Andrew Johns was the destroyer last time Newcastle travelled to Suncorp Stadium.

The Phil Gould minds games seem reminiscent of last year. It seems Craig Gower is out of favour because he won’t have had a solid hit out in the couple of weeks leading to game I. Brett Kimmorley is reported to have the inside running. Last year it was Gould and Andrew Johns on the front page of the paper having a fall out. Could it all be a simple motivational ploy? And what of Queensland’s injury problems? Shane Webcke and Shaun Berrigan were all out for Origin I a few days a go, yet both were named in the Broncos run on side for Friday’s game. I expect Lockyer to be fit for Origin I too. And with so many positions up for grabs because of injury on both sides of the border, players from everywhere have entered the frame for origin duty. One or two may just swing a game over the coming weeks, and what are we here for if not to speculate on that.

The NRL’s one-millionth 2004 crowd member expected to walk through the gates at Suncorp Stadium tonight. After demolishing a sub-standard Raiders last week and buoyed by the inclusion of Shane Webcke, the Broncos will want to pull together. Ben Ikin will take on Kurt Gidley in the battle of the chief playmakers after Shaun Berrigan failed a fitness test. For Newcastle, their last outing to the ground was the re-opening of the former Lang Park, an afternoon where Andrew Johns rained on Brisbane’s parade. The Knights shouldn’t be underestimated in this one either and will go a long way to upsetting the Queenslanders. Prediction: Newcastle by 6.

On Saturday afternoon a depleted Dragons take on the Bulldogs. Trent Barrett, Lance Thompson, Matthew Head and Nathan Long have all been scratched since the side was announced on Tuesday. Add to that the disappointment of last weekend’s loss to cellar dwellers Manly and you have a poor attitudinal cocktail being shaken. The Bulldogs were thrashed by an under strength Newcastle last weekend but won’t be backing up from City v Country. While inconsistent, Canterbury’s depth gives them deserved favouritism. The battle of the centres will be a grand affair, especially with Ben Harris returning to the top grade for the first time in ’04. The Dragons’ record at WIN Stadium would make anyone think twice about tipping against them. Prediction: Bulldogs by 12.

A rejuvenated Sharks host the Roosters in a game where Brett Kimmorley’s impact should be nothing short of tremendous. Against the most consistent team in the NRL, ‘Noddy’ gets to show his wares in front of Blues coach Phil Gould and against top line opposition. But man-on-man, it’s hard to see the Sharks matching it with the star studded Sydney outfit who have put 30 points or more on Cronulla in their last four meetings. Craig Fitzgibbon has been named on the bench after a layoff with injury and Gavin Lester maintains his spot on the wing after a good performance against the Tigers. David Peachey’s slim origin chances would strengthen if he can produce another vintage performance similar to his five-star effort last week against the Storm.

What was last year’s highest rating NRL club game? Give up? It was Fox Sports’ coverage of the North Queensland v Souths game. Central coast fans, fresh from last week’s City v Country battle have the chance to watch two of the NRL’s true battlers fight it out for what both will see as a great chance for competition points. For the Cowboys who took a scrappy win against the Warriors last week, three in a row would give their form sheet a reasonable look. For the Bunnies, an opportunity to move away from the foot of the table is an exciting thought. Expect a close, scrappy affair … unless the true Cowboys turn up. Nathan Fien has the chance to press for the Maroons’ number seven jersey with Shaun Berrigan ruled out until after game one. Prediction: Cowboys by 14.

In another toss-up of a tussle, the Sea Eagles fly across the Tasman to take on the Warriors. Both clubs are on six points … equal last on the table and with Souths a chance to move to eight points, the loser of this battle could find that they are alone in the wooden spoon position. Manly were still formulating combination in round four when they last met New Zealand and after last week’s victory over St George, the confidence will be on show for all to see. A solid looking pack and an ever improving backline will stand up to their bigger name opponents. New Zealand will need to overcome their inner demons and return to football basics if they hope to overcome their form so far this season. Stacey Jones wearing the number six makes one wonder if it’s been found that he is eligible for the Queensland origin side. Prediction: Sea Eagles by 1

Last week’s 22-point loss to the Roosters aside, Wests have been showing promise. Wins over Manly and the Cowboys, along with an unlucky result against the Panthers, points to continued improvement over the breadth of the season. The Raiders on the other hand are looking at a slide. There has been little positive to speak of in Canberra’s last four starts. Even their one-point win over the injury ravaged Knights was lack-lustre. The return of Ryan O’Hara is a plus for Canberra but Benji Marshall returns to bolster the Tigers’ halves and add extra spark to the attack. Prediction: Tigers by 8.

To round out the weekend there is another challenge for the tipster. The poorly performing Storm come to Parramatta on the back of Eels CEO Dennis Fitzgerald calling for the Melbourne based franchise to be relocated to the Gold Coast. Both clubs have lost their last two matches and will want to right the ship before their title aspirations sink completely. The Eels move British import Chris Thorman into the halfback role to combat the solid form of Matt Orford, while Daniel Wagon’s battle with Scott Hill may decide the match. With three of their last four encounters being decided by two points, expect nothing less than for this match to go right down to the wire. Melbourne will have to overcome a diabolical day time record. Prediction: Melbourne by 6.

There are seven games that could produce seven different outcomes. The yo-yo of form, injuries and history will work together to surely produce an unpredictable set of round ten results. Good luck making heads or tails of it all … or you could just toss a coin.

E-mail the author
source: MasterTips