As much as I enjoy Origin, like many rugby league fans around the country, I’m also glad this this weekend signals the second last Origin-affected round of NRL action.
Eight teams will put their feet up and enjoy their final bye, leaving eight teams to slug it out for competition points.
Although players will be forced to back up for round 19, with the Raiders, Bulldogs, Cowboys and Tigers set for their final bye next weekend, round 18 is the widely seen as end of the “Origin-period”.
Despite the fact that there are only four games being played across four nights in round 17, the fixtures do present some of the teams with huge opportunities to further press their claims.
First and foremost is the huge opportunity presented to the Penrith Panthers, who sit just one win outside of the top eight.
The table-topping Cronulla Sharks head into their away clash against the Panthers without Paul Gallen, Andrew Fifita, Wade Graham, James Maloney and Jack Bird, while both Ricky Leutele and Valentine Holmes are in serious doubt.
Penrith, who themselves will only be missing Josh Mansour, have a brilliant chance to stop the Sharks winning run at a club-record 12 games. To be honest, anything less than a win over the under strength Sharks will be wasting a golden opportunity.
Matt Moylan will be keen to show Laurie Daley what he is missing out on after he was overlooked for the third and final Origin contest of the campaign. Trent Merrin and Bryce Cartwright were also in the retconning for a bench spot for the dead-rubber, but were not selected.
For the Sharks, it’s a chance to test their depth. Injuries and suspensions can strike out of nowhere, and allowing the likes of JSL, Nu Brown and Kurt Capewell a taste of NRL action could be important if they are called on later in the season.
After 12 straight wins, and considering the circumstances, no Sharks fan can be too disappointed should the side fail to with a 13th game in a row, so there really isn’t a whole lot to lose for the Sharkies.
Friday Night’s game is do or die for the Roosters, who will likely need to win each of their remaining games to feature in the finals in 2016.
The already depleted Eels will be missing Michael Jennings although they do welcome back some cattle, including the returning Jeff Robson.
This shapes as a must-win game for both sides, with the Eels points-loss penalty to be imposed any day now. They, like the Roosters, must win every game from here to give themselves a genuine chance of playing in September.
Although neither team is likely to play finals footy, a win here could go a long way to providing at least some hope of a late season miracle.
Saturday evening’s game presents a strong argument for stand-alone weekends as the Tigers head into their battle with the Bulldogs sans their best three players.
Tedesco, Woods and Farah are needed on deck if the Tigers are to continue their recent string of good form and push for a finals birth.
The Dogs though will be licking their lips at the prospect of further securing a top four place against a severly weakened Tigers side.
Although they’ll be missing Josh Jackson themselves, they’ll have both Morris twins on hand. If fit, Brett Morris would be one of the first players chosen, while Josh was overlooked for Josh Dugan and Michael Jennings.
Another side pressing for a top four spot is the Canberra Raiders, who will host a Cowboys side perhaps most heavily affected by the rep series.
Michael Morgan is missing through injury, while their starting front row, and the best player in the game, will be unavailable. Justin O’Neal is also a pretty handy player who won’t be representing his club side.
If the Raiders hope to secure a spot in the top four, this is a game they must win, and win well. Josh Papalii will miss the game after injury cost him his place for Origin three, but otherwise the Raiders are fit and need to be firing.
The Panthers and Raiders have been presented golden opportunities to knock off two of the competition heavyweights, while the Dogs look like specials against the Tigers. The Eels and Roosters have it all to play for.
I guess this round isn’t a total loss after all.
Comments are closed.