NRL Round 15
The Form Guide
The dust has settled from Origin 1 and we were back to a full schedule for round 15, and there weren’t too many surprises in the results. The Dragons and Panthers still sit at the top of the ladder, with only the slightest margin separating them. In fact, the Dragons hold the top spot based on a points differential that is one solitary point better than the Panthers. Both teams ground out tough wins on the weekend, which would please both coaches given the number of Origin players that were backing up. While Nathan Cleary was solid but unspectacular for the Blues, he was the difference for Penrith, coolly slotting a field goal to kill off the Raiders. The young playmaker doesn’t seem to fazed by anything, and you can’t imagine him dealing with finals football any differently. Locked together 2 points behind the ladder leaders are the Rabbitohs and the Warriors, both of whom scored wins on the weekend. Greg Inglis and Dane Gagai both sat out for Souths, making their win over the Titans even more impressive, and Anthony Seibold has done a remarkable job to fashion this team into a genuine top 4 contender so quickly. Most pundits still seem to think the Warriors’ run will end soon, but they continue to defy the knockers. Until they can win the big games at the back of the year, the doubters will remain, but they have done all that’s been asked of them so far.
The Storm, Roosters and Sharks have all solidified their spots in the top 8 with good wins over the weekend. The Sharks needed to bounce back after the disappointment of their loss to Souths, and they were just too strong for the Tigers, who have fallen back to 9th. The Storm felt all the benefit of having a fresh Cameron Smith available to them, as he masterminded a come from behind win over a Brisbane team that have become their bunnies. Wayne Bennett will be filthy that his team let go of a lead, and most of the momentum, to the Storm in the second half, and this match showed again that Brisbane just don’t have the killer instinct required at this stage. They undoubtedly have the potential, but they are not there yet, and questions will continue to be asked about their halves combinations whenever they fail to manage leads like this one. Eels fans were granted some overdue joy in Darwin, when their team got home over a disappointing Cowboys outfit. Neither team will figure in the finals, but both will want to restore some pride for the rest of the season.
The Big Games
Some really interesting games this weekend, and Friday night's clash between the Roosters and the Panthers should be a cracker. The Roosters have managed to keep winning, despite not being completely convincing, while the Panthers have gone from strength to strength on the back of their dominant forwards and classy halves. Dylan Napa was disappointing in Origin 1, and he will be relishing the chance to match up against Reagan Campbell-Gillard to restate his claims for a maroon jersey. If the Roosters pack can get parity against the impressive Penrith forwards, they may well have the fire-power out wide to grab themselves an upset here.
The Sharks host the Broncos on Saturday night, and with both teams loitering in the bottom half of the top 8, this one has extra significance. Cronulla have quietly compiled an excellent first half of the season, slipping under most radars so far despite an impressive winning streak. Brisbane, on the other hand, have not been convincing, and have managed their wins through effort rather than execution. Valentine Holmes is on a hot streak at the moment, and Matt Moylan finally seems to be finding his feet in the Shire. They boast one of the most experienced forward packs in the competition, and with Josh Dugan still to return to the backline, they are well placed to make a run to the finals. The Broncos enjoy playing the Sharks, though, so this one should be close.
At first glance the Sunday afternoon matchup between the Storm and the Knights might not look like exciting fare. It would difficult to back the Knights, thought stranger things have certainly happened. The real intrigue in this one is the battle of the fullbacks, with Billy Slater named to return from his hamstring injury to face his heir apparent, Kalyn Ponga. With teams for the second Origin fixture due to be named on Monday, it will be fascinating to watch the two rivals go head to head. Granted, if Slater comes through 80 minutes unscathed, he will be one of the first picked by Kevin Walters, but a big performance from Ponga will certainly have him thinking. Word is that Walters is considering the young Knight for the bench utility spot, after Anthony Milford failed to make an impression on limited preparation in Game 1. The reality is, though, that is Slater returns to the number 1, Michael Morgan will go back to 14, and Ponga will have to wait a little longer. Make no mistake, though, Sunday afternoon is one you don’t want to miss.
Predictions
The Rabbitohs will snuff out the Eels’ short revival by being too strong on Thursday night, and the pressure will be back on Brad Arthur again. On Friday, The Cowboys, hopelessly out of form at the moment, will be cannon fodder for a Warriors team that is taking all comers at the moment. Paul Green must be scratching his head wondering how last year even happened. After that, the Roosters are starting favourites against the Panthers in the match of the round, and after both teams scraped home last week this one is up for grabs. The Roosters have more to prove, so will win this one in a cliff-hanger. The Dragons will run through the Sea Eagles, while Cronulla have the formline to take down the spluttering Broncos. The Storm will get over the Knights, despite at least one piece of individual brilliance from young Ponga, while the Raiders will be boosted by the return of Josh Hodgson, and will get home over the Tigers.
Bets Bet
The Raiders will be hurting after last week’s nail biter, and they are outsiders against the unpredictable Tigers on Sunday. Ricky Stuart can get his troops up after a loss, so expect the Raiders to bounce back well. Canberra 1-12 at $3.15 is our best bet of the week.
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Words: Cameron Stokes
