NRL Round 25 Preview
El Milf-o has been a bit quiet of late...
Rabbitohs vs Broncos
Match Up - Luke Keary vs Anthony Milford. Both of these halves love to run the footy but also have silky touches of skill which put men outside them into space. Also, they both have halfbacks who can control the game allowing Keary and Milford to play as they wish.
Key Man - Corey Parker has a habit of making big metres, getting offloads out and doing an all round good job through the middle in big games. Last week the Broncos struggled against a massive Roosters pack and against a slightly smaller Rabbitohs pack, Parker will ever-present in the middle of the field.
Keep An Eye On - Joe Ofahengue has added some impact of the bench for the Broncos, he looks to be a goodun'.
Verdict - Broncos <12. Slipped up last week, will be back at it this week.
Sea Eagles vs Roosters
Match Up - Ligi Sao vs Siua Taukeiaho. Two former Warriors who have improved dramatically after leaving Mt Smart and will now face off with each other in what will be a brutal clash up the guts.
Key Man - Mitchell Aubusson has been Mr Fix-It all season but he faces his toughest assignment this week as he's in the centres replacing Michael Jennings - he'll probably line up against Steve Matai.
Keep An Eye On - Matt McIlwrick gets a bench spot, so does Suaia Matagi for the Roosters. Blake Leary, who has been playing lock recently will also play at hooker in place of Matt Ballin. Interestingly, Jayden Hodges is playing reserve grade and I reckon Geoff Toovey wants to toughen up that middle.
Verdict - Sea Eagles <12. Their starting forward pack should be able to hold their own and they have a bench full of aggression and enthusiasm.
Eels vs Sharks
Match Up - Corey Norman vs Jack Bird. Norman is the Eels' best player while Bird is the Sharks' most creative half, it'll be an exciting battle.
Key Man - Chris Heighington has been epic in place of Andrew Fifita and he will need to repeat that dose against a rugged Eels forward pack.
Keep An Eye On - Will Hopoate has a few contract issues and needs to keep showing that he's worth his price tag.
Verdict - Eels <12. Just a hunch, but a hunch backed by the fact that this is possibly a semi-full strength Eels team.
Knights vs Bulldogs
Match Up - Beau Scott vs Frank Pritchard. Tough, skillful and ruthless.
Key Man - Sam Kasiano is probably the only prop in the NRL who can drift as wide as he does, which is a huge weapon for the Doggies. Kasiano is hard to tackle and if you do tackle him, good luck stopping an offload.
Keep An Eye On - I have a feeling that the Sims boys from Newcastle will be eager to step up to the challenge laid down by the Bulldogs' forwards.
Verdict - Knights <12. Another cheeky upset, I must have smoked something.
Storm vs Cowboys
Match Up - Cooper Cronk vs Jonathan Thurston. Any opportunity you get to see these two Queenslanders in direct comparison to each other, you have to enjoy it.
Key Man - Lachlan Coote showed last week what he can do as he stepped up when Michael Morgan went off. Coote has all the ability of a half and will need to do his share of the kicking and play-making to ease the load on Thurston.
Keep An Eye On - Kenny Bromwich is getting more game time with Dale Finucane out injured, he starts at lock this week.
Verdict - Storm <12. At home and they need to get some sort of confidence heading into the finals.
Wests Tigers vs Warriors
Match Up - James Tedesco vs Sam Tomkins. One of the best vs a let down.
Key Man - Mason Lino showed glimpses of his control and simply half play, which if he can build on that will go down nicely.
Keep An Eye On - The Tigers will rally for Robbie Farah, no doubt about that.
Verdict - Tigers >12. Meh.
Titans vs Dragons
Match Up - Nene MacDonald vs Peter Mata'utia. Joining the Titans during the season, MacDonald has been an excellent buy for the Titans while Mata'utia has been one of the Dragons most potent attacking weapons all season.
Key Man - Mitch Rein has simply got to run the footy as often as possible which will give the Dragons metres, quick play the balls and variety in their attack.
Keep An Eye On - Two former Junior Warriors in Nathaniel Peteru and Mark Ioane sit on either bench, which is fun isn't it.
Verdict - Dragons <12. More to play for really.
Raiders vs Panthers
Match Up - Sam Williams vs Jamie Soward. They are very similar halves, which is why their teams have had success at various stages this season as they are able to control the game and keep things simple.
Key Man - Men, plural as I'm liking this dual-edge-threat with Bryce Cartwright on one edge and Tyrone Peachey on the other. They are both extremely skillful and are both tough.
Keep An Eye On - Isaah Yeo has played centre, second row and now lock this season.
Verdict - Raiders <12. Yawn.