Blythy’s Round 5 Rev Up

Brisbane Broncos vs. Wests Tigers

Suncorp Stadium, 7:50pm, Thursday April 11

Team News: David Fifita starts at lock in place of the suspended Tevita Pangai Jnr, with Patrick Carrigan joins the bench. Josh Aloiai starts at lock with the Elijah Taylor dropped to the reserves.

Prediction: A coaching rivalry, yet it's the first time these former South Sydney coaches will face off. Maguire was reportedly filthy that his former assistant coach took his job in Redfern, and will add fuel to the fire. While the Tigers have been playing good football, they look flat without Benji, and that'll cost them on Thursday. Brisbane by 8.

Gold Coast Titans vs. Penrith Panthers

Cbus Super Stadium, 6:00pm, Friday April 12

Team News: Max King replaces Moeaki Fotuaika on the bench for the Gold Coast. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak moves to fullback with Dylan Edwards on the wing. Tyrell Fuimaono joins the bench, with Kikau starting in place of the injured Frank Winterstein.

Prediction: The Titans are hard to watch. They're trying, no doubt, but it ain't easy viewing. Penrith has scored 11 points across their last two games, and the Gold Coast need to win one sooner or later. The Panthers are looking vulnerable, and back on home soil, the Titans will sneak home in this one. Gold Coast by 2.

North Queensland Cowboys vs. Melbourne Storm

1300SMILES Stadium, 7:55pm, Friday April 12

Team News: Javid Bowen is out, shifting Ben Hampton to the wing, and Enari Tuala comes into the centres. Suliasi Vunivalu is out with a suspension, pushing Marion Seve onto the wing, Josh Addo-Carr returns on the left edge. There is a chance Sandor Earl will make his long-awaited return to the NRL as a late inclusion.

Prediction: No Jason Taumalolo is causing huge issues for the Cowboys. And coming up against one of the NRL's most underrated packs, they could be in big trouble. Their spine is having huge problems, and you can tell they were really banking on Valentine Holmes  returning to the NRL. Melbourne had a scare last week against Canterbury, and Craig Bellamy will have them focused this week. As long as the Storm don't have one eye on the Grand Final rematch next weekend, they'll be fine. Melbourne by 12.

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. New Zealand Warriors

Sunshine Coast Stadium, 3:00pm, Saturday April 13

Team News: Greg Inglis is still out. Kyle Turner starts in the centres, with Liam Knight joining the bench and Jacob Gagan dropped to the reserves. Sam Lisone replaces Ligi Sao on the Warriors bench.

Prediction: Taking a home game to the sunny Sunshine coast, the Rabbitohs will be eager to bounce back after their shock loss to Manly. The Warriors played well on the back of debutant Chanel Tevita-Harris, and captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, but the Rabbitohs are a whole different breed to the Titans. Despite Inglis still missing, expect Adam Reynolds to bounce back in a big way. Rabbitohs by 14.

Newcastle Knights vs. Manly Sea Eagles

McDonald Jones Stadium, 5:30pm, Saturday April 13

Team News: James Gavet returns from injury at prop, moving Tim Glasby to lock, Mitch Barnett to the bench and Josh King out of the side. Tom Trbojevic is out, with Brendan Elliot shifting to fullback and Moses Suli returning in the centres.

Prediction: One golden point winner and one golden point loser, let's see how a week can change fortunes. Manly would've gained a lot of confidence winning that game, particuarly getting it done with Tom Trbojevic only playing a minute of the second half. Newcastle looked better with Ponga at fullback, but Mason Lino needs time to gel with Pearce. This will be close, but Elliot at fullback and Suli in the centres turns the scales towards Newcastle, and they will scrape home in a scrappy affair. Newcastle by 4.

Cronulla Sharks vs. Sydney Roosters

PointsBet Stadium, 7:35pm, Saturday April 13

Team News: Shaun Johnson returns in place of Kyle Flanagan, while Paul Gallen's comeback sees Jason Bukuya drop to the bench, and the injured Aaron Woods dropping off. Jared Warea-Hargreaves returns at prop for the Chooks, pushing Zane Tetevano to the interchange bench and Nat Butcher out of the side.

Prediction: What a belter. Johnson and Gallen return for this crucial clash, with JWH a massive inclusion for the premiers. The Sharks were undermanned and outgunned last week, but with some big stars returning it should level the playing field. Xerri v Mitchell will be a fantastic battle, and at the newly named PointsBet Stadium, it'll be Cronulla that snare an underdog victory. Sharks by 6.

St George Illawarra Dragons vs. Canterbury Bulldogs

Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, 4:05pm, Sunday April 14

Team News: Tyson Frizell starts, dropping Jacob Host to the bench. Luciano Leilua joins the bench in place of Korbin Sims. Dylan Napa is out, with Ofahiki Ogden starting at prop and Jesse Sue joins the bench.

Prediction: Last time these two sides played on this turf, Reimis Smith exposed Matt Dufty multiple times on the way to a 38-0 victory to the Dogs. Corey Norman got the Red V home again, but they can only scrape by on the skin of their teeth for so long. Canterbury would be extremely confident after only falling to Melbourne by a botched last minute conversion. Their energy will surprise the Dragons, and lead them to victory in Jubilee. Bulldogs by 7.

Canberra Raiders vs. Parramatta Eels

GIO Stadium, 6:10pm, Sunday April 14

Team News: Joe Tapine replaces Corey Horsburgh on the bench. Parramatta are 1-17.

Prediction: The two surprise packets of 2019 so far, it's hard to believe one of these teams will go 4-1 at the end of this clash. If we had to pick a game to go to golden point this round, it'd be this one. Ricky Stuart vs. his former club, same for Blake Ferguson. Sam Williams has been playing out of his skin for Canberra, while Mitchell Moses was the best Eels' player on the paddock last week. It'll be a tight affair, but at home, Canberra appear to have finally learnt how to grind out a win. Raiders by 1.

Point To Prove: Sam Williams

The halfback has been fantastic since Aidan Sezer's injury, and guided Canberra around the park extremely well. This will most likely be the last week where Sezer is unavailable, meaning it's a final audition to lock down the halfback role. Ball's in your court, Sam.

Struggle Street: Kodi Nikorima

Unfortunately, Kodi could be in this column every week. He's by no means a bad player, he's a Kiwi international. But he's not a halfback. Fullback or five-eighth, yes, but he can't  organise, he can't control. Time is ticking until Seibold benches Nikorima and brings Sean O'Sullivan into the halves. It's time to stand up, or stand aside.

Rookie Watch: Patrick Carrigan

The 21 year-old prop will be out for blood on his debut, adding to the long list of young forwards on Brisbane's roster. With Payne Haas also expected to replace Shibasaki on the bench, Carrigan will need a big performance on debut to lock down a permanent spot in the 17.

Best Bet: Bulldogs win/Jayden Okunbor to score

A two-leg multi that should pay a handy dividend, and if Okunbor plays anything like he did last week, then Ravalawa could be in big trouble.

Rumour of the Week: Bryson Goodwin back to South Sydney?

It's a distinct possibility. Goodwin is eager to return to the NRL, and with injuries currently plaguing the career of Greg Inglis, it appears the former Kiwi international may be heading back down under.