NRL Round 22 Preview
Broncos vs Bulldogs
Match Up - Sam Thaiday vs James Graham. Two props with a similar style who are very good at what they do. I imagine they'll be eyeing each other up every time one of them carries the footy.
Key Man - Kodi Nikorima will come on late in either half and he'll have a chance to work some magic with big and possibly tiring Bulldogs forwards on the field.
Keep An Eye On - This is a big test for the likes of Jarrod Wallace, Joe Ofahengaue and Mitchell Dodds as they are all inferior than their Bulldog opponents.
Verdict - Broncos <12. They got steamrolled last week so I suspect they'll be out to make amends tomorrow night.
Sea Eagles vs Rabbitohs
Match Up - Brett Stewart vs Greg Inglis. I'm also excited to see Steve Matai and Dylan Walker go at it but Stewart and Inglis are in a class of their own and it's gonna be great to watch.
Key Man - Luke Keary's running game allows Adam Reynolds to shine with his kicking game and the work of Keary will make Manly focus on him, opening up space for the likes of Glenn Stewart, John Sutton and Walker.
Keep An Eye On - Last week Kieran Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans won the battle of the halves, can they do that this week? Also, this Manly bench looks like a bench that Geoff Toovey wants and it's come at the right time: Jesse Sene-Lefao, Michael Chee Kam, James Hasson and Josh Starling.
Verdict - Manly <12. Are they really, really real?
Warriors vs Dragons
Match Up - Sam Tomkins vs Josh Dugan. I don't think this is an even match up, but I do believe that Tomkins is earning more money than Dugan and that Dugan will show that he's so much better than Tomkins it's not funny. But it will be funny.
Key Man - Leeson Ah Mau sums up the Dragons forward pack for me as he isn't a huge being, but he's got good footwork and usually makes good metres. Ah Mau does offer some punch and he'll need to do that from the jump as the Dragons can then call on reinforcements.
Keep An Eye On - Kiti Glymin gets another go for the Dragons on the wing, he's kept Justin Hunt out so he must be decent.
Verdict - Dragons >12. Heart says Warriors, head says Dragons.
Sharks vs Cowboys
Match Up - Paul Gallen vs Jason Taumalolo. John Asiata will give Taumalolo a spell, but every time Taumalolo takes a carry, Gallen will be there and he'll be there with force.
Key Man - It's been surprising, but fun to watch Michael Ennis emerge as the Sharks best player. Everything starts with him as he does plenty of kicking and creates a lot from dummy half.
Keep An Eye On - The Sharks last win over the Cowboys came as they punched holes through the middle; without Andrew Fifita can they still do that?
Verdict - Sharks <12. They are currently all about effort and if they can stay in the game, they'll be a chance.
Eels vs Panthers
Match Up - Manu Ma'u/Tepai Moeroa vs Bryce Cartwright. Big boys but plenty of talent as well out on the edges.
Key Man - The Eels season could have been a little different if they had had Nathan Peats fit all season, but now he gets a chance to show that he's still a top shelf hooker.
Keep An Eye On - I liked the look of Leilani Latu last week for the Panthers and he offers something that they don't have with some aggression. Also, keep an eye on how Apisau Koroisau finishes the season.
Verdict - Panthers <12. Still in with a sniff of the top eight.
Storm vs Titans
Match Up - Tohu Harris vs James Roberts. Harris missed a bunch of tackles last week and his job won't get any easier coming up against Roberts this week. Harris is huge though and Roberts will also have his hands full.
Key Man - Jesse Bromwich adds a different dimension to the Storm's attack and if he can get the metres and off-loads flowing, the Titans will struggle.
Keep An Eye On - This game will show whether the Titans have clocked out, or if they still hold a small hope.
Verdict - Storm >12. The Titans will clock out.
Knights vs Roosters
Match Up - No match up here as no Knight is in the same class as these Chooks.
Key Man - With the Roosters firming as a favourite, Jake Friend needs to keep offering up smart kicks and classy runs to ensure that defences don't load up on James Maloney and Mitchell Pearce. Friend will get a chance to do so against the Knights.
Keep An Eye On - Shaun Kenny-Dowall is back.
Verdict - Roosters >12. Yawn.
Raiders vs Wests Tigers
Match Up - Jack Wighton vs James Tedesco. These two make shit happen but Tedesco has the edge thanks to a super impressive season so far.
Key Man - Against a better team and away from home, the Tigers need Luke Brooks to be controlling the game as well as serving up opportunities.
Keep An Eye On - Mitchell Barnett steps on to the bench with Iosia Soliola out for the season which gives this promising forward the chance to impress in crunch time. He won Canberra's Under 20's award last year and has served his apprenticeship in the NSW Cup this season, now's the time son.
Verdict - Raiders <12. A chance for their forward pack and depth to shine.