NRL Round 5 Preview
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Sea Eagles vs Rabbitohs
Match Up: Brett Stewart vs Greg Inglis. Neither team has really been near their best just yet this season and both Stewart and Inglis can inspire their troops with a moment of individual class. For Stewart it could be a subtle pass, while Inglis will look to make big metres up the middle.
Key Man: Matt Parcell has slipped into Manly quietly and with Daly Cherry-Evans out injured, Parcell will need to run the footy as much as possible to allow Apisai Koroisau more time and space. Note Parcell's speed which will be a threat around the ruck.
Keep An Eye On: How much better will the Rabbitohs be with three Burgess brothers in the line up?
Verdict: Sea Eagles <12. Home turf and they have a forward pack that can provide enough opportunities for a high-powered backline.
Titans vs Broncos
Match Up: Ryan James vs Josh McGuire. James gets a start after a mammoth game off the bench and he'll face off against McGuire in the middle ... McGuire who rarely puts a foot wrong.
Key Man: Ashley Taylor will likely be put in the shade by a more high profile Broncos halves combo, the same combo that was in front of Taylor in Brisbane. Taylor has settled into his work with Gold Coast and it's time for him to start influencing games.
Keep An Eye On: Corey Oates returns on the wing for Brisbane and he chewed up metres carrying the footy earlier this season.
Verdict: Broncos >12. This Broncos team is better than the team that beat the Cowboys last week, hence they'll be too good for the Titans.
Storm vs Knights
Match Up: Cameron Munster vs Dane Gagai. Two young Queenslanders, both are capable of filling wing/centre spots but play fullback for their clubs.
Key Man: Melbourne were borderline horrible on attack last week and it's all up to Cooper Cronk's kicking game. The Knights will provide a nice opportunity for Cronk to flex his play-making muscles.
Keep An Eye On: Ben Hampton starting at centre for Melbourne, he's a little bloke but was fantastic filling in last week. Keep in mind that Hampton has bene playing through the middle to start the season and now moves to centre.
Verdict: Storm >12. The Knights aren't very good, Melbourne won't be happy after last week.
Wests Tigers vs Sharks
Match Up: James Tedesco vs Ben Barba. That's three great fullback battles already and with Barba lighting it up last week, he's come close to rediscovering his vintage form. Both are exceptional ball-runners but keep an eye on their passing/kicking skills as well.
Key Man: Aaron Woods has done a great job in leading the Tigers through the middle and he'll face a stiff challenge against the likes of Andrew Fifita and Paul Gallen. Woods will be eager to stamp his mark and is good enough to do so.
Keep An Eye On: Well Paul Gallen's back so keep an eye on that, more importantly, keep an eye on how Gallen improves the Sharks.
Verdict: Tigers <12. I'm not confident in this pick, it's going to be a big test for Wests, whether they can go toe-to-toe with a gritty team like Cronulla.
Cowboys vs Dragons
Match Up: Jake Granville vs Mitch Rein. Two hookers who offer slick service and love to run the footy which will provide plenty of excitement around the ruck.
Key Man: Benji Marshall returns and his combination with Gareth Widdop and Josh Dugan will be crucial to the Dragons attack. Marshall's absence has coincided with the Dragons lacklustre attack and that shouldn't be a surprise.
Keep An Eye On: Javid Bowen makes his debut for the Cowboys at centre, our first look at the depth of the Cowboys.
Verdict: Cowboys <12. Too much power up the guts, too much skill on the edges.
Roosters vs Warriors
Match Up: Dylan Napa vs Ben Matulino. Two very, very solid props who both love to whack in defence as well.
Key Man: Albert Vete starts at lock and will line up against Sio Siua Taukeiaho which will be a crucial little battle through the middle of the field. Vete will need to be on point defensively to keep Taukeiaho and the likes of Napa and Sam Moa under wraps.
Keep An Eye On: Which young half out of Jayden Nikorima, Jackson Hastings and Shaun Johnson will have the biggest impact on this game?
Verdict: Warriors <12. A bit of confidence and more experience could do the trick.
Eels vs Panthers
Match Up: Semi Radradra vs Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. Radradra has been the form winger to start the season and DWZ has been brewing quietly, what will make this a fun match up is that DWZ only runs at one speed, so does Radradra.
Key Man: Reagan Campbell-Gillard loves to get up off his line quickly and he'll need to be a dominant force for the Panthers against one of the low key best props in Junior Paulo.
Keep An Eye On: Matt Moylan's return. As with Marshall, how will Moylan help Penrith's attack? Especially against the Eels and their improved defence.
Verdict: Panthers <12. But who knows. I just know it's a local derby, two fairly good teams, make sure you catch this game.
Bulldogs vs Raiders
Match Up: Moses Mbye vs Aidan Sezer. How often do we get two left-footed halfbacks playing against each other?
Key Man: Elliott Whitehead's stint in the halves is over and we now know he's got plenty of skill which will be dangerous out on the edge. Josh Papalii offers power on one edge, Whitehead's got the slick hands on the other.
Keep An Eye On: Those returning players again. Blake Austin and Aidan Sezer are back, which is a huge boost for the Raiders and how they improve the Raiders will be very interesting. Interesting because Josh Hodgson was awesome in their absence, now there's a very dangerous spine in place.
Verdict: Raiders <12. Cheeky upset of sorts as the Raiders have a low key beastly forward pack that could ruffle a few Doggies feathers.