NRL Round 22 Power Rankings

ROUND 22

As the NRL prepares for "Close the Gap" round where it celebrates the indigenous connection to the game, many fans will be losing their fingernails as they are bitten off nervously. Teams 1-6 are jockeying for a Top 4 position as it means a definite chance in the semi finals and some form of home ground advantage. All of a sudden though, there is a log jam of teams competing for the last two spots and the teams that are looking the best at the moment are the teams playing with confidence and momentum. The Bulldogs are sitting pretty at the top of the NRL table, two points ahead of the Rabbitohs. Many people would be surprised at the stance of these two teams, no one expected that they would be able to reach these heights. But some people are no suggesting they need a loss to refocus them. Maybe so, but you can never say that you would want to ever lose a game. Then there are sides like the Sharks and Storm who appear to have their season slipping from their grips after dominating the early part of the competition. If they're not careful, they could be chewed up and spat out of the 8. It all makes for exciting and surprising football. No rugby league fan will suggest that the season has lacked that. So ready yourself for another fantastic instalment of NRL action.

Bold = This week  ( ) = Last week

1 (1) Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs = Met a Cowboys team that was high on confidence and produced some great football accordingly. They pressure the Cowboys at crucial points in the game and scored some great long range tries through great support play.

2 (2) South Sydney Rabbitohs = No Inglis, no Luke, No worries! They powered past a weakened Tigers with a dominating attacking performance in front of their home fans. Will have a good measure of where they're at against an in form Titans. They also have a good defensive pattern building, holding the Tigers to just 6 points.

3 (3) North Queensland Cowboys = Were gallant in defeat and were just outplayed by a better side on the day. They certainly have the quality to push other sides at the business end of the season. Their best asset is a monster forward pack and a good bench to match.

4 (8) Gold Coast Titans = Kept their good fortunes rolling with a win over the hapless Roosters at Allianz Stadium. Regardless of the opponents, they're still getting the job done and have been rewarded with 8th spot. Must consolidate it now with a win over the Bunnies at home.

5 (4) Melbourne Storm = The Storm are now in a spot of bother having lost their past __ games. It is now at a point where teams are being filled with confidence that they can beat them. Worse still is they look lost for answers at times against the Dragons. Maybe playing Penrith can get them back into form.

6 (5) Brisbane Broncos = Must've been thrown off guard by the move away from Friday footy. Either way it is embarrassing to lose to the bottom side when you're in the Top 8. Must aim to have players back fit ASAP with a trip down to Canberra and a tough run home to follow. 

7 (9) Newcastle Knights = Another tough road trip and again a good win. This time they fought dominated the Raiders from start to finished and along with the Titans, look a team most liekly to break into the 8. Always be wary of Wayne Bennett coached teams.

8 (10) Manly Warringah Sea Eagles = Produced a miracilous escape against the Warriors in the dying stages. It showed that they can score points in exciting fashion when needed but that also need to start dominating teams in their run home. Have a very powerful rosters. 

9 (6) Cronulla Sharks = It was said last week, but again, the Sharks "slide" continues. They still have injuries to worry about but will be growing anxious as their stars are delaying their return. Need a win desperately or they'll soon be out of the 8.

10 (7) West Tigers = Are battling a very poor injury toll but looking at it yesterday, they still do have a lot of quality players to their lineup. They're now out of the Top 8 and have a shocking "for and against" record to contend with. Need a win desperately

11 (13) St George Illawarra Dragons = Got back into the winning circle and kept their slim semi final hopes alive with a good win over the Storm. It was still a dour performance in attack and they still lack creativity, but as long as you win games, who cares?

12 (11) NZ Warriors = The Warriors imploded against and went into cruise control too far away from the final whistle. Manly came back and made them pay for it and now two games that they should've won easily could be the reason behind them missing the 8. Fans will hope they will not struggle against the Sharks.

13 (14) Penrith Panthers = Got home in golden point against the Sharks and things are beginning to look up for the Panthers. Their players are giving it everything they've got in the final weeks because they're on notice that they could be playing for contracts. They are also playing to avoid the spoon.

14 (12) Canberra Raiders = The poor and dismal Raiders team played this weekend and they watched their finals hopes disappear with this disappointing performance. But then again inconsistent teams do not deserve a spot in the finals. They should now look to next season and begin rebuilding. 

15 (16) Parramatta Eels = They've claimed their second Top 8 scalp in consecutive weeks and won back-to-back games for the first time this season. Have been great since Kearny resigned from his post but perhaps the players are put on notice with Stuart taking over next season.

16 (15) Sydney Roosters = Another poor performance and more controversy as coach Smith has suggested he will trial a new captain as Anasta is leaving. So is the writing on the wall for Smith at this point? Things are clearly not well and fans are frustrated with dismal performances from a talented squad.

NRL Round 21 Brisbane Broncos v Parramatta Eels Preview

It is a very weird occurrence this weekend at the Broncos throw everyone off guard and are drawn away from their normal Friday Night Footy schedule to a Monday night fixture. Fans will be hoping that they are not affected by the change but they will be facing an Eels team that apart from being in all sorts and at the bottom of the table, can see some light at the end of the tunnel after the signing of Ricky Stuart for the next 3 years. Back to the Broncos though, every other team deserves to complain about the unfair advantage that Brisbane have over the rest of the competition. You can spend a long time focusing on the Broncos and how they are continually given an advantage but hopefully the independent commission can use their position of power and take the right of choice away from the commercial broadcaster. Back to the footy though, this can be somewhat of a danger game for the Broncos if they do not treat the Eels with some form of respect. Parramatta players will now be warned that some of them are playing for their futures and things will become desperate. Throw in the fact that they're also missing a few players and the younger players of the squad will be wanted to leave their mark on the incoming coaching staff. The Broncos also have a mounting injury toll that they would want to reduce as their run into the finals draw closer. Momentum is everything at this point of the season and games that should be won easily become even more important. If not, a crucial two points could go begging and a place in the Top 4 could be lost. Monday Night Football can always deliver a great game and there should be a good crowd on hand to watch this one at Suncorp stadium.

Brisbane Broncos

The Broncos have their fair share of injuries and suspensions this weekend which has thrown a bit of chaos into a team which has been stable for majority of the season. Josh Hoffman has copped a two game suspension and his place at fullback is taken by Luke Capewell who has been to a whole host of clubs. Justin Hodges has also been ruled out with a calf injury and as a result Gerard Beale has shift from the wing to the centres, with Aaron Whitchurch the new inclusion on the wing. At least the Broncos still have some consistency in the forwards. Josh McGuire is demoted back to the bench and Ben Hannant promoted back to the starting side since SOO 3. Coach Anthony Griffin made now mistake in hiding that this decision was a very tough one to make as McGuire has been unbelievable in leading from the front this season. There is news floating around that Corey Parker is out of this clash and his place will be taken by Ben Te'o who was not named in the initial side due to having to face the judiciary, and somehow was lucky enough to get off. There will be a few changes to the final side and all will be posted for punters on my twitter feed once the information comes to hand. The Broncos will definitely want to return to the winning ranks after a tough loss to the Titans last Friday night away from home. As mentioned above, a win here is everything at this point of the season.

Parramatta Eels

The Eels now have a job cut out for them. After a good win last week against the Storm they were now level with the Panthers until they came out the next day and beat the Roosters. They were two points ahead but after a Saturday night win over the Sharks, the Eels are firmly at the bottom, 4 points away from 15th place. It is very dangerous wooden spoon territory and they do deserve it for their level of play, but they will be hoping they don't given the departure of club legends Hindmarks and Burt. There is a few changes to the team this weekend which can only work as a positive but they are again missing Jarryd Hayne who made a late return last week, only to re-injure himself and now ruled out for the remainder of the season. Therefore Jake Mullaney retains his spot at fullback. Willie Tonga is ruled out and Cheyse Blair returns from a sting in NSW Cup. Ben Roberts is named to start at 5/8 and Joseph Paulo is back to the bench. A good sign though, the forward pack remains the same, along with the extended bench that is now named. So with all factors considered and a lot to play for with the Parramatta player, how will they react?

Recent History

Overall = Broncos 27 - Drawn 1 - Eels 16
Last 5 games = Broncos 3 - Eels 2
At Suncorp Stadium = Broncos 8 - Eels 4

Odds

TAB Sportsbet = Broncos $1.30 Eels $3.60

Centrebet = Broncos $1.28 Eels $3.85

Sportsbet = Broncos $1.30 Eels $3.65

Betfair = Broncos $1.27 Betfair $3.85

Verdict

The Eels are very hard to back here, despite their victory over the Storm. But they were at the most vulnerable and the hosts took full advantage of it. Even though they have a few players missing, the Broncos should still be too strong. They still do have the class and quality of players to get them over the line. They will be looking to build momentum heading into their final 5 games and a win against the lowest team in the competition should be a walk in the park. Monday Night Football does produce strange things and some great games, but this should break that trend.

Suggested Bet
Broncos @ $1.30 (with TAB Sportsbet or Sportsbet)


A walk in the Lang Park = Broncos 13+ @ $2.20 - Still some value offered on this option but there is news surfacing that there could be a go for the Eels with the start. Put things into perspective and take the Broncos with a good home record and good form over the season.


Trying out wide = Alex Glenn First ($13) and/or Last ($11) Try scorer - He has made the move out wide in recent weeks after Jack Reed broke his leg. He was always a danger when in the middle of the field and playing out wide should be no different. If you want more value, go him into the margin.


Good luck!
Scooby
@scoobystips

NRL Round 21 Canberra Raiders v Newcastle Knights Preview

Sunday footy kicks off down in the Nations Capital at 2pm as the volatile Raiders play host to the increasingly confident Knights. It is a very interesting clash as fans from both sides are still harbouring hopes of making a late run for the Top 8 with 6 games to play. While it is still possible, it does seem a task that is beyond an inconsistent side. One very important outcome will be known by the fulltime whistle. The losing team will almost have their season done and dusted for 2012, but the winning side will be confident for another week. Both teams need to lift and can only control their own performances. So when it comes down to it, that is all they should worry about doing. Interestingly, both teams were last start winners as underdogs away from home. There are also going to be a whole host of external factors impacting on this match. The Raiders possess a more than dominate home record against the Knights and then there is the weather. You can not be sure how cold it will be with the wind chill playing a factor but no player will enjoy the freeing conditions. So, who's hopes will end after this game and who will remain in contention? All will be revealed in this matchup that will feature two desperate sides playing some very desperate footy.

Canberra Raiders

The first question that has to be asked this week, is what Raiders team will show up to this game? Will it be the exciting side that can score a lot of points when needed and can hold teams out defensively? Or will it be the side that leaks easy points and make crucial mistakes in attack? It would take a very brave person to back the Raiders with any confidence in this match but there is some light shining through for them. The uncertainty of coach David Furner's future has quietened down for the time being as Ricky Stuart has signed with Parramatta for the next 3 seasons. Although it may not seem like much, the young players would certainly fill a little more at ease with this news. But they still have their questionable performances to overcome if they're to win this game. There is only one change to the team that was expected once the Raiders welcomed back fullback Josh Dugan into the team last week as a late inclusion. It was a boost that they certainly needed but have not been without as Reece Robinson has played fantastically well at the back for them. As a result, Edrick Lee is dropped as Robinson moves back to the wing. The Raiders have also named an extended bench, just like they did against the Sharks, with one player to drop off prior to kickoff.

Newcastle Knights

The Knights played a great second half last week to fight back from a 19-0 deficit late in the first half and score 24 unanswered points. Apart from their attack being on fire, their defence was also great as they kept a very attacking Warriors team to nil in the second half. With a great performance on a tough road trip, there is no surprise that coach Wayne Bennett has named an unchanged lineup for this clash. This includes the extended bench. A lot of fans would've turned the TV off after a while thinking that the Knights were going to be put away but full credit must go to them for fighting in this game. They are beginning to restore some pride in the jersey that was lost early in the season with some questionable performances. This was always going to occur with players having to adapt to a new style under Bennett and it left a lot of people questioning his coaching ability. Amazing how those same people are now quiet. They will look to continue on their run and keep hope alive for them for another week.

Recent History

Overall = Raiders 20 - Draw 1 - Knights 15

Last 5 games = Raiders 3 - Knights 2

At Canberra Stadium = Raiders 14 - Draw 1 - Knights 3

Odds

TAB Sportsbet = Raiders $1.57 Knights $2.45

Centrebet = Raiders $1.57 Knights $2.47

Sportsbet = Raiders $1.57 Knights $2.45

Betfair = Raiders $1.60 Knights $2.60

Verdict
Despite the Raiders impressive home record against the Knights, I am going to tip an upset. You just cannot be sure of the Raiders team that will turn up on the day. What you can be sure of is that Wayne Bennett will have his Knights ready and raring to go after they fought back and scored 24 unanswered points against the Warriors in NZ. Both teams are now playing for their season but with the Knights class in the coaching ranks, they should get home in a close one.

Suggested Bet
Knights @ $2.60 (with Betfair)


Call a margin = Knights 1-12 @ $4 - If I am tipping the Knights then perhaps 1-12 would be the best selection and look at the value on offer. I would be extremely surprised if they won 13+ so lets settle on this option.


Safe call = Knights +10.5 @ $1.50 - If you're worried about the Knights getting home then maybe take them with a larger line. It still makes this game great value for punters and you can rest a little easier if you do think backing the Knights is a risk.


Good luck!
Scooby
@scoobystips

NRL Round 21 South Sydney Rabbitohs v Wests Tigers Preview

This clash should be billed as "the clash that almost was, but then wasn't!". There are a whole host of stars missing from this clash through either injury or suspension that is unfortunately going to limit to excitement in this event. It has been a week in the news for the Rabbitohs and their fullback Greg Inglis after his hit on Dean Young, but many fans will be glad it is over and everyone can move on with the on field action. Rabbitohs fans should look at the positives of the situation as they will now have Inglis refreshed and injury free for their final few matches leading into the semi finals. For what it is worth, the tackle didn't look too good and dangerous contact was made at the end fo the tackle (first contact was made with the head). It was certainly wrong to grade it at a grade 5 and 3 weeks does seem a little much, 2 would've been fine. The main problem fans will have though is the inconsistency. But the NRL show rolls along. Coupled with the suspension of hooker Isaac Luke and things are definitely not looking too good for the Rabbitohs in weeks to come. Across the western side of Sydney though and things are not much better for the Tigers. They have a whole host of players that are suffering injuries from their clash against the Cowboys and are desperately scrambling around to just put a side on the paddock. It was a fast paced game and a very good game of attacking football for fans to watch. But it wore the Tigers players out after they were reduced to just one player on the bench. Now more than ever, their character is going to be tested. I have mentioned for weeks now that this is the part of the season where the Tigers switch on a make a spirited run for the finals on the back of some enormous momentum. Yet things are not going according to plan just yet. So the Tigers fans and the rest of the NRL competition are sitting and waiting for them to switch on. This is going to be another important game this weekend that will impact on the makeup of the Top 8, it's just a shame that so manny quality players will be missing. Don't be fooled though, their replacements will be out with a point to prove!

South Sydney Rabbitohs

Souths went straight out and didn't named Greg Inglis as he was always going to plead guitly, just attempting to get a downgrade on the situation. Nathan Merritt moves back to fullback and while he is no Greg Inglis, he is more than capable of filling the role for the next 3 weeks. Merritt's vacant spot on the wing is taken by Justin Hunt who debuted this year on the wing. Luke Burgess has been demoted to the bench and Eddy Pettybourne will start in the front row. But those are the only two changes. They do have an extended bench of 6 and two players will drop off before kickoff. It is now an interesting time for Souths as they must prove themselves without two of their best players. They have a host of players who have some good experience and they will definitely need to stand up now and take the reins of a team that would not want to slip out of the "all important" Top 4. Their forwards still have a lot of size and mobility to them and perhaps the Rabbitohs will look to play the game here, to their strength.

Wests Tigers

With the quick turn around from MNF, there is no surprise that with a host of injuries to key players, the Tigers named exactly the same team that took on the Cowboys. So, take absolutely no notice of it. In that game, Tim Moltzen was ruled out with a hamstring injury before kickoff, Chris Lawerence went down with an ankle injury and Ben Murdoch-Masila was carried off with a leg injury. Now there is news surfacing that their playmaker Benji Marshall may also be ruled out with an injury. So where does that leave the Tigers? A lot of players will have to lift for them but it would be a positive that their forward pack was able to remain relatively healthy. You need to pay attention to breaking news on the final team and it will be listed on my twitter feed as soon as news comes to hand. The Tigers fans would be worried as the pressure is definitely on them and they aren't in a position on the table that would allow them to relax and take their foot off the gas. 

Recent History

Overall = Rabbitohs 10 - Tigers 9

Last 5 games = Rabbitohs 4 - Tigers 1

At ANZ Stadium = Rabbitohs 2 - Tigers 3

Odds

TAB Sportsbet = Rabbitohs $1.30 Tigers $3.60

Centrebet = Rabbitohs $1.28 Tigers $3.85

Sportsbet = Rabbitohs $1.28 Tigers $3.80

Betfair = Rabbitohs $1.33 Tigers $3.65

Verdict
The Tigers have an uphill battle here. In saying that so do Souths. They will have to learn to win without two of their best players. But this game will be won and lost in the forward pack. The Tigers still do have a very good forward pack capable of taking it to the Rabbitohs but the Bunnies possess great firepower coming off the bench that will be able to maintain the high intensity that is set early by them. Other players in the Souths side will now also have great responsibility and need to lead the team around the park. It isn't a forgone conclusion like some bookmakers are suggesting so be wary when you are placing your margin bets.

Suggested Bet
Rabbitohs @ $1.33 (with Betfair)


Margin surprise = Rabbitohs 1-12 @ $3.20 - It's mentioned above that I believe that this game will be closer than most think and the Rabbitohs will still win but only 1-12. There is plenty of value on offer too.


Try Scoring Success = Nathan Merritt First ($7) and/or Last ($7) - He saluted last week when he scored the last try and delivering a few people a good success. He is moving back to the role of fullback which can only enhance his chances of scoring either first or last.


Good luck!
Scooby
@scoobystips

NRL Round 21 Cronulla Sharks v Penrith Panthers Preview

The Sharks are in a very dangerous position at the moment and there are several other teams in the competition that are circling them hoping that they slip up very soon (if they haven't already). They are definitely on a slide of some sort and need to get back on track as soon as possible otherwise they will find themselves out of the Top 8. They suffered a very embarrassing defeat at home which caused their home fans to leave 10-15 minutes before the final whistle. But they have their fair share of injuries and are still in the midst of a crisis. It will be important that they have players back playing as soon as possible, its even gotten to the point where Gallen has said he would make an early return from injury if it would help his side. It looks like he will be doing that this week and fingers crossed for Sharks fans that he doesn't make his injury worse. The Panthers on the other hand are out of contention and are rebuilding towards next season. It is going fairly well for them following a win over the Roosters but they do need to keep moving forward to avoid the dreaded wooden spoon. With Parramatta having a surprise win over the Storm, it left the Panthers a lot of work to do on Sunday and to their credit, they got the job done. It is an interesting side note that Luke Lewis, a Panthers hero, was to play at his future home ground after asking for an early release from the Panthers and signing with the Sharks. But unfortunately he has been ruled out and Sharks fans will not get a first hand look at what he has to offer. Whilst this clash probably won't be the most exciting game this weekend, it will be extremely important to the Sharks and their fans in getting their season back on track and readying themselves for the finals. But other NRL teams in and around the Sharks vying for a spot in the Top 8 will be hoping that they slip up.

Cronulla Sharks

If there is one thing a team needs when they're on a slide, it is the inclusion of two representative stars. One is the best player in the game and one is a leader for the NZ international team. So Paul Gallen is into the team for Wade Graham who is being rested after coping a knock to a pre existing rib injury and Jeremy Smith is in at the expense of Anthony Tupou who moves back to the bench. Ben Pomeroy is out and taking his sport in the centres is Ricky Leutele who replaced Colin Best in the game against the Roosters a few weeks ago. They're the only changes to the starting side but there is also an extended bench of six named and it remains a mystery as to who will miss out. The main thing the Sharks will aim to gain back in this match is definitely momentum. They're at their best when they're high on confidence and continually bruising the opposition in defence. That has evaded them in recent weeks. Defence is all about attitude and the Sharks need to get their old one back as it had them dominating opponents.

Penrith Panthers

Unfortunately, the Panther will be without a host of players, but none of them is more important than Luke Lewis. His spot at lock is taken by Nigel Plum who is great in defence but a far cry from Lewis. That is not the only change as the Panthers have a host of changes from the win over the Roosters. Josh Mansour has shifted back from the wing to fullback and his wing spot is taken by Eut Uaisele. Mansour moved there as Lachlan Coote was shifted up into 5/8 to cover for Travis Burns. That requires a few new faces on an extended bench including Ryan Simpkins and Danny Galea. Who knows what the future holds in terms of the switch of Coote from fullback to 5/8. The Raiders tried it this season with Dugan and it didn't work all too well. Coote and Dugan are very similar players and grew up in the same representatives sides. So what do the Panthers lose? A capable fullback for him to be an adequate 5/8? He is definitely a capable ball player but it will be a different kettle of fish this week as he is in charge, along with Luke Walsh, with directing the team around the park and ensuring his outside backs get early ball to create opportunities for themselves.


Recent History
Overall = Sharks 41 - Draw 3 - Panthers 36
Last 5 games = Sharks 2 - Panthers3
At Toyota Stadium = Sharks 24 - Draw 3 - Panthers 13

Odds

TAB Sportsbet = Sharks $1.40 Panthers $3.00
Centrebet = Sharks $1.45 Panthers $2.85
Sportsbet = Sharks $1.45 Panthers $2.80
Betfair = Sharks $1.41 Panthers $2.94


Verdict
If you were betting on form of these two teams in the last few weeks you would find it surprising to see the Panthers as outsiders. They knocked up a victory last week and then the week before they were gallant in defeat against the Tigers. Whilst the Sharks have appeared to struggle against lesser opponents. But the quality of player that is returning for Cronulla and the players missing for the Panthers certainly throw this game back in favour of the Sharks. They're also at home and will look to improve on their dominate home record against the Panthers. There isn't really any better game in the run home for the Sharks to play themselves back into some form. That isn't suggesting that the Panthers will give up easily. A lot of players there are uncertain about their futures and if they want to stay at the club, they will be making sure that they are doing everything possible on the field to ensure they get a win or at least stay competitive for the full 80 minutes.

Suggested Bet
Sharks 1-12 @ $3


Line call = Sharks -3.5 @ $1.80 - Again this weekend we are seeing a game that offers a fairly small line. You would think that with the Sharks at home and Penrith's inability to produce points at certain points of the match would ensure that this line is covered.


Combine the two... = Sharks 7-12 @ $5.50 - If you combine the two bets listed above, all signs point to this option for some value. I believe that they will win the game but not by 13+. They are favourites to get through this game easily and rack up some points but I wouldn't be so sure. 


Good luck!
Scooby
@scoobystips

NRL Round 21 Manly Warringah Sea Ealges v NZ Warriors Preview

Before you even consider a home ground advantage, remember that this game is being played on the western coast of Australia, in Perth. It is a great initiative by the Sea Eagles although they have borrowed the idea off a few other clubs who have taken their games elsewhere in the country. It is a great money spinner and could generate some support for their team in another part of the country. With a Perth expansion team a hot topic in years to come, a good crowd here could give them a case to build upon. No matter where this game is played, it is going to be a good spectacle. This game is another important clash this weekend that fans of other teams will be watching as it can give some indication to the make up of the Top 8. Manly are currently in 7th place on 24 points and are 4 points ahead of the Warriors who are in 9th on 20 points. If the Warriors win here, not only could they creep into the 8, but they have the opportunity to take away 2 points from a team that sits above them. That is the situation that lies ahead of the Warriors. They must win games and only worry about the factors that they can control. Most importantly, they must play with consistency. If you look at their first half against the Knights, you thought that they would do it easily. But they had 24 unanswered points scored against them and the Knights kept them scoreless in the second half. It was definitely not a performance that you would expect from a team pushing for the finals. A lot more than a game of rugby league was lost in that game. Manly were also last start losers at home to a very good Bulldogs team that has everything working for them at the moment. But they were adequate in defeat and still have a few players to return from injury. They have a strong bench and should be sitting far higher than 7th on the table. It is all in front of them now and like the Warriors, they should only worry about factors that they can effect. It should be a high quality game with two teams desperate for a win that gives them momentum pushing towards the finals. 

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles

Having gone down at home to the top side in the competition, the Sea Eagles can certainly take away a few positives. It gave them a good look at a possible semi final opponent and it also allowed a few of their stars who are returning from injury to freshen up. It is no surprise with a few players returning from injury that coach Geoff Toovey has gone with the same team as last week. They have however, named an extended bench that has two players to be omitted from it prior to kick off. There is also a note to mention that Brett Stewart is very close to a return from injury and he did travel with the team across to Perth. In saying that though, this is also a promotion for the Manly club, so perhaps he has travelled across just to help with the promotion for the club and not a hint towards him taking the field. They certainly have the firepower coming off the bench in this clash that can easily maintain the intensity set early in this game.


NZ Warriors

The Warriors have unfortunately lost their captain Simon Mannering for this game due to injury. It should be mentioned that this will be the first game that he has missed in two years and is certainly a rock of the Warriors defence and team altogether. Winger Manu Vatuvei will assume the captaincy. Ben Henry shifts from the centres to the second row and Lewis Brown comes off the bench to start in the centres. That allows an extended bench to be named that features the new faces of Pita Godinet and Sebastine Ikahihifo. Their coach Brian McClennan admitted last week that after the loss to the Knights, he was to blame for getting their interchanges mixed up and not maintaining the right intensity to win a match. Fair call, but at the end of the day the coach should name a team that is strong enough to play for the entire match. Some responsibility has to fall on the players on the field at the time.


Recent History
Overall = Sea Eagles 15 - Warriors 7
Last 5 games = Sea Eagles 5 - Warriors 0
At Patersons Stadium = Never played here before

Odds

TAB Sportsbet = Sea Eagles $1.50 Warriors $2.65
Centrebet = Sea Eagles $1.52 Warriors $2.60
Sportsbet = Sea Eagles $1.48 Warriors $2.70
Betfair = Sea Eagles $1.53 Warriors $2.70


Verdict
Both teams have their pride and their Top 8 hopes on the line, the Warriors more than the Sea Eagles but they would still not want to drop points here. They are also two teams that suffered last start losses at home. So which team is better suited to bouncing back? We will know by the end of fulltime but you need to look at the facts. The Sea Eagles have a team which is capable of playing consistent football and the Warriors don't. They have at times but are too volatile to invest money on in this clash. The Sea Eagles players will also beginning to get more "match-fit" and having representative players at this level can be dangerous. But can you ever count out the Warriors completely? Definitely not. But they would have to lift considerably to win this match.

Suggested Bet
Manly @ $1.53 (with Betfair)


Line value = Manly - 2.5 @ $1.85 - It is very surprising to see a small line for a game where Manly are shorter to win the match 13+ then they are 1-12. This line would be good value if you were looking for a little more value than the suggested bet.


Go one step further = Tri Bet Manly Over 6.5 points @ $2 - They're even better value at this option. I am reluctant to pick a margin given the Warriors ability to score points but this leads one closer to picking one. You can just see this option as a -6.5 line more than anything.


Good luck!
Scooby
@scoobystips

NRL Round 21 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v North Queensland Cowboys Preview

Make no mistake, this is the game of the round! Two teams that are in the Top 4 heading into Round 21 are featured and both are teams who are experiencing some decent form. This has all the hallmarks of a top game and will sure to be a great preview for how both teams are travelling heading into the finals. It is extremely disappointing though that this game is not on free-to-air television...but I cannot harp on that as I have done it recent weeks. Down at Canterbury, everything is tracking along nicely. They've beaten some good teams in recent weeks, most notably the Storm and the Sea Eagles and they now find themselves two points clear at the top. Des Hasler is working magic with his team and you can see how much they are enjoying their football at the moment. It is also evident that the Bulldogs are making their own luck, and at the moment, it is definitely coming off for them. But that's what happens when you're a team in form. The Cowboys are similar but have not enjoyed the same success this season as a direct result of their inconsistency on the field. It does seem as though they have overcome this problem but it can quickly change for them. They must now focus on putting themselves in the best position possible in each match to get the win. They certainly have a host of talented players to get them over the line in the tight games and are certainly a force to be reckoned with when they are all firing. Hopefully both teams are playing with full confidence, and if they are, we are going to see a high quality game. This game is another clash that will be important to the overall makeup of the Top 8 and even the Top 4. It may also be a game that is reflected on if these two sides clash again in the semis. Momentum is everything at this point of the season and both teams will be fighting hard to keep theirs rolling.

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

For the first time in a long time, the Bulldogs have suffered a fair few injuries to key players. They did have a few question marks over players early in the season, but they had now put together a side which was playing very well with the game plan set aside for them by coach Des Hasler. The Bulldogs have lost dynamic prop Sam Kasiano to a fractured cheekbone and he will be missing for a number of weeks. But they lose nothing by bringing in British powerhouse James Graham to the starting lineup for the first time this season. He has been getting better and better each week and I dare say he could play 80 minutes if needed. Halfback Kris Keating has been named after there was a suggestion that he injured his hamstring, don't be fooled people, he did injure it. He is no chance of playing in this match and he will be out for around 3 weeks and no replacement has been named just yet. David Stagg has been moved back to the bench and Josh Jackson makes his way into the starting team. Those are the only changes to the starting team but there is an extended bench named for the Dogs. Ben Barba will again look to be at his best and it ironic that he faces Matthew Bowen here, a player who he has been compared to in recent weeks with his ability to find his way to the try line. It is a matchup that is sure to have any rugby leauge fan salivating.

North Queensland Cowboys

The Cowboys have to combat a very short turn around here after a very fast paced MNF clash agains the Tigers. Recovery will be everything here and they should aim to play with a similar pace to catch the Dogs off guard. It is no surprise that there is only one change to the team from Monday, and its a change to the 18th man. Cory Paterson is replaced by Ray Thompson as the stand by and perhaps he could even step into the starting team if fit enough. Then again, Michael Morgan did nothing wrong to lose his position. This young bloke, under the guidance of Thurston and Bowen, will turn into a very solid player. As mentioned above, Bowen will look to outgun Barba in attack (and defence) but will not be thrown off jut winning the game for the Cowboys. He has a different role to that of Barba's as he is a lot more involved in the direction of attack and kicking game of the team. It is good to see him step in and relieve the pressure that can build on Thurston during the match.

Recent History

Overall = Bulldogs 19 - Cowboys 9
Last 5 games = Bulldogs 4 - Cowboys 1
At ANZ Stadium = Bulldogs 2 - Cowboys 2

Odds

TAB Sportsbet = Bulldogs $1.57 Cowboys $2.45
Centrebet = Bulldogs $1.65 Cowboys $2.30
Sportsbet = Bulldogs $1.60 Cowboys $2.40
Betfair = Bulldogs $1.62 Cowboys $2.54

Verdict

This is going to be a fantastic game! If you look at the total discrepancy in the odds above, you could almost suggest that the bookies are a little confused about this game also. This is a game that I would recommend that you stay away from this weekend. But you also have to put things into perspective if you're considering having a bet. The Cowboys are coming off a MNF clash and teams can sometimes suffer from this. They also like to play a high paced game that promotes a lot of attacking football. Unfortunately, they can not always defend with the same amount of application. In saying that, they proved themselves a good defensive team against the Storm and were also able to hold the Tigers to a scoreless second half.

Suggested Bet
None...stay away from it!
If you must bet...


1) Place a few mystery "pick-the-scores"
2) Place a $10 NRL combo on both teams for some interest, and maybe even a return


Good luck!
Scooby
@scoobystips

NRL Round 21 St George-Illawarra Dragons v Melbourne Storm Preview

The Storm are in danger of running out of puff after they started the season on fire and had people suggesting whether or not they could go through the entire season without a loss. What a difference a couple of months can make. The Storm have now lost the billing of number 1 team on the ladder and are two points behind the Bulldogs in equal second with the Rabbitohs. Perhaps it is a post Origin hang over for their stars or perhaps teams have figured out how to beat them. What ever it is they need to figure it out as soon as possible. They certainly have a relatively "tough" task as they travel up to Wollongong to face a Dragon's side that is fighting for their season to stay alive. Things have not gone to plan for them this season and they seem very desperate. But in the same breath, they also look as though they are uninterested on the field. Some players seem to be just going through the motions and are not showing much fight at all. Their performances deserved to be questioned as their fans cannot understand how a similar team to the one that won the grand finals a few years ago are now struggling to make the Top 8. Perhaps it is due to an ageing roster or even a lack of creativity in attack. Regardless of what the problem is, (and I've been saying it for a number of weeks) coach Steve Price needs to make the tough calls on his squad. If they thought they could get their season back on track here, then they need to think again. The Storm will be aiming to do the same and will have more to play for considering how they have lost their billing as the team to beat. It all set the stage for a very interesting clash and one that again will prove a telling game to the make up of the Top 8 and every teams run home.


St George-Illawarra Dragons
The Dragons season is nearly done and dusted but coach Steve Price still persists with roughly the same group of players week in and week out. If something is not working you generally aim to find a way to make it work, but Price is remaining extremely loyal. But loyalty will not keep him in a job much longer if these dismal performances continue. A side not has to be mentioned about Beau Scott who in parts of the game against the Rabbitohs, appeared as though his mind was already focussed towards Newcastle next season. This is not a good sign. Scott has been moved to the centres this week as Matt Cooper has suffered a leg injury that could keep him out for around 4 weeks. Matt Prior comes into the second row to cover for Scott's move, but they're the only changes. Dean Young, who was on the receiving end of a controversial knock from Greg Inglis, has been named to start at lock but it would be very surprising to see him take the field. The Dragons have also named an extended bench which now has Prior not on it and Will Matthews named alongside Leeson Ah Mau. One of those player will be expected to miss out. Same players named, so will it be the same mynotinious Dragons team? They surely have to spring a surprise here to catch the Storm off guard but you would think that they do not hold the potential to do so.

Melbourne Storm
The big news for the Storm in this clash is the long awaited return of superstar Billy Slater after being injured in SOO 2. But coach Craig Bellamy was quick to suggest that Slaters impending return should not spark the Storm back into their early season form that saw them dominate the first part of the competition. NRL fans of fellow Top 8 clubs will be definitely watching this game with interest some are now suggesting that the Storm are beatable. Slaters return now shifts Gareth Widdop from fullback, back to 5/8. The 5/8 against the Eels, Rory Kostjasyn, shifts back to the bench. Will Chambers comes back into the centres and speedster Justin O'Neill drops out of the team. There is also a few changes in the forwards that has seen Ryan Hinchcliffe moved from the bench to start at lock and Todd Lowrie now starting off the bench. Richie Fa'aoso will make his first start from the bench for the Storm since his midseason transfer from the Knights. So the Storm have done the opposite to the Dragons. Even though they are having players returning from injury, they are not afraid of making a few changes to the team to shake up performances. If the Storm win, perhaps it could be an idea for the Dragons to try...all be it, too late. Despite Bellamy's comments, Slater will definitely make an improvement when the Storm have a back line movement where the fullback is involved.


Recent History
Overall = Dragons 6 - Draw 1 - Storm 18
Last 5 games = Dragons 1 - Storm 4
At WIN Stadium = Dragons 2 - Draw 1 - Storm 3


Odds
TAB Sportsbet = Dragons $2.75 Storm $1.47
Centrebet = Dragons $2.72 Storm $1.48
Sportsbet = Dragons $2.70 Storm $1.48
Betfair = Dragons $2.80 Storm $1.52


Verdict
While it won't be panic stations just yet for the Storm if they were to lose this game, it would certainly act as inspiration for other teams to demonstrate that they're beatable. But they're on a horror run at the moment and need to get things right. The inclusion of Slater will definitely boost the away teams potentcy in attack. I mentioned it above, the ball movement to the outside backs will be a lot more fluent with and the outside backs should receive the ball with plenty of space. They also have a forward pack that has lost a certain amount of pride in recent weeks after being dominated by lesser packs. This is their time to stand up and be counted as a genuine forward pack to fear.


Suggested Bet
Storm -3.5 @ $1.90 (Best bet of the Weekend!)


Right side, Strong side = First try scorer Sisa Waqa ($11) and/or Will Chambers ($13) - The inclusion of Slater should help these guys receive the ball in better attacking positions. The Dragons also have a player in Beau Scott "out of position" in the centres and he does look uninterested.


Good luck!
Scooby
@scoobystips

NRL Round 20 Sydney Roosters v Gold Coast Titans Preview

OK...is their someone out at Channel 9 receiving extra money for placing the Roosters in the free-to-air time slot? The fact that the Roosters have again been given a game this week is a joke. Not just as a supporter of rugby league but Roosters fans have every right to be annoyed with the teams short turn around from Sunday footy. They currently sit in 14th place and have just about lost all hope of playing finals football. The Titans on the other hand will be desperate to continue on their winning ways and grab another victory here that still keeps them in contention for the Top 8. A loss could almost have them planning their holidays along with the Roosters. They certainly have the players to get them over the line and are seemingly peaking at the right end of the season. The only problem is they are now playing sudden death football well before they should be. They have under performed and missing the 8 will definitely have people asking questions of their season. But this should be a game that they would look to move through with relative ease. Interestingly, the Titans actually have a lot of former players and coaches up playing for them this season. The Titans are in 10th place and will play desperate footy, footy that sometimes brings out the best in them. While this is probably going to be a dour clash, fans of some teams will be hoping for a certain result so their own team is either safe in the 8 or their hopes for the 8 are still well and truly, alive. 

Sydney Roosters

Suffering a very short turn around from Sundays clash, the Rooster have straight away named rookie Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to make his NRL debut on the wing. This will be a great opportunity for a very talented player who has made his way across to the Roosters after playing Toyota Cup for the Warriors. His move to the wing was made as Mitchell Aubusson was shifted from the centres back to the bench. BJ Leilua has moved from the wing to the centres to cover for Aubusson's move. Martin Kennedy, another player involved in some judiciary controversy after being on the receiving end of a Travis Burns tackle, is named on the bench. No surprise there as his nose was broken in the tackle and Frank Paul Nuuausala has moved from lock to the front row and Tinirau Arona is promoted from the bench to start at lock. The Roosters have named an extended bench so be sure to pay attention to my twitter feed for team news just before kickoff. They need a dynamic bench to keep pace with the quality of forward that the Titans possess. 

Gold Coast Titans

First and foremost, the Titans will be extremely happy to have Greg Bird return to their side after an extensive rest through injury since the end of SOO. He will give them a good level of agression and skill in their forwards that should see them aim to dominate the Roosters in the forwards. The Titans however have lost Ashley Harrison through injury but Nate Myles shifts back to lock for them. Ben Ridge has disappeared from the bench for this game but still have named an extended bench which features Michael Henderson. One player will drop off prior to kickoff and there is no hint to who that will be. The Titans have enjoyed giving Srama a rest in the middle part of the game and bringing of Beau Falloon, for Srama to then come back on in the final few 20-30 minutes and be at his dynamic best. The Titans will certainly want to play this game in the forwards because that is where they can dominate the Roosters, but be aware, they have some real speedsters out wide who can easily finish a back line movement. In saying that, the Titans always play well when Scott Prince fires up, so hopefully he is on in this clash.


Recent History
Overall = Roosters 4 - Titans 5
Last 5 games = Roosters 3 - Titans 2
At Allianz Stadium = Roosters 1 - Titans 2

Odds
TAB Sportsbet = Roosters $2.20 Titans $1.70
Centrebet = Roosters $2.20 Titans $1.70
Sportsbet = Roosters $2.20 Titans $1.70
Betfair = Roosters $2.34 Titans $1.71

Verdict
The Roosters are looking like a very tired team that is running out of ideas. Now it is beginning to surface that all is not well within the dressing room and coach Brian Smith is beginning to lose his dressing shed. This does not look good for the Roosters fans. They're a young team that is going through a very tough learning experience right at the present time. The Titans should dominate all across the park with a better forward pack and a halves pairing that is looking more creative than their opponents. This won't come easy to the Titans but if they were to get out to a decent lead early, this game could get ugly as the Roosters switch off. There is little motivation for them staying in the contest if they're down by a few points. But the Titans will have to work hard to get to that point and then keep their foot on the gas.

Suggested Bet
Titans @ $1.70


Margin of value = Titans 13+ @ $3.50 - It was tempting to make this bet the "suggested" one, but I am going to put it down as another option. It's mentioned above why this game could get ugly and there is plenty of value offered here.


Tri bet = Titans Over 6.5 points @ $2.65 - It's the exact same as the margin bet but perhaps leaving the door open to a 1-12 margin. This option still provide you will a decent bit of value. 


Good luck!
Scooby
@scoobystips

NRL Round 21 Power Rankings

ROUND 21

Round 20 sure did deliver its fair share of controversy and there will be plenty of talking points for everyone in the lead up to Round 21. The Top 8 is taking some shape but you can not be sure of the final make up of it until the final whistle in Round 26 (I did go off early with my prediction in Round 18). That is the game of rugby league that we have come to love and there is nothing better then plenty of talk before each game. Some teams have surprised the rest of the competition by hanging in their for a semi final spot and others are beginning to cement their spot in the Top 4 assuring that they should have a "second chance" in the semi finals. But momentum at this point in the season is what teams want more than anything and it can mean the difference between dominating a team throughout the game or just scraping home for a close victory. Let's take a look at how Round 20 has effected the teams.


Bold = This week  ( ) = Last week

1 (1) Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs = Went to Brookvale Oval on Friday night and delivered a loss to the home side. They played good tough football and there were soME very positive signs. They are the real deal but will no be tested with a few injuries.

2 (2) South Sydney Rabbitohs = Continued on their winning streak with a dominating win over the Dragons. There will be a nervous week ahead with the possible loss of Inglis to suspension but maybe there is a positive that he'll be fresh for the finals. Will find it tough without him and Isaac Luke. Great defence though and a team willing to fight.


3 (6) North Queensland Cowboys = The Cowboys rocket up to 3rd spot with a good win over the Tigers in a very exciting game. But they can also thank some poor performances by teams around them. Needed this win as their remaining games are very tough and will need every point.


4 (3) Melbourne Storm = Ouch! A loss to the Eels is sure to cut deep but maybe it'll ground the Storm and refocus them on the finals. Perhaps its a post Origin hang over or just poor play. What ever it is they need to snap out of it ASAP!

5 (4) Brisbane Broncos = Loss to the Titans in a local derby and are not without their injury/suspension woes. Lucky they have a long turn around and face the lowly placed Eels. They've been knock out of 4th and need to start winning soon.


6 (5) Cronulla Sharks = The Sharks "slide" continues. They have injuries to worry about and will be hoping that Gallen can return ASAP. Otherwise they could find themselves just scraping into the 8. Teams are circling and desperately need a win over the Panthers.

7 (7) West Tigers = Went down away to the Cowboys and they were out of the contest due to their horror injury toll during the game. They still have the capabilities to win but need everyone fit. In 8th spot with 5 teams breathing down their neck.

8 (10) Gold Coast Titans = A tough win over the Broncos at home to keep their final hopes alive. They need to keep this momentum rolling because they have the roster to give this competition a shake. But they need everyone fit to do this.


9 (11) Newcastle Knights = Overcame one of the toughest road trips in the NRL coming back from a huge first half deficit. They're showing a lot of character and are now in with a chance for the 8. Not without hope once they have a sniff. Need to continue playing well.


10 (9) Manly Warringah Sea Eagles = Were faced with a tough game against the Bulldogs but still did show some promise. They were just outplayed at crucial points. Still believe some of their key players are short of a run and believe they will be hitting their straps very soon.

11 (8) NZ Warriors = Deserve to drop further after they gave up a big lead to the Knights on their home turf. Very embarrassing and had they've won they would've been in the 8. There were a few bad interchanges made which cost them firepower up front. Doesn't get any easier as they face Manly away...in Perth!

12 (13) Canberra Raiders = How can you not be confused watching this team each week The good Raiders team showed up this week and got a win to keep their finals hopes alive. One teams hopes will end as they face Newcastle this week.


13 (12) St George Illawarra Dragons = Lost to the Rabbitohs and it was evident more than ever that there is an inability to score points. Worse still, their defence was also caught out. Tough test against Melbourne to keep their season alive.

14 (15) Penrith Panthers = Another spirited performance but a very dour game. They beat the Roosters and needed to after the Eels won on Saturday to distance themselves from last spot. Now have to continue riding what little momentum they have.


15 (14) Sydney Roosters = All is not well in Roosters-town and it has been stated from some time (see here). They couldn't erase the memory of their heartbreaking loss to the Rabbitohs with another loss to the Panthers. Players not happy and they now have to face an in form Titans team.

16 (16) Parramatta Eels = Stephen Kearny steps down and the Eels get a win...how often do you see that happen? But one win won't lift them here. They need to now go on with the job and try to avoid the wooden spoon.