Newcastle Knights vs Gold Coast Titans (Saturday 3pm, McDonald Jones)
Last Five: Gold Coast 4 wins, Newcastle 1 win
It’s the second game of the weekend where the result has no bearing on the finals series.ย Newcastle made hard work of Parramatta in a scrappy win last weekend at home, giving their home record a bit of a boost.ย The well-documented video ref call and forward pass missed in Gold Coast’s loss to Sydney Roosters on Sunday night will give the Titans encouragement going into this one.ย Jai Arrow and Keegan Hipgrave are big inclusions for the Titans and that will provide plenty of power through the middle where Newcastle could be exposed.ย It looks like the Titans will continue their good record against the Knights this week.
PREDICTION: Titans 30 Knights 14
Wests Tigers vs South Sydney Rabbitohs (Saturday 5:30pm, ANZ)
Last Five: Wests Tigers 4 wins, South Sydney 1 win
I feel this game is the most intriguing of the weekend.ย Wests Tigers seem to have found some continuity in Marshall and Farah on their way to an upset win at Kogarah last week.ย It may be pure coincidence given the Dragons are slipping out of contention for the minor premiership.
South Sydney are probably due for a loss, something that almost happened in Cairns against the Cowboys before catching the Bulldogs reeling from their Belmore nightmare.ย Chris Lawrence’s injury is a blow and the Tigers must start Alex Twal.ย Are Wests Tigers ready to produce a giant killing in their attempt to stay in touch with the Raiders?
PREDICTION: South Sydney 30 Wests Tigers 22
https://nothingbutleague.com/2017/05/13/four-pointers-ssfc-rabbitohs-df-wests-tigers/
North Queensland Cowboys vs St George-Illawarra Dragons (7:30pm Saturday, 1300 Smiles)
Last Five: St George-Illawarra 3 wins, North Queensland 2 wins
Are these the two most “untippable” sides this round?ย The Dragons have lost confidence and are going busted, while with the Cowboys you get the feeling there are off-field problems brewing between coach and players after their surrender in Canberra.ย In these types of games you have to look at what team wants to win it more.ย With the Roosters and Warriors in back-to-back weeks, a solid effort is required from the Red V.ย Will blond-haired Gareth Widdop come to the rescue?ย Antonio Winterstein’s axing doesn’t send a clear signal from Paul Green that players are on notice.ย He should have gone further.ย Another tough night coming up for the Cowboys.
PREDICTION: Dragons 30 Cowboys 16
https://nothingbutleague.com/2017/04/16/four-pointers-st-george-illawarra-dragons-28-north-queensland-cowboys-22/
