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The preview panel for round 14 of the NRL.
PREVIEW OF NRL ROUND 14 MATCHES (all times AEST):
THURSDAY, JUNE 13
Canberra v Cronulla at GIO Stadium, 7.5opm
Head to head: Sharks 41, Raiders 33, Drawn 2
Last clash: Round 19, 2018 - Sharks 28 bt Raiders 24 at Southern Cross Group Stadium
Canberra sit just one win ahead of the Sharks in fourth and go in unchanged, while the visitors will welcome back Josh Morris and Shaun Johnson is a chance to return. Canberra can leapfrog the Sydney Roosters into third spot with victory against the sixth-placed Sharks, who are also chasing a third-straight win.
Key: Will Johnson waltz back in and run amok?
Tip: Raiders
FRIDAY, JUNE 14
Gold Coast v Warriors at Cbus Super Stadium, 6pm
Head to head: Warriors 17, Titans 8, Drawn 1
Last clash: Round 4, 2019 - Warriors 26 bt Titans 10 at Mt Smart Stadium
A bout of gastro was hardly the preparation the Warriors needed ahead of their trip to the Glitter Strip. The wounded Titans have reshuffled their backrow, with Bryce Cartwright and Tyrone Peachey the next men up. Ashley Taylor remains on personal leave, while Adam Blair will play his 300th NRL game.
Key: It's a meeting of arguably the NRL's most unpredictable teams, but steady heads Blake Green (Warriors) and Tyrone Roberts (Titans) can provide the decisive direction.
Tip: Titans.
North Queensland v Wests Tigers at 1300SMILES Stadium, 7.55pm
Head to head: Wests Tigers 19, Cowboys 16, Drawn 2
Last clash: Round 10, 2018 - Wests Tigers 20 bt Cowboys 12 at Leichhardt Oval
Both teams are knocking on the door of the top eight and the Cowboys will be driven by last week's luckless, two-point loss to Manly. The Tigers have moved skipper Moses Mbye to the centres as speculation about his future continues, with Corey Thompson to wear the No.1.
Key: Josh McGuire has the backing of his coach to remain aggressive after his second fine for contrary conduct earned the ire of segments of the rugby league community.
Tip: Cowboys.
SATURDAY, JUNE 15
Melbourne v Newcastle at AAMI Park, 3pm
Head to head: Storm 25, Knights 15, Drawn 1
Last clash: Round 15, 2018 - Storm 28 bt Knights 10 at McDonald Jones Stadium
Newcastle will welcome the return of dynamic fullback Kalyn Ponga, while Aidan Guerra is a chance of making a comeback from an ankle fracture against the competition front-runners. Storm workhorse Dale Finucane will get his chance to impress NSW selectors while the side's Queensland contingent will all front up again after their gritty defeat of the Warriors.
Key: Mitchell Pearce has plenty to prove as he presses for a NSW State of Origin recall.
Tip: Storm.
South Sydney v Penrith at ANZ Stadium, 5.30pm
Head to head: Rabbitohs 50, Panthers 39, Drawn 3
Last clash: Round 7, 2018 - Rabbitohs 22 bt Panthers 18 at Penrith Stadium.
Queensland star Dane Gagai will return on the wing following reports, rubbished by the club, that he wants out of the Rabbitohs. Cody Walker is also back after a rest that followed his Origin debut. Wayne Bennett will be without Sam Burgess and brother Tom due to injury and suspension respectively. Fresh off a win against the Roosters, the Panthers are unchanged as they hunt a fourth straight victory.
Key: Can the in-form James Maloney land a direct blow to Cody Walker as the halves square off in a potential battle for Origin II selection?
Tip: Rabbitohs.
Parramatta v Brisbane at Bankwest Stadium, 7.30pm
Head to head: Broncos 33, Eels 21, Drawn 3
Last clash: Round 12, 2018 - Broncos 18 bt Eels 10 at Suncorp Stadium
Brisbane will welcome the return of Queensland pair Corey Oates and Matt Gillett after the side slumped to a shock loss against the Titans last weekend without them. Halfback Sean O'Sullivan gets his first crack in Broncos colours after Tom Dearden's ankle injury. Will Smith has paid the price after last weekend's big loss to the Sharks, replaced in the No.6 by the returning Jaeman Salmon.
Key: In just his second NRL game, can 20-year-old Sean O'Sullivan find his feet alongside Anthony Milford to put the Broncos back on track?
Tip: Eels.
SUNDAY, JUNE 16
Manly v St George Illawarra at Lottoland, 2pm
Head to head: Dragons 19, Sea Eagles 9, Drawn 1
Last clash: Round 6, 2019 - Dragons 12 bt Sea Eagles 10 at WIN Stadium
Two unchanged, winning teams go at it as seventh hosts 10th. But only two points separate the sides, with the Dragons' big defeat of the Bulldogs putting them back in the fray after a worrying five-game losing streak. Now among five teams in a congested middle of the table on 12 points, Paul McGregor will look to Corey Norman and Ben Hunt to steer them inside the eight.
Key: Playing his second game at fullback since returning from a hamstring injury, Tom Trbojevic will be itching to stretch out if he finds himself in space on Sunday.
Tip: Manly.
Sydney Roosters v Canterbury at Sydney Cricket Ground, 4pm
Head to head: Roosters 91, Bulldogs 85, Drawn 7
Last clash: Round 7, 2018 - Roosters 6 bt Bulldogs 0 at ANZ Stadium
High-profile recruit Dallin Watene-Zelezniak will make his Bulldogs debut in the centres, with Nick Meaney retaining his spot at the back. Roosters representative pair Latrell Mitchell and Angus Crichton are welcome inclusions after being rested from last weekend's shock loss to the Panthers. Boyd Cordner and James Tedesco may be rested despite being named as the defending champions aim to snap a three-game losing streak.
Key: A freshened-up Latrell Mitchell has plenty to prove after being fingered following NSW's Origin I loss.
Tip: Roosters.
