NRL Round 11 Preview
Rabbitohs vs Eels
Match Up - Aaron Gray vs John Folau. I believe Folau will line up on the right wing while Gray has had a great start to his NRL career. How will he deal with the bigger body of Folau though?
Key Man - Alex Johnston gets an opportunity to show the NRL world what he's capable of at fullback, but he also needs to step up and do some play making to get the Bunnies the win here.
Keep An Eye On - Luke Kelly didn't set the world a blaze last week and another performance where he doesn't dominant will continue to fuel Chris Sandow questions.
Verdict - Eels <12. This is all about their forwards who haven't been doing a great job as of late but might smell blood.
Wests Tigers vs Cowboys
Match Up - Martin Taupau vs John Asiata. Two kiwi locks who play a similar style and will put on a brutal show.
Key Man - Ray Thompson will need to step up immensely with both Jonathan Thurston and Michael Morgan on Queensland duties.
Keep An Eye On - Dene Halatau starting at hooker, he may need to play 80 minutes which he's capable of.
Verdict - Tigers <12. At home against a depleted Cowboys side.
Raiders vs Bulldogs
Match Up - Blake Austin vs Josh Reynolds. The battle of the NSW fringe, two guys who were close but not quite there. Austin's on the rise while Reynolds isn't doing much at the mo.
Key Man - Josh Hodgson will need to be at his crafty best if he's to get the Raiders on the front foot. They've got a smaller forward pack but his speed and running game around the ruck could get the big Doggies moving around.
Keep An Eye On - Moses Mbye at halfback, he does everything and he does it all pretty damn well.
Verdict - Raiders <12. Why not?
Knights vs Broncos
Match Up - Rick Stone vs Wayne Bennett, the battle of the coaches. No need to explain the links here.
Key Man - Adam Blair has to make up for the loss of a few Broncos forwards, he needs to be busier while also making much more of an impact than he has done recently.
Keep An Eye On - David Stagg is back! I reckon Bennett has been saving him for this time of the year, where he can just come in and do a job. Joe Boyce will come off the bench for the Broncos as well and is a young forward eager to impress. Joseph Tapine gets a start for the Knights as well, he's a young kiwi.
Verdict - Knights <12. The Broncos forward pack will struggle and while their halves might keep them in it, the Knights have too much power across the park.