Three games will be played on Saturday with the Eels at home to the visiting Warriors, the Panthers hosting the Sharks at CUA Stadium and the Cowboys welcoming the Roosters to Dairy Farmers Stadium in the evening.
Sunday will see another three games with the Storm ending a tumultuous season at home to the Knights while the Sea Eagles take on the Bulldogs at Brookvale Oval.
The final match of the round pits top team the Dragons against the Rabbitohs at WIN Jubilee Oval.
Another big round of NRL action with finals just around the corner.
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Friday, September 3, Suncorp Stadium, 7.35pm Last Week
The Broncos (11W-12L) travelled to Mt Smart Stadium in New Zealand and were smashed 36-4 by the Warriors while the Raiders (12-11) demolished the Cowboys by 44 points at Canberra Stadium.
Recent History
2010
Canberra Stadium
Broncos
14
vs
22
Raiders
2009
Suncorp Stadium
Broncos 22
vs
10
Raiders
2009
Canberra Stadium
Broncos
0
vs
56
Raiders
2008
Suncorp Stadium
Broncos 34
vs
6
Raiders
2008
Canberra Stadium
Broncos
16
vs
34
Raiders
Recent matches between these two teams have gone by way of the home side and the Broncos have won the past two games at Suncorp in the last two years with the Raiders unable to score more than 10 points on either occasion.
Referees: Jared Maxwell, Gerard Sutton
Our Tip: Canberra RaidersDarren Lockyer and Peter Wallace miss for the home side which makes their task tough against a red hot Raiders team and while Alan Tongue is out for the away team they should be too good for a Broncos outfit who have gone off the boil in recent weeks.
Having said that, Canberra will need to improve their recent record at Suncorp against the Broncos but their form suggests they will and we expect the Raiders to get the job done..
Friday, September 3, Skilled Park, 7.30pm Last Week
The Titans (14-9) were brought back to earth at Toyota Stadium by the Sharks to the tune of 14 points while Wests Tigers (15-8) were impressive in their 26-14 victory over Melbourne Storm at Leichardt Oval.
Recent History
2010
Campbelltown Sports Stm
Titans
14
vs
15
Tigers
2009
Skilled Park
Titans 36
vs
24
Tigers
2008
Skilled Park
Titans
12
vs
28
Tigers
2008
Leichhardt Oval
Titans
18
vs
20
Tigers
2007
Carrara Stadium
Titans 30
vs
14
Tigers
The Tigers have beaten the Titans in three of their past four matches which includes one game at this venue. The Titans won the last time they met at Skilled Park last season while Wests won the earlier match this season by just one point at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
Referees: Tony Archer, Gavin Badger
Our Tip: Gold Coast TitansThe Titans regain Anthony Laffranchi while the Tigers will go in without key players Chris Lawrence, Wade McKinnon and John Skandalis to injury which will not help their chances in this match. Look for the Titans to bounce back here against the Tigers and with multiple key players missing for Wests we fancy the Titans to get the points.
The Tigers good recent form and sound record over the Titans in recent times says they could be a worth a shot if you pick your own line at Centrebet and take a few points head start.
Saturday, September 4, Parramatta Stadium, 5.30pm Last Week
The Eels (10-13) were disappointing against the Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium going down 24-16 while the Warriors (13-10) hammered the Broncos at home by 32 points.
Recent History
2010
Mt Smart Stadium
Eels
6
vs
35
Warriors
2009
Parramatta Stadium
Eels 40
vs
4
Warriors
2009
Mt Smart Stadium
Eels
18
vs
26
Warriors
2008
Parramatta Stadium
Eels
6
vs
28
Warriors
2008
Mt Smart Stadium
Eels
16
vs
30
Warriors
The Warriors have won four of the last five encounters over the Eels but they lost the last match played at this venue by 36 points last season. The Warriors smashed Parramatta the last time they met earlier this season.
Referees: Matt Cecchin, Tony De Las Heras
Our Tip: New Zealand WarriorsThe Eels will out to get the points in Nathan Cayless’s last game at Parramatta Stadium and while they will no doubt have a crack we like the in-form Warriors to continue their recent dominance over Parramatta and take the points.
Saturday, September 4, CUA Stadium, 7.30pm Last Week
The Panthers (14-9) bounced back to some good form to defeat the Bulldogs 24-18 on Monday night at ANZ Stadium while the Sharks (7-16) proved too strong at home for the Titans winning 30-16.
Recent History
2010
Toyota Stadium
Panthers 34
vs
14
Sharks
2009
CUA Stadium
Panthers 26
vs
22
Sharks
2009
Toyota Stadium
Panthers
10
vs
18
Sharks
2008
CUA Stadium
Panthers
22
vs
24
Sharks
2008
Toyota Stadium
Panthers 21
vs
20
Sharks
The Panthers proved too good for the Sharks by 20 points earlier in the season at Toyota Stadium and also won the most recent match played at this venue last season. The Sharks won the previous two encounters and this should be a high scoring affair if recent history is any guide.
Our Tip: Penrith PanthersOne would expect the Panthers to be too good for the Sharks here especially after their confidence boosting come from behind win over the Bulldogs last round. Cronulla impressed against the Tigers but will find the Penrith outfit a different side and it’s the Panthers for ours.
Saturday, September 4, Dairy Farmers Stadium, 7.30pm Last Week
The Cowboys (5-18) found the Raiders too good in Canberra and lost 48-4 while the Roosters (13-10) hosted the Sea Eagles at Sydney Football Stadium and ran out 16 point winners.
Recent History
2010
Sydney Football Stadium
Cowboys 32
vs
14
Roosters
2009
Sydney Football Stadium
Cowboys 32
vs
16
Roosters
2009
Dairy Farmers Stadium
Cowboys 24
vs
22
Roosters
2008
Dairy Farmers Stadium
Cowboys
20
vs
32
Roosters
2007
Sydney Football Stadium
Cowboys
30
vs
64
Roosters
The Cowboys have won their past three outings against the Roosters including the last two meetings in Sydney and the last game played at this venue which suggests they may be over the odds in this clash. Interestingly enough, the Queensland team has scored 20 points or more on the last five occasions and this has all the makings of a high scoring affair on recent history.
Referees: Steve Lyons, Brett Suttor
Our Tip: Sydney RoostersAnthony Watts comes into the team for the home side while the away team lose Daniel Conn for one game due to suspension. Recent history says the Cowboys are some chance here but the current form of both sides says the Roosters should be too good and win comfortably.
A brave punter might consider the Cowboys big odds and good recent record over the Roosters worthy of pick your own line at Centrebet and take a few points head start on the home side, but all things being equal this should be an easy Roosters win.
Sunday September 5, AAMI Park, 2.00pm Last Week
The Storm (13-10) travelled to Sydney and found the Tigers a better side on the day losing by 12 points while the Knights (10-13) battled gamely at EnergyAustralia Stadium against the Dragons before going down 26-18.
Recent History
2010
EnergyAustralia Stadium
Storm 20
vs
14
Knights
2009
EnergyAustralia Stadium
Storm
14
vs
26
Knights
2009
Olympic Park
Storm 18
vs
14
Knights
2008
EnergyAustralia Stadium
Storm
16
vs
17
Knights
2008
Olympic Park
Storm 18
vs
4
Knights
These matches have alternated in recent times and it’s the Knights turn if that trend continues, however the Storm have won the last two matches played in Melbourne with a score line of 18 points on both occasions.
Referees: Ashley Klein, Gavin Morris
Our Tip: Melbourne StormMelbourne Storm have had a season to remember for all the wrong reasons and they deserve plenty of credit for the way they have taken to the challenge of playing competitive football with nothing whatsoever to play for.
The Storm should come out of the blocks running on Sunday to farewell a few leaving stars and the Knights without Kurt Gidley and Shannon McDonnell will find the going tough. It’s the Storm for us but we wouldn’t be taking the current odds on offer.
Sunday, September 5, Brookvale Oval, 3:00pm Last Week
The Sea Eagles (12-11) were no match for the Roosters losing 30-14 at SFS while the Bulldogs (8-15) were beaten by the Panthers 24-18 at ANZ Stadium.
Recent History
2009
Brookvale Oval
Sea Eagles 19
vs
12
Bulldogs
2009
ANZ Stadium
Sea Eagles
12
vs
34
Bulldogs
2008
Brookvale Oval
Sea Eagles 30
vs
22
Bulldogs
2007
Brookvale Oval
Sea Eagles
8
vs
27
Bulldogs
2007
ANZ Stadium
Sea Eagles 16
vs
14
Bulldogs
The Sea Eagles have won the past two matches played at Brookvale Oval and the last five encounters have had alternating winners making it the Bulldogs turn if that trend continues.
Referee: Gavin Badger, Shayne Hayne
Our Tip: Manly Sea EaglesWe fancy the Sea Eagles to take the points at home as they have more to play for and that should be enough to get them home against a Bulldogs side who appear ready for their season to end.
Sunday, September 5, WIN Jubilee Oval,7.00pm Last Week
The Dragons (16-7) beat the Knights by 8 points in Newcastle while the Rabbitohs (11-12) got over the Eels by 8 points at ANZ Stadium.
Recent History
2010
ANZ Stadium
Dragons 16
vs
13
Rabbitohs
2009
ANZ Stadium
Dragons
6
vs
41
Rabbitohs
2008
ANZ Stadium
Dragons 26
vs
12
Rabbitohs
2007
WIN Stadium
Dragons
14
vs
24
Rabbitohs
2006
WIN Jubilee Oval
Dragons 38
vs
28
Rabbitohs
The Rabbitohs have won two of the past four meetings with the Dragons and these two sides have also alternated winners in recent times and it’s the Rabbitohs turn if that trend keeps up. St George won a close tussle when they met earlier in the season at ANZ Stadium.
Referee: Ben Cummins, Alan Shortall
Our Tip: St George DragonsThis way this match pans out will depend on how other games play out over the weekend and if the Rabbitohs have something to play for they might be capable of an upset but realistically the Dragons should get the points.
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Round 26 of NRL is the final home and away round before the finals kick in and Friday night football sees the Broncos tackle the Raiders at Suncorp Stadium while the Titans will host Wests Tigers at Skilled Park.
