are rallying behind their coach and look certain to be the late swoopers with only four rounds remaining.
The results of the opening two games of round 23 will have a major impact on the top eight with three of the top four teams in action.
The Cowboys and Bunnies go head to head in Townsville and the Broncos and Dragons do battle at Suncorp. As the Cowboys work to overcome their poor starts to games the Broncos embark on a tough run to the finals.
The Cowboys were beaten by the masters of the grind, Cronulla, last weekend. Early errors and penalties in favour of the Sharks put the Cowboys on the back foot. As fans and opposition have come to expect the Cowboys fought back after the Sharks exploded out of the boxes to take an 18 nil lead. The Cowboys however were unable to reel in the Sharks.
This weekend the NQlanders can ill-afford a poor start when they host the Bunnies. The Bunnies are in a similar position to 2014 prior to their grand final heroics. Last weekend they were blown off Brookvale as the Eagles swooped.
Matt Scott, rested by Cowboys coach last week, will be back for this match and as one of the form forwards of the comp will give his side more grunt against the Bunnies’ big men. Neither side is at their best but I think the Cowboys will be hungrier.
The Broncos suffered their first loss at Suncorp since round one when the Dogs pinched the points. They will be keen to get back on the winning horse here.
The normally solid Brisbane defence went missing last week and Bennett is sure to address that. Brisbane look likely to be without Justin Hodges and Corey Oates but welcome back a couple of their big men.
The Dragons kept the Warriors scoreless in Wellington but at a cost with Marshall limping from the field early in the game. He remains under a fitness cloud for the Brisbane clash. While it was an impressive win for the Dragons they face stiffer competition here but will come ready to play. With crowd support and a minor premiership on the horizon the Broncos should kick back into form here in a tough game.
The Tigers have all but sunk the Raiders, hopes of a top eight finish after they closed out a tough win on Monday night in the capital. Both sides had plenty of chances and played some entertaining ad lib football. The young Tigers are full of enthusiasm and when they put it all together are a dangerous combination.
The Knights showed plenty of ticker to fight back from a 26 nil deficit at half time against the Roosters. Newcastle put it to the competition favourites in the second half scoring four tries to two. While it was an improved performance there is a long way to go for the Knights. If the Tigers play the way they did in Canberra they can add another win to the ledger here.
The game between the Eels and Penrith played in the Top End last weekend was not the greatest advertisement for rugby league. In a dour affair the Panthers had little spark and their season is gone. This week they are back to Pepper Stadium looking to put away the embattled Warriors who until the loss of Shaun Johnson looked premiership contenders or at least a worry. The Warriors did little to worry the Dragons or the scoreboard attendant and if that is their best they will be lucky to find another win this season. Penrith will atone for their Top End loss here.
The Roosters and Parra clash at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night in what should be a win for the Roosters. In their past two games they have given up big leads and while they are playing some outstanding football they cannot afford to fall in to the trap of switching off at half time. The Eels have explosive players who can lay on tries from nowhere. It could be a danger game for the Roosters or an Eels blood bath. The Roosters could be crowing at the top of the table after a win here.
Referee Jared Maxwell showed there is still power in the ref’s whistle when he sent Dave Shillington from the field for head butting an opponent. Send offs are almost unheard of in the NRL but ten out ten to Maxwell. There is no place for Shillington behaviour either. With the game in the balance at 20-18 Shillington’s moment of madness may have cost his side a place in the finals.
He will be watching from the sidelines this week when the Raiders face the red hot Sea Eagles who are playing sensational football. The sides last met in round five and the Raiders came away with bragging rights. Canberra has lowered the colours of some top sides this season and if there is an upset this week it could come in this game but Manly should get away with another win.
The Dogs host the Titans on Sunday afternoon at the Central Coast and should add another two points to their tally. The Titans showed improvement against Melbourne but if the Dogs reproduce the form they showed at Suncorp they will be scratching at the door of the top four.They are likely to be without Brett Morris but this game is their’s for the taking.
Round 23 closes with Cronulla hosting Melbourne in one of the toughest games of the round. Cronulla can no longer be ignored. They have the credentials to demand respect from other teams and Melbourne will be wary. Melbourne has found a star in Cameron Munster who continues to impress in Slater’s absence. Tough call for tipsters here but I favour the experience of the Melbourne team in tough situations to win out here.
Casey’s tips
Cowboys
Broncos
Tigers
Panthers
Roosters
Sea Eagles
Bulldogs
Storm
