Wests Tigers vs. North Queensland Cowboys
Leichardt Oval, 7:50pm, Thursday August 1
Team News: Wests Tigers are unchanged. Michael Morgan's return pushes John Asiata to the bench and Corey Jensen out of the side.
Prediction: While Robbie Farah would be thrilled to play 300 games, he'll be more excited to play his 301st in front of a packed Leichardt Hill. Having announced his retirement from the NRL, Farah will take the field at the beloved Oval for the second last time, facing a Cowboys outfit that have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory two weeks in a row. It'll be tight, but the Tigers will jag an important win at home. Tigers by 6.
New Zealand Warriors vs. Canberra Raiders
Mt Smart Stadium, 6:00pm, Friday August 2
Team News: Kodi Nikorima returns in the halves, shifting Chanel Tevita-Harris to the interchange and Adam Keighran out of the side. Canberra is unchanged after their win over Penrith.
Prediction: This game isn't as one-sided as people may think. The Warriors will be up for a big game at home after being dudded not once, not twice, but three times by the referees last weekend, while Canberra halted Penrith's two-month winning streak. These teams love putting points on the board against each other, especially Jarrod Croker. It's a game the Warriors could definitely win, but with so much on the line in terms of a top-four berth, the Raiders will grind out a high scorer of a match. Raiders by 2.
Brisbane Broncos vs. Melbourne Storm
Suncorp Stadium, 7:55pm, Friday August 2
Team News: Matt Gillett and Thomas Flegler return in the back-row and lock respectively, with Tevita Pangai Jnr suspended. Joe Ofahengaue drops to the bench and Keenan Palasia is out. Suliasi Vunivalu returns in place of Sandor Earl.
Prediction: Melbourne has a habit of doing this every year. They sit a few points clear atop the ladder, then before the finals, they drop a few games, and it gives them a good reality check come finals time. This year will be no different. While the Storm has the potential to win this game by 30, Brisbane has managed to climb into the top eight, and will want to stay there. It'll be a tight one early, but the Broncos will deliver the Storm their biggest loss this year. Brisbane by 4.
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles vs. Newcastle Knights
Lottoland, 3:00pm, Saturday August 3
Team News: Manly are unchanged. Nathan Brown has swung the axe, dropping Jamie Buhrer, Jesse Ramien, Danny Levi and Herman Ese'ese. Hymel Hunt shifts to centre, with Kurt Mann on the wing. Watson shifts to hooker with Mason Lino at five-eighth. Lachlan Fitzgibbon returns in the back-row, pushing Sione Mata'utia to the bench. Aidan Guerra and Jacob Saifiti join the bench.
Prediction: Nathan Brown has finally made changes and dropped key personnel, but it's not gonna be enough to stop coach of the year Des Hasler, the undefeated-in-2019 Tom Trbojevic and the rest of the Manly squad. It won't be a blowout, the Sea Eagles will be knackered after a 90 minute epic against Melbourne, but they have enough firepower to get the job done. Manly by 8.
Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs vs. Penrith Panthers
Bankwest Stadium, 5:30pm, Saturday August 3
Team News: Both sides are unchanged.
Prediction: The Bulldogs were valiant against the Roosters, an eight-point loss should come as a positive. However, Penrith will be extremely keen to re-join the winner's circle after suffering their first loss in two months. James Maloney, at the most, has ten games left in the NRL, and will be keen to finish his time in Australia on a high note. That starts now, as the run to the finals begins. Panthers by 14.
Cronulla Sharks vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs
PointsBet Stadium, 7:35pm, Saturday August 3
Team News: Matt Moylan returns at fullback, shifting Josh Dugan to the centres, Josh Morris to the winger and Ronald Mulitalo drops out. Wade Graham returns in the back-row, shifting Kurt Capewell to the bench, with Andrew Fifita returning from suspension via the bench. Sam Burgess returns for Souths, moving Ethan Lowe to the bench. Liam Knight also returns on the bench, with Jaydn Su'A and Dean Britt out.
Prediction: Cronulla finally snapped their losing drought, while South Sydney are slowly putting themselves back together. While their last three games against Manly, North Queensland and St George Illawarra were close, the important part is they won, which is what Wayne Bennett will want. Cronulla love to grind but the Bunnies are one of the best teams in the comp over the opening 20 minutes. Josh Dugan had a mixed bag last week but will struggle against the kicking game of Adam Reynolds, a lot of factors pointing to a South Sydney win. Rabbitohs by 8.
Sydney Roosters vs. Gold Coast Titans
SCG, 2:00pm, Sunday August 4
Team News: The Roosters have lost Wearea-Hargreaves to suspension plus Taukeiaho and Cordner to injury, which sees Crichton, Tetevano and Liu all start. Nat Butcher, Lindsay Collins and Poasa Faamausili join the bench. Brian Kelly replaces Dale Copley in the centres. AJ Brimson is out with Ryley Jacks returning at halfback, though Ash Taylor is 18th man. Brenko Lee replaces Leilani Latu on the bench.
Prediction: The Roosters clocked off in the second half against Canterbury, actually losing the second period 12-6, but Trent Robinson will have his boys firing at training this week and ensure that it won't happen again. The Titans look set to steal the spoon from Canterbury, and this won't be a game Gold Coast fans want to win. It's gonna get ugly. Roosters by 32.
St George Illawarra Dragons vs. Parramatta Eels
Netsrata Jubilee Stadium, 4:05pm, Sunday August 4
Team News: Pat Kaufusi and Jeremy Latimore join the bench in place of Josh Kerr and Matt Dufty. Michael Jennings' return from injury sees Brad Takairangi shift to the wing with Ethan Parry dropped. Shaun Lane returns in the back-row, pushing Marata Niukore to the bench and Oregon Kaufusi to the reserves.
Prediction: It's a tussle between this game and Cronulla-Souths for match of the round. This is a great rivalry, and the Corey Norman move adds fuel to the fire. The battle of rookies on the wing in Maika Sivo against Jason Saab will be a beauty. Cameron McInnes will need to have another Herculean effort, and Gareth Widdop will be better for the run, but an upset is certainly on the cards. Watch Ben Hunt respond to his criticism and have a blinder. Dragons by 10.
Pointย Toย Prove: Corey Norman. The former Eel faces his former club for the second time this season, hoping for a better result than last time. The Dragons somehow managed to lose last week but Norman will be ready to go and try to topple his old mates.
Struggle Street: Nathan Peats. He was an Origin debutant three years ago, now Peats is struggling to be the starting hooker at the Titans. Injuries have ravaged him of late, but he needs to add a little more to his game, specifically his running game, if he wants to get back anywhere near that arena. Expect the Roosters to target him, after he was trampled against Brisbane as they scored a try.
Best Bet: Sam Burgess to score a try. The South Sydney captain loves a trip to Shark Park, bagging a try in four of his five appearances in the Shire. He'd be itching to be on the pitch with his side, and he'll be a massive boost from the get go, and shut down Wade Graham the best of his ability. Look for an Adam Reynolds short ball to put him across the stripe.
Rumour of the Week: Which forward at a top four club looks set to depart the NRL at season's end for a stint in the Super League? The forward, with plenty of time left in his playing career, looks certain to not be re-signed by his club, and with no NRL suitors in sight, it looks like gloomy England is the premiership winner's destination.
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