NRL Round 17 Preview
Bulldogs vs Sea Eagles
Matchup - Des Hasler vs Geoff Toovey. Something a little different for this match, both coaches are proven tacticians and this will make for a great battle on the field.
Key man - James Graham will play a key playmaking role. Weird huh? But with Michael Ennis at halfback and Josh Jackson at 6, Graham's short passing game will be a key factor.
Keep an eye on - The Bulldogs are without their halves but they have a style of play which is suited to this. Their forwards do so much passing and setting plays up that it will make for an entertaining match. Keep a close eye on Sam Kasiano's impact as he as all the skills along with his size.
Verdict - Manly <12. If Manly can absorb the impact of the Bulldogs forwards, they'll do alright.
Dragons vs Cowboys
Matchup - Everyone involved on the edges. Both sides love to attack via the edges and score a lot of tries with back rowers hitting holes or centres finishing off moves.
Key man - Michael Morgan shifting from fullback to halfback means he will have to do a lot more work. He's done so well at fullback because he's a great ball runner and the more he runs the ball in the halves the better it is for himself, Robert Lui and the Cowboys.
Keep an eye on - Tautau Moga made a mid-season shift to the Cowboys and gets a starting centre spot right away. He's extremely talented and could make things interesting for the Cowboys.
Verdict - Cowboys <12. It means they'll have to win in Sydney, but the Cowboys look very balanced without Jonathan Thurston and they could be desperate.
Roosters vs Sharks
Matchup - Sonny Bill Williams vs Wade Graham. The blueprint and the up and comer. Graham is an awesome player and he'll be in for a big night against the top dawg of top dawgs.
Key man - Roger Tuivasa-Sheck when he shifts to fullback on attack. The Sharks have a big, battler forward pack and if RTS gets his hands on the ball with a bit of space, ouch.
Keep an eye on - Sharks attitude post all this drama. They could either compete each week and strive for the unthinkable or they could make wholesale changes with young guys coming in and effectively give up on 2014.
Verdict - Roosters >12. Can't really see the Sharks winning.
Tigers vs Panthers
Matchup - Centres/Wings . Both sides have strike power out wide and they'll be eager to make the most of it. It'll be interesting how both sides get their wide men involved, we could see them finish off plays or get involved through the middle third.
Key man - Tyrone Peachey could cause havoc with this big Tigers forward pack. Peachey is slippery to say the least and at the very least his quick play the balls could get the Panthers rolling forward.
Keep an eye on - Blake Austin at fullback filling in for James Tedesco. Austin's struggling with a bit of an injury so we could even see young Mitchell Moses get a run if fullback.
Verdict - Tigers <12. Logic points to the Panthers, I just have a feeling.
Rabbitohs vs Titans
Matchup - Nathan Merritt vs Will Zillman. Both are reasonable footy players (Merritt's defs better) but they'll have to step up a gear for their teams with Origin on.
Key man - James Roberts is the type of x-factor that the Titans have needed for a while. If he gets 1 v 1 opportunities, it'll be happy days.
Keep an eye on - Isaac Luke coming off the bench.
Verdict - Rabbitohs <12. They just have too much goodness even without Greg Inglis.