NRL Round 12 Preview
Panthers vs Eels
Match Up - James Segeyaro vs Nathan Peats. Both hookers will be looking to play 80 minutes and are integral to how how their respective teams perform.
Key Man - Peter Wallace return and the combination that he and Jamie Soward have should get Penrith back on track. Wallace's value lies in the simple nature of his game plan and steering the Panthers around.
Keep An Eye On - Junior Paulo was out suspended for a while but he adds some size and footwork to the Eels prop rotation.
Verdict - Panthers <12. They are nearly back healthy and they'll be hard to stop.
Titans vs Rabbitohs
Match Up - Aiden Sezer vs John Sutton. They will both play second fiddle to dominating halfbacks but they will be crucial as they are both strong runners of the football while their left boots add a nice kicking option.
Key Man - Kierran Moseley will need to step up with Beau Falloon out injured and I think we're going to see Moseley go to another gear.
Keep An Eye On - The Titans have suffered a range of injuries and it's going to be interesting to see how they go; can they rise the ranks or will they crumble?
Verdict - Rabbitohs >12. The well oiled machine will fire up.
Raiders vs Broncos
Match Up - Paul Vaughan/David Shillington vs Josh McGuire/Sam Thaiday. The two Raiders props were awesome last week and they'll be up against a Maroon front row in an epic battle through the middle.
Key Man - Sam Williams is the perfect foil for Blake Austin and having him back at halfback will allow Austin more freedom.
Keep An Eye On - Francis Molo is a young prop with plenty of size and mobility who should thrive under Wayne Bennett.
Verdict - Raiders <12. In Canberra after Origin?
Cowboys vs Sea Eagles
Match Up - Lachlan Coote vs Brett Stewart. Coote will help out a great deal with the playmaking while Stewart will finish Manly's plays off, two differing styles, two very good fullbacks.
Key Man - Jake Trbojevic will line up against a hefty front row and the young lad will need to show that he's capable of doing the business for Manly to go anywhere through the middle.
Keep An Eye On - Tom Symonds at six who has played nearly every position in Manly's backline this year.
Verdict - Cowboys <12. Regardless of whether their Origin guns play or not, up in Townsville the Cows will be too good.
Warriors vs Knights
Match Up - Ryan Hoffman vs Beau Scott. Two New South Wales brothers who, if they play will put on a gritty display.
Key Man - Chad Townsend needs to step it up with Shaun Johnson finding some form and Townsend's just got to keep it simple and keep the Knights coming off their on try line.
Keep An Eye On - Korbin Sims is a beast.
Verdict - Warriors <12. At home with Sam Tomkins back.
Dragons vs Sharks
Match Up - Benji Marshall/Gareth Widdop vs Jeff Robson/Jack Bird. A polished halves pairing up against a halves pairing who aren't quite there.
Key Man - Tyson Frizell and Joel Thompson were close to NSW selection and they'll be out to bring the ruckus against a solid Sharks forward pack.
Keep An Eye On - Luke Lewis, the opposite of Frizzell and Thompson, Lewis was overlooked and may have a point to prove.
Verdict - Dragons >12. All about the halves.
Roosters vs Storm
Match Up - Jackson Hastings vs Ryan Hinchcliffe will each wear the 14 jersey and will look to add some spark off the bench. Hinchcliffe will be especially important as Cameron Smith got through a mountain of work for Queensland.
Key Man - Jake Friend now offers the complete skillset and with two dynamic halves, he can provide some variety out of dummy half against an organised Storm defence.
Keep An Eye On - Tim Glasby has impressed at prop for the Storm.
Verdict - Roosters <12. It's hard to run with the Storm at this time of year.