NRL Round 16 Preview
Yo DCE g, just wanted to know if you're still DCE or nah?
Panthers vs Rabbitohs
Match Up: Nathan Cleary vs Adam Reynolds. This will be a funky match up to enjoy because both Cleary and Reynolds are cut from a similar cloth, the traditional halfback cloth. Cleary has shown in his first few NRL games that what he lacks in x-factor, he makes up for in his organisational skills and his skills which enable him to control a game of footy. That's what Reynolds has built his NRL career on so far and with a bunch of weapons around them, this will be a battle for you NRL nerds to enjoy.
Key Man: Nathan Brown. In a forward pack with two Burgess brothers, it's Brown who consistently catches the eye with his performances which stems from a high work-rate and intensity combined with his smaller frame which gives him greater mobility. Up against a young and skillful Panthers pack, Brown will be everywhere and he'll ruffle a few feathers while he's at it.
Keep An Eye On: Throughout the Rabbitohs' struggles we have kinda ignored the absence of John Sutton and I'd suggest that this Bunnies team miss Sutton when he's not there. Instead of a hole-runner on that left edge, in Sutton the Rabbitohs have a skillful big man who can do his share of play-making which could (who knows how they'll line up) come with Greg Inglis playing outside him.
Verdict: Rabbitohs <12. A lot of this depends on Inglis being there, I like their starting 13 that's been named.
Knights vs Dragons
Match Up: Sam Mataora/Korbin Sims vs Leeson Ah Mau/Russell Packer. The Knights struggle, yet Mataora genuinely looks like he's made a big step up this season and we know Sims is a quality young forward. There's a high chance that they could serve up too much power for Ah Mau and Packer, but the Dragons props are solid campaigners and I'm interested in if they can dominate their young opponents.
Key Man: It's getting to the point where every game that the Dragons play, will require Gareth Widdop and Benji Marshall at their best. I don't think we've seen that this season and even last week they didn't quite get their balance right as both are blokes who like to put on a slick play, neither is a dominant controlling presence. They've gotta somehow share that workload of getting their team in the right areas, organising everyone and then putting on the slick play. The Knights should help them in this regard.
Keep An Eye On: After an epic performance for Queensland, with a niggle, who knows whether Dane Gagai will play or not. We saw how much this all means for Gagai when he got teary after a big loss and I'd suggest that if he does play, it will be a big moment in his career as the Knights faithful will enjoy the effort.
Verdict: Knights <12. Upset, yolo. Knights will switch on the razzle dazzle, don't tell the Wildcard.
Sharks vs Warriors
Match Up: Jack Bird vs Solomone Kata. Hopefully my footy mathematics has served me right here and that Bird and Kata will line up against each other on the same edge. Bird's coming off a decent Origin debut, a product of his form in the NRL while Kata is consistently one of the most threatening NRL centres. It's not just the attack that intrigues me - they pose different threats - as how they each go about stopping the other will be extremely fun to watch.
Key Man: Andrew Fifita was up to his usual antics in Origin, sparking up all over the show and there's two ways he could back up that loss. Fifita could be eager to lead the Sharks and put in a blockbusting performance through the middle that would go a long way towards ensuring that the Warriors have no chance. Or, Fifita could be a non-factor, lacking that usual intensity and that wouldn't be a good sign for Cronulla.
Keep An Eye On: Obviously Michael Ennis vs Issac Luke is another epic battle to watch out for. Ennis is the Sharks, it all starts with him and well, Luke is the Warriors. Both these lads have a huge influence on their team's performance and their wide range of skills will be on display, plus the usual helping of niggle.
Verdict: Warriors <12. Who knows, I'm going with an Origin hangover to hold the Sharks back.
Bulldogs vs Broncos
Match Up: Will Hopoate vs Darius Boyd. I don't think there's two players in the NRL who are as slept on as these two. We obviously know that they are good as Boyd is the Kangaroos fullback and what not, but we never really discuss either as being the very best and I reckon they are just that. Hopoate has stepped up big time with the Doggies and dabbles in a bit of everything (great positioning to slick hands to powerful carries) and that's what Boyd does as well. There'll be some ruthlessness in the forwards, there's great halves on display but this will feed my NRL soul.
Key Man: Anthony Milford has plateaued a wee bit and no dramas there, although the Broncos have lacked his x-factor. That's all part of the ups and downs of an NRL season but the Broncos will need Milford's speed to make the most of big Bulldogs forwards under fatigue.
Keep An Eye On: The Broncos slump has coincided with the absence of Andrew McCullough #JustSayin.
Verdict: Broncos <12. Massive game for Brisbane, they need to get back on the wagon and while their forward pack is coming off of Origin, they'll be up for this one.
Titans vs Raiders
Match Up: Ryan James vs Junior Paulo. Ouch.
Key Man: Blake Austin. Last season we enjoyed a breakout season for Austin and this season we have spent more time discussing Josh Hodgson or Canberra's forwards as Austin hasn't been able to influence as many games. Austin is key to the Raiders hopes for finals footy and it's gotta start this week against Gold Coast where he's gotta run more often than not and offer some attacking funk while Aidan Sezer controls things.
Keep An Eye On: Shaun Fensom could come into the Raiders side as he's named as 18th-Man and with Fensom lurking, the Raiders are close to rolling out their best team. Their bench has a settled look to it, so does the Titans' bench and this will be a brutal encounter throughout as big forwards will come off the bench and maintain the ruckus.
Also, Rapana is playing on home turf after growing up on the GC and making his debut there. Expect a good showing from him ... better than usual? Crikey.
Verdict: Raiders <12. Who knows, Canberra will be sparked by Joseph Leilua/Jordan Rapana and their team will follow.
Storm vs Tigers
Match Up: Cameron Munster vs James Tedesco. Can't go past this and it's another Young Fullback Battle. These two are extremely similar as they have weird running styles that work for them and probably add to them being extremely difficult to tackle, they also have skills that many halves would envy. This will ensure that we as fans will be treated to exciting running and a few moments - out on the edges where they set up their centre/wing - that will make us say 'ooooooooooh lalalala'.
Key Man: Jesse Bromwich often features here when talking about the Storm's key man and with good reason. Bromwich is up against a Tigers pack that isn't the strongest defensively and he'll be up against Aaron Woods who is coming off of Origin, this could present Bromwich with many opportunities to get in-between defenders where he'll get a quick play-the-ball or offload.
Keep An Eye On: The ongoing Robbie Farah saga is interesting and the usual business of whether the Storm's big two will back never disappoints.
Verdict: Storm <12. Obviously a lot depends on Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith.
Cowboys vs Sea Eagles
Match Up: Michael Morgan vs Dylan Walker. Two running halves who also lend a helping hand to the work of their halfbacks. Look for these two to get the ball a few passes off the ruck where they have more time and space to put a move on a defender, or use their skill to distribute.
Key Man: Daly Cherry-Evans returns and we've gotta keep it real here; DCE hasn't been DCE in a long time. There was an air to DCE that shot him into the NRL's upper echelon and we simply haven't seen him dominant an NRL game, largely thanks to injury but in-between those injuries he's battled to deal with different halves partners etc. He's also up against Jonathan Thurston, the GOAT and I don't think DCE would want to be put in the shade here.
Keep An Eye On: Tom Trbojevic has done a job in a number of positions this season and injuries to Steve Matai and Jamie Lyon present Trbojevic with an extended opportunity at centre. He'll be up against either Justin O'Neill or Kane Linnett, two quality centres but it's more about how Trbojevic deals with the work of Thurston and Morgan that interests me.
Verdict: Cowboys <12. At home, too good.