NRL Round 11 Preview
Bulldogs vs Roosters
Matchup - Despite Origin, both front rows are pretty much stock standard. It'll be a battle of both niggle and collisions between Aiden Tolman/James Graham and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves/Sam Moa. Tolman and Graham will be out to help their second string halves out while I reckon Hargreaves and Moa will uber aggressive.
Key man - Sam Perrett. Without their usual halves, Perrett will have to get involved, get his mits on the ball and provide a spark.
Keep an eye on - Where do I begin!? Moses Mbye and Reni Maitua as the Bulldogs halves, the return of Krisnan Inu, Samisoni Langi in the centres for the Chooks and Dylan Napa moving to the edge. Take ya pick.
Verdict - Roosters >12. Maloney and Pearce will have a chip on their shoulder and their big boys will be bursting at the seams to take on this Dogs pack.
Titans vs Warriors
Matchup - Hard to ignore another battle of the big boys here. Luke Douglas and Luke Bailey are very good NRL props and do a decent job of their simple core roles, while for the Warriors Ben Matulino moves back to the middle to help out the in form Jacob Lillyman.
Key men - Warriors bench - Havili, Matagi, Mateo and Ikahihifo. They have a chance to offer some spice and enthusiasm to the game which could either get the Warriors back in the contest or put the nail in the coffin.
Keep an eye on - Beau Henry has been on the scene for a few years now and gets another chance in the halves for the Titans.
Verdict - Warriors >12. They should do it easily, but who knows.
Tigers vs Broncos
Matchup - Luke Brooks vs Ben Hunt. Two young halfbacks who could possibly find themselves playing Origin against each other. Both are playing decent footy and it'll be a great battle to see who has the upper hand.
Key man - Blake Austin. Every time he comes off the bench he has an impact on the game, no matter the situation. He'll probably give Joel Luani a rest and expect him to come on an run the footy.
Keep an eye on - Chris Lawrence has battled injury throughout his career, but he looks to be nearing his best. Speed, size, power and skill + Tim Simona on the other side.
Verdict - Tigers <12. Expect the Tigers to win the middle with their hard running enthusiasm and Luke Brooks to bring the ruckus.
Raiders vs Cowboys
Matchup - Jarrod Croker vs Kane Linnett. Two top shelf young centres, while Mathew Wright and Jack Wighton will also be very interesting.
Key man - Josh McCrone. He's getting a chance to get the Raiders back on track, joining Terry Campese in the halves. If he takes the chance well then the Raiders could do well against the Cowboys.
Keep an eye on - How Robert Lui and Ray Thompson direct the ship without Jonathan Thurston and their starting props. Also Kiwi Matt McIlwrick is back on the bench for the Raiders.
Verdict - Cowboys <12. I still like the look of this under strength Cowboys side, but they'll have to play extremely tough.
Sharks vs Rabbitohs
Matchup - Michael Gordon vs Nathan Merritt. Merritt returns to first grade to replace Greg Inglis and he'll be keen to go well, while Gordon is finding some form. Both are running fullbacks so it'll be great to see them get plenty of attacking ball.
Key man - Sam Burgess could have a field day. With no Paul Gallen to compete against, Burgess has a chance to impact nearly every aspect of the game - metres, aggression, enthusiasm, offloads etc.
Keep an eye on - The Sharks halves pairing of Jeff Robson and Daniel Holdsworth. Does it get much more battler than these two!?
Verdict - Rabbitohs >12. Reynolds and Sutton to have dominate.