Originally Posted by
lordkai35
NRL Round 5 Preview (Early leans)
Bulldogs vs Souths - I can't see souths losing two games in a row. Bulldogs welcome back josh reynolds which will add creativity to attack that has been lacking the last couple of games. Bulldogs have a better calibre pack whilst Souths are going to rely on their 1,6,7,9. I thinks souths will come out firing and dogs will start slow but will be more competitive as the game progresses. However, i can't see another Souths collapse.
Souths 1-12
Titans vs Broncos - Broncos on form but Titans can pull the upset here especially at home. ill be staying away from this game.
Eagles vs Raiders - Eagles have been struggling with key injuries in their forward pack which is now diminished to rookies and impact props They don't have any consistant or dominant forwards that can lead the pack. Having said that, i can't see Manly collapsing two games in a row. Last week they played an in form Dragons team on monday night away game and although they did not show much capabilities you can't look past the halves. Playing "home" game i can't see them losing to a raiders outfit that got demolished on the home. Raiders also dropped their starting half and with the second tier players on playing, i can't see the eagles losing this one.
Manly 13+ or the ATS
Knights vs Dragons -Knights have been brilliant this season having a great balance of talent and workrate across the entire team. The dragons are also an inform team and look very solid to start the year. Usually these two sides look upon their defence to win games so i expect this to be a low scoring affair. However, knights at home for day game with the return of tariq sims, i feel they will win this won and comfortably.
Knights ATS
Roosters vs Sharks - Form team vs Can't win at home agaisnt titans. Roosters 13+ probably 19+
Eels vs Tigers - Two inform teams. Eels really showed their potential with the win against Souths, playing a very strategic game. Even though tigers lost, they did do in golden time having dominated about 70 mins of the game. Their lack of calibre and key injuries to Woods couldn't seal the win last week. We see all the Tiger's first team players returning this week. This match really feels like a 50-50 to me. I dont see home ground advantage affecting the outcome much as both teams are unpredictable. This will be a high scoring affair. Id toss a coin to decide who wins.
Storm vs Warriors - the warriors are poor away from home and just have too much inconsistency and structure. The loss of Tomkins evidently disrupted their flow in attack and the replacements are just not of the same calibre. On record Storm have had a poor start to the season but they were winning in all games and some losses were due to poor reffing and JT. I can't see an upset here, storm comfortably at home.
Storm ATS
Panthers vs Cowboys -At home Panthers are VERY good, Cowboys hate travelling outside Queensland. Cowboys have regained some poor thanks to their miracle win but i don't feel they have the mentality and desire to win against an always consistent/determined Panthers team. Panthers in a close one.
Panthers 1-12.