Balmain v Newcastle
Saturday, 2.30pm
Leichhardt Oval
If ever Newcastle was a chance to upset the Tigers, this is it. The Knights will be on a high after disposing of the Bulldogs in last wek's boilover. They face a Tigers side reeling after three straight losses. Of course the Tigers will be bolstered by new signing Luke Branighan, whose experience should trouble the Knights.
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Dragons v Bulldogs
Saturday 3.30pm
WIN Stadium
This is the match of the round. Both sides are form teams coming off losses last week. The Bulldogs were shocked by Newcastle while the Dragons lost to the high flying Sea Eagles. This should be a win for the Dragons. They're form all year has impressed and they should lift for the home crowd. By contrast, the Bulldogs have not hit the heights of the past year.
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Cronulla v Roosters
Saturday 5.30pm
Toyota Park
The Sharks, coming off the bye, face a Roosters side that will be pleased after their win over the Tigers last week. This match should provide two points to the Roosters, who have a weakened PL line up compared to recent times. Look out for badboy Chris Walker, who will be trying to get back on track after some personal problems.
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Souths v Newtown
Saturday 5.30pm
Express Advocate Stadium, Gosford
The Bunnies take this home match on the road. The local derby will be a curtan raiser to the Rabbitohs-Cowboys NRL match. Last time these teams met the Bunnies snatched victory with a last minute try to former Jet Nathan Marles. Since then the Jets have improved considerably as have Souths, who beat the Cougars last week. Souths go into the match favourites and to win, the Jets will have to counter a poor away record as well as hang on in the 2nd half, something that has proved a weakness for the Jets in 2004
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Wests v Canberra
Sunday 12.40pm
Campbelltown Stadium
It is a quick turnaround for these clubs. This is a rematch just one week after their previous clash. In that match, the Magpies blew an early lead, losing easily to the radiers 42-24. The result epitomises the Maggies performance all year. They will have to play for 80 minutes if they are to be at all a challenge to the impressive Radiers.
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Parramatta v Norths
Sunday 1.00pm
Parramatta Stadium
The final match of the round features the Eels at home to the Bears. A virus depleted Bears lost last week to Newtown while the Eels had the bye. While the Eels should win this match, you can never discount the Bears. Their ticker and their attacking options in Maclean and Black means that the Eels cannot be complacent against Norths. Parra have a lot of NRL experience though and this should prove crucial in the second half.
Saturday, 2.30pm
Leichhardt Oval
If ever Newcastle was a chance to upset the Tigers, this is it. The Knights will be on a high after disposing of the Bulldogs in last wek's boilover. They face a Tigers side reeling after three straight losses. Of course the Tigers will be bolstered by new signing Luke Branighan, whose experience should trouble the Knights.
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Dragons v Bulldogs
Saturday 3.30pm
WIN Stadium
This is the match of the round. Both sides are form teams coming off losses last week. The Bulldogs were shocked by Newcastle while the Dragons lost to the high flying Sea Eagles. This should be a win for the Dragons. They're form all year has impressed and they should lift for the home crowd. By contrast, the Bulldogs have not hit the heights of the past year.
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Cronulla v Roosters
Saturday 5.30pm
Toyota Park
The Sharks, coming off the bye, face a Roosters side that will be pleased after their win over the Tigers last week. This match should provide two points to the Roosters, who have a weakened PL line up compared to recent times. Look out for badboy Chris Walker, who will be trying to get back on track after some personal problems.
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Souths v Newtown
Saturday 5.30pm
Express Advocate Stadium, Gosford
The Bunnies take this home match on the road. The local derby will be a curtan raiser to the Rabbitohs-Cowboys NRL match. Last time these teams met the Bunnies snatched victory with a last minute try to former Jet Nathan Marles. Since then the Jets have improved considerably as have Souths, who beat the Cougars last week. Souths go into the match favourites and to win, the Jets will have to counter a poor away record as well as hang on in the 2nd half, something that has proved a weakness for the Jets in 2004
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Wests v Canberra
Sunday 12.40pm
Campbelltown Stadium
It is a quick turnaround for these clubs. This is a rematch just one week after their previous clash. In that match, the Magpies blew an early lead, losing easily to the radiers 42-24. The result epitomises the Maggies performance all year. They will have to play for 80 minutes if they are to be at all a challenge to the impressive Radiers.
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Parramatta v Norths
Sunday 1.00pm
Parramatta Stadium
The final match of the round features the Eels at home to the Bears. A virus depleted Bears lost last week to Newtown while the Eels had the bye. While the Eels should win this match, you can never discount the Bears. Their ticker and their attacking options in Maclean and Black means that the Eels cannot be complacent against Norths. Parra have a lot of NRL experience though and this should prove crucial in the second half.
