NRL Round 20 Preview
Broncos vs Titans
Match Up - Andrew McCullough vs Beau Falloon. Two hookers who don't get many props but are crucial to their respective team's attacking flow. Falloon now has his best halves combo outside him while McCullough is riding this wave that the Broncos are currently on.
Key Man - Aidan Sezer returns for the Titans and his control is desperately needed. Watching the Titans play as they tried to fill Sezer's halves spot was torture, but with him in their team, they stand a much greater chance of winning, whether that win comes against the Bronc, I'm not sure.
Keep An Eye On - Kodi Nikorima and Dale Copley are on the Broncos bench, with Nikorima to spice things up at hooker and Copley, well who knows where Copley will play. Don't sleep on this Titans backline either which has suddenly become a thingy of beauty on paper - Hoffman, Mead, Roberts, MacDonald, Gordon, Sezer and Elgey.
Verdict - Broncos <12. The Titans look a much better team this weekend but the Broncos at Suncorp?
Tigers vs Roosters
Match Up - Martin Taupau vs Aidan Guerra. Two completely different types of locks, but they are both rep players and do their job for their respective teams very well.
Key Man - Luke Brooks has simply got to start playing like the halfback that many think he can be. He has had a long season where he's learned many harsh lessons, but if the Tigers are to beat the Roosters, Brooks has to be able to handle their rushing defence and come up will classy plays regularly.
Keep An Eye On - David Nofoaluma could find himself up against Blake Ferguson and if he doesn't, he'll be up against Michael Jennings. Either way, this winger come centre will be under the pump.
Verdict - Roosters >12. The gulf in class here is large.
Warriors vs Sea Eagles
Match Up - Nathan Friend vs Matt Ballin. Both these lads are key men, but somehow they both find themselves playing for their futures.
Key Man - Kieran Foran does all the things that the Warriors need/want to do and those small but crucial plays like his crazy-intense kick chase along with his ball-playing and running game could leave the Warriors out-classed.
Keep An Eye On - Ligi Sao has just signed on to return to the Warriors which is a great buy for the Warriors but expect Sao to be fired up.
Verdict - Manly <12. You see players getting offloaded, I see Manly's backs up against the wall and they usually go alright in that situation.
Storm vs Dragons
Match Up - Cameron Munster vs Josh Dugan. Munster has been developing nicely with the Storm since Billy Slater's injury and Dugan has struggled to help his Dragons out of their slump. Two good fullbacks with plenty to play for.
Key Man - Jesse Bromwich hasn't quite been at his best over the past few weeks, he's been chillin' out a bit and against a Dragons forward pack who have been ravaged in their slump, Bromwich will need to lead the way.
Keep An Eye On - Mahe Fonua gets a bench spot, a funky decision.
Verdict - Storm <12. It's a Storm home game in Napier and I can feel their machine clicking into gear.
Rabbitohs vs Knights
Match Up - George Burgess vs Korbin Sims. We have known what George is capable of for a while now but the youngest Sims brother has also been showing that he has a long future in the NRL as well. Gotta love two young bucks going at it.
Key Man - Luke Keary's running game will continue to be a key factor as the games get more important with the season winding down. Such is the class of Adam Reynolds, that Keary simply needs to run the footy and add some polish with a few nice kicks/set plays and the Bunnies will be hard to stop.
Keep An Eye On - Chris McQueen is a shadow of the Maroons forward he was only a season or two ago, he now lives in the shade.
Verdict - Rabbitohs <12. It will take a special defensive effort to stop the Bunnies, the type of effort that the Knights aren't capable of.
Panthers vs Raiders
Match Up - Elijah Taylor vs Shaun Fensom. Two workhorse locks who do a bunch of tackling, but peep what they do with the ball - pass or run? And who is more effective.
Key Man - Josh McCrone steps in at halfback for the Raiders and this could be a crucial decision as McCrone could offer the Raiders the guidance needed to free up Blake Austin and Jack Wighton. McCrone has however struggled for NRL gametime and we may see why.
Keep An Eye On - The Panthers are getting a few troops back, but their season is currently on hanging by a thread and this game against the Raiders will determine how they finish. If they can sneak a few wins with Will Smith at fullback, they could be in a position to strike when either Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and/or Matt Moylan return.
Verdict - Panthers <12. Had this been in Canberra, it would have been the Raiders.
Bulldogs vs Sharks
Match Up - Josh Jackson/Frank Pritchard vs Luke Lewis/Wade Graham. Four well-above-average edge backrowers on display here and everytime the ball goes wide, make sure your tuned in because anything could happen.
Key Man - Moses Mbye will come off the bench and I reckon his spark and energy could spell disaster for the Sharks, especially their big but workman-like forward pack.
Keep An Eye On - James Graham is obviously a key man for the Doggies as they chase glory and Graham will be timing his run perfectly so expect to see Graham's influence continue to increase starting this week.
Verdict - Dogs >12. There could be riots in Belmore if the Sharks win.
Cowboys vs Eels
Match Up - Jonathan Thurston vs Luke Kelly. Absolutely taking the piss here as Kelly has struggled to look comfortable all season but has benefited from a horrible situation at the Eels. Expect to see just how good Thurston is in comparison.
Key Man - Jake Granville's game is all about little darts through the ruck area and the Eels suck at defending that ruck area. Throw in no Anthony Watmough and Granville will think it's Christmas.
Keep An Eye On - Junior Paulo has been a shining light for the Eels this season, but with their season quickly fading (I think it's already gone but they have a sniff) we will see what Paulo is really made of - will he still get big metres when there's not much to play for?
Verdict - Cowboys >12. Duh.