Cougars v Wests
The Cougars come back fresh from a bye to take on their greater west rivals, the Western Suburbs Magpies at St Mary's on Saturday. On paper, all roads point to Cougarmania with the home side up on all fronts. The Magpies lost to lowly North Sydney last week and to make matters worse for the Maggies, their two try star for that game Luke Duffy, has been called up to make his NRL debut. Well done to Luke.
The Cougars will have last week's Kiwi international Frank Pritchard. He will add a bit more class to an already strong lineup. The Cougars play well in the intamite surrounds of St Mary's and they should add Wests to their list of scalps for 2004.
----------
Newcastle v Souths
Not the game of the week by any stretch of the imagination. This Saturday afternoon game is the battle of the cellar dwellers. Both teams blew early leads last week to lose to much fancied rivals. Both teams play good football in patches and if anything, this unglamourous fixture should provide a see-swaing contest.
Newcastle will have a big crowd on their side. The fans love to get in early and cheer on the Knights. Souths however have demonstrated margnially better form and should prove too strong for the Knights.
----------
Cronulla v St George-Illawarra
The local derby will provide plenty of emotion for this Saturday evening match. Both teams were involved in spectaculare tugs of war last week. The Sharks blew a huge lead against Parra while the Saints came back from an early 16-0 deficit against the Roosters.
The Dragons are one of the form teams this year in PL, and while the Sharks have played well in some games, they do not have enough to stop the 2nd place Saints.
----------
Parramatta v Newtown
This will be an important clash for two teams at the crossroads this Saturday evening. Last week's comeback kings of Parramatta need a strong performance to prove they're title credentials. No doubt the said comeback against the Sharks will boost their confidence. But on the whole Parra haven't won any friends with their performances despite winning 4.5 from 7.
The Jets are also at an important stage of the season. With just one win under their belt, the Bluebags want to convert their good football into victories before the finals move beyond their grasp and their motivation deteriorates. Hopefully the players are match fit. They've played only 5 matches (the least of any team in PL) and are coming off a bye.
----------
Roosters v Canberra
This match sees the 5th placed Sydney Roosters at home to the 7th placed Canberra Raiders. The Roosters blew a 3 try lead last week to the Saints and they will have to be on their toes if they are to beat the Raiders, a team that came from behind themselves last week over the Knights.
The Roosters will be aided by a backline featuring a wealth of NRL experience (Phillips, Lester, Hegarty and Dorn). There are plenty of scoring options there. The Raiders will rely on their basic no-nonsense brand of Rugby League to bring them the points. I don't think they can stop the Roosters though.
----------
Bulldogs v Balmain
Jeffles choice for match of the round features the top placed Balmain Tigers away to the 7th placed Bulldogs. Both teams have played below their best last week. The Bulldogs that got away with 2 points over the Bunnies while the Tigers have come back to earth with a shock loss to Manly.
Both teams have a lot to play for. The Bulldogs will want to consolidate a position in the top 8 while the Tigers are out to get their season back on track after some questionable performances against Manly and the Saints. The Bulldogs have been winning despite their lapses against Norths and Souths and will probably start favourites wth their big home crowd behind them.
----------
Northern Sydney rivals Norths and Manly have the bye this weekend. Both teams will no doubt relish the week off having caused the two major upsets of the week last week.
The Cougars come back fresh from a bye to take on their greater west rivals, the Western Suburbs Magpies at St Mary's on Saturday. On paper, all roads point to Cougarmania with the home side up on all fronts. The Magpies lost to lowly North Sydney last week and to make matters worse for the Maggies, their two try star for that game Luke Duffy, has been called up to make his NRL debut. Well done to Luke.
The Cougars will have last week's Kiwi international Frank Pritchard. He will add a bit more class to an already strong lineup. The Cougars play well in the intamite surrounds of St Mary's and they should add Wests to their list of scalps for 2004.
----------
Newcastle v Souths
Not the game of the week by any stretch of the imagination. This Saturday afternoon game is the battle of the cellar dwellers. Both teams blew early leads last week to lose to much fancied rivals. Both teams play good football in patches and if anything, this unglamourous fixture should provide a see-swaing contest.
Newcastle will have a big crowd on their side. The fans love to get in early and cheer on the Knights. Souths however have demonstrated margnially better form and should prove too strong for the Knights.
----------
Cronulla v St George-Illawarra
The local derby will provide plenty of emotion for this Saturday evening match. Both teams were involved in spectaculare tugs of war last week. The Sharks blew a huge lead against Parra while the Saints came back from an early 16-0 deficit against the Roosters.
The Dragons are one of the form teams this year in PL, and while the Sharks have played well in some games, they do not have enough to stop the 2nd place Saints.
----------
Parramatta v Newtown
This will be an important clash for two teams at the crossroads this Saturday evening. Last week's comeback kings of Parramatta need a strong performance to prove they're title credentials. No doubt the said comeback against the Sharks will boost their confidence. But on the whole Parra haven't won any friends with their performances despite winning 4.5 from 7.
The Jets are also at an important stage of the season. With just one win under their belt, the Bluebags want to convert their good football into victories before the finals move beyond their grasp and their motivation deteriorates. Hopefully the players are match fit. They've played only 5 matches (the least of any team in PL) and are coming off a bye.
----------
Roosters v Canberra
This match sees the 5th placed Sydney Roosters at home to the 7th placed Canberra Raiders. The Roosters blew a 3 try lead last week to the Saints and they will have to be on their toes if they are to beat the Raiders, a team that came from behind themselves last week over the Knights.
The Roosters will be aided by a backline featuring a wealth of NRL experience (Phillips, Lester, Hegarty and Dorn). There are plenty of scoring options there. The Raiders will rely on their basic no-nonsense brand of Rugby League to bring them the points. I don't think they can stop the Roosters though.
----------
Bulldogs v Balmain
Jeffles choice for match of the round features the top placed Balmain Tigers away to the 7th placed Bulldogs. Both teams have played below their best last week. The Bulldogs that got away with 2 points over the Bunnies while the Tigers have come back to earth with a shock loss to Manly.
Both teams have a lot to play for. The Bulldogs will want to consolidate a position in the top 8 while the Tigers are out to get their season back on track after some questionable performances against Manly and the Saints. The Bulldogs have been winning despite their lapses against Norths and Souths and will probably start favourites wth their big home crowd behind them.
----------
Northern Sydney rivals Norths and Manly have the bye this weekend. Both teams will no doubt relish the week off having caused the two major upsets of the week last week.
