NRL Preview Round 10
The Form Guide
If there was any doubt about the Dragons’ right to be considered premiership favourites before last weekend, surely they put them bed in the demolition job they did on the Storm. This wasn’t just a victory, this was a statement, and even the most nervous Dragons fans would have to admit that their formline has them headed deep into finals territory. The challenge will come during the gruelling Origin period, as their representation will no doubt be significant. If they can maintain a spot in the top 2 during Origin, and recapture their form on the run home, they will be incredibly hard to stop.
The Warriors welcomed back a host of stars, and that was enough to reignite their season with a win over the Tigers. Pundits will still be waiting for the inevitable late season fade, but they couldn’t have done any more so far this year. The Cowboys finally threw some punches against the Panthers, and North Queensland fans will be excited to see the upswing in form for the likes of Thurston, Morgan, Scott and Hess, not to mention Queensland fans in general. Even after their horrid start to the season, they sit only 2 wins outside the top 8, and it would be a brave punter to think they couldn’t make a run from there.
The Rabbitohs, Roosters and Sharks all did enough to get the win and maintain their spots in the top 8, though all have question marks over them. The Broncos rode their luck against the Bulldogs, but will need to show a lot more if they want to be alive when the whips are cracking. The Jack Bird at halfback experiment has been ended as quickly as it started, and Wayne Bennett will go back to the future with a Kodi Nikorima/Anthony Milford combination. It will need to click quickly this weekend.
The Big Games
Some really important games coming up this weekend, starting with Cowboys away to the Tigers on Thursday night. If the Cowboys’ renaissance is real, they need to put the plucky Tigers away, and win well. The Bulldogs and the Eels is a bottom of the table clash, but looks intriguing just the same. Which team will stand up? It’s impossible to know, but the Eels have so much upside that it hard to see them collecting the wooden spoon, so maybe this is the match that starts their run. The Warriors host the Roosters, and it is the New Zealanders who are the deserved favourites in this one.
The Chooks still look clunky, and a loss could see them slip out of the top 8. The question must be asked- can Cooper Cronk play outside of the structure he knew so well in Melbourne? It is still early, but the champion halfback needs to get his side purring quickly to keep the doubters at bay.
The other game not to miss is the Dragons visiting the Rabbitohs. At their best, Souths are one of the most exciting teams to watch in the NRL, and they will be wanting to produce their best against the table toppers. The Dragons boast some of the most in form players in the competition, and despite showing early season promise in past years, there is something different about the confidence of this team. Perhaps the most intriguing match up in this clash will be the performances of centres Greg Inglis and Euan Aitken. Inglis will certainly be in maroon in a few weeks, and Aitken has made an almost irresistible case to earn his first blue jersey. Should be a brilliant way to spend a Sunday afternoon!
Predictions
The Cowboys rode back into form last weekend, and they will continue the trend by taking care of the Tigers this weekend, who are now looking at a worrying losing streak after good early season form. The Panthers let 2 points slip last weekend, but won’t do the same against the Knights, while the Eels just have to win against the Dogs. The Warriors will be without Shaun Johnson against the Roosters, and that should be enough to see the unfinshed product that is the Chooks grab the win over the ditch. The Storm will be hurting after last weekend, and will have far too much firepower for the Titans, while the Broncos will sneak home against the Sea Eagles on the back of home ground advantage. The Dragons’ roll will continue in a cracking match against Souths, and the Raiders will get home over the undermanned Sharks.
Best Bet
The Cowboys were a different team last week, and the men from the north will not want the winning streak to stop at one. There are points in this team when they fire, so the Cowboys -4.5 at $2.28 is our best bet of the week.
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