NRL Round 13 Preview
Broncos vs Sea Eagles
Match Up - Andrew McCullough vs Matt Ballin. Both of these lads get through a mountain of work on defence but it's their subtle play on attack which will be fun to watch.
Key Man - Ben Hunt should have a nice platform laid down by his forwards and if he's at his best where his kicking game is on point and he's putting pressure on the Sea Eagles, the Broncos should have too much muscle.
Keep An Eye On - It's going to be brutal in the centres which Jack Reed, Justin Hodges, Peta Hiku and Steve Matai all above average NRL players.
Verdict - Broncos <12. Their forwards will be too strong, with a bunch of weapons at their disposal.
Wests Tigers vs Titans
Match Up - Luke Brooks vs Kane Elgey. Two of the youngest halfbacks in the NRL and while they ooze talent, they haven't been consistent which is why their respective teams are struggling.
Key Man - Men, plural, because this Tigers forward pack is extremely young but has plenty of potential. If they are out for blood and can dominate the middle, the Tigers will win.
Keep An Eye On - Chris Lawrence starting in the second row and the possibility of young Manaia Cherrington getting a run off the bench.
Verdict - Tigers <12. Too much power in the forwards, plus I expect their young spine to stand up with no Robbie Farah.
Knights vs Raiders
Match Up - Dane Gagai vs Jack Wighton. Both of these two fullbacks have been their respective team's best in recent weeks and there aren't too many ball runners better than these two.
Key Man - Josh Papalii has low key been in great form for the Raiders and the power, skill and footwork that he offers on the edge will be crucial against a big Knights pack.
Keep An Eye On - I liked the work of Sam Mataora last week for the Knights and he's up against his former club this week coming off the bench. He's been talked up for a few years now and expect him to have a biggun'.
Verdict - Raiders <12. The Raiders forward pack has been ruthless over their winning run which should give them the advantage here.
Rabbitohs vs Warriors
Match Up - Dylan Walker vs Solomone Kata. The are of similar stature and have plenty of speed and power which will make this one heck of a battle.
Key Man - Simon Mannering will need to hold the middle down and dominate all of his tackles, slowing the Rabbits down as they love to power through the middle. Mannering will need to do a job on Issac Luke every time he runs the ball.
Keep An Eye On - Sam Tomkins wasn't great last week which is fair enough but keep an eye on how he goes this week.
Verdict - Warriors <12. If Adam Reynolds was playing, this one would be given to the Rabbitohs but I think now's the time for the Warriors to get a win in Perth.
Panthers vs Storm
Match Up - James Segeyaro vs Cameron Smith. Two of the best.
Key Man - Blake Green has to step up through the Origin period and take some of the weight off of the big three. Against the Panthers he'll need to execute all his plays; kicks and sweeping backline moves to near perfection.
Keep An Eye On - Dallin Watene-Zelezniak gets a chance at fullback and the Panthers are rolling out an all-kiwi back row.
Verdict - Storm <12. I don't see the Storm putting back to back stinkers on the board.
Sharks vs Roosters
Match Up - Andrew Fifita vs Jared Waerea-Hargreaves/Sam Moa. The two big boppers for the Roosters were fantastic on Monday night and Fifita needs to match them in all aspects.
Key Man - Jack Bird needs to be flawless which is a big ask of a young half but the Sharks can't compete if Bird isn't quite at his best.
Keep An Eye On - Paul Gallen returns which could be a big boost, while the Ben Barba files continue to disappoint.
Verdict - Roosters >12. When the Roosters are in the mood, they're fantastic and there's no reason to think that they won't be in the mood.
Bulldogs vs Dragons
Match Up - Tyson Frizell vs Frank Pritchard. Two aggressive, mobile and skillful back rowers who are each in nice form.
Key Man - Michael Lichaa arrived at the Doggies with much celebration, but he has been largely underwhelming so far. To break the Dragons defence down, he's got to run the ball and offer distribution of the crispest nature.
Keep An Eye On - Moses Mbye slides out to centre and it would daft to leave him out there with the form that he's been in.
Verdict - Dragons <12. They will have to deal with a big Doggies pack, but their attacking prowess should be too much for the Dogs.
Eels vs Cowboys
Match Up - Tepai Moeroa vs Jason Taumalolo. They are bound to run into each other once or twice, watch out for the earthquake.
Key Man - Chris Sandow, when he goes good, the Eels win. As simple as that.
Keep An Eye On - The Cowboys are getting great returns on their young forwards; Ethan Lowe, John Asiata and Sam Hoare who will be up against an angry Parramatta pack.
Verdict - Cowboys <12. You could argue that they are better in every position.