Round 20: Previews and Predictions

Brisbane Broncos v Canterbury Bulldogs Suncorp Stadium, Thursday night Brisbane will be looking to make it two wins on the trot and keep their position in the top four this weekend, as they host the 13th placed Bulldogs. Queensland due Matt Gillett and Josh McGuire have returned to the Broncos' side, although Darius Boyd has not been named despite initial reports suggesting he could be back in the frame to return. For Canterbury, their Origin trio of Brett Morris, David Klemmer and Josh Jackson have all returned to the starting line-up, with Kerrod Holland, Asipeli Fine and Andy Saunders all moving down to the reserves. The Dogs are just two wins outside the eight but have a poor points differential, meaning they'll need to register some big wins in the final seven rounds if they're any chance to play finals. Their quest for a post-season berth won't start on Thursday night, as Brisbane shouldn't have too much trouble disposing of Canterbury. Broncos by 12. Sydney Roosters v Newcastle Knights Allianz Stadium, Friday night The Roosters will be out to keep in touch with the Storm in the top spot as they host the bottom-placed Knights on Friday. Sydney's Origin III trio of Blake Ferguson, Dylan Napa, and Mitchell Pearce have all returned to their spots in the Roosters' line-up, although there's no sign of NSW captain Boyd Cordner. Jake Friend and Michael Gordon have both been ruled out due to injury, with Connor Watson and Mitchell Cornish named as their replacements. The Knights will welcome Shaun Kenny-Dowall onto the wing in what will be his club debut for Newcastle, as Jacob Saifiti is the only out for the cellar-dwellers. Sydney should stroll to victory in this one. Roosters by 14. Cronulla Sharks v South Sydney Rabbitohs Southern Cross Group Stadium, Friday night The Sharks are one of four teams stranded on 26 points and currently sit in fifth position and in the middle of the logjam. They have a chance this weekend to break away from their fellow competitors, as they host South Sydney on Friday night. James Maloney is back for the reigning premiers and Andrew Fifita and Luke Lewis will start in the forward pack with Jayson Bukuya and Sam Tagataese moving back to the bench. The Rabbitohs have welcomed back Aaron Gray from injury in place of Braidon Burns, in what is otherwise an unchanged starting line-up. The two sides will meet for the first time since round 24 last season when the Rabbitohs beat the Sharks by six points. Cronulla will be out for revenge, and they should be able to get the chocolates this time around. Sharks by 8. Penrith Panthers v Gold Coast Titans Pepper Stadium, Saturday afternoon The Panthers and Titans are separated by just one win and are ninth and 12th on the ladder respectively, in what looms as a crunch clash on Saturday. Penrith will be without veteran Trent Merrin however in big injury news, as he'll miss the next 6-8 weeks with a knee injury. Matt Moylan and Peter Wallace return in better news for the Panthers, as Tyrone May and Mitch Rein drop out. The Titans make just one change after last weekend's 30-10 win over Cronulla in pouring conditions, with Morgan Boyle replacing Pat Politoni on the interchange. A late field goal to Moylan in round 25 last season saw the Panthers win the last meeting between the two, and Penrith should be able to do it again with their home ground advantage this time around. Panthers by 4. Canberra Raiders v Melbourne Storm GIO Stadium, Saturday evening In a rematch of last year's preliminary final, the Raiders will look for revenge when they host the Storm on Saturday in Canberra. Melbourne triumphed 14-12 and moved on to the grand final last season after holding off the Raiders, although the two sides haven't both stayed the same path in 2017. While the Storm is first and flying high, the Raiders are battling to even play finals, and currently, sit in 10th position and are two games outside the eight. Canberra will be without Josh Papalii this weekend through suspension, and the second-rower has been replaced by Joseph Tapine. Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk, Cameron Munster, Cameron Smith, Will Chambers and Tim Glasby have also returned from Origin duty in a very strong line-up for the Storm. With Melbourne's stars returning, look for Craig Bellamy's men to get back in the winner's circle. Storm by 10. North Queensland Cowboys v New Zealand Warriors 1300SMILES Stadium, Saturday night The Warriors slim hopes of a final's birth went up in flames when superstar Shaun Johnson went down last weekend. Realistically they need to win every game from here to be any chance. Unfortunately, I can't see them winning even one. The Cowboys express continues to roll on. It's almost as if JT's injury has revitalised other players, with Jake Granville reminding us all of his 2015 heroics with a classic display. Make no mistake, the Warriors have the players to shock any team on any given day, but they don't have the belief. They should have done the job last weekend with everything to play for, yet they couldn't. The Cowboys know if they want realistic title chances to come their way they're likely going to have to finish in the top four. A big were here, as expected, keeps that dream well and truly alive. Cowboys by 14. St George Illawarra Dragons v Manly Sea Eagles WIN Stadium, Sunday afternoon The Dragons dropped a golden-point game away to the Raiders last weekend. On paper, that doesn't seem so bad, but given the struggles in the capital, the Dragons let one slip. The Sea Eagles, on the other hand, made tough work of a very determined Tigers side, although to be absolutely truthful, always looked a class above. Tommy Turbo is fast becoming the best young player in the competition and outpointed NSW fullback James Tedesco last weekend.Trbojevic and the red hot Dally Cherry-Evans are once again key here. The Dragons should be up for this one. Their red hot start to the season will count for nought if they continue to lose. Unfortunately for the Red V, I can't see them winning this one. Sea Eagles by 10. Wests Tigers v Parramatta Eels ANZ Stadium, Sunday afternoon It was yet another case of what could have been for the Tigers. Although Manly always looked capable, there was a time where the Tigers went beyond a converted try lead. Good teams do not lose from there. The Eels are well rested following the bye round and should be ready to launch a serious finals assault. They should win games like this if they want to really be there in September. The return to Tiger Town, of sorts, for Mitchell Moses is an interesting sub plot, although the Tigers have much bigger threats to nullify, i.e. Clint Gutherson and Corey Norman if they want to be any shot here. Games between these two teams are traditionally high scoring and expect that to continue here. The Tigers will be brave but ultimately outclassed. Eels by 12.

		P	W	L	PTS	+/-
1	CBR	24	19	5	44	148
2	MEL	24	17	7	40	212
3	CAN	24	16	8	38	120
4	BRI	24	15	9	36	172
5	CRO	24	15	9	36	109
6	NZW	24	14	10	34	21
7	PEN	24	13	10	33	107
8	SYD	24	13	11	32	132

Round 20: Previews and Predictions

Sydney Roosters v Newcastle Knights

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