Fridays Preview

Time flies when you?re having fun they say, and it?s round three already so if you are a tipster, then this week asks more questions than it answers.

Tonight we have the Roosters and Broncos squaring off at Aussie Stadium with Justin Hodges facing his former Roosters team mates for the first time since they lost the 2004 grand final. This should be a very good match with both sides traditionally playing a hard fought encounter and I expect tonight to be no different. The Roosters are still finding their feet in the halves and still not at their best whilst the Broncos are coming off a loss to the unpredictable Warriors. I?m going to stick with the home side in a low scoring affair with a converted try the difference between the two sides. Roosters by 6.

Raise your hand if you thought by round three both the Dragons and Panthers would be anchored to the bottom of the table without a win to their name? The Panthers look sluggish while the Dragons are playing without pride in their jersey as rumours of internal strife refuse to go away. The loser of this game will find themselves in an enormous hole and occupying last spot on the NRL ladder. The Panthers have been competitive but disappointing in their opening two matches whilst the Dragons have been just plain terrible, giving up over ninety points in two matches. I know Jason Ryles is back on deck this week but I just can?t see the Dragons winning this game against an improving Panthers side. Another loss will turn up the heat on Nathan Brown and I think it?s getting hot out Kogarah way. Panthers by 12.

The Eels came back to earth with almighty thud against the rejuvenated Rabbitohs last week and while some of the talk is about Nathan Brown being the first coach to be given his marching orders, Brian Smith has good reason to be shifting nervously in his seat after his team of big names capitulated to the Bunnies. It doesn?t get any easier as the Eels confront the Sharks who have Brett Kimmorley back from suspension and the Sharks will still be smarting after last weekend?s fiery encounter against Manly. The Eels are yet to convince me they are not just going through the motions as they have done every season since 2001 so until I can see some consistency in their play, I refuse to back them against even the weakest opposition, because that?s when they are most likely to lose. Sharks by 8.

The Cowboys gave the Bulldogs a football lesson last week and they have the forwards to match any side in the NRL but the loss of Travis Norton for an extended period with an arm injury is a real blow to a team aiming at a top four finish. They still have enough depth to cover his loss but his leadership is what they will miss most. The Warriors have lost Ruben Wiki to suspension and it was a recurring them for the hard man when he was at the Raiders. Any time he is cited, he is almost guaranteed a month out of the game, so poor is his record with the judiciary. The Warriors sprung a surprise by toppling the Broncos at Suncorp last weekend but I think the Cowboys will have their number this week with the Warriors error rate sure to be a factor in the final wash up. The highlight of this game will be the battle between two of the NRL?s biggest forward packs. Expect some teeth to be found on the turf after the game. Cowboys by 4.

The top of the table clash between the two fastest sides in the NRL and this one should be a ripper. The Storm are on a hot streak, disposing of the Knights and Dragons with consummate ease and with Matt Orford leading the way, they are near unstoppable at present. They are a team firing on all cylinders and have all crucial positions covered with outstanding players. Manly are still coming to terms with the John Hopoate fiasco and it remains to be seen how they deal with the drama that unfolded during the week, culminating in Hopoate?s sacking on Tuesday night. The halves from both teams are at the top of their game and the battle between Michael Monaghan and Matt Orford should be a great spectacle. In a high scoring affair, I?m leaning towards the Storm to continue their vein of good form but this could be a golden point thriller. Storm by 2.

On paper the Bulldogs and Tigers look completely mismatched but that is usually the case and although outgunned, the Tigers more often than not get the cash. A loss would cast a large shadow over the Bulldogs and their ability to defend their title although they are missing many key players through injury and they are beginning to look extremely reliant on Sonny Bill Williams to provide the inspiration when needed. A dangerous precedent to rely so heavily on one player but the Dogs do have Sherwin and Anasta to take the pressure off Williams, who looks to be playing injured at present. The Tigers need a win here to give them some confidence for the long season ahead after they lost to the Eels in the opening round. Although these matches never go to script, I will pick the Dogs to give the Tigers a mauling and keep them at the bottom end of the table. Dogs by 18.

Easter Monday serves up a slice of green eggs and ham with the Raiders and the Bunnies doing battle. We have team three playing team five on the ladder and I can safely say no one thought that would be the case. Hopefully a good crowd is on hand to support both sides in what should be a terrific match. The Bunnies disposed of the over hyped Eels with relative ease while the Raiders cruised to a comfortable victory over the hapless Knights. A win for either side will see them in the top four and although still very early in the season, a place in the top four guarantees confidence and provides a platform to build a successful season. It also relieves any early season pressure. The Raiders have bought experience and I believe it will be that experience that gets them home in a tight contest. Jason Smith and Matt Adamson will provide the crucial leadership the Raiders have lacked since the retirement of Laurie Daley in 2000. Jason Croker and Michael Hodgson also return for this match so the Raiders will be ready to rumble come Easter Monday. Raiders by 10.