Round 23 kicks off tonight with only four rounds left before the finals.
Rabbitohs v Broncos, ANZ Stadium, Thursday
Rabbitohs are second on the ladder coming up against the tenth placed Broncos on Thursday night. Replacing brother George Burgess is twin Thomas Burgess in the front row with Joe Picker, Bryson Goodwin and Luke Burgess. Brisbane have named an unchanged side, however centre Justin Hodges is expected to return from a hamstring injury. The Broncos ended a two-game losing streak by thrashing the Bulldogs 41-10 last week.
Rabbitohs are second on the ladder coming up against the tenth placed Broncos on Thursday night. Replacing brother George Burgess is twin Thomas Burgess in the front row with Joe Picker, Bryson Goodwin and Luke Burgess. Brisbane have named an unchanged side, however centre Justin Hodges is expected to return from a hamstring injury. The Broncos ended a two-game losing streak by thrashing the Bulldogs 41-10 last week.
Newsroom’s prediction: Rabbitohs by 12
Eels v Bulldogs, ANZ Stadium, Friday
Sitting just under the Bulldogs is Parramatta in ninth spot on equal 26 points. Bulldogs have lost five-eighth Josh Reynolds to suspension and will be replaced by Moses Mbye. Reynolds copped an early guilty plea and will sit out for three weeks, not returning until round 26 when the Dogs will take on the Titans. Sam Kasiano is also out with an ankle injury, replaced by Reni Maitua with Aiden Tolman starting. Tepai Moeroa returns to the starting side for the Eels and Pauli Pauli will replace Peni Terepo. Vai Toutai is replacing Bureta Faraimo on the wing, Fuifui Moimoi will start at prop with Junior Paulo is out on suspension.
Newsroom’s prediction: Bulldogs by 4
Raiders v Dragons, GIO Stadium, Saturday
Two bottom eight teams will go head-to-head on Saturday. Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has named an unchanged 17 to go up against St George, whereas coach Paul McGregor has moved Gerard Beale to fullback with Adam Quinlan dropping out and Peter Mata’utia coming into the centres. This one will be vital for both teams to seize their spot in the top eight.
Newsroom’s prediction: Raiders by 2
Storm v Sharks, AAMI Park, Saturday
Paul Gallen has been named to return to lock and Tinirau Arona drops back to bench for the Sharks who are a shoe-in for the wooden spoon unless they improve. With Andrew Fifita and Sam Tagataese out, Tim Robinson and Matt Prior will start along with Blake Ayshford being added to the interchange. For Melbourne, Jordan McLean has been included on a five-man bench in the only change to last week’s 17 that lost to the Knights.
Newsroom’s prediction: Storm by 14
Sitting just under the Bulldogs is Parramatta in ninth spot on equal 26 points. Bulldogs have lost five-eighth Josh Reynolds to suspension and will be replaced by Moses Mbye. Reynolds copped an early guilty plea and will sit out for three weeks, not returning until round 26 when the Dogs will take on the Titans. Sam Kasiano is also out with an ankle injury, replaced by Reni Maitua with Aiden Tolman starting. Tepai Moeroa returns to the starting side for the Eels and Pauli Pauli will replace Peni Terepo. Vai Toutai is replacing Bureta Faraimo on the wing, Fuifui Moimoi will start at prop with Junior Paulo is out on suspension.
Newsroom’s prediction: Bulldogs by 4
Raiders v Dragons, GIO Stadium, Saturday
Two bottom eight teams will go head-to-head on Saturday. Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has named an unchanged 17 to go up against St George, whereas coach Paul McGregor has moved Gerard Beale to fullback with Adam Quinlan dropping out and Peter Mata’utia coming into the centres. This one will be vital for both teams to seize their spot in the top eight.
Newsroom’s prediction: Raiders by 2
Storm v Sharks, AAMI Park, Saturday
Paul Gallen has been named to return to lock and Tinirau Arona drops back to bench for the Sharks who are a shoe-in for the wooden spoon unless they improve. With Andrew Fifita and Sam Tagataese out, Tim Robinson and Matt Prior will start along with Blake Ayshford being added to the interchange. For Melbourne, Jordan McLean has been included on a five-man bench in the only change to last week’s 17 that lost to the Knights.
Newsroom’s prediction: Storm by 14
Tigers v Roosters, Leichhardt Oval, Saturday
The Tigers were smashed last week 64-6 by the Cowboys and are up against the fourth placed Sydney Roosters on Saturday. Keith Galloway is returning for Wests with Ava Seumanufagai back to the bench. Tim Simona is out with a knee injury, and Cory Paterson has been named in the centres. The Roosters have named the same 17 that defeated the Gold Coast on Monday 26-18.
Newsroom’s prediction: Tigers by 6
The Tigers were smashed last week 64-6 by the Cowboys and are up against the fourth placed Sydney Roosters on Saturday. Keith Galloway is returning for Wests with Ava Seumanufagai back to the bench. Tim Simona is out with a knee injury, and Cory Paterson has been named in the centres. The Roosters have named the same 17 that defeated the Gold Coast on Monday 26-18.
Newsroom’s prediction: Tigers by 6
Knights v Warriors, Hunter Stadium, Sunday
Beau Scott returns to the back row for the Knights with Jarrod Mullen returning to the halves and Kurt Gidley shifting to fullback. Sione Mata’utia is dropping back to the 20s while Chris Houston will be 18th man. For the Warriors, Shaun Johnson is returning after suffering a groin injury but Tuimoala Lolohea and Dane Neilsen are out with injuries. David Fusitu’a returns on the wing and Ben Henry starts at centre with Konrad Hurrell still out with a hamstring injury. Thomas Leuluai will start at hooker with Nathan Friend on the bench, while Jayson Bukuya comes into the side in the second row.
Newsroom’s prediction: Warriors by 12
Titans v Sea Eagles, Cbus Super Stadium, Sunday
The ladder leaders Manly will take on 13th placed Titans in the closing game of Sunday footy. Coach Geoff Toovey has chosen the same 17 from the round 22 loss to the Rabbitohs. The Titans team also remains unchanged. The Gold Coast based team will need to claim the win here if they have any desire to play finals footy this year.
Beau Scott returns to the back row for the Knights with Jarrod Mullen returning to the halves and Kurt Gidley shifting to fullback. Sione Mata’utia is dropping back to the 20s while Chris Houston will be 18th man. For the Warriors, Shaun Johnson is returning after suffering a groin injury but Tuimoala Lolohea and Dane Neilsen are out with injuries. David Fusitu’a returns on the wing and Ben Henry starts at centre with Konrad Hurrell still out with a hamstring injury. Thomas Leuluai will start at hooker with Nathan Friend on the bench, while Jayson Bukuya comes into the side in the second row.
Newsroom’s prediction: Warriors by 12
Titans v Sea Eagles, Cbus Super Stadium, Sunday
The ladder leaders Manly will take on 13th placed Titans in the closing game of Sunday footy. Coach Geoff Toovey has chosen the same 17 from the round 22 loss to the Rabbitohs. The Titans team also remains unchanged. The Gold Coast based team will need to claim the win here if they have any desire to play finals footy this year.
Newsroom’s prediction: Sea Eagles by 20
Panthers v Cowboys, Sportingbet Stadium, Monday
No changes to the Panthers nor the Cowboys team from round 22. The North Queensland boys are in fine form having won their last four games. Both teams are in the top six so it should be a close game.
Newsroom’s prediction: Panthers by 2 – Kimberley Braddish
Newsroom’s prediction: Panthers by 2 – Kimberley Braddish
Top photo from NAPARAZZI’s Flickr photostream.
About the author
