Blythy’s Round 6 Rev Up

Cronulla Sharks vs. Penrith Panthers

PointsBet Stadium, 7:50pm, Thursday April 18

Team News: Paul Gallen's return sees Jack Williams drop to the bench, and Braden Uele out of the side. Reagan Campbell-Gillard has been benched, with Tim Grant coming into the starting side. Wayde Egan returns at hooker, with Sione Katoa dropping to the bench and Jarome Luai to the reserves.

Prediction: This game just looks ugly. Penrith handed the Titans their first win of the season last week, while the Sharks aren't playing pretty by any means. Cronulla are really missing Matt Moylan at the back, and Penrith aren't gelling, and their big men aren't standing up (apart from James Tamou and Villiame Kikau). This'll be close, but scrappy, with a Shaun Johnson field goal the difference. Cronulla by 1.

 

Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs vs South Sydney Rabbitohs

ANZ Stadium, 4:05pm, Friday April 19

Team News: Danny Fualalo replaces the suspended Suaso Sue on the bench. George Burgess is again named to start, with Junior Tatola on the bench.

Prediction: This one will be chockablock with emotion. South Sydney's first game since Greg Inglis' retirement, on top of an always heated Good Friday clash. South Sydney have been losing ugly as of late, while Canterbury have been losing uglier. Despite it technically being an away clash, it's still at thier home ground, and South Sydney will put on a show to farewell Greg Inglis. Rabbitohs by 20.

 

Melbourne Storm vs. Sydney Roosters

AAMI Park, 7:55pm, Friday April 19

Team News: Suliasi Vunivalu returns on the wing in place of Sandor Earl. Jared Warea-Hargreaves finally returns from a rib injury, pushing Zane Tetevano to lock with Isaac Liu out with a broken finger.

Prediction: Easily the game of the round, what a belter. The Grand Final rematch comes to Melbourne, and both teams gain one of their stars back. Melbourne remain undefeated, while the Roosters have only tasted defeat once, at the hands of arch-rivals South Sydney in Round 1. Some fantastic personal battles, including Cronk and Croft, and Munster and Keary. This will be physical, tight, and simply going to come down to home ground advantage. Expect Cameron Smith to play the best game of his season so far as Melbourne get one back. Storm by 2.

 

New Zealand Warriors vs. North Queensland Cowboys

Mt Smart Stadium, 5:30pm, Saturday April 20

Team News: Blake Green returns in place of Gerard Beale. Scott Bolton returns from his five-game suspension in place of Corey Jensen on the bench, with Justin O'Neill replacing Nene MacDonald after his sickening ankle injury.

Prediction: The Warriors should get confidence after narrowly losing to the Rabbitohs without Blake Green. Tuivasa-Sheck is picking up where he left off last year, while the Cowboys need some luck big time. They get Scot Bolton back, but that won't be enough to register a win across the ditch, especially when they're still without Jason Taumalolo. Warriors by 10.

 

St George Illawarra Dragons vs. Manly Warringah Sea Eagles

WIN Stadium, 7:35pm, Saturday April 20

Team News: Both teams are 1-17.

Prediction: These teams are mirroring each other in terms of form, with both opening their seasons with back-to-back losses, and turning it around with three straight wins. Not to mention both have lost their respective fullbacks for a few months. The biggest battle of the game will be at halfback - with both team's carrying a half that donned the Maroon number seven in last year's Origin series. Cherry-Evans is being talked about as a potential Queensland captain, while Hunt's impressive game last week has him in a one-on-one battle with Michael Morgan for the utility spot. This should be a cracker, but home ground advantage and the loss of Addin-Fonua Blake will see the Red V scarpe home. Dragons by 4.

 

Gold Coast Titans vs. Newcastle Knights

Cbus Super Stadium, 2:00pm, Sunday April 21

Team News: Jarrod Wallace is out with a two-week suspension, replaced by the returning Shannon Boyd. Phillip Sami replaces AJ Brimson on the bench. Herman Ese'ese replaces Aidan Guerra, who had successful surgery on his ankle on Monday.

Prediction: If it wasn't for a miracle Edrick Lee interception, Newcastle would be 0-5. And if Bryce Cartwright wasn't awarded a penalty try late against Penrith, then the Titans are in the same boat. Two teams tipped to push for a top eight berth, a must win for both. The pressure is mounting on Nathan Brown, and a 5th straight loss will spell trouble for the coach. Losing Jarrod Wallace is huge, and with Herman Ese'ese returning on the bench, Newcastle will be eager to capitalise in the forwards, and with Mitchell Pearce due for a big game, Newcastle will pick up their second win of 2019. Newcastle by 6.

 

Canberra Raiders vs. Brisbane Broncos

GIO Stadium, 4:05pm, Sunday April 21

Team News: Joe Tapine could reportedly miss up to three months with an ankle injury, replaced on the Raiders' bench by JJ Collins. Payne Haas shifts to prop, David Fifita to lock with Matt Lodge seemingly dropped. Gehmat Shibisaki re-joins the bench.

Prediction: Who saw this coming? Canberra 4-1, Brisbane 1-4, who didn't expect that to be the other way round? Canberra have only conceded 44 points this year, Brisbane gave up 22 last week. But for some reason, there's just a feeling with Brisbane. They can't lose forever, and with Anthony Milford returning to his former home ground, he looks set to turn one on. It's an upset, but the Raiders brick wall has to crack sooner or later, and this is the week they concede points. Brisbane by 7.

 

Parramatta Eels vs. Wests Tigers

Bankwest Stadium, 4:00pm, Monday April 22

Team News: Oregon Kaufusi and Ray Stone join the Eels' bench, with Kane Evans and David Gower dropping to the reserves. Wests Tigers are 1-17.

Prediction: Welcome to Bankwest Stadium. The beautiful pitch makes its debut on Monday when Parramatta host Wests Tigers, with Mitchell Moses facing off against his former club. Both teams are 3-2, and looking better than expected to start the season. Clint Gutherson is finding his 2017 form again while Michael Maguire has his side the most disciplined they've been for years. Expect a low scoring affair, with Parramatta to snatch the game late, and get their first win at their new home ground. Parramatta by 8.

 

Point To Prove: Ben Hunt. The halfback shone last week with two tries and three try-assists, though it was against the Bulldogs. With no Widdop, Hunt needs to keep consistent on that level, and with a high possibility of him missing Origin selection, he must play to his strengths if he wants to be in contention. And who better to do it against than the incumbent Maroon's seven, Daly Cherry-Evans. Your move, Ben.

 

Struggle Street: Josh Dugan. He's a former international and Origin star, but Josh Dugan isn't who Cronulla need at fullback. He's not a fullback. Not anymore. One of the strongest ball runners in the game, Dugan's non-existent passing game has Cronulla looking predictable in attack. They'd be better off debuting young William Kennedy, a young fullback in the ranks, if they want more attacking presence.

 

Rookie Watch: Matt Ikuvalu. He debuted mid last season, but this winger is really starting to make a name for himself. Strong carries and undoubted determination, Ikuvalu is putting pressure on Brett Morris to walk back onto the wing. And did you see his put down against Cronulla? You won't see a better one this season.

 

Best Bet: South Sydney 13+. This one needs no explaining. It'll be short odds, but the Rabbitohs will justify that on Friday afternoon.

 

Rumour of the Week: South Sydney lose one superstar outside back, and chase three former Rabbitohs to replace him. With Greg Inglis retired, South Sydney have made inquiries about Bryson Goodwin (Warrington Wolves) and Aaron Gray (Cronulla) to return to the club. But the biggest fish is James Roberts - who debuted in Redfern back in 2011. Despite being sacked in 2012, Bennett is a huge fan of 'The Jet', and with the Broncos quietly 'off' Roberts following his off-field behaviour, he could return home by June 30.