3 minute read
The preview panel for round 19 of the NRL.
THURSDAY, JULY 25
Cronulla v North Queensland at PointsBet Stadium, 7.50pm
Head to head: Sharks 29, Cowboys 18
Last clash: Round 3, 2019 - Sharks 42 bt Cowboys 16 at 1300SMILES Stadium
North Queensland has been held to 20 points or less in nine straight games against Cronulla, a big reason why the Sharks' record against them is better than any other team. It's a good time to play their bogey team, coming off a gut-wrenching 19-18 loss - their fifth straight - to the Warriors that dropped them to 11th. Josh Dugan is back at fullback while Michael Morgan (concussion) will miss again for the Cowboys.
Key: The Sharks need their big names to fire, not falter, as they have done since returning from representative duties.
Tip: Sharks
FRIDAY, JULY 26
Newcastle v Wests Tigers at McDonald Jones Stadium, 6pm
Head to head: Knights 13, Wests Tigers 13, drawn 2
Last clash: Round 21, 2018 - Wests Tigers 25 bt Knights 16 at McDonald Jones Stadium
Two teams feeling the squeeze with three-game losing streaks. But the Tigers are just two points behind the eighth-placed Knights in 12th spot, making this clash all the more crucial in the finals race. If that's not enough motivation, Tigers veteran Robbie Farah is celebrating 300 games, while the unchanged Knights are hosting their traditional Beanie for Cancer round.
Key: The Tigers' 2-6 record away from home is equal-worst with the Titans.
Tip: Knights
South Sydney v St George Illawarra at ANZ Stadium, 7.55pm
Head to head: Rabbitohs 22, Dragons 22, drawn 4
Last clash: Round 2, 2019 - Rabbitohs 34 bt Dragons 18 at Netstrata Stadium
The blowtorch is well and truly on a Dragons side that have dropped three straight, nine of their past 11 and have reached a "mathematical" stage of finals calculations. Ben Hunt will be looking to respond from his controversial resting, while the returning Gareth Widdop can provide some inspiration too. The Bunnies get Thomas Burgess back, but brother Sam is unlikely.
Key: Will the Dragons' completely new back-three, including debutant Jason Saab and Queensland star Corey Norman at fullback, make a difference?
Tip: Rabbitohs
SATURDAY, JULY 27
Parramatta v Warriors at Bankwest Stadium, 3pm
Head to head: Eels 21, Warriors 18, drawn 1
Last clash: Round 11, 2018 - Warriors 24 bt Eels 14 at ANZ Stadium
Brad Arthur has responded to the Eels' last-round shellacking with three changes, including mid-season recruit Waqa Blake. Daniel Alvaro and Oregon Kaufusi are in as they attempt to keep their top-eighth spot. The Warriors, losers of one of their past five and coming off a one-point thriller, are three points behind in ninth, and get Ken Maumalo back on the wing.
Key: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, averaging an eye-popping 279 metres in his past five games, is facing an Eels defence that failed to show up last week.
Tip: Eels
Gold Coast v Brisbane at Cbus Super Stadium, 5.30pm
Head to head: Titans 7, Broncos 19, drawn 1
Last clash: Round 13, 2019 - Titans 26 bt Broncos 18 at Suncorp Stadium
Brisbane's top-eight charge is gathering pace but they can't afford to slip again to the last-placed Titans, who have lost five straight at home. Gold Coast upset Brisbane earlier this season and will be buoyed by the debut of experienced English centre Kallum Watkins, with Tyrone Peachey (pectoral) also due back. Matt Gillett will also return from a groin injury for Brisbane.
Key: The Titans' edge defence was constantly in turmoil against the Storm and must show great improvement or risk exposure by the Broncos.
Tip: Broncos
Melbourne v Manly at AAMI Park, 7.35pm
Head to head: Storm 19, Sea Eagles 14, drawn 3
Last clash: Round 18, 2018 - Storm 14 bt Sea Eagles 13 at Lottoland
The Storm's big guns are back, not that they've needed them on the way to nine-straight wins and a comfortable footing atop the NRL ladder. Manly have surprised many to sit fifth and within reach of the top four, with Saturday's clash another great opportunity to prove their credentials. Josh Addo-Carr's return covers for the loss of Suliasi Vunivalu (suspended) while Sandor Earl retains his spot on the other wing and Manly go in unchanged.
Key: Can Manly upset a Storm side that needs to tweak a winning method to accommodate their refreshed representative stars?
Tip: Storm
SUNDAY, JULY 28
Canterbury v Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium, 2pm
Head to head: Bulldogs 85, Roosters 92, drawn 6
Last clash: Round 14, 2019 - Roosters 38 bt Bulldogs 12 at SCG
Dean Pay's men jumped the Titans to move off the bottom of the ladder, before a humbling in Brisbane halted their run last weekend. The premiers are one win from second place and finding their groove, evidenced by their thrashing of Newcastle last weekend. Lachlan Lewis is back for the Bulldogs and Kieran Foran could be too after being named as a reserve.
Key: It's a case of picking your poison if you're the Roosters, with multiple match-winners creating plenty of headaches for Dean Pay.
Tip: Roosters
Penrith v Canberra at Panthers Stadium, 4.05pm
Head to head: Panthers 38, Raiders 37, drawn 2
Last clash: Round 8, 2019 - Raiders 30 bt Panthers 12 at McDonald Park
France-bound James Maloney's farewell tour will begin when his side hosts fourth-placed Canberra. On a seven-game winning streak, the Panthers can edge closer to knocking the Raiders out of the top four with a win. Both teams enter with relative stability, although Ivan Cleary will resort to plan B after Viliame Kikau's unsuccessful trip to the judiciary.
Key: Maloney may have second thoughts on going to the Super League should buy-of-the-season candidate John Bateman have his way on that flank.
Tip: Raiders.
