Fri 7.30pm - Sea Eagles v Knights @ Bluetongue Stadium
Sadly for the Knights, any outrageous mathematical chance of making the eight disappeared last week after forty minutes. Manly struggled to put the Broncos away, but a sign of a class side is their ability to still win when they're not playing near their best. I said it last week, but the Knights are a team crying out for the season to finish, especially now in light of supposed player unrest. This one could get ugly.
Fri 7.30pm - Tigers v Roosters @ Telstra Stadium
The Roosters go from strength to strength under coach Brad Fittler and they have found a new never-say-die attitude which became evident last week against the Warriors. With ten to go last week they had no right to be within 25 seconds of victory, but Michael Witt's 35 metre field goal snuffed that out. The Tigers were very disappointing against the Titans, who may have shown the rest of the teams in the competition how to nullify Robbie Farah. The Roosters are in good form and if they are strong around the rucks, they'll keep their finals aspirations alive.
Sat 5.30pm - Warriors v Titans @ Mt Smart Stadium
How well the Warriors back up from their 90 minute encounter against the Roosters will determine how they'll go in this one. The Titans looked a much better side with Prince, Laffranchi and Rogers all back, but their away form this year has been very ordinary. The Warriors still harbour ambitions of a top four finish and if this is to stay the same, they should win.
Sat 7.30pm - Dragons v Rabbitohs @ WIN Stadium
Rabbits coach JT has come out in the papers this week and said the Bunnies tough last couple of weeks are starting to catch up to them. Perhaps its this, or perhaps its a sign of pressure by being so close to a semi final spot after 18 years. They shouldn't have lost to Penrith last week and this week the Dragons are a different prospect in Wollongong. They played "dumb" against the Knights and like the Roosters, if they are to keep their slim playoff chances alive, they'll win here. Their reasonable record in Wollongong over the last 2 years has me leaning towards the Dragons.
Sat 7.30pm - Eels v Sharks @ Parramatta Stadium
In this match, there can really only be one winner. The Sharks poor record in close matches this year has come back to bite them - they've lost at least 6 matches by 4 points or less - to slip out of finals contention. The Eels want that top four finish and will win.
Sun 2.00pm - Bulldogs v Raiders @ Telstra Stadium
Its the same story for the Raiders now and its been the same all year - their terrible away record is their achilles heel. The Dogs were pretty ordinary last week, but such is their ability to grind away, were in with a chance of victory until the final 10 minutes. The Raiders did push the Cowboys all the way in Townsville, but near enough is just not good enough. The Dogs, playing to keep their spot in the top eight, should be too strong.
Sun 3.00pm - Storm v Broncos @ Olympic Park
In recent weeks the Storm have been far from impressive. Whether or not that is a consequence of this "rotation" policy they have remains to be seen. Back at Olympic Park and by Bellamy's reaction at the press conference on Monday night, they'll be full strength. The Broncos are still in the eight, but treading water. They'll fight til the end, but the losses of Lockyer, Hunt, Carroll, Berrigan and Ennis will be too much for them to overcome. The Storm should win this one, and do it in comfortable fashion.
Mon 7.00pm - Panthers v Cowboys @ CUA Stadium
Monday night footy goes to the foot of the mountains for the very first time this year. The Panthers were quite good in disposing of the Rabbits last week, but they are yet to produce two good performances back to back. Although they are playing to offload the wooden spoon to either the Knights or Sharks, you would think the Cowboys are too good of a side to let this one slip. The big question to be answered is what is more important? Offloading the wooden spoon, or keeping in contention for a top four finish? The class of Thurston and Bowen should shine through to get the Cowboys home.
now looks like the dogs game and maybe MNF.
i knew it wasn't being played at Brookie...i was close!
