Mark O'Meley (right) is just one player absent for the Bulldogs this weekend.

As has been the case since the reintroduction of Souths in season 2002, three teams will have the bye this weekend. And while the layoff saves Brisbane, Sydney and Newcastle from losing players to the origin exclusions this weekend, clubs like Penrith (5), St George-Illawarra and the Bulldogs (4) suffer from having their rep stars rested to reduce the risk of injury before the biggest games of the rep season. It’s just another reason that a sixteenth team in the NRL makes sense.

Having the extra team eradicates the bye and would almost certainly reduce the season to 22 rounds. Such a move would give the league the breathing space required to give State Of Origin pride of place staged a the only game on a weekend. A new franchise would also remove the need to predict who most is in need of the origin byes. The Roosters and Broncos get two but the Panthers miss out completely. North Queensland, Penrith’s opponents this weekend, will struggle without three of their key players and with no bye in sight. At the other end of the scale, Newcastle would normally have a greater number of players in the rep sides, but this year just two players pull on the sky blue. Bring on the extra team!

On Friday night Parramatta has the greatest chance of turning their form around when they take on the Dragons. After some outstanding early season form, Luke Burt finds himself back in Premier League as almost the entire round one St George-Illawarra Premier League back-line gets promoted to the top grade. The return of Jason Ryles is a huge boost to the forwards that take on a solid look with Mark Riddell, Dean Young and Nathan Long carrying the weight. Nathan Blacklock is another late inclusion. Several Eels suffering with the flu may go a way to evening up the firepower of the two in what should be a very competitive game. The Dragons are specials if Lance Thompson passes a fitness test, otherwise ... Prediction: Eels by 4

Gosford’s football feast continues this weekend when the Bulldogs take on the Tigers at Express Advocate Stadium. Twice in recent history have the Tigers beaten the Canterbury side and this time there is more weight behind their cause. Four Bulldog forwards are in the Origin lock down and Wests are a side improving with every run they have together. Darren Senter returns to the captaincy while Daniel Fitzhenry moves to half back to cover for Maroons number seven Scott Prince. City and Country fullbacks collide in what should be a great battle. Prediction: Tigers by 10.

Melbourne loses two of its kicking options to the Maroons this weekend. Cameron Smith’s 40/20 ability will be missed as will Billy Slater’s speed and goal line grubbers. That just leaves Scott Hill and Matt Orford who have both been in scintillating form. The Raiders welcome back Jason Croker, Luke Davico and Ruben Wiki giving their forward pack some much-needed starch. But the Raiders have taken little drive into their last handful of matches and this one shouldn’t be much different. Expect whoever is leading at half time to go on with it. Prediction: Storm by 14.

Languishing in 11th spot on the table wouldn’t have been Graham Murray’s idea of a good start to the season. Without Travis Norton and Matts Sing and Bowen, another loss looks on the cards for the Cowboys. Penrith will be missing Craig Gower, Trent Waterhouse, Rhys Wesser, Luke Lewis and Ben Ross but the depth coming into the side goes a long way to covering the absentees. A Dally M medallist in the position, Preston Campbell will get a blast from the past as he dons the number seven jersey for the first time in almost three years. The new Panthers culture gives them more steel to win this sort of game and over the origin period they’ll have to get used to going without. Prediction: Panthers by 8.

Brent Webb should resume the goal kicking duties on Sunday with Sione Faumuina sighting personal problems when withdrawing from the New Zealand travelling squad to take on Souths. This shapes as a game for the wooden spoon in a meeting of two teams who seem to have lost faith. The Warriors’ form has been diabolical but they have had glimpses of clarity in their win over the Storm and the first half against Manly. Souths have not played well with plenty of big names on the injured list but made a good fist of it last weekend against the Cowboys in a rare draw. Splitting the atom will be easier than picking this one but a Souths win leaves the Warriors three points adrift. Prediction: Warriors by 4.

Manly’s come from behind win last weekend was just the preparation they needed going into their match against the Sharks. Re-signing Steve Menzies, Anthony Watmough and Sam Harris ensures the back three are focused on playing football. It’s all starting to fall into place for the Sea Eagles. The Sharks did the job against the north shore boys in round three but that was a long time ago now. Brett Kimmorley will look to lead his team back into the winner’s circle after the red-hot Dragons and consistent Roosters halted their recent good form. On paper the sides look very even but the home ground advantage will help Manly who have only lost to the Sharks four times in 37 years at Brookvale. Prediction: Sea Eagles by 7.

Less games means more chance of picking up bonus points. With such an even round ahead, big differences in tipping scores are likely so be thoughtful in your selections. Best of luck and in case I don’t see you before hand, GO THE BLUES!

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source: MasterTips