Round 14 Preview ? The home
stretch

As all clubs now step into the second half of the competition, a few will do so with confidence, some with trepidation, others with fear. Clubs like Souths and Newcastle have resigned themselves to their fate, while Penrith and Canterbury are staring up at an insurmountable task. At the top looking down are Brisbane, Manly and North Queensland, whose only worries appear to extend to the dogfight over whom gets the 100 grand on offer for the minor premiership and Parramatta are strengthening their claims for a top four spot at the expense of Cronulla.

What?s left is the grey area which begins to form around this time of the year. Just as a group of teams begin to break away from the rest of the comp, this grey matter emerge only to spring upsets and spoil punters tipping sheets whilst still clinging to the hope that they can push on into the top 8 and contend the bronzed statue of Norm and Arthur.

This time of the year is indeed a mysterious one for clubs, as it is played out in the background to the Shakespearean theatrics of State of Origin. With 51 picks from 84, another round of six games with rep players on the sidelines provides further consternation for the tipster.

Tigers v Sharks

The Tigers travel down to Campbelltown again this Friday, following on from their successful jaunt there three weeks ago, which saw them defeat Canberra in front of a new record crowd. Methinks this will be a tougher assignment however.

The Sharks are reeling from the dismissal of Kimmorley by the NSW selectors, a two match losing streak including last week?s pulverisation at the hands of the Cowboys, and generally poor recent form. They do have a strong line-up with Stevens back, however Adam Dykes is still missing.

This week?s hosts were embarrassed last start by Melbourne after such a wondrous first half at Leichhardt Oval, once again, in front of a packed house. But they will not have enough in the forwards here to combat the Sharkies, who are eager to feed on a wounded Tiger in order to rebuild the confidence that has been lost in the camp.

Raiders v Broncos

I can remember when Canberra v Brisbane was a clash of the Titans. It was played on a Friday night or Sunday afternoon, had plenty of big hits and flashy footwork, and even if you didn?t go for either club you watched in awe as two near-Origin sides slugged it out for eighty minutes.

Well, this game is far from those grand old days, and Origin commitments can be blamed in part, to the extent where it could become a bore-fest with some very uncreative players in each team. The Raiders have also been heavily affected by injuries this season, but receive a timely boost in Schifcofske and Woolford who make their returns after several weeks out. Jason Smith is still out which is a real shame given that his brother is locking the scrum for the opposition this week.

Brisbane?s backline looks a little shaky, but their forwards are still tough as nails. Webcke will lead the way with Parker and Stagg providing ample back-up and the clever darts out of acting half by Berrigan will prove too much for the Raiders even though they are at home.

Knights v Eels

Just when you thought Origin couldn?t affect the Knights and they might get their listed team on the field in one piece for a change, Trent Barrett?s quadriceps enter the fray and Andrew Johns finds himself lining up for the Blues.

Whilst millions would disagree with me, I gave Newcastle some hope of taking Parra this week, but with Johns out they are once again reduced to rubble. The Eels always struggle up at Marathon and the colliding forces of Newcastle due for a win, Parramatta due for a loss and the home ground advantage gave some impetus to my theory.

It?s highly likely Parra will do a number on them now, with a very strong pack of forwards even if they are missing Hindmarsh and a slick backline who are hungry for the ball. Tahu will want to get on the park as well just to show them what they are missing out on.

Rabbitohs v Sea Eagles

I was very impressed by Souths last week as they held on for a point against the under strength premiers away from home. They showed gusto similar to the beginning of the season when they tried hard and really put in. But I?m worried about them this week.

They are playing Manly at a good time though, with Kennedy and Menzies away on Origin duty, the Sea Eagles lose a big strike forward and a consistency hound. This is a problem for Manly, who slipped up to the Eels in the week preceding the first Origin encounter.

Souths are no Parra though, but they have what resembles their best outfit on the park along with a couple of guys looking to make the most of things while Fletch, Hooks and Mad Dog jnr are nursing themselves back to health. I?m going to pick the Sea Eagles, but I do expect the Bunnies to compete and give this one a shake as the delightful aroma of upset is wafting their way.

Warriors v Storm

New Zealand are back at home this week and they will be happy about that. The Warriors had a disappointing stoush with the Dragons at WIN Stadium last start where they were eventually beaten but at times really asked some questions of the red and whites.

Melbourne had a strange game also, showing up for the second half and blitzing the Tigers, but you don?t want to go to sleep on the Warriors. They are big and mean and enjoy throwing the ball around and lookout if it sticks!

The Storm are missing Smith, Slater and King thanks to Origin and got a very rude wake-up call against Canterbury the last time it happened. This given, I?m leaning towards the Warriors at home since they appear to be stringing together some form of late and they really do have a tough pack of forwards even if Price is missing. Skinny Byrne is one to watch as well, striking a rich vein of form over the past two months.

Dragons v Cowboys

Almost another entire team of players is out of this one, with 6 Cowboys lining up for the Queenslanders, 4 Dragons for the Blues along with Barrett and Thompson out of the game through injury. The Dragons look to be without their star pivot for another spell thanks to the rugged Dubbo turf but for the Cowboys, sharp-shooting centre Josh Hannay is back in the frame after the nasty injury he sustained against Brisbane in round 10.

Whilst the Cowboys have made a real graveyard of their home ground in Townsville, their travelling often comes under scrutiny. One place where they have been happy visitors over the year is Kogarah Oval, having defeated Saints there twice and having two very narrow losses in the past eight years. This round should be no different, with Graham Murray keen to push further towards the summit of the table.

When you take into account that 12 regular first graders will be missing this clash before running your finger across the team lists, you notice that both sides still have strengths in particular areas. The Cowboys pack is enormous and full of hard working forwards lead by Rauhihi, Tronc, Southern and O?Donnell whereas the Dragons have a number of rookies with Timmins the only veteran. In the backs and halves the home side appears to have an edge and if they can use this to their advantage they may rack up a few points, but I can?t look past the size and skill of the Cowboys forwards and a measurably superior bench. The Cowboys by a few, and they might be sitting in second spot at the end of the round if the Bunnies spring a surprise.

The Panthers, Roosters and Bulldogs have the bye this round. All these teams will welcome the two points on offer and whilst Easts and Canterbury may relish the chance to rest their troops, I think the more footy Penrith play the better right now. They look to be gone for the season and one wonders how the 2003 premiers and 2004 contenders have fallen so far from grace.

And a special hello to Lozza, a true champion of the game, who?s not feeling real well right now. Stay of the cans for a while mate...