Brisbane Broncos v Penrith Panthers
Suncorp Stadium, Friday Night
Suncorp Stadium will be buzzing on Friday night as the Broncos fans look to overcome last week's heartbreak and defeat the Panthers who are on a high after last week's elimination final win over the Sea Eagles.
The Panthers will look to spoil the party and that will start from the back as their back five were immense last week with Josh Mansour leading the way with a whopping 236 metres from 24 runs. Dylan Edwards impressed once again at fullback but it was a gaping hole left by Brisbane's forward pack last week that's something Penrith will seek to penetrate once again this Friday night.
Four Roosters forwards ran for 144m or more last week and you can bet Isaah Yeo, Reagan Campbell-Gillard and co. will know that heading to Suncorp this week. The Panthers have empty spaces in their own line as well, claiming an unwanted title of having the most missed tackles in the league this season.
Brisbane are deadly in second phase football with the likes of Anthony Milford, Benji Marshall and Kodi Nikorima needing no invitation to break the opposition's line. Darius Boyd has been named in an extended squad for the Broncos and remains a chance to return to the side however the four-halves line up (essentially) proved that they can co-exist last week.
While the Panthers are more balanced, both sides prefer attacking the right-hand side of the field where Corey Oates, James Roberts, Josh Mansour and Tyrone Peachey operate. Dallin Watene Zelezniak has proved to be nervy at times in defence in recent weeks and Oates and co will continue to test him out this week.
The Broncos got the better of the Panthers in their only other encounter in 2017 however that match up counts for nothing this weekend.
Penrith's below average record at Suncorp Stadium won't deter them this weekend as Anthony Griffin returns to the place he called home for seven years.
The Broncos will start as comfortable favourites and deservedly so but there's no doubting the Panthers will be up for the fight. Brisbane has shown they can be frail at times including just recently when Parramatta put 52 points on Wayne Bennett's side at Suncorp.
If the Panthers can jump out to an early lead or at least run with the Broncos early, they'll give themselves every chance of causing an upset. Penrith has scored a massive 21 tries in the final 10 minutes of games in 2017, a clear league leader in that area. In fact, Anthony Griffin's side has scored 33 tries in the final quarter of games compared to just 12 in the opening 20 minutes.
Keep it close and the Broncos might start running.
Broncos by 2.
Parramatta Eels v North Queensland Cowboysย
ANZ Stadium, Saturday Nightย
If Parramatta weren't considered a premiership chance before, they sure are now after pushing Melbourne right down to the wire last weekend. Their quest for premiership glory continues this weekend in what's sure to be boisterous crowd against a Cowboys side who toppled the reigning premiers in extra time.
Jason Taumalolo was simply incredible last week, running for 259 metres from 22 runs, making 37 tackles and scoring a try. While a similar performance is almost unfathomable, he, along with the rest of the forwards, will need to bring their 'A' game this weekend as Parramatta's pack is no joke. Nathan Brown, Tepai Moeroa, Kenny Edwards and co are in sublime form and continued that last weekend with their line speed and wall-like defence stunning the Storm in the opening half.
The Cowboys have typically been slow starters in 2017 and cannot afford that trend to continue this week. Parramatta loves playing in front and with the game on their terms and have one of the best halves combinations in the game to control the tempo to a tee.
Mitchell Moses is in career best form and that is complimented well by the form of the outside players in the blue and gold. Will Smith has been terrific at fullback in Bevan French's absence and will be tested once again this week by Michael Morgan who is having a career-best season.
His field goal last week was the difference between his side being on holiday or not this Saturday night while the possible return of Justin O'Neill will only give the Cowboys some added confidence to earn a preliminary final berth.
As it stands, both sides will head into the clash unchanged.
Back to back weeks of travel may hurt the Cowboys but being the underdog won't change much from what they've experienced for most of 2017. They'll take it right up to the Eels but we think that Parramatta's form is too good to ignore.
Eels by 8.
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