Preview of Round 25 matches in the NRL (all times AEST):
THURSDAY, August 30
South Sydney v Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium, 19:50 Head to head: Souths 16 Tigers 15 Last clash: Round 19 2018 – Tigers 22 bt Souths 6 at ANZ Stadium Tab Sportsbet: Souths $1.37 Tigers $3.10 FootyTAB: Tigers +8.5
Souths need to find their attacking mojo again after three straight losses – hardly ideal finals preparation. But the good news is try-scoring winger Robert Jennings is set to play while skipper Greg Inglis will back up after his return against the Raiders. The inconsistent Tigers have missed the finals but have knocked off four top eight sides in the past six weeks, including the Rabbitohs, so they will fancy their chances.
Key: Dummy-half maestro Damien Cook needs to get Souths’ backline firing.
Tip: Souths
FRIDAY, August 31
Warriors v Canberra at Mt Smart Stadium, 18:00 Head to head: Warriors 17 Raiders 18 Last clash: Round 3 2018 – Warriors 20 bt Raiders 19 at GIO Stadium Tab Sportsbet: Warriors $1.55 Raiders $2.45 FootyTAB: Raiders +4.5
The in-form Warriors still have a chance to snatch a home final and looked like real contenders in their win over Penrith, led by Shaun Johnson. Retiring veteran Simon Mannering will become the club’s first triple centurion so the Warriors will want to deliver a fitting performance. The Raiders have done some damage to the finals-bound teams, beating the Sydney Roosters and Rabbitohs in recent rounds, and will present a tough challenge.
Key: Hooker Issac Luke must keep the Warriors’ exciting attack on the front foot.
Tip: Warriors
Melbourne v Penrith at AAMI Park, 19:55 Head to head: Storm 25 Panthers 7 Last clash: Round 5 2017 – Storm 28 bt Panthers 6 at AAMI Park Tab Sportsbet: Storm $1.56 Panthers $2.45 FootyTAB: Panthers +5.5
Melbourne will wrap up their third consecutive minor premiership with a win and have some added motivation in Billy Slater’s last regular round game. But the Panthers have plenty to play for as they look to arrest a two-game losing streak before the finals. They have NSW star James Maloney back from a knee injury while Storm five-eighth Cameron Munster is in some doubt with a leg cork.
Key: Cameron Munster – with their first-choice halfback still unsettled, the Storm need him calling the shots.
Tip: Storm
SATURDAY, September 1
Newcastle v St George Illawarra at McDonald Jones Stadium, 15:00 Head to head: Knights 11 Dragons 25 Last clash: Round 4 2018 – Dragons 30 bt Knights 12 at WIN Stadium Tab Sportsbet: Knights $2.05 Dragons $1.78 FootyTAB: Knights +2.5
The Dragons are desperate for a win after five losses in their past six games and if they can’t knock over the Knights, who are missing young star Kalyn Ponga, they may as well start booking September holidays. They must wipe the slate clean after their 38-0 thrashing by Canterbury which led to their own fans booing them. Under-siege halfback Ben Hunt can get some much-needed confidence with a big game against Mitchell Pearce.
Key: They have the talent but can Dragons coach Paul McGregor make his team believe again.
Tip: Dragons
Gold Coast v North Queensland at CBus Super Stadium 17:30 Head to head: Titans 8 Cowboys 12 Last clash: Round 7 2018 – Cowboys 26 bt Titans 14 at 1300SMILES Stadium Tab Sportsbet: Titans $2.50 Cowboys $1.53 FootyTAB: Titans +5.5
Retiring Cowboys superstar Johnathon Thurston gets one last chance to farewell his beloved Queensland fans, even if most of them are Titans supporters. While the sentiment will be with JT, the Titans won’t let that stop them finishing the season on a high after almost toppling Melbourne last round. After a season to forget North Queensland have found some form and with Matt Scott, Jordan McLean and Jason Taumalolo doing major damage.
Key: JT – will the emotion of his final, final game overcome him?
Tip: Cowboys
Parramatta v Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium 19:45 Head to head: Eels 12 Roosters 19 Draw 1 Last clash: Round 10 2017 – Roosters 48 bt Eels 10 at Allianz Stadium Tab Sportsbet: Eels $4.20 Roosters $1.23 FootyTAB: Eels +12.5
After two successive losses the Roosters surely can’t let another game slip, particularly against the wooden-spooners. The loss of suspended Dylan Napa will take some covering but Kiwi enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves isn’t a bad replacement. Jarryd Hayne returns to fullback for the Eels but the Roosters should have too much starch in their defence to give him much room to move.
Key: Cooper Cronk is a proven match winner and the Roosters need him to stand up.
Tip: Roosters
SUNDAY, September 2
Canterbury v Cronulla at ANZ Stadium 14:00 Head to head: Bulldogs 17 Sharks 12 Last clash: Round 11 2018 – Sharks 22 bt Bulldogs 16 at Southern Cross Group Stadium Tab Sportsbet: Bulldogs $2.60 Sharks $1.50 FootyTAB: Bulldogs +6.5
While it’s a historical issue a salary-cap investigation is the last thing Cronulla need before the finals. They will be hoping that it’s quickly put to bed or at least galvanises the team. The Sharks have the chance to secure a coveted top-four spot if they get the job done but with the Canterbury crushing St George Illawarra last round, it won’t be easy. Look out for Bulldogs hat-trick hero Reimis Smith while Val Holmes has been unstoppable for the Sharks.
Key: Returning playmaker Matt Moylan needs to dominate exciting youngster Lachlan Lewis.
Tip: Sharks
Brisbane v Manly at Suncorp Stadium 16:10 Head to head: Broncos 11 Sea Eagles 15 Draw 1 Last clash: Round 10 2018 – Sea Eagles 38 bt Broncos 24 at Suncorp Stadium Tab Sportsbet: Broncos $1.32 Sea Eagles $3.40 FootyTAB: Sea Eagles +10.5
The final 80 minutes of the season can’t come quick enough for the Manly. The Sea Eagles upset Brisbane on their home turf this season – one of the few high points of 2018 – but don’t expect a repeat performance. With skipper Darius Boyd in form, the Broncos are building nicely leading into the finals. The Sea Eagles may want to farewell coach Trent Barrett with a win but he’ll have to settle for a shout at Mad Monday.
Key: Jake Turpin has a big job replacing concussed Broncos hooker Andrew McCullough.
Tip: Broncos
