Round 6 Preview ? This one could go
anywhere!

Last week certainly lived up to it?s ?upside down? reputation, with this punter picking three winners and taking his total to 20/35, which might be fair to middling in most tipping competitions, but then again I could be applying liberal doses of generosity. One startling fact to emerge from the rubble though, was the order amongst the chaos. Surely, with all the lopsided and unpredictable results, you wouldn?t imagine that one of sports most treasured institutions would actually prove true? Remarkably, the home ground advantage came to the fore and was the one constant amid a seemingly changing landscape.

Bulldogs v Roosters

When the NRL were planning this game back in December as a Grand Final replay, I?m sure no one could have imagined that these two teams would have only three wins between them after five rounds and be contending with serious injury concerns and in some cases chronic form.

The Bulldogs have had the week off, which can really only be a good thing for them. They?ve had a mumps plague sweep through the club and have been hit with injuries to key players. Mark O?Meley returns for the Bulldogs this week and he will restore some much needed starch to the pack. Likewise Reni Maitua will provide added depth.

The Roosters on the other hand have been out of sorts on the park. Some observers point to the halves combination not being right which is partly the problem, but their forwards just aren?t putting in either. And this will be their downfall. The Bulldogs have the better of the benches and should beat East?s, but they will put up a good fight. Beware the bye though.

Rabbitoh?s v Panthers

Despite their positions on the ladder, the League Unlimited power ranking have the Bunnies ahead of the Panthers at this stage, and with little argument from most quarters.

South?s have been trying their hearts out and with one or two more quality players to add some depth they could really give this comp a shake. Mad Dog makes his return from suspension this week and he?s always hard to contain and will create headaches for the opposition.

The Panthers have been very unimpressive to date and even though they got on top of the Storm last week they didn?t frighten too many people. It was methodical and a bit boring in patches, apart from Rhys Wesser?s performance.

It?s hard to pick the Bunnies here just because I?m not used to it and I got away with them last week against Newcastle. So I?ll have to go with the Panthers in a close one. Their forwards look too strong and there?s still plenty of class in the club just waiting to remember how good they can be.

Cowboys v Tigers

This one is shaping as a very interesting contest.

Most of the world was shocked by the touch-up North Queensland got last week. They were comprehensively outplayed by a better and hungrier side in Cronulla and may be slipping back into their ?travelling away from home? hoodoo.

But what about those Tigers - just how good are they and can they keep it up? Plenty of people are waiting for the bubble to burst and watch them crash back to earth with a thud, but I don?t think it will necessarily happen that way.

The Cowboys should get them at home this week but West?s will take their A-game to Townsville and really put them to the sword. Sheens will want to win on his old home ground and I?m sure part of their motivation will be the fact that everyone thinks they will fail soon. I?ll stick with North Queensland, but it could go either way.

Storm v Eels

What about this? The giant-killing Storm travelled out to Penrith last week and limped back to Melbourne after a very average display. They looked nothing like the side who put 50 on the Broncos the week earlier. To add confusion to the mix, The Eels beat Penrith in round 4 but had 50 put on them by Brisbane last week.

So what will it be - an absolute massacre by the Storm or a gritty victory to Parramatta?

I?m going with Melbourne here as it?s at Olympic Park and they love playing down there. But given the form of both teams it?s a hard one. The Eels will try desperately to forget last round, but the deciding factor might be a few Storm-boys that were overlooked for the Aussie side who will want to let the selectors know that they?re still there.

Knights v Warriors

I bet Newcastle had envisaged more of a celebration to the opening of their new grandstand, but they find themselves languishing at the bottom of the table searching frantically for a win.

The Warriors have been inconsistent so far this year and are puzzling to say the least. It?s hard to get a decent read on them, as they?ve lost to in-form teams (Sea Eagles, Cowboys, Tigers) but also beaten sides that are playing well at the time (Broncos, South?s).

But will the embarrassment of losing to South?s last week stir the Knights into a frenzy, with the possibility of Buderus making a comeback to assist their fortunes? Or will the Warriors show up and help Newcastle discover a fresh low? I?m going with the visitors.

Sea Eagles v Raiders

Now this will be a real humdinger. Manly were cruising until their little voyage to Wollongong last week where things went a little pear-shaped. Could the bye have played a role, or did they get ambushed by a wounded opponent looking to reduce their negative headlines?

The Raiders are a different story though. With shades of 2003, they have climbed to the top of the ladder inconspicuously, leaving some good names in their wake. Some say they haven?t been tested, but with the foundations they?re building the Raiders will be ready for the supposed test when it arrives.

Without Terry Hill the Sea Eagles lack some grunt and a bit of direction in the backs. Whilst I?m a fan of Michael Monaghan, the form of the Green Machine is undeniable and they should outmuscle Manly even at Brookvale Oval.

Dragons v Broncos

The final clash of the weekend is fittingly Match of the Day down at WIN Stadium. This game can only disappoint, with both teams choc-full of rep players who are ready to rock ?n? roll.

Saints are finally over their stage fright, showing up last week and doing some damage to the Manly ego. Barrett looked very good after only one game under his belt and Gasnier produced some footy that we weren?t expecting from him this early ? what about that pass? The Dragons have a full squad to pick from and let?s hope they dig in and make a real contest of it, instead of perhaps slipping back into old habits.

The Broncos looked ten feet tall and bullet-proof last week against Parra. The first half was a dazzling effort which had them beating the clock for points at one stage. Even still, they did slip down a gear or two in the second half, cruelling the hopes of statisticians who were ready to ink a new record scoreline.

Once again what is confusing is the recent turn of form that doesn?t indicate either team as clear cut favourites. Manly beat the Warriors, Cronulla then the Storm before their battering from Saints following the bye. Parra got smashed by Brisbane, but a week earlier had a win against Penrith who beat the Storm. Saints lost to the Storm though and the Panthers, whilst the Broncos were annihilated by Melbourne in round 4. Confused? Well, as last week proved, if in doubt take the home side. Dragons to win.

The Cronulla Sharks have the bye this week and it?s yet to be seen if this is a hindrance or a help. Regardless, they have been in fine touch and deserve to rest up the bumps and bruises. Methinks the week off can only lend a hand.