What has already been a most entertaining and unpredictable NRL season now hots up even further with just 7 rounds left until the finals. Meanwhile, the expanded NRLW season kicks off this weekend with 9 rounds to be played to qualify for September action. Get ready for a 12-week footy feast as we head towards October 1 and Grand Final day.
NRL Round 21:
Dragons v Wests Tigers gets the round underway tonight. The Dragons get a couple back in Sloan, Liddle and Hunt while the Tigers are still without their best player in Brooks. I think the Dragons have enough up front to give their very capable backs plenty of opportunities to put on a winning score. Dragons for me.
Both the Warriors and the Raiders have been travelling well of late, especially the home side who has produced some sparkling attack. The Warriors regain Niukore and Afoa while the Raiders welcome back Papali’i and Horsburgh. At home with a partisan crowd roaring them on, just one early piece of dazzle will light up the Warriors and I expect them to go on their merry way.
The Rabbitohs v Broncos clash is the match of the round on the Sunshine Coast – and it’s a sellout! The Broncos may be equal top of the ladder but still lack a ruthless streak. Here’s a great opportunity for them to show us what they’ve really got. Both sides are close to full strength so there will be no excuses for the loser. Souths have been inconsistent with a leaky defence but I think the return of Mitchell and a full strength forward pack and talented bench might be enough for them to come out on top.
The Titans take on the Roosters in a mid-table match-up on Saturday afternoon where a loss will be terminal to finals chances. The loss of Tino to a long suspension is a huge blow to the Titans and is enough for me to go back to my online tips and change to the Roosters. They look good on paper and won’t have given up finals hopes yet. Perhaps this will be the start of a Bondi run to September.
The plucky Knights host the in-form Storm on Saturday evening in a game where even the return of Dane Gagai won’t be enough to quell the visitors. Melbourne look too solid across the park but it will be anything but an easy stroll to take the two points and keep their top four possibilities alive. Get on the Storm.
If all was normal, you’d say that the Cowboys v the Eels would be match of the round. But Parra have lost RCG and Sivo to long term suspensions, a potentially fatal blow to their current run to clinch a top 8 spot. It couldn’t come at a worse time for the Eels as the Cowboys have been a bit hot of late and are on a run of their own to September. The Cowboys for me.
Can the Panthers put 50 on the Bulldogs? Sadly, it’s simply a case of the margin. Nothing more to be said.
The Sharks were flaky last week while the Sea Eagles have hardly been soaring. Both need a win, even if for different reasons: the Sharks to regain belief, the Sea Eagles to stay in finals contention. The Sharks are always better at home and that’s enough for me to stick with them in this critical tussle for both sides.
So my winners for Round 21 are the Dragons, Warriors, Rabbitohs, Roosters, Storm, Cowboys, Panther sand Sharks. (I got 6/7 last week, my best result for some time.)
The Dolphins have the bye.
NRLW Round 1:
In a major boost for the expanded women’s competition in 2023, every match will be available to watch live on free to air television. The involvement of ten teams, coupled with widespread player movements in the off season, makes it mostly guesswork trying to pick Round 1 winners for this weekend. Let’s try to make sense of it all.
The Titans and the debutant Cowboys open the NRLW season on Saturday afternoon. Looking through their respective nominated teams, the Titans appear to have a stronger squad with the likes of Pelite, Chapman, Bass, Mato, Brown, Bent and Hale. But the Cowboys will have a few big names of their own – Polata, Dibb, Harden and Peters. Let’s just say that we’ll learn a lot once the game is done and dusted. I’ll go with the Titans.
The Knights and the Dragons are comparatively ‘old firm’ clubs with Newcastle setting out on their premiership defence against perennial finalists St George. With the likes of Johnston and Clydsdale up front and Upton and Southwell ready to pounce at the back, it’s hard to go past Newcastle. The Dragons have recruited Raecene McGregor, one of the best players going around, and Roxy Murdoch to bolster their pack. But I don’t think it will be enough to trouble the Knights.
The Broncos v Roosters clash is probably the game of the round with both sides littered with Origin and international players. The Roosters have recruited strongly with Boyle, Aiken, Hall and Davis to add to an already strong squad. I’d have them as premiership favourites leading into the season. The Broncos still look good on paper but perhaps their time of dominance has passed for now. I expect the Roosters to win comfortably.
2022 Grand Finalists the Eels meet newcomers the Wests Tigers on Sunday. The Eels have had significant changes in personnel and so it is difficult to gauge their squad at this point. Wests Tigers have done well to sign up the likes of Vette-Welsh, Togatuki and Apps. (How strange it will be to see Kezie in a different stripe this year! She was the epitome of the Dragons.) For no particular reason, I’ll go with the Eels, possibly because they’ve been there before and have a great coach in Dean Wilders.
The Sharks and the Raiders are both newcomers who feature several experienced NRLW players. The Sharks have Penitani, Tonegato, Dodd and Foliaki while Canberra has Nicholls, Tonga, Temara and Taufa. This could be a cracker! Toss of the coin…Canberra!
So my winners for Round 1 are the Titans, Knights, Roosters, Eels and Raiders.
What a weekend in prospect!
To see the full draw for Season 2023 click HERE.
To see the full draw for the 2023 NRLW season click HERE.
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About Ian Hauser
A relaxed, Noosa-based retiree with a (very) modest sporting CV. A loyal Queenslander, especially when it comes to cricket and rugby league. Enjoys travel, coffee and cake, reading, and has been known to appreciate a glass or three of wine. One of Footy Almanac's online editors who enjoys the occasional editing opportunity to assist aspiring writers.
great preview as always, Ian.
the “Taree Ferrari” is still in the garage … has not played since round 12.
Broncos by plenty