By CASEY O’CONNOR
WITH only three rounds of fixtures remaining, the NRL minor premiership is still up for grabs and the race to make the top eight is on in earnest. The Broncos retain their position at the top of the ladder after their emphatic win over the Dragons. The Roosters snuck into second spot ahead of the Cowboys in for and against after their win over the Eels. Cowboys supporters will be hoping the loss to the Bunnies was just a blip on the radar.
The Bunnies have hopped into the top four, but injuries and suspension will make their task a little more difficult in coming weeks. Melbourne’s impressive showing against the Sharks sees them in fifth spot with a couple of tough games to finish their season. Cronulla, the Dogs and Dragons sit at the lower end of the eight but circling are the Sea Eagles ready to pounce if the Dragons falter again.
Injuries and suspensions will play a role this week as players failed come to terms with the referees’ tougher stance on the shoulder charge. Players have had plenty of warnings, and player ignorance is not going to be a winning defence.
The Dragons and Penrith get round 24 underway on Thursday night at Win Stadium. The Dragons were underwhelming against the Broncos and their top eight aspirations are hanging by a slim thread. Realistically, the Dragons now need to win all three remaining games to ensure their spot in the eight. The injury-ravaged Panthers have been hot and cold in recent weeks but posted a good win over the Warriors at their last outing. A tough opening game for tipsters. If the Panthers play to their potential they can cause the Dragons grief here. The Dragons will be hollering for a Marshall, and if Benji recovers from his hamstring complaint, it should make the difference for the Dragons.
Big match Friday night as the Bunnies and Dogs go head to head at ANZ. Souths will be without Luke and Keary in this game after the pair accepted a one -week ban for infringements. Issac Luke faces a double whammy; he is contesting a grade two shoulder charge. The Dogs are not unscathed losing their hooker Michael Lichaa who requires surgery on a leg injury. Big test for the Bunnies here. In a game that could go either way, I am leaning towards the Dogs.
The Sharks were given a reality check on Monday night blown away by a clinical Storm outfit. They must regroup on Saturday against the unpredictable Tigers. The Tigers who promised so much this season find themselves in a scrap at the bottom of the ladder anxious to avoid the wooden spoon. In addition to their loss to Melbourne, there was more pain for Cronulla when Ben Barba limped from the field with an ankle injury. Despite being held tryless on Monday night, the Sharks should get back in the winner’s circle here.
The Cowboys travel to Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday to take on the Warriors who have looked like a ship without a rudder since the season ending injury to Shaun Johnson. The Warriors allowed the Panthers to get away to an early lead and cannot afford a repeat against NQland. The Warriors could be without Sam Tomkins who has been charged with dangerous contact on Penrith’s Louis Brown. The Cowboys will be keen to bounce back after their loss to the Bunnies and should keep themselves in contention with a win here.
The clash of the round is the game between the Broncos and Roosters. A Broncos win will give them one hand on the JJ Giltinan Shield. A loss will propel the Roosters to equal top of the table. Brisbane was impressive against the Dragons. Their opponents had three times the amount of possession inside the opposition 20-metre line but Brisbane dominated the scoreboard. The Roosters looked below par in their win over the Eels and did not grab the lead until late in the second half. They are sure to lift for this game but will be without one of their main men Aidan Guerra. The Broncos can do no more than keep winning and are at the top of the table for a reason.
The Titans host the Raiders on Sunday afternoon. It was another heartbreaking near miss for the Raiders when they suffered yet another last minute loss at the hands of the Sea Eagles. In their last attacking set, the Eagles managed to snatch a win from the Raiders. Cold comfort for the Canberra side with Referee boss Tony Archer admitting the match-winning try was incorrectly awarded by referee Matt Cecchin.
The Raiders Paul Vaughan suffered a leg injury and Jordan Rapana is another in hot water for a shoulder charge. The Titans were in the game against the Dogs for the first half of the game but were outclassed after half time. The Titans may be without Aiden Sezer for the remainder of the season after a Sam Kasiano special and will find it difficult to win without him. The Raiders can atone for last week’s loss here.
The Sea Eagles have risen from the bottom of the table and are circling a top eight spot after their last- minute win over the Raiders. This week they host the Eels at Brookvale. Winger Taufua is another to fall foul of the shoulder charge. He is facing one week ban with an early plea, two if he unsuccessfully challenges the charge at the NRL judiciary. The Eels sent a scare into the Roosters camp last week when they led late into the second half. Parramatta has the ability to spoil the party here, but Manly will start favourites and should win.
The Storm and Knights wrap up round 24 at AAMI Park. Melbourne simply did what Melbourne does best last week against the Sharks. They showed they will be a force to be reckoned with in coming weeks. The Knights found an overdue win over the Tigers in round 23 but this will be a different ball game, and I expect to see another Storm victory.
Casey’s tips
Dragons
Bulldogs
Sharks
Cowboys
Broncos
Raiders
Sea Eagles
Storm
