NRL Round 20 Preview
Suncorp Stadium, meet Nathan Cleary. Nathan, meet Suncorp.
Cowboys vs Bulldogs
Match Up: Lachlan Coote vs Will Hopoate. A stylistic fullback battle of immense funk here as Coote plays effectively as another half while Hopoate is more of a threat running the footy and he's just a natural footy player in that he's always in the right place, at the right time. I'm interested in who influences the game more because there'll be plenty of attention on the halfs and the forwards, yet it will be Coote and Hopoate operating out on the edges who will add the spice into this Thursday night dish.
Key Man: Michael Morgan is back in the halves with Jonathan Thurston, which only reminds us all that the Cowboys haven't even had his services in recent weeks. Guys like Ray Thompson and Rory Kostjasyn, even Coote have done a job in the halves but Morgan's speed and instinct to run the footy is what sets up much of the Cowboys attack down their right edge.
Keep An Eye On: It's a huge game for Michael Lichaa as he'll be lacing up against a fine team, who will rotate Jake Granville and Kostjasyn through that dummy half spot. Lichaa will likely play 80 minutes and in big games like this, at this stage of the season, Lichaa's gotta step up by running the footy more and dictating how and where the Cowboys get the footy.
Verdict: Cowboys <12. Up in T-Ville and I've got this one as a flex of the Cowboys Premiership credentials.
Broncos vs Panthers
Match Up: Corey Parker vs Trent Merrin. Two quality locks who offer a fairly similar style of play and low key spark their team's attack with an offload or quick play-the-ball.
Key Man: Nathan Cleary. What a stage for Nathan Cleary. Suncorp Stadium. Friday night. Finals hopes reaching a climax. This is a huge game for Cleary and we'll get a greater insight into how he handles such moments as he's done a fine job all season, albeit during the middle of the season when there are less eyes on you and less pressure. There will also be the game's best nigglers, I mean kick-pressure-nigglers coming at him and you can bet on Parker, Adam Blair, Sam Thaiday and Josh McGuire hunting him down.
Keep An Eye On: Still interested in how Zak Hardaker is used as he's named on the bench and I think his speed will be more beneficial than an extra forward, especially as the Panthers love to play high-tempo, offload-loving footy. Don't sleep on a low key battle of Penrith's young forwards (Leilani Latu, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Isaah Yeo, James Fisher-Harris) up against a grizzly Broncos forward pack.
Verdict: Panthers <12. I smell an upset, not sure why, I just caught a whiff.
Raiders vs Warriors
Match Up: Jordan Rapana vs Manu Vatuvei. Last week Vatuvei came back and played on the left wing, which should see him line up against Rapana this week and we'll see one of the best tackle-busters in the NRL up against one of the better steam-rolling wingers there's ever been. Vatuvei wasn't quite at his best last week, so expect him to make a point this weekend.
And for you rugby league nerds - start frothing at the thought of watching Josh Hodgson vs Issac Luke. The two best hookers in the NRL not named Cameron Smith.
Key Man: Josh Papalii. Queensland folk will remind New South Wales folk that Papalii was not there for game three after a mammoth effort in game two and it's a fair point because Papalii is playing the best footy of his career. I suspect Papalii will line up on the Raiders left edge and after watching Manly score with ease down their left edge last week, pumping the Warriors right edge, Papalii will get plenty of footy and he'll be making a notable effort to run at Shaun Johnson.
Keep An Eye On: If the Raiders are to push themselves further into Premiership contention, they need Blake Austin playing like 2015 Blake Austin.
Verdict: Raiders <12. At home, strong team.
Titans vs Eels
Match Up: Agnatius Paasi vs Beau Scott. It's not quite Greg Bird vs Beau Scott as Paasi simply doesn't involve himself in niggle, however Paasi is a brute through the middle of the field thanks to powerful carries and plenty of skill. Scott's gonna have to do a job on Paasi defensively and he's more than capable of nullifying that threat.
Key Man: Nathan Peats is not only facing off against his old team which will cause arousal levels to peak, he's a crucial cog in this Titans team as his speed and craftiness around the ruck compliments their power game perfectly. Look for Peats to pick his moments to scoot and also keep an eye on when Nathan Friend enters the game as Peats will likely move to lock, offering the Titans more mobility and skill.
Keep An Eye On: Clint Gutherson has played in pretty much every backline position for Parramatta and actually looks the goods as a half. There's also Nathaniel Peteru coming off the bench for Gold Coast who is yet another big bopper who gives them plenty of oomph through the middle.
Verdict: Titans <12. They've got a bit of x-factor to go with their grit now so watch out.
Storm vs Roosters
Match Up: Kevin Proctor vs Boyd Cordner. Two of the better hole-running edge forwards in the NRL who will stay on the hip of their halves and target their opposing halves. That also means that Proctor and Cordner will play the role of bodyguards and their defensive reads will be crucial as they can't allow the other to hit a gap or run at their half.
Key Man: Cameron Munster came back last week and while Young Tonumaipea did a fine job stepping in at fullback, Munster offers the Storm far more zip through the middle. Not to mention than Munster is a slick passer and suddenly the Storm have a genuine attacking weapon in conjunction with their star players.
Keep An Eye On: Munster's back and so is Will Chambers. Munster enhances the Storm's attack down the edges as he adds an extra pair of hands and Chambers is arguably the best centre in the NRL, giving the Storm a greater attacking threat out wide.
Verdict: Storm >12. Their forward pack has done the job up to this point and now they've got their firepower back.
Sharks vs Knights
Match Up: Valentine Holmes vs Nathan Ross. Two finishers of the highest quality who are lighting across the park and you'd better pay attention when they get the footy.
Key Man: Luke Lewis. The good vibes are flowing with Lewis still doing an excellent job for the Sharks on their right edge and with Wade Graham offering a unique skill package on the left, Cronulla need Lewis to keep this form up on the right as he's go-to is cutting back on the inside which only opens up space for Holmes and Jack Bird.
Keep An Eye On: The last time these two teams played, Cronulla touched Newcastle up and I don't think that will be the case this time around. Keep an eye on a possible upset.
Verdict: Sharks <12. Playing it safe, but keep an eye on an upset.
Dragons vs Tigers
Match Up: Tariq Sims vs Aaron Woods. Interesting selection from Paul McGregor to name Sims in the No.10 jersey, it does come after Sims has come off the bench to play through the middle this season. I'm not confident in how this could pan out for the Dragons though as Woods was already licking his lips at the prospect of facing a average Dragons pack and now he's going to face off against Sims.
Key Man: Elijah Taylor is the perfect link-man from the ruck to the halves and he's had a visible impact on the Tigers this season and against the Dragons, this will only be more important. If Taylor can stay busy through the middle and keep defenders honest, his distribution will allow the likes Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks more time and space to bring the ruckus out wider.
Keep An Eye On: More Robbie Farah drama. I wasn't too fussed about this earlier in the season but now, it all seems incredibly stupid. The Tigers still have a sniff of Finals footy and Farah is simply a better dummy half than Dene Halatau and Taylor.
Verdict: Tigers <12. Too much attacking flair.
Rabbitohs vs Sea Eagles
Match Up: Adam Reynolds vs Daly Cherry-Evans. Reynolds is back in the Rabbitohs side and they desperately need him, while DCE is gradually finding his mojo again. We shouldn't sleep on Manly as a smokey for Finals footy and as long as they feel like that have a chance, DCE will be eager to showcase his ability to the rest of the NRL and remind folks that he still goes alright.
Key Man: Sam Burgess is still rolling through immense numbers for the Rabbitohs, despite his comrades struggling to do a whole lot each week. As long as Burgess is taking plenty of carries and generating a bit of go forward, the Rabbitohs still have nippy little runners like Cody Walker and Luke Keary to make the most of any quick play-the-balls. Well, on paper at least.
Keep An Eye On: Low key return of Nate Myles on the bench for Manly, which comes at the right time as they'll need him to slow down the likes of Sam Burgess. Myles isn't a gamebreaker, he does round-off a decent middle presence for Manly; Myles, Darcy Lussick, Martin Taupau, Jake Trbojevic, Siosaia Vave.
Verdict: Sea Eagles <12. This one will be interesting.