Brisbane have landed on a winning formula in recent weeks but their ability to adapt will be tested here with key players missing in key positions.
Reece Walsh is the obvious omission, but how the Broncos handle the middle without Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan is the concern. Canterbury’s have some absences of their own around the ruck but have repeatedly displayed a willingness to win games in different ways this season.
Brisbane need to start well and avoid getting into the grind with the Dogs.
St George have been ravaged by injuries to compound the loss of Valentine Holmes here. They profile well to go with Canberra early but the Raiders depth this year has been one of their strengths; they don’t lose much when the likes of Trey Mooney and Ata Mariota enter the fray.
Despite their ladder position, the Dragons left edge is one of the most reliable avenues to the try line this season. Sione Finau is a likely pick against a Raiders right edge that continues to be a spot for opposing teams.
This game reeks of a Shane Flanagan ambush but it’s difficult to tip against Canberra right now.
They finished up with 30 points against a struggling Sharks side but there were some uncharacteristic periods from Melbourne last week. They could’ve put Cronulla away a few times but are yet to exhibit that killer instinct we come to expect from the Storm attack.
I think they’ll enjoy a few more looks in this one. North Queensland were lucky to escape a Titans comeback last week and their middle looks even thinner here.
Provided Melbourne can put some fatigue into the Cowboys defence early, the points will come late.
Wests injuries (and player releases) have come at a difficult time for the club. Without three of their four first-choice spine players here, it’s difficult to see how the Tigers withstand the pressure Easts are applying throughout contests.
The kicking game of Hugo Savalo continues to impress while James Tedesco and Sandon Smith repeatedly ask questions of the line in yardage and good-ball. The Roosters are without some key cattle through the middle but they’ve got enough in the spine and backline to post a few points in this one.
Fielding their best squad of the regular season last week did little to improve what is a disconnected and tired Rabbitohs defensive system right now. They’re struggling in the yardage battle most weeks which compounds the pressure placed on a pieced-together attack to manufacture points.
Similarly, the Sea Eagles middle has been patchy at the best of times this year as Anthony Seibold searches for a winning formula around the ruck. Corey Waddell can be a target for the Bunnies here but unless their defence improves and they can grind out a win, Manly should have too many points in them at home.