Penrith Panthers vs. Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Panthers Stadium, 7:50pm, Thursday May 30
Team News: Isaah Yeo and Brent Naden start in the centres in place of the injured Dean Whare and Waqa Blake. Nathan Cleary is also replaced by the returning James Maloney at halfback. Corey Waddell starts at lock in place of Jake Trbojevic, with Taniela Paseka joining the bench. Brad Parker suffered a broken jaw last week, which sees Reuben Garrick and Abbas Miski come onto the wing.
Prediction: Finally, Penrith are in the winners' circle. Penrith were underdog victors last weekend, while Manly lost despite being heavy favourites against the Titans. The Sea Eagles lose Jake Trbojevic to Origin, and while Penrith lose their halfback in Nathan Cleary, he's replaced by an international in James Maloney. With Manly missing three of their best, expect Penrith to string back-to-back wins at home. Panthers by 8.
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Parramatta Eels vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs
Bankwest Stadium, 7:55pm, Friday May 31
Team News: Brad Arthur has dropped Tim Mannah, George Jennings, Brad Takairangi and Daniel Alvaro. Michael Jennings returns at centre, pushing Blake Ferguson to the wing. Kane Evans has been named to start at prop, Manu Ma'u shifts from lock to back row, Marata Niukore drops to the bench, while Tepi Moeroa is back from concussion and is the new starting lock.ย Damien Cook and Cody Walker are replaced by debutants Billy Brittain and Connor Tracey. Dane Gagai is replaced by Adam Douiehi, while Cameron Murray's absence sees Tevita Tatola start at lock and Bailey Sironen join the bench.
Prediction: South Sydney are one of the hardest hit in State of Origin this year, losing four, and probably should've lost a fifth had Fittler not stayed loyal to Cleary. Parramatta, meanwhile, haven't lost anyone to Origin, but have dropped four players anyway after succumbing to their third straight loss. Wayne Bennett knows what he's doing, having experienced it dozens of times with the 'baby broncos' and will have the youngsters firing. But having two debutants in the spine will hurt, and see the Bunnies drop their first game since Round 4, and their first loss this year in regular time. Eels by 4.
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Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs vs. Canberra Raiders
ANZ Stadium, 7:35pm, Saturday June 1
Team News: Ofahiki Ogden starts at prop for Dylan Napa, with Raymond Faitala-Mariner joining the bench. Aidan Sezer replaces Jack Wighton, Sebastian Kris replaces Nick Cotric while Emre Guler joins the bench for Josh Papalii, with Corey Horsburgh starting. Josh Hodgson's broken thumb sees Siliva Havilii start at hooker, with Tom Starling on the bench.
Prediction: Canberra have $4 million of their salary cap sitting in the rehab room, and that probably makes this game even. Canterbury, while they've shown moments of what could be this year, are destined for a bottom four finish. Plain and simple. Hodgson is a huge loss, but having the ability to bring in a classy player like Sezer when they lose Wighton is key. Canberra won't lose a fourth straight game, and Canterbury just don't have what it takes to compete with the elite teams of this competition. It's an unfortunate truth. Raiders by 14.
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Gold Coast Titans vs. North Queensland Cowboys
Cbus Super Stadium, 4:05pm, Sunday June 2
Team News: Gold Coast are unchanged. Mitchell Dunn shifts to centre to cover for Justin O'Neill with Coen Hess starting in the back-row. Jake Clifford comes in at halfback for Michael Morgan. Scott Bolton comes in for the injured Matt Scott, with Corey Jensen joining the bench.
Prediction: Cowboys are slowly working their way back, sneaking under the radar and into 11th spot. They say last after Round 7, but have since won three of their last four, including a win over the Titans four weeks ago. No doubt that coincided with the return of Jason Taumalolo from a knee injury. The Titans managed to smash Manly last week, but are still stuck to living in the bottom four. Ash Taylor had one of his best games of the season last week, and while some of their tries might seem lucky, they wouldn't be in those positions to get some luck if their forwards weren't doing their job as well as they are. This is a coin toss, but with no Michael Morgan, the Gold Coast should snag this win at home. Titans by 2.
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Pointย Toย Prove: Aidan Sezer. The Canberra half has been a whisker away from asking for a release after losing his spot to Sam Williams and being forced to play Canterbury Cup. With Jack Wighton on Origin duty, Sezer gets his chance to nail down a spot, against the club he played junior footy for. If he doesn't fire in his return, we may have seen the last of the former Titan in a Raiders' jersey, barring injury.
Struggle Street: Jarrod Wallace. He was a pack leader for the Titans last year, but Wallace has been a shadow of himself this season. Wallace was dropped from Origin this week in favour of debutants Joe Ofahengaue and David Fifita, with team mate Jai Arrow retaining his spot for the Maroons. If Queensland lose Game I, there's every chance that Wallace could be in-line for a recall, but only if his club form warrants it.ย
Rookie Watch:ย Billy Brittain. The South Sydney hooker spent time in the Bronco's system playing Queensland Cup before the Bunnies nabbed him at the start of last year. It's a shock the livewire hasn't already played NRL, earning his debut this week just days after his 25th birthday. The NSW Residents captain is electric out of dummy half, and while he's no Damien Cook, he's a ready made first-grader ready to grab his chance.
Rumour of the Week: Which international is considering medical retirement? The bloke still has plenty of good footy ahead of him, but a nagging injury has left him mulling his future. He would be a monumental loss for his out-of-Sydney, but would certainly free up some needed cash to replace him.
