Here are the talking points looking ahead to a blockbuster Round 23.
Canberra are coming
The Raiders head to New Zealand this weekend with everything on the line. The run may have been left a little late, but while there's life, there's hope. A big win over the Sharks last week will have Ricky Stuart's men full of confidence, and the trip across the Tasman is a huge moment in their season. Win, and that hope lives on another week. Drop this one to the underachieving Warriors, and they will deserve to miss the finals.
Under the pump
Des Hasler. Paul McGregor. Steve Kearney. Michael Maguire. Neil Henry. All coaches who will be feeling the pressure that comes with having badly underperforming teams. The Warriors were the great hope at the start of the year, bringing the Kiwi spine together and putting some real athletes around them. But it just hasn't happened, and there is nothing in Kearney’s head coaching record that suggests he can turn it around. MacGregor's Dragons looked the goods early, but are falling quickly. Mary can clearly coach, but something has gone wrong this year that he hasn't been able to do anything about.
The Titans are on a very short list of teams that have knocked off a full strength Melbourne Storm this year, and having made the finals last year fans on the Coast would have been hoping that kind of form would have got them back there this year. Henry has looked confused at times this season, struggling to settle on a spine combination he was happy with. Apparently he has now lost the dressing room, something that never bodes well for coaches.
Hasler and Maguire lead teams that have been disappointing for multiple seasons in a row, and both are having their futures questioned. What price that one of the five isn't there this time next year?
No Mac, no worries
The 54-0 thrashing of the Titans has put the Broncos back on the radar at the right time of year. Ben Hunt was a revelation replacing Andrew McCullough, and Kodi Nikorima and Anthony Milford have a perfect record as halves partners this year. They meet the Sharks on Friday night, who will be hurting after going down to the Raiders last week. This is set to be a huge clash, and much will rest on the Broncos big men, who need to continue to play above their size, and try to handle Andrew Fifita, who returns to the scene of his Origin 1 heroics. Can't wait for this one!
Ten into eight
The stark reality facing a number of teams is that ten into eight just doesn't go. So who misses out? The Raiders have the most ground to make up, but they have the momentum. The Dragons are only one win outside the 8, but surely they are now dead men walking. The Panthers have momentum on their side and Manly are back in the winners circle as well. Just how far will the Cowboys slip if they can't get a win against the resurgent Panthers on Saturday night? You would think they were safe, but stranger things have surely happened. It's going to be an intriguing few weeks, but for the record this column thinks it will be the Dragons and Raiders that miss out.
Scheduling head scratchers
Match scheduling continues to be a huge source of frustration for fans. This week we have the ridiculous situation of Brad Arthur having to write an open letter to employers in Western Sydney to let people leave work in time for kick off in the Eels v Knights game. On Saturday, the top of the table clash between the Storm and Roosters will be hidden away at a shocking timeslot, while Channel 9 viewers on Sunday get the much less attractive Manly v Tigers match. We know the NRL is dictated to by the broadcasters, but surely there is a better solution for all parties than the seemingly random fixtures we are given now.
Enjoy your footy!
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Words: Cameron Stokes
