NRL Round 24 Preview
Dragons vs Panthers
Match Up - Leeson Ah Mau vs Reagan Campbell-Gillard. Both of these props have burst on to the scene in 2015 but are at different stages of their careers. They both lead the way in terms of aggression and getting their team rolling forward so they will be fighting for the upper hand through the middle.
Key Man - Trent Merrin gives the Dragons a dose of footwork immense go forward, which when combined with the fact that he will be lining up against his future homies means he'll be up for a big game.
Keep An Eye On - We will see the true value of Benji Marshall with his return to the halves, what the result is I don't know.
Verdict - Dragons <12. The Panthers are still battlin' while the Dragons have got everyone on track.
Rabbitohs vs Bulldogs
Match Up - Paul Carter vs Damien Cook. Two blokes stepping in to start at hooker for either team and with Michael Lichaa out for the season and Issac Luke always fighting suspension, these two will be out to impress.
Key Man - Adam Reynolds has made a habit of stepping up in games like these and showing his class. I believe he is the best half on the field and if he's at his best, Reynolds will be ensuring that this big Bulldogs pack are constantly coming off their own tryline.
Keep An Eye On - Kirisome Auva'a has showed that he's a certified NRL centre after his first game back, the kid goes good.
Verdict - Bulldogs <12. Their forward pack now has the advantage.
Sharks vs Tigers
Match Up - Michael Ennis vs Robbie Farah. Ennis knows how important Farah is to the Tigers so I expect to see Ennis up to his usual antics here. But Ennis is also playing great footy, right now he's probably out-playing Farah who is still finding his way after returning from injury.
Key Man - Michael Gordon will most likely get a whole game at fullback with Ben Barba out injured and Gordon is still a slick ball-runner and passer. The Sharks desperately need those touches of skill if they are to have success at this stage of the season.
Keep An Eye On - Luke Brooks and Mitchell Moses have had a whole season together and I wouldn't be surprised to see them show that all that work has paid off.
Verdict - Tigers <12. The Sharks go good against 'better' teams, but I like the Tigers here.
Warriors vs Cowboys
Match Up - Chad Townsend vs Michael Morgan. It's a bit unfair really, but it will be funny.
Key Man - Lachlan Coote; most of the damage will be done through the middle especially with Jake Granville and Jason Taumalolo coming up against a team who struggle to tackle but Coote will provide the polish on the left edge.
Keep An Eye On - John Asiata moves to the edge for the first time this season. Sione Lousi also gets a start on the edge but Asiata > Lousi.
Verdict - Cowboys >12. The Warriors are at home but the Cowboys need a win, it won't be good.
Roosters vs Broncos
Match Up - Where do I begin? Everyone, this is a match up of pure size and power for the Roosters against the subtlety of the Broncos.
Key Man - Men, plural as Adam Blair and Corey Parker will be defending the middle but they are also two Broncos who are most likely to off-load. That'll give their slick halves plenty of opportunities to run at a scrambling defensive line.
Keep An Eye On - Jackson Hastings and Kodi Nikorima are exciting young talents and they fill the utility spots on the either bench.
Verdict - Broncos <12. But damn, what a game.
Titans vs Raiders
Match Up - James Roberts vs Jarrod Croker, I believe they will line up against each other and they will be going at each other all game. Croker hasn't sold me on his defence yet, this will be a big test.
Key Man - Josh Hodgson has taken over from Blake Austin as the Raiders' best player as he's added a nice kicking game into his skillset.
Keep An Eye On - Leva Li for the Titans is huge and quick enough on wing. A definite prospect.
Verdict - Titans <12. Upset here as the Titans are out to spoil a few parties.
Sea Eagles vs Eels
Match Up - Jake Trbojevic vs Junior Paulo. The best props for either team just happen to be youngsters with plenty of promise and these two should have Manly and Parramatta fans excited.
Key Man - Feleti Mateo, it has to be said has had a good season with the Sea Eagles and when he's doing a crisp-ball-playing it makes the Sea Eagles that much harder to stop.
Keep An Eye On - Darcy Lussick will return to Manly next season, always a good reason to #TurnUp.
Verdict - Manly <12. This won't be a repeat of the first game of the season.
Storm vs Knights
Match Up - Cameron Munster vs Jake Mamo. I love both these two lads and the provide their respective teams with a spark that is crucial to them scoring points.
Key Man - At this stage of the season Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk are the key men every game for the Storm. The are responsible for getting the Storm in the right areas of the field and then they are the blokes who throw the crucial pass of deliver the accurate kick.
Keep An Eye On - Felise Kaufusi has been in and out of the Storm's line-up and he's a forward for the Storm along with Nelson Asofa-Solomona who will make them very hard to handle through the middle.
Verdict - Storm >12. They're good.