NRL Round 9 Preview
Broncos vs Panthers
Match Up - Andrew McCullough vs Apisai Koroisau. Both hookers are instrumental to their team's attack, especially Koroisau who is proving to be a great buy given the injury situation in Penrith.
Key Man - Matt Moylan has the opportunity to shoot his reputation skyward if he can lead the Panthers to a few wins. He's got the all round game to do so and the Panthers need his touches of class this week to break down a rugged Broncos defence.
Keep An Eye On - The bench named by Wayne Bennett is very young and should excite Broncos fans. Jarrod Wallace is 23, Francis Molo is 20, Joe Ofahengaue is 19 while Kodi Nikorima is 21.
Verdict - Broncos <12. Too good in the forwards, with gun halves and it's in Brisbane.
Roosters vs West Tigers
Match Up - Jared Waerea-Hargreaves vs Aaron Woods. This one's going to be nasty with both props capable of some niggle and they'll be keen, too, as they each know how good the other is.
Key Man - James Maloney's got to carry his great form from the rep round into this week's game. The Tigers are all speed and power, so Maloney will need to be defensively solid and along with Mitchell Pearce, keep the Tigers tucked down their own end.
Keep An Eye on - Delouise Hoeter gets another run in first grade in place of Tim Simona and has looked good so far in his NRL career.
Verdict - Tigers <12. It all depends on Luke Brooks and Mitchell Moses for the Tigers, they've been up and down and I reckon this week they'll be on form.
Raiders vs Titans
Match Up - We're either going to see Josh Papalii line up against Ryan James or Dave Taylor and I'm excited by either option. Papalii has been sliding under the radar so far this season but should start to make his Origin case while James and Taylor are each cut from the beast cloth.
Key Man - Blake Austin is quickly becoming instrumental to the success of the Raiders and if he's at his running best, Sam Williams will be able to keep his halfback duties nice and simple.
Keep An Eye On - Shannon Boyd, he's huge and has a bunch of potential for the Raiders.
Verdict - Raiders <12. Another cheeky upset, the Raiders just have that good vibe in their team.
Sharks vs Warriors
Match Up - Jeff Robson vs Chad Townsend. Both these two play alongside dynamic halves and need to take control of the game to free up their respective halves partners.
Key Man - Ben Barba will start at fullback and has got to find a way to has a positive impact on the Sharks attack. Jack Bird will get more and more attention from opponents and Barba's got to play his hand.
Keep An Eye On - There's many rumours surround Townsend and his desire to head back to Australia with the Sharks the main suitor apparently. A good game here could help that #JustSayin.
Verdict - Sharks <12. At home, I think the Sharks have figured out a few things, especially their halves situation while Andrew Fifita is also in some form.
Cowboys vs Bulldogs
Match Up - Lachlan Coote vs Sam Perrett. Coote has been in great form, helping out his halves and Perrett has once again found himself filling the fullback jersey.
Key Man - Trent Hodkinson has got to be on point for the Doggies who rely on their forwards to not only do all the grunt work but also some play-making. Hodkinson's got to put in an Origin level performance against the Cowboys.
Keep An Eye On - John Asiata gets a start at lock, replacing Jason Taumalolo.
Verdict - Cowboys <12. They just have to handle this Bulldogs forward pack and the Cowboys should be too good.
Sea Eagles vs Titans
Match Up - Dunamis Lui vs Jeremy Smith. Two locks who play a very simple style but are crucial to how their team goes through the middle.
Key Man - Jake Trbojevic is a young prop with plenty of talent, but he's got to start putting this Sea Eagles side on his back. The Knights are a tough pack and Trbojevic will be up against it to get Manly rolling forward.
Keep An Eye On - Jayden Hodges has started to come off the bench and it's an interesting experiment from coach Toovey. I like it.
Verdict - Manly <12. You've got to bank on their halves, you just have to.
Eels vs Storm
Match Up - Two more locks, Anthony Watmough vs Dale Finucane. Finucance continues to impress with the Storm and is up against one of the veterans of the middle in Watmough.
Key Man - Cooper Cronk was quiet during the ANZAC Test and it's hard to imagine that he'll serve that up a second time around.
Keep An Eye On - Kurt Mann has been going about his business in the centres for Melbourne and has done it with relative ease.
Verdict - Storm <12. The Eels still lack that fullback presence who can help out on attack and I think the Storm will be able to handle what the Eels throw at them.
Rabbitohs vs Dragons
Match Up - Sorry but I'm going with the third lock match up because we've got Thomas Burgess starting in the 13 jersey against Trent Merrin. Who knows how long Burgess will last, but anytime we get to see the Burgess twins out there together is exciting.
Key Man - Luke Keary holds the hopes of Rabbitohs fans until Adam Reynolds returns and Keary will need to find a nice balance between running the footy, kicking it and distributing it.
Keep An Eye On - Tyson Frizell has risen through the ranks rather swiftly and a strong showing against a strong Rabbitohs pack will add to his laundry list.
Verdict - Dragons <12. I reckon they've got a forward pack that can compete with the Bunnies, with a backline who simply do their job.