FRIDAY FOOTY PREVIEW – NRL ROUND 14
Here at EIUOO SPORTS we’ll do our best to give you a leg up in your respective tipping competitions with some quick predictions for the weekend’s football in both codes. Here is the NRL Preview for Round 14.
ROUND 14 PREVIEW
MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
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SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Who I'm Tipping: Sea Eagles by 10
Why? Manly have had a week off to rest any niggling injuries thanks to the bye and although they may have 4 players backing up from Origin and apparently have players struck down with a virus, they should have too much firepower for a South Sydney. I just can't see Souths being able to match Manly offensively although the wet weather again today gives Souths a far better chance if they can turn the game into a forward orientated arm wrestle.
Why? Manly have had a week off to rest any niggling injuries thanks to the bye and although they may have 4 players backing up from Origin and apparently have players struck down with a virus, they should have too much firepower for a South Sydney. I just can't see Souths being able to match Manly offensively although the wet weather again today gives Souths a far better chance if they can turn the game into a forward orientated arm wrestle.
BULLDOGS
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BRISBANE BRONCOS
Who I'm Tipping: Bulldogs by 8
Who I'm Tipping: Bulldogs by 8
Why? Both teams need to win this to bring themselves back into the thick of the Top 8 race but the Dogs seem to have weakened themselves by dropping Ben Roberts and Willie Tonga for disciplinary reasons. Quite frankly I expect at least Tonga to play as Phelps could be ruled out with post-concussion syndrome and if he does the Bulldogs might just be too tenacious for what will be a Lockyer-led (but Tate and possibly Hunt-less) Broncos outfit. By no means do the Broncos lack hope in this game but the Dogs pack looks fit and that's why I'm picking them in what will be below average (wet) conditions at Telstra.
CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
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WARRIORS
Who I'm Tipping: Sharks by 14
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WARRIORS
Who I'm Tipping: Sharks by 14
Why? Cronulla welcome back a number of key players to the team that overcame the Dragons on Monday night and they will send the Warriors to their 7th straight loss. I tipped the Warriors to overcome a no-name Storm outfit last week because I thought they had far more points in them than the Storm... but they simply played themselves out of that game with a lack of urgency and I cannot tip them away from home.
PENRITH PANTHERS
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SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Who I'm Tipping: Panthers by 16
SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Who I'm Tipping: Panthers by 16
Why? The home ground advantage has me behind the Panthers as well as a belief they are a team that follow no form line and as a result might be up for a big win this week. The Roosters did score 64 points last week but due to injury they do not welcome back Minichiello and Anasta to that attacking unit, so although you could argue this could be a bonus to the continuity created last week I simply can't see them getting half as many points this week - even against a team with form as fickle as the Panthers.
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
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MELBOURNE STORM
Who I'm Tipping: Storm by 4
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MELBOURNE STORM
Who I'm Tipping: Storm by 4
Why? Thurston will play after being cleared of a broken hand but the Cowboys looked so incredibly soft in the middle of the ruck against the Roosters (not to mention the edges and just about everywhere on the field) that tipping them to fix everything up in 7 days is just folly. Sure Thurston can inspire his teammates and bring a significant boost to the team's attacking weaponry but the Storm play a far more disciplined brand of football and welcome back some class of their own.
PARRAMATTA EELS
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ST.GEORGE-ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Who I'm Tipping: Eels by 1
Why? The Dragons are making big strides on the terrible football they were playing a month ago but the Eels will have plenty to prove after being humbled by the Raiders on the weekend. Saints named their best lineup for some weeks but the Eels have both the home ground advantage and their stars returning but even then I don't expect them to walk away with this one. In fact I smell a golden pointer here...
Why? The Dragons are making big strides on the terrible football they were playing a month ago but the Eels will have plenty to prove after being humbled by the Raiders on the weekend. Saints named their best lineup for some weeks but the Eels have both the home ground advantage and their stars returning but even then I don't expect them to walk away with this one. In fact I smell a golden pointer here...
WESTS TIGERS
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GOLD COAST TITANS
Who I'm Tipping: Tigers by 10
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GOLD COAST TITANS
Who I'm Tipping: Tigers by 10
Why? The Tigers made it 7 wins in 8 games by overcoming the Knights on Sunday but they really weren't up against an opponent with any genuine firepower and that should change when they face the Titans. Although Preston Campbell may return from injury as a late inclusion the news that starting prop Luke Bailey may not play has tipped the balance of power back in favour of the Tigers. Watching Robbie Farah and Scott Prince run each team's attack will be reason alone to tune in on Sunday.
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
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CANBERRA RAIDERS
Who I'm Tipping: Knights by 18
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CANBERRA RAIDERS
Who I'm Tipping: Knights by 18
Why? Canberra certainly blew the Eels away on Saturday night but if you saw them struggle as bad as they did against the Titans a week earlier - you will be hesitant to confidently predict which Canberra side will turn up in Newcastle. The Knights welcome Gidley, Mullen, Buderus, Simpson and Woolnough back this week and realistically these additions turn the Knights into a Top 8 calibre side with the way the competition is travelling this year. But although the Raiders can certainly win this game by playing to their ability, the home ground advantage and return of key players for the Knights have me tipping a big Novocastrian win.
Last week: 3 from 6.
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