The Prism - NRL Round 25

Hot topic

Injuries! The curse to any Premiership run.

Everything can be firing, the team on a high, and momentum is accelerating; then a star is incapacitated. This weekend has been carnage for some of the contenders.

The Roosters are at the top of their game and had everything going in the right direction. Now they have lost their enforcer and will have a junior or makeshift half over the next few weeks. They have a load of talent, but the loss of Pearce and Waerea-Hargreaves will be detrimental to their campaign.

Likewise, the Cowboys have lost a representative half and Tamou was taken from the field on a stretcher. Their depth will be tested in a year that was shaping as their best since 2005. Morgan and Tamou are both in career best form and providing potent attacking options outside of Thurston and Talmalmo.

The Storm is without Slater, and now the Rabbitohs and Sharks are sweating on the health of Inglis and Barba. These players are all key to their team's attack and are big meter eaters.

The teams that make the Grand Final will be those that can stay healthy. It is rare that a team has won a premiership in the modern day without all of their stars on the field. This year will be no different and should be a boost to the likes of the Broncos and Bulldogs who are injury free…

… at the moment.

Predictions

Last week I picked 4/8 in a week of upsets. Here are my picks for this week.

Rabbitohs vs. Broncos @ Allianz Stadium
Both teams wanting to take some form into the finals. Rabbitohs by 2

Sea Eagles vs. Roosters @ Brookvale Oval
The Roosters are reeling from their big name injuries. Sea Eagles by 4

Eels vs. Sharks @ Pirtek Stadium
The Sharks are on a roll. Sharks by 4

Knights vs. Bulldogs @ Hunter Stadium
This will be on-way traffic. Bulldogs by 18

Storm vs. Cowboys @ AAMI Park
The Cowboys have major injury concerns. Storm by 6

Tigers vs. Warriors @ Campbelltown Stadium
The Tigers are desperate to avoid the spoon. Tigers by 10

Titans vs. Dragons @ Cbus Super Stadium
A must win by the Dragons. Dragons by 2

Raiders vs. Panthers @ GIO Stadium
A shootout between two underperforming teams at the Raiders graveyard. Panthers by 6

Form Guide

The form guide is based on a predictive model that gives more weight to recent performances. There is no adjustment for personal bias, injury or their position on the table. Byes are given a 50% weighting.

1. Roosters (-) : have won 13 from the last 14 but will be tested with injuries
2. Sharks (+1) : the team with momentum and few injury concerns
3. Bulldogs (+4) : firming as favourites to again make the Grand Final
4. Cowboys (+4) : had a must win but at what cost?
5. Sea Eagles (-4) : was the last up loss the last rights?
6. Rabbitohs (-2) : the season hinges on Inglis' knee
7. Broncos (-2) : only one win in the last month
8. Storm (-2) : upset by the struggling Knights
9. Dragons (+1) : ugly win to hang onto the top 8
10. Eels (+1) : a nice win to dent the Sea Eagles campaign
11. Knights (+1) : two in a row for the new coach
12. Titans (+3) : wanted to avoid the spoon
13. Tigers (-4) : last place and in a need of a win
14. Panthers (-1) : lost 5 pf their past 6
15. Raiders (-1) : 4 losses in a row
16. Warriors (-) : 6 losses in a row and have no confidence

Composite Team

Last week's composite team was made up of players who played in Queensland's 8 year dominance. Can you work out this team?

1. Garry Jack
2. Kerry Boustead
3. Steve Rogers
4. Andrew Ettingshausen
5. Nathan Blacklock
6. Trent Barrett
7. Stacey Jones
8. Steve Roach
9. Noel Kelly
10. Les Boyd
11. David Barnhill
12. Nathan Hindmarsh
13. Wayne Pearce
14. Gary Larson
15. Greg Florimo
16. Ben Elias
17. John Donnelly

This team has speed to burn in the back line, dependable halves and a tough pack.Predicted placing in 2015 table: 4th