NSWRL Premier League : Round 7
Preview

Round 7 of the Premier League competition seems to have rolled around very quickly.

Friday night has the first game of the round with 4th place Bulldogs hosting the Balmain side who had the weekend off last weekend when their match against the Magpies was postponed. Canterbury vs. Balmain - Friday 23rd May, Testa Stadium. Kick off at 5.30pm.

Canberra host the visiting Sydney Airport Jets, who will be rueing their performance last weekend, when the allowed the North's side to defeat them. Canberra will certainly want to keep their position at the top of the table. Canberra vs. Newtown - Saturday 24th May, Stiffer Oval. Kick off at 3.00pm.

Parramatta Stadium on a Saturday afternoon with see the newly signed Rooster, Chris Walker, making his debut in a Roosters jersey at fullback. After much media coverage, Walker will be looking for a strong game and this will surely lift the rest of the team which have a very hard task ahead of them to defeat the Eels at home. Parramatta vs. Roosters - Saturday 24th May, Parramatta Stadium. Kick off at 3.30pm.

The battle of the Northern Suburbs takes place at Brookvale Oval on Saturday where Manly play hosts to the visiting Bears side. The Bears will have a bit of confidence after their defeat of the Jets and I'm sure would love to extend their competition points. On the other hand, a win at home for the Manly side would get them on the board. Manly vs. North's - Saturday 24th May, Brookvale Oval. Kick off at 5.15pm.

Newcastle also would be very happy to collect their first points in the Premier League competition in front of their home crowd. The opportunity to do this comes up on Saturday afternoon against the visiting Cronulla Sharks. A tough ask. Newcastle vs. Cronulla - Saturday 24th May, Energy Australia Stadium. Kick off at 5.30pm.

West's Magpies host the visiting St Marys/Penrith Cougars on Sunday. Both teams have settled well into the competition so, for me, this will be a very even contest, and very hard to pick a winner. West's vs. Cougars - Sunday 25th May, Campbelltown Stadium. Kick off at 12.40pm.

The final game of the round for me, is the match of the round. On Sunday South's take on the Dragons at home. Dean Byrne, the Premier League captain for the Dragons, has been called into the St George NIL side to replace the injured Trent Barrett. Byrne has been playing outstanding football and will be sorely missed in the side. This certainly evens out the battle field, and I predict a very close game between these two sides. South's vs. Dragons - Sunday 25th May, Sydney Cricket Ground. Kick off at 12.50pm.

Round 7 - May 23 - 25:

Canterbury vs. Balmain - Friday 23rd May, Testa Stadium. Kick off at 5.30pm.

Canberra vs. Newtown - Saturday 24th May, Stiffer Oval. Kick off at 3.00pm.

Parramatta vs. Roosters - Saturday 24th May, Parramatta Stadium. Kick off at 3.30pm.

Manly vs. North's - Saturday 24th May, Brookvale Oval. Kick off at 5.15pm.

Newcastle vs. Cronulla - Saturday 24th May, Energy Australia Stadium. Kick off at 5.30pm.

West's vs. Cougars - Sunday 25th May, Campbelltown Stadium. Kick off at 12.40pm.

South's vs. Dragons - Sunday 25th May, Sydney Cricket Ground. Kick off at 12.50pm.