Round 21: Previews and Predictions

Penrith Panthers v Canterbury Bulldogs Thursday night, Pepper Stadium After a crucial win against the Titans last weekend, Penrith has kept in touch with the top eight and remain just one win out from the last finals spot. The Panthers host Canterbury in another big game for Anthony Griffin's men, although they'll have to do it without captain Matt Moylan, who has been left out of Thursday's game with a hamstring injury. Bryce Cartwright returns but is only listed as a reserve, as Tyrone May will replace Moylan at five-eighth. The Bulldogs' season is all but over, although they will welcome back James Graham after he overcame a neck injury. Three wins in a row see the Panthers up and about in their quest for post-season football, and they'll be buoyed by their previous result against the Bulldogs, as they stormed to a 38-0 away win. It won't be to the same effect, the Penrith will manage the same result here. Panthers by 14. New Zealand Warriors v Cronulla Sharks Friday night, Mt Smart Stadium Despite losing their last three matches, the Warriors have named an unchanged line-up ahead of Cronulla's visit on Friday night. A 24-12 loss to North Queensland last weekend means New Zealand is now three wins outside the eight, as their finals chances are all but over. On the other hand, the Sharks are fighting to stay inside the top four, with North Queensland hot on their heels in fifth position. Cronulla will be without their golden point hero from the two sides' meeting back in round 16, as James Maloney will miss due to a hand issue. Fa'amanu Brown replaces Maloney at five-eighth, while James Segeyaro starts at hooker and Jack Bird returns at centre. Cronulla would love to keep in touch with the top sides, and they should do that with a win here. Sharks by 10. Parramatta Eels v Brisbane Broncos Friday night, ANZ Stadium Parramatta's finals hopes took a blow on Sunday afternoon, as Clint Gutherson suffered a season-ending knee injury. The Eels are currently two games clear of ninth position, but with a poor points differential, they can't afford to drop too many more games. Corey Norman's 77th-minute field goal was enough to see them beat the Tigers last weekend, and the Eels will bring in Josh Hoffman to replace Gutherson from that side in the only change. Brisbane's big win last weekend over the Bulldogs sees them move into third position, and stay just one win outside of the top two. Darius Boyd returns at fullback after overcoming injury, as Kodi Nikorima drops down to the reserves. Both sides have been in form of late, but Brisbane should just have enough. Broncos by 4. Newcastle Knights v St George Illawarra Dragons Saturday afternoon, McDonald Jones Stadium Newcastle have been brave, yet outclassed in the past month, but last Friday night they were simply outclassed by the Roosters. It looks as though the demands of the season have worn Nathan Brown's men out. The Dragons, on the other hand, ignited their top four hopes with an absolute master class victory over the Sea Eagles. I'd like to see the pick the score dividend on that one. The win sets a platform for the Dragons, who if they can continue to win, and win well, could find themselves up with the premiership heavyweights. With all due respect to the Knights, this looks like a case of the Dragons by how many? Like every week, I'm hoping for a Knights break out win, but I can't see it happening. Dragons by 20. South Sydney Rabbitohs v Canberra Raiders Saturday night, ANZ Stadium The Bunnies had their season ended in the Shire last Friday night, yet can be somewhat proud of their efforts. They pushed the premiers all the way, and had a few things gone their way, who knows? The Raiders had it all to play for last weekend, yet came up short against the Storm, despite last year's Grand Finalists being without Billy Slater and Cameron Smith for an extended time. Ricky Stuarts downright strange attack on the referees was an obvious ploy to deflect attention from the loss, but the equation is now simple, lose on Saturday, and whatever slim hopes of finals footy are dead and buried. Cody Walker moves back into the halves, and FINALLY, we see Damian Cook named in the run on side. Bunnies fans will be asking why these changes weren't made a month ago, or more. Too little, too late. Raiders 7. Sydney Roosters v North Queensland Cowboys Saturday night, Allianz Stadium The Roosters did the business, with minimal fuss, against the Knights, but will have to produce similar performances against the top sides to send a real message. They get the chance on Saturday night. The Cowboys have set themselves up as a genuine contender for yet another top four finish following a workmanlike win over the Warriors. They too have a chance to send a message on Saturday. In what could be a preview for mid-September, two of the competition's best sides will clash with it all to play for. Some of the clashes across the park are mouth watering. Taumalolo and Hess will collide with Napa and JWH at some stage, and you better believe it will be brutal. Whichever forward pack can lay the platform will set their side on their way, as the likes of Morgan and Pearce look to guide their side toward an all important top four spot. Both sides are missing some serious cattle, but the Roosters should have a little bit more class, especially in front of their home fans. Roosters by 12. Melbourne Storm v Manly Sea Eagles Sunday afternoon, AAMI Park If the above game isn't the game of the round, this certainly is. Another game with huge implications in terms of top four positioning, as well as the minor premiership. The Storm will be sans Billy Slater, but Cameron Smith has been named to play his 350th game. The Storm doesn't often lose these milestone games. Manly, fresh off a shock loss to the Dragons, need to win. A loss here puts them on the back foot and could see them slip behind the Roosters and Sharks, and certainly the Storm. Cronk vs DCE looms as the clash of the weekend as the incumbent Origin and test halfback looks to guide his side to a crucial victory on his skipper's big day. I can't wait for this one. Munster vs Tommy Turbo is a preview of a clash that will dominate the next decade at all levels of the game. Storm by 1. Gold Coast Titans v Wests Tigers Sunday afternoon, Cbus Super Stadium The Titans big win against the Sharks looks as though it will count for nought after their loss to the Panthers. They have a good opportunity to bounce back here against the deflated Tigers. Tigers fans will be wondering what they have to do to win after pushing the Eels for 79 and a half minutes last weekend. A gap in polish in the halves was ultimately the difference and looks as though it may decide this one also. Ash Taylor is having a blinder of a season and shapes as a key here. Jarryd Hayne will have to produce the kind of form that saw him take the Eels to the Grand Final, but truthfully he does not look the same player. The Tigers are playing for pride now and will again be brave. That win will come, but it won't be this weekend. Titans by 6.