NRL Round 24 Preview
I'll admit it - Josh Papalii is one of my favs
Broncos vs Bulldogs
Match Up: Anthony Milford vs Josh Reynolds. If there are players coming into this weekend's round of action on the back of better performances than these two, let me know. Milford was everything that the Broncos need him to be last week and Reynolds dragged the Bulldogs to victory, very different halves who are both crucial to their respective teams.
Key Man: Sam Kasiano gives the Bulldogs another dimension in attack and to be honest, it's a dimension that the desperately need each week. Now that other teams have seen how influential Kasiano can be, it'll be interesting to see how they limit his influence. Expect the Broncos to do something to put Kasiano under the pump, I'm not sure what but just don't think that he'll have the same freedom here and how Kasiano responds could determine the game.
Keep An Eye On: Tevita Pangai Junior is perhaps the type of forward that Brisbane have been lacking and during their slump, Pangai was getting valuable game time. Now he's got that experience to his name and his powerful carries give the Broncos a bit of oomph to go with their rugged graft.
Verdict: Broncos <12. They need the win more and are on the up.
Panthers vs Tigers
Match Up: Nathan Cleary vs Luke Brooks. There isn't a better young player in the NRL than Cleary and Brooks might have something to say about that as he's watched Cleary dominate in his first season. Brooks has a chance to show us what he can do as there's no James Tedesco, so Brooks will need to spark much of the Tigers attack and watching him face off against Cleary will be super fun for NRL nerds.
Key Man: Aaron Woods was huge last week and if he's leading the Tigers pack with 20 carries and 200m, it's hard to see the Tigers losing any game as their power forwards then follow that lead. Woods is up against some highly talented Panthers forwards and if Woods can put them in the shade and dominate the middle, the Tigers have the firepower to put some points on Penrtih.
Keep An Eye On: Reagan Campbell-Gillard won't let Woods dominate the middle so easily though and as he's been absent for the past few weeks, we've kinda forgotten the form he was in for much of the season. Now he's coming off the bench, expect RCG to add some serious whack to the Panthers after Suaia Matagi lays the platform.
Verdict: Tigers <12. This is the low key game of the round and who knows, I've gone Tigers as they'll have a point to prove without Tedesco.
Knights vs Titans
Match Up: Sione Mata'utia vs Chris McQueen/Zeb Taia. I think Mata'utia will likely line up against Taia, but either way he's going to be up against a edge forward who has been in brutal form all season. Mata'utia has been shifted to the forwards after not really nailing any backline position and how he goes against either McQueen or Taia will be interesting; he may struggle.
Key Man: Ash Taylor continues to be Gold Coast's most influential player, even with Jarryd Hayne there. Taylor is the bloke who pulls the strings, does the core halfback job and allows Hayne to chime in whenever he wants. It starts with Taylor's ability to kick accurately, get repeat sets and to organise his team, especially setting a set of six up to get Hayne in threatening positions.
Keep An Eye On: The Titans bench could round off to look full-strength, possibly with Nathan Friend dropping out to make way for Leivaha Pulu. Nathan Peats can play 80 minutes and has shifted to lock with Friend playing hooker so how Neil Henry juggles his bench will be interesting.
Verdict: Titans >12. Need the win and will be too slick.
Sea Eagles vs Storm
Match Up: Jake Trbojevic vs Dale Finucane. Two young locks who are a wee bit old school in how they play as they get through plenty of tackles and focus on making big metres with quick play-the-balls. I've got both as future New South Wales players and it'll be fun to see two young, but established NRL No.13's do battle.
Key Man: Jesse Bromwich wasn't at his best last week against Canberra and the Storm lost, it's almost that simple for Melbourne. Manly have a mighty forward pack that could steamroll Melbourne, especially if Bromwich isn't at his best. If Bromwich is taking 15 carries and making 180m then the Storm should be good for the win.
Keep An Eye On: Martin Taupau will start on the edge but could pop up anywhere and he'll be required to punch holes in Melbourne's defensive line to keep them on the back foot.
Verdict: Storm <12. Melbourne wouldn't have enjoyed losing to Canberra.
Cowboys vs Warriors
Match Up: Lachlan Coote vs David Fusitua. Two completely different fullbacks who both ooze talent. Coote effectively plays as another half, operating down the Cowboys' left edge and he'll do a bit of everything to help Jonathan Thurston especially, while Fusitua isn't as skillful but is far bigger and more powerful as a runner of the footy.
Key Men: Matt Scott, James Tamou and Jason Taumalolo kept the Cowboys in the game last week with the sort of performance that you'd expect from such a middle trio. With the Cowboys backline struggling with their cohesion, these three will need to do the same job again this week and ensure that Thurston is playing on the back of forwards that are rolling down the field. If that's the case then it's hard to see Thurston struggling again.
Keep An Eye On: Coen Hess comes on to the bench and with Patrick Kaufusi also there, the Cowboys have some young forwards ready to rock and roll. This is the sort of depth that will keep the Cowboys at the top for a few more seasons.
Verdict: Cowboys <12. At home, desperate to tast victory again.
Raiders vs Eels
Match Up: Junior Paulo vs Eels forwards. Paulo is a former Eel and the Eels will know all too well how damaging Paulo can be through the middle, so expect the likes of Danny Wicks, Tim Mannah and Beau Scott to try and ruffle his feathers. Those three are experienced and won't want Paulo doing a job on his former club.
Key Man: Aidan Sezer doesn't quite get the attention that he may deserve as Canberra enjoy the services of Josh Hodgson, but without Hodgson it will be Sezer's job to step up and steer Canberra around. Sezer's got to get his left boot firing, pinning Canberra down their end and without Hodgson, expect Sezer to run a bit more and keep the Eels defenders in the middle honest.
Keep An Eye On: Josh Papalii deserves your eye balls. He's a gun and has been all season on Canberra's left edge, so just watch him. Watch how hard he hits on defence, watch his footwork, watch his powerful carries and enjoy some moments of skill.
Verdict: Raiders >12. They're in the groove.
Roosters vs Dragons
Match Up: Blake Ferguson vs Josh Dugan. Two big, strong, dynamic runners of the footy but it's their skill that I'm going to be interested in. We know what they can do when they get the footy and decide to run, who can serve up a pass or two to his outside men will be crucial though as neither is noted for their passing ability.
Key Man: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was monumental last week and he's done that before in a comeback game, however he also drops away in the following weeks. The Chooks simply need JWH's mongrel in the middle and especially against the Dragons who don't have any of that, who are borderline a wee bit soft.
Keep An Eye On: Ryan Matterson is an asset to have on the bench for the Roosters and he's done a job in a number of positions for Trent Robinson this season. Watch out for where he plays and how easily he slots into that role.
Verdict: Roosters >12. Their powerful forward pack should be too much.
Rabbitohs vs Sharks
Match Up: Sam Burgess vs Paul Gallen. Last week Burgess was influential in a big win for the Rabbitohs while Gallen was chillin' on the sidelines, this week they'll be fizzing to go at each other and as much of their work through the middle is via these two, their battle will go a long way towards deciding the winner.
Key Man: Chad Townsend is coming up against Adam Reynolds who is in great form and Townsend's gotta continue to serve up the same level of performances at this stage of the season as he did for much of the year. We'll be able to gauge Townsend's play off of Reynolds' and if Townsend is ticking all his boxes, then James Maloney will have a little less attention on him,
Keep An Eye On: Greg Inglis vs Ben Barba is another low key battle to watch out for. I'm not sure if there are two fullbacks who are more crucial to their team than these two and the good attacking play of either team usually starts with Inglis or Barba.
Verdict: Rabbitohs <12. Major cloth upset alert.