St George-Illawarra has the bye, but six of their players will see action in the origin decider.

It’s the last chance at Origin glory for Phil Gould and Brad Fittler. Trent Barrett comes in to prop up the ruck area and bolster defence. Mark Gasnier returns to the fold and is partnered by Matt Cooper. Both have been strong in the defensive line of late. Ben Kennedy comes on to the bench in place of Andrew Ryan and yet again aids the defensive capabilities of the Blues. Does that mean we are in for a dour, defensive Origin III? Nope. The lines will be kept apart and those tough defenders will change tact and put on the damaging attack that they are capable of. Gasnier and Cooper can put on tries from a stand still. Kennedy is notorious for freeing the arms for an offload and Barrett has been the mastermind behind the recent try scoring spree at the Dragons.

But Queensland has its own arsenal. Michael Crocker has become one of the game’s top forward kick chasers while Steven Price is the game’s premier exponent of the charge down. Brent Tate and Willy Tonga are no strangers to making tackles and with Lockyer orchestrating in attack, every team tries to wear him out by aiming runners at him. But in attack Crocker is always backing up the ball runner, Price can make a break and charge 50 meters with his deceptive speed. Tonga has been a revelation running at his opposite number and Brent Tate has a proved track record of crossing the line. There is nothing needed to be said about Lockyer. Unfortunately, Tony Carroll will not be part of that. As I Blues fans, I say unfortunately because Carroll has been a beacon for the Maroons and I will miss his big hits and line breaks on Wednesday night simply for the great rugby league it is. Enjoy the spectacle.

Penrith had their biggest blow of the season last week, Craig Gower breaking down in training and needing further knee surgery which it was thought could be season-ending. But as one Panther falters another returns. Preston Campbell dons the number seven this weekend as the Premiers make one of the most feared journeys in rugby league … to a night game in Melbourne. No Gower, Girdler, Wesser, Lewis or Rooney is counter acted by their being no Smith or Slater for the Storm. But there is still a mouth watering encounter in the halves as Campbell and Amos Roberts meet perennial Blues fringe dwellers Scott Hill and Matt Orford. The forward battle will be superb with the experience and youth on both sides likely to provide a fierce and skilful meeting. Although the forwards are important, the finishing power of the Melbourne backs should get them over the line. Prediction: Storm by 6.

The Warriors have been so ordinary in the recent past it’s hard to see them doing anything before taking time out to rebuild and refocus. There can be no confidence running through the club who are winless in their last three starts and sitting comfortably at the foot of the ladder. But they take the favourites tag into Saturday afternoon’s game against the Eels, granted, by the smallest of margins. Without Adam Dykes, Parramatta were competitive against the Panthers, but without Nathan Hindmarsh and travelling across the ditch it is tough to see the Eels matching last weekend’s performance. Part of predicting the outcome is figuring out who will be most diabolical on the day. Wade McKinnon can take the game for the Eels. Prediction: Eels by 2.

After running into the two hottest teams in the competition, Wests Tigers have the worst form of any team - 106-nil. Canberra is fresh from beating the Broncos in Brisbane without the forward influence of Ruben Wiki. But these teams are both unpredictable at best. The Tigers put on some great wins earlier in the year while the Raiders played with ordinary form. And so it will be somewhat of a lottery this weekend. If the Tigers can turn some early opportunities into points, they will build off the confidence. If Kieran Kerr can weave the magic he has in the previous absences of Scott Prince, Wests can get some early points. Canberra were great against the Broncos last weekend, but the last time the green machine had back to back victories was round three. Prediction: Raiders by 4.

Gosford league fans will be graced with another NRL game as the Roosters host the Cowboys at Express Advocate stadium to complete Saturday night’s fixtures. Eight players will be missing including the dynamic fullback pairing of Anthony Minichiello and Matt Bowen. Sydney welcome back Shannon Hegarty to the top grade after Justin Hodges was demoted to the Premier League bench for skipping a weekend training session. Even with seven top line players out, the Roosters roster still looks to have enough to take the points from North Queensland, but the ten and a half FootyTAB start may be a touch generous. Kiwi props Paul Rauhihi and Jason Cayless square off in what should be a dynamite battle while former Eagles fullback, Luke Dorn, makes his top grade debut for the Roosters wear Brad Fittler’s number six. Prediction: Roosters by 8.

David Peachey and Nigel Vagana return to the Sharks’ ranks for the trip up the Highway to Newcastle on Sunday. Two somewhat inexperienced halves pairings come together in a game that could go either way. Newcastle’s inexperienced forwards are counter-pointed by the stellar backline that includes O’Davis, Tahu, Gidley and Hughes. Cronulla’s honest pack is backed up by youth and experience out wide. The difference is the bench. Beattie, Lomu, Bickerstaff and particularly Michael Sullivan will add plenty to the Sharks play. If the Cronulla defence can hold out wide, Vagana and Ryan McGoldrick have the smarts to put points on the board. Don’t be surprised if Sullivan starts for Jason Kent at halfback … or if Brett Kimmorley wears number 20 or above. Prediction: Sharks by 8.

The inclusion of Michael Monaghan is a welcome relief for Sea Eagles fans. The talented number seven comes in to take on likewise returning Brent Sherwin. Although four origin players are missing from the Blue and White’s line up, a formidable seventeen will take the park on Sunday afternoon. It’s hard to pin point the exact failure in the Manly game plans. They have a talented back row and some underrated backs but just can’t seem to string anything together. A threat on their day, it’s unlikely that this will be it considering the form of El Masri, Harris, Lolesi and Patten. Include Matt Utai who has spent plenty of time in Premier League and there are plenty of points in the Bulldogs. Prediction: Bulldogs by 16.

The Rabbitohs have the chance to notch up a win against the under strength Broncos. Some think that chance is similar to a snowball’s in hell. A plucky Souths outfit had their reality check last weekend when the Dragons ripped through the Bunnies in the opening exchanges and were never headed. Brisbane would be hoping to get off to a similar start so as to avoid a repeat of last year’s last minute snatch and grab victory at Aussie Stadium. With his long term future in doubt, Gorden Tallis has been cleared to play lining up against impressive “Mini-mini” Mark Minichiello. Arthur Kitinas is staring down the barrel at consecutive defeats and the return of “pressure on the coach” if this game isn’t close. Prediction: Broncos by 14.

Good luck to all of those looking to climb the table as the season starts to draw to a close.

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source: MasterTips