Shane Walker and Monty Betham battle again this weekend.

The anti-tampering deadline has caused some headaches. Mark Riddell’s press conference at the Eels outraged the Dragons. Steven Price’s departure from the Bulldogs hit the club hard. Manly’s signings on the other hand have given club supporters hope that next season will see light at the end of the tunnel. The players baulk at this idea saying that they need more time to organise themselves, finding a house, putting their kids in school etc. Yet when an English deal is sewed up mid-season, somehow a player is able to miraculously lace on boots in England seven days later with no problems. The players say they are professional enough to continue to give their all to one club though moving at season’s end, even while having the pressure of organising a new house and schooling for the kids. Yet they also argue that they aren’t professional enough to continue to work at their best if they don’t know where their next pay cheque is coming from. Isn’t that part of the deal? And remember, clubs can authorise players to seek a new deal before the deadline.

Although it won’t happen, I’d prefer to see the deadline moved to after the grand final or elimination of your club from the competition. The positives are that the players can stay focused on football until season’s end knowing that everyone is fighting for a contract in the off-season. The fans know that the players are committed and have little chance of losing faith in a player who they feel may not have the club at heart after signing a deal for hundreds of thousands with a rival who they may be playing next weekend. The clubs and management get the benefit of knowing that the negotiation period will be reduced at season end because the players “need time to organise”. Dennis Fitzgerald suggested a window like the English Premier League soccer. But in an EPL transfer window the players actually switch clubs immediately. I’d accept it as an interim solution for sure but in the meantime the anti-tampering deadline will remain a bone of contention.

Round 19 opens with a match that would have held a little more spice had everyone been fit, but now presents an enigma that will take a little figuring out. The Dragons have lost key playmaker Trent Barrett along with Marks Riddell and Gasnier for Friday night’s clash with the Roosters. The Roosters will be without workhorse Michael Crocker. After both teams were convincingly beaten last weekend both camps will want a victory to keep campaign well heeled. Dragon Ben Hornby steps into the breach to mark Brad Fittler but seems to revel in big game pressure. Nathan Blacklock also returns for St George-Illawarra and will run against the questionable Sydney right hand fringe. Last time there was only three points in it but expect a wider spread this time around. Prediction: Roosters by 12.

After a combined eleven weeks out, Craig Gower and Ryan Girdler return to make a full strength Panthers line up. Canberra travels to the foot of the mountains for the early match on Saturday also boasting their strongest line up, giving all the ingredients for an intriguing match. Fiery forward exchanges and free-flowing outside back movement should make this match the best spectacle of the round. Canberra will hope to atone for their capitulation to the premiers in round two where four late tries distorted the tale of the match. Canberra have lifted for big games in recent times so anything is possible for the travel hardened Raiders. Matt Gafa is carving a niche at five-eighth for the Raiders and with a contrasting style to Preston Campbell, the battle of the number sixes should be a beauty. Prediction: Panthers by 4.

After battering Sydney last weekend, Parramatta travel to the Far North of the country with consistency on their minds. Should the Eels defence aim up for the rest of the season as well as they did last weekend, the sky is the limit for the embattled club. The Cowboys need to adopt the same policy having had 32 points scored against them in their last three starts. Home town advantage has been no comfort for North Queensland who has dropped two thirds of their games at Dairy Farmers Stadium this year. Quality signings will have the incumbent Eels striving to put ink on contracts for 2005 with success looming. With combined injured players from both clubs almost able to turn out a quality starting team some of the lesser lights have another opportunity to shine on a warm Townsville evening. Prediction: Eels by 8.

A sagging Wests host a rampant Melbourne at Leichhardt Oval in what could be a romp for the visitors. Except that the Storm doesn’t travel well and the Tigers have Anthony Laffranchi returning. Veteran Tiger Michael Buettner will need to show more than he has in the last two weeks if he hopes to contain opposite number, Scott Hill. Billy Slater turned on another 90-odd metre try last weekend which should have Tim Sheens’ men practicing with the tackling bags for most of the week. Scott Prince needs to come back from the post-Origin hole he seems to be in. His kicking and line running will be pivotal if the Tigers hope to come away with two points here. Prediction: Storm by 14.

Installed with five and a half points start on FootyTAB, I’ll be putting some money on the Rabbitohs who take on the Warriors this weekend. While the names aren’t household legend, Arthur Kitinas’ side are playing good football sparked by halves Owen Craigie and Joe Williams. The solid pack can contain the New Zealand forwards leaving the young backline open to run at the disappointing Kiwi outside men on the back of Craigie and Williams’ scheming. Although the Warriors have Francis Meli returning, the hulking winger will need to move mountains to change Kiwi fortunes. This game could come down to goal kicking and in that department Souths have an ace. Former junior Kangaroo Williams can pop them over from the sideline like El Masri. And the Bunnies now have belief. Prediction: Rabbitohs by 8.

With the loss of Steven Price and retention of Hazem El Masri put to rest, the Bulldogs can get back to focusing on football. For the Sharks, still without captain Brett Kimmorley, two wins in a row gives some confidence but Canterbury is a different proposition to the Warriors or the Knights. The big ‘Dogs pack have been representing themselves fiercely over the past few weeks and against one of the smallest forward packs in the league the trend should continue. Michael Sullivan holds the key for the Sharks. His is almost becoming a specialist bench player giving great impact for Cronulla when injected into the game after the first exchanges. Expect the Sharks to be in it for about sixty minutes. Prediction: Bulldogs by 16.

A golden point separated Brisbane and Newcastle last time they crossed paths. This weekend at EnergyAustralia Stadium it will be similar teams that meet with the notable exception of one D. Lockyer. With the Brisbane forwards coming out of the Origin series well, it would seem that the mental platform has been set for the rest of the season. Brisbane has gone from a side I thought would miss out on the eight to potential grand finalists. The addition of Steve Simpson to the Knights pack is a positive but the experience through the forwards is the clincher. Timana Tahu’s omission, perhaps for the rest of the season, also takes from the Newcastle potency in attack. On form, the Broncos are clear favourites but will need to perform in front of the parochial Novocastrian crowd. Prediction: Broncos by 7

Another evenly matched weekend where an ounce of luck or a dodgy refereeing decision could turn a game. I wouldn’t put my house on any team being a sure loser this weekend. Best of luck deciding.

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source: MasterTips