Isaah Yeo was superb spotting up as Penrith’s primary playmaker last week and we can expect similar levels of involvement from the lock-forward here. It threatens to detract from the Panthers go-forward in yardage as Yeo spends more time on the ball as a distributor rather than a runner.
It’s a simple task for a pieced-together Rabbitohs outfit in this one; contain Yeo and it’ll go a long way to deciding the result.
Keano Kini is an enormous loss for a new-look Titans attack still in its infancy. There may be some growing pains for the Gold Coast here, as there has been in Bondi to start the year.
With both teams still sorting out the kinks on the ball, I’m looking more at what they’re doing off it right now. Easts defence has been desperate in moments and patchy in others; the spaces around Siua Wong will be a target for Sam Verrills and his cast of hulking forwards when the Gold Coast work into good ball.
Reece Walsh hasn’t pulled the right trigger at the right moments in attack to start the year but the one-percenters in his game have impressed. His kick defence, defensive positioning and general play kick options are all evidence of Michael Maguire’s influence and while he’s not enjoying regular highlight reel moments, this new-look Broncos attack doesn’t need him to.
The Dolphins lack of discipline and resilience under pressure has crippled their start to the season. For all the good Isaiya Katoa is doing on the ball, there are too many passive bodies through Redcliffe’s middle right now once fatigue sets in.
Melbourne are dealing with a mini injury crisis right now but their squad depth is up there with the best in the NRL. Their systems will hold up regardless of the cattle while Harry Grant chips away at St George’s ruck defence from dummy-half.
Fresh off the bye (and presumably a Shane Flanagan roasting), I’d like the upside in the Dragons here… against any other team. The Storm should dominate the middle in yardage and find points from there.
We’re getting great value in the Raiders here following a blowout in NRL Round 3. A full strength Canberra pack profiles well to kick North Queensland’s front door down and generate ruck speed or second phase play.
The Cowboys showed some fight last week against Brisbane but were beaten in the back end of both halves. If the Raiders can drag this into a grind like they did in both wins to begin the year, I can’t see North Queensland going with them.
Canterbury’s defence was good enough to maintain an early lead in NRL Round 2 before all but shutting out a woeful Eels attack in Round 3. That being said, the Bulldogs own attack has visibly struggled without Matt Burton and Viliame Kikau triggering cues in the line or firing shots themselves.
Comparatively, Cronulla arguably play with the best attack in the NRL right now. They’ve left points out there in all three games to start the year but it’s what they’re doing in the leadup that’s most encouraging.
Aside from a supercharged Zac Lomax last week, we’re yet to see many positive signs from Parramatta to start the year. Their ill discipline continues to put an already poor defensive system under pressure and their edges in particular have become a spot for attacking teams.
Backrowers are such an important defensive cog and we’re seeing the four-in defender on both Eels edges get held up to create space out wide. Given that’s exactly where Manly like to attack, this matchup doesn’t profile well for Jason Ryles’ men.
Happy to make the value on offer for New Zealand here as my bet of the round.
The Warriors aren’t racking up points but a new-look attack is earning chances on the back of their defence. They’re playing a patient and repeatable brand of football that is designed to go the full 80 minutes and put fatigue into the opposition’s middle.
While Wests attack has impressed to start the year, they’ve had middling defensive teams opposing them. Wahs in a grind.