Round 7 Preview ? Never give up!

While things seem to be going swimmingly for some teams, others just go from bad to worse. After looking like they turned the corner against Manly, the Dragons went down to the Broncos in a must win situation. Similarly after weeks of frustration, Andrew Johns was enjoying proceedings, then one tackle and a broken jaw later and look what happens. And I thought I was having a hard time with an abysmal 22 from 42 picks this season!

The Anzac Day Test Match adds an unpredictable quality to this week?s games and usually these are torrid encounters. The Kiwi?s have their backs to the wall though, with several injuries to key players affecting the make-up of their side. My tip is the Kangaroos, but New Zealand never like losing. Keep an eye out for a bit of biff too.

Eels v Tigers

This could be the game where the Eels actually stand up to be counted and boy it?s about time. Getting last week?s two points was a big achievement for a club struggling and coming of a 50-point smashing by Brisbane a week earlier. They played hard-ball against Melbourne who rarely get rolled at home.

And the Tigers look ripe for the picking. They were dealt a thumping by North Queensland and whilst I still think they?re not a bad outfit, they do have three players backing up from Friday?s Test match and the game will be played out at Parra Stadium.

This could be a bit ugly in the end. The Eels are looking to find some consistency and direction, but they should come away with the win. Tim Sheens has been the master of my tipping sheet downfall however and will be seeking revenge for their first round loss.

Panthers v Cowboys

A classic game this one. There?s a little bit of bad blood between these two teams, with an unlikely record being held by the Cowboys. They lay claim the biggest ever comeback when they were down 26-0 at halftime a few years back before piling it on and beating the Panthers in the second stanza under remarkable circumstances. It was at Penrith too.

I?m tipping this one will be a lot closer, with the Panthers keen to capitalise on last week?s drubbing of the Rabbitohs. Likewise, North Queensland dispatched the Tigers easily enough and both teams look in great touch. They each have a few reps for Australia and NZ but they will show up to play.

I?m going to put my money on the Cowboys who look awesome right now. Jonathan Thurston is in scintillating form and will revel in the contest against Gower and Campbell. He has an interesting partner in Justin Smith who played well in the centres last week. I think they can do it again and it will make for great viewing from your lounge room or local pub if you can?t get a ticket out west.

Sharks v Broncos

This one will be a real clanger! Both sides are in top flight even though the Sharks are coming off the bye and have Kimmorley and Vagana backing up.

Brisbane played well after a slow start last week with Lockyer giving exceptional service to Bott out wide for three tries. The forwards began mixing it up once they knew they had a fight on their hands and did it with Karmichael Hunt?s early exit absorbing a reserve. He might be a little dusty this week.

But it?s very hard to go past the Sharks. They have genuine claims this season with a robust and mobile forward pack, first rate halves with a great backline and a quality bench. They dominate down at Shark Park and once again, this one is in the Dark. Plus Brisbane will have a few weary warriors from the night before. Cronulla by a short head in what is shaping as one of the best games this season.

Raiders v Storm

Hmmm, an interesting one to say the least?

Canberra have been playing well at home and last week was their first loss this year. The Storm were average in their last couple of games and need a win to get back in the swing of things.

But this game will be decided more by who isn?t playing, than who is. Jason Smith and Simon Woolford are both out through suspension and in Smith?s case, injury as well. The Raiders have looked like a well-drilled outfit this season thanks mainly to these two guys, along with the Schiff and new recruit Withers. Kahler has also been playing the house down and Weyman wasn?t looking too shabby either, but he is also out with an ankle complaint. The Raiders in general have an ominous injury toll underlined by prop Ryan O?Hara?s season ending shoulder separation.

Down the other end we have Melbourne who are minus Steve Turner but otherwise at full strength. Travelling hasn?t been their thing this year with their only success against a depleted Dragons side in round 2. So whilst the Green Machine sit pretty I think the Storm could be cooking up a real surprise for them on Sunday arvo.

Like 2003 though, the Raiders tend to hide damaging victories on the scoreboard. It will be a game that you?ll have to see to get a true reflection of both teams and the Storm should come out on top.

Knights v Bulldogs

Thinking about this game makes you nauseas thanks largely to the abundance of bizarre circumstances that these two clubs have found themselves in of late.

Newcastle have no sponsor, no halfback, no forward pack, a makeshift backline with an ex-Waratah in reggies and they are looking to privatise the club. They did build a shiny new stadium to put it all in though.

The reigning premiers look tired, out of sorts and even a little disinterested. They?ve had the mumps sweep through the club and a series of bad injuries. Somewhere amongst this rubble they appear confident that they will turn it all around at some point and go marching towards the top of the ladder. At least the Knights are acknowledging they have a problem and are trying to deal with it.

But I can?t envisage the home side winning this one. As much as I would like to see the Knights get a win on the board the Bulldogs should come away with victory. They might have a few players backing up, but they still have too much class.

Sea Eagles v Rabbitohs

The Fortress Brookvale tag got polished up last week, as the Sea Eagles bounced back from their surrender at the hands of the Dragons, to outgun the Raiders. It was an impressive effort and one which saw them move into second spot.

It?s a different story for Souths though, who got an unpleasant touch-up from Penrith including a very embarrassing gift try to Rhys Wesser. Whilst playing with a lot of heart and at least competing in most games, this season was always going to be tough for Souths. They simply lack class and one or two more stiff-nosed forwards. This week they?ve sent an SOS to Ben Walker who hasn?t played in the NRL since paddle pops were 20 cents. He?s also a bit of a speed hump and a hog, not a good combination.

So I?ll tick the ?Manly 13+? box even though deep down I?d love to see the Bunnies have a win just because we?re all starting to hate Manly again - a sensation that makes you feel alive.

Roosters v Dragons

I?m sure a few emotions will be stirred up when these two sides hear the Last Post played on Anzac Day. The Dragons and the Roosters have been playing this ?marquee? game for the past few years and there?s always a bit of extra spite involved.

Easts did well to come back from 16-0 down last week and appear to have Finch in control again. Wing played well also as did Cross and Minichiello with all four looking on target for State duty this year.

The Dragons are a strange kettle of fish. They really needed to win last week and looked like they might. I?m really not sure where they lost it to be honest, but Colin Best didn?t have a happy day. He?s on the wing again and I?m sure Ricky Stuart didn?t miss what took place down the right corridor of the field.

But I?m going to pick them on pure desperation. There?s a cloud over Jason Ryles who has been ruled out of the Anzac Test with a hamstring injury, but if they don?t win this one their season could be over, and I?m sure they know that too.

The New Zealand Warriors have the bye this weekend and they?ll need it to rest their troops from Friday. I think it?s a very disappointing development that Stacey Jones will leave at the end of the season after 11 distinguished years at the ripe old age of 28. Shame Mick Watson, shame?