Round 20 of this year’s NRL season kicks off tonight with a game that many are predicting could be a preview of the coming Grand Final as the Manly Sea Eagles take on The Bulldogs at Brookvale Oval.
The Eagles 32-6 defeat against a rejuvenated Newcastle team being labeled as their worst performance of the season while Melbourne Storm coach, Craig Bellamy, has tipped the Bulldogs as the team to beat after their dominate win over Parramatta. Sam Kasiano has been cleared to play after his reported high tackle last week and with that news it will be hard to look past a resurgent doggies getting up for this.
The Cash strapped Gold Coast Titans will be looking to continue on their good form from last week and with Ashley Harrison returning alongside David Mead They have a fantastic opportunity to get one over the their local rivals The Brisbane Broncos. Brisbane scrapped out 10-8 win against the Warriors last week but it was a struggle. Their defence is solid though and the forwards are sure to fire sooner or later so the Titans could be in for a rough night.
The New Zealand Warriors will take on the Newcastle Knights at home and will be hoping that this advantage can help them quash a side that is coming off the back of their best performance of the season. Newcastle were sensational in their trouncing of Manly but with a question mark over their consistency you have to feel that the Warriors have a real chance of putting them back in their place.
Billy Slater could still be missing for the Melbourne Storm who have struggled without the little wizard orchestrating things for them. There is still a slight chance that he could return against Parramatta but even without him you would expect Melbourne to win this Saturday night clash.
Greg Inglis will be rested for the Rabbitohs against the Dragons which could be a blow against a side that seems to be able to grind out results. But with a top four place still possible for South Sydney you simply can’t see them letting this one slip through their fingers.
The Cronulla Sharks will still be without key players Smith and Gallen but you have to think that they will have enough in the tank to get up over a disappointing Canberra side who showed heart but still lost against The Gold Coast last week.
The Sydney Roosters have the worst completion rate in the competition which is a damning statistic as they head in to round 20 against Penrith. The Panthers looked in good nick last week and were unlucky against The Tigers. If they can keep that intensity going then I can really see only one winner.
The Tigers will welcome Gareth Ellis and Adam Blair back in the pack for their clash with The Cowboys but it is the battle between stars Jonathan Thurston and Benji Marshall that could decide this one. Thurston looks to be hitting top form while Marshall has been a little jaded in recent weeks, but I am sure that both men will be up for this one.
