Round 6: Previews and Predictions

As we hit the sixth week of the NRL season, we have just one undefeated team left in the competition as the Melbourne Storm thrown their record on the line in a grand final rematch on Sunday afternoon. Some fascinating matchups and intriguing headlines await us as we kick things off on Thursday night. Brisbane Broncos v Sydney Roosters Suncorp Stadium, Thursday Night Both teams enter Thursday night on the NRL losing list following poor performances against Canterbury and Manly respectively. Brisbane were expected to kick start their season last week against a below-average Bulldogs side but instead came unstuck in a 10-7 loss. Their defence has been heavily praised so far this year however their offence is starting to become a real problem for Wayne Bennett's men. Sydney, meanwhile, dropped their first points of the season in an 18-12 loss and looked disinterested at times in the match. Their back five are as explosive as any in the competition and will need to continue producing their good early season form if the Roosters are to win up north. James Roberts remains in out with a hamstring injury despite being named while Dylan Napa is out for the tricolours with an ankle injury. This could go either way but the Broncos are tough to beat at home. We think they'll be able to score just enough should their defence continue their sturdy ways. Broncos by 4 Newcastle Knights v Canterbury Bulldogs McDonald Jones Stadium, Friday Night Knights fans would've been far more pleased with their performance last week despite going down to the reigning premiers by one point. On the back of the news that young hooker Dani Levi has committed to the club until the end of 2020, the Knights will be looking to play a consistent brand of football against a Dogs side who knocked off the Broncos last week. The Dogs might be favourites for Cooper Cronk's signature next season but will have to deal with Moses Mbye in the halves for the time being as he returns after a two week lay off. Nathan Ross returns for the Knights as they look to add to their winning advantage at home over the Bulldogs while Des Hasler's men will be hoping their forward pack can once again click into gear and march them over the line. It could be an ugly game between these two sides on Friday night and if it does pan out that way, we'll back the Dogs to win. Bulldogs by 8 Penrith Panthers v South Sydney Rabbitohs Pepper Stadium, Friday Night Penrith more-or-less dominated last week's match up against Melbourne and came up on the wrong end of a 28-6 score line. Should they manage to hold on to 58% of the ball again this week, you'd think they'd come away with the points but will have to do so without captain Matt Moylan along with Peta Hiku and Waqa Blake who were dropped following a breach of team protocol. Centre Tyrone Peachey also misses with a broken rib. The inconsistent Rabbitohs welcome back George Burgess after a disappointing display against North Queensland last week. For the second week in succession, they put just one try on the board and will need halves pairing Adam Reynolds and Cody Walker to work a bit of magic to kerb the flamboyant Panthers attack. With the Panthers missing a host of stars, this has proven to be a tricky one to pick but Penrith should have enough class elsewhere to return to the winner's list. Panthers by 4 Manly Sea Eagles v St George Illawarra Dragons Lottoland, Saturday Afternoon Who'd have thought these two teams would be coming into this clash having each won their last three matches? Manly were 0-2 and come into this game after knocking off the previously undefeated Roosters now welcome back prop Darcy Lussick for his first game this season. The Sea Eagles appear to be going from strength to strength in both attack and defence. Everything is waiting for the Dragons to drop off but they continue to defy their critics and sit second on the NRL ladder with the second-best defence in the competition, sitting behind the ladder-leading Melbourne Storm. Their forward pack has continually marched them up the field while Gareth Widdop - in a contract year - appears to have found his grove this season. Who wins? After two losses early at home, Manly look threatening once again. History says Dragons play poorly at Brookvale, but we like them just enough to come away with the points. It really is a toss of the coin, though. Dragons by 2 Gold Coast Titans v Canberra Raiders Cbus Super Stadium, Saturday Night The Titans horror run of injuries is a valid excuse as to why they sit near the bottom of the table with a 1-4 record as most clubs would struggle to deal with an injury list in double figures. They do get a bit of relief this week with winger Anthony Don returning along with centre Konrad Hurrell. The Raiders sit seventh on the ladder with just one win more than their opponents but will be looking to stay in tough with their fellow top eight contenders with a win this week. Elliot Whitehead returns in the back row for the green machine as they look to build on a strong performance last week against the Eels. Joseph Leilua and Jordan Rapana were both particularly impressive last week while skipper Jarrod Croker is still as consistent as he's ever been. As good a job as Neil Henry has done with his limited resources, Ricky Stuart's men will simply be too good come Saturday night. Raiders by 14 North Queensland Cowboys v Wests Tigers 1300SMILES Stadium, Saturday Night The Cowboys have somewhat flown under the radar in 2017 however they sit with a 4-1 record and inside the top four. They were impressive last week in sub-par conditions against the Rabbitohs while Lachlan Coote was brilliant in his return from injury. Hooker Jake Granville will miss up to six weeks with a leg injury which means Ben Hampton gets the starting nod as Kalyn Ponga returns to the bench. The Tigers will run out for the first time under new coach Ivan Cleary with the ink still drying on Luke Brooks' freshly penned new deal. Their 28-6 loss to the Dragons last week was average, to say the least, but the only way is up, right? Johnathan Thurston hasn't set the league world alight by any means so far in 2017 but he hasn't needed to. It's been a team effort from the Cowboys as they've cruised through the season so far. They do have the second-worst defence of any top eight sides, a stat they'll want to improve on as we go deeper into the season. The Tigers will be up for it but under a new coach, things will take time. Cowboys by 10 New Zealand Warriors v Parramatta Eels Mt Smart Stadium, Sunday Afternoon Warriors fans finally have something to smile about as Keiran Foran made his club debut and they got a win - albeit just - against the Titans last week. Shaun Johnson's prowess continues to 'ooh' and 'ahh' viewers as his partnership in the halves with Foran will only continue to get stronger as the season progresses. Fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is also beginning to show consistent glimpses of what makes him so special. For Parramatta, the return of Tepai Moeroa will give them a boost that they need so dearly following three straight losses by 12 or more points. It's been reported that the club has pulled their offer for Cronulla's Jack Bird which puts a bit of pressure on halves duo Corey Norman and Clinton Gutherson to perform. The Warriors are never easy to beat at home and Parramatta will struggle to turn the tide on their form this weekend. Warriors by 6 Melbourne Storm v Cronulla Sharks AAMI Park, Sunday Afternoon A Grand Final rematch to close out the round is a nice way to end the weekend. The Storm sit at the top of the table, however, haven't been totally convincing until last week, when their efficient attack coupled with their gritty defence was on show in a 28-6 win over Penrith. Jordan McLean and Christian Welch - both who just missed out last week - should come back in after being named on an extended bench while there will be plenty of emotion following the announcement from Cooper Cronk on Tuesday. Cronulla will travel down south after a poor yet victorious display against Newcastle last week. Paul Gallen didn't mince his words after the match and will be expecting a better overall display this week. The Sharks will try to run straight through the middle of the Storm line - a tactic that works if executed well - but the Storm defence has been the best in the competition so far this season - with no close competitor - and it will be a season-best performance from the Sharks to hand the Storm their first loss of the season. There will be tantalising matchups all over the park on Sunday afternoon. Fortunately, we just get back to sit back and watch. Storm by 8