Rugby League: NRL Preview - Round 9

Compiled by PETER JESSUP

Penrith Panthers v Brisbane Broncos

Penrith Stadium; Friday, March 31, 9.30pm.

Panthers: Peter Jorgensen, Robbie Beckett, Ryan Girdler, David Woods, Chris Hicks, Steve Carter (c), Matt Rodwell, Craig Greenhill, Lee Hopkins, Matt Adamson, Scott Sattler, John Cross; interchange Mark Geyer, Chris Levy, Jody Gall (one to be added).

Broncos: Darren Lockyer, Lote Tuquiri, Ben Ikin, Michael Devere, Wendell Sailor, Kevin Walters (c), Ben Walker, Petero Civoniceva, Luke Priddis, Shane Webcke, Brad Thorn, Gorden Tallis (c), Kevin Campion; interchange Dane Carlaw, Shaun Berrigan, Michael Hancock, Ashley Harrison, Tonie Carroll (one to be omitted).

Referee: Mark Oaten

* As well as leading the comp with seven wins from eight the Broncos have a 100% record away. They're playing with confidence, they've made only one change and that to bring back skipper Kevin Walters after injury. They meet a Panthers side again struggling with a lengthy casualty list, though they have a knack for making it look worse than it is. Lock John Cross escaped what would have otherwise been a two-week suspension for a high tackle due to his clear record and will play.


Sydney Sharks v Wests Tigers

Shark Park; Saturday, April 1, 4.30pm.

Sharks: David Peachey, Mat Rogers, Andrew Ettingshausen (c), Colin Best, Brett Howland, Adam Dykes, Mitch Healey, Martin Lang, Dean Treister, Jason Stevens, Paul Mellor, Nathan Long, Nick Graham; interchange Andrew Pierce, Luke Stuart, Paul McNicholas, Jason Ferris.

Tigers: Joel Caine, John Carlaw, Kevin McGuinness, Terry Hill, John Hopoate, Michael Gillett, Craig Field, Jason Lowrie, Darren Senter, John Skandalis, Luke O'Donnell, Mark O'Neill, Tyran Smith; interchange Ciriaco Mescia, Mark Stimson, Ben Duckworth, Shane Walker.

Referee: Steve Clark.

* The Sharks again have the fortune of a stable side, one that held out a strong challenge from the Storm last week. The Tigers have proved themselves tough and, with the Manly influence, possibly the NRLs number one sledgers. They'll try to go through the middle rather than wide where the Sharks have solid rep experience and flair to burn in counter-attack. Jarrod McCracken's foot still troubles him and he'll be sorely missed in the go-forward.

Parramatta Eels v Auckland Warriors

Parramatta Stadium; Saturday, April 1, 9.30pm.

Eels: Brett Hodgson, Clinton Schifcofske, Daniel Wagon, Stuart Kelly, Eric Grothe, Jason Smith, Ben Kusto, Michael Vella, Dean Schifilitti (c), David Westley, Andrew Ryan, Nathan Hindmarsh, Jim Dymock; interchange Denis Moran, Michael Hodgson, Troy Wozniak, Jason Moodie, Luke Burt (one to be omitted).

Warriors: Cliff Beverley, Lee Oudenryn, David Myles, Nigel Vagana, Odell Manuel, John Simon (c), Stacey Jones, Joe Vagana, Robert Mears, Jerry Seuseu, Logan Swann, Ali Lauiti'iti, Jason Death; interchange Henry Faafili, Tony Tuimavave, Matt Spence, Mark Tookey.

Referee: Paul Simpkins.

* The Warriors were great in patches as they squeaked home over the Roosters, both sides making too many mistakes to win consistently. But winning breeds confidence and with Stacey Jones back, Joe Vagana returning his best-ever metreage last week (173m), John Simon's kicking game on and the team backing up they're a chance. The one constant in a comp that's produced upsets and boilovers every week is that the team most desperate will win. That's the Eels.

Melbourne Storm v North Queensland Cowboys

Olympic Park; Saturday, April 1, 9.30pm.

Storm: Robbie Ross, Matt Geyer, Aaron Moule, Tony Martin, Brad Watts, Tasesa Lavea, Brett Kimmorley, Rodney Howe, Richard Swain, Robbie Kearns (c), Steve Kearney, Matt Rua, Scott Hill; interchange Danny Williams, Russell Bawden, Ben Roarty, Paul Marquet, John Lomax (one to be omitted).

Cowboys: Tim Brasher (c), Damien Smith, Julian O'Neill, Paul Bowman, Graham Appo, Paul Green, Noel Goldthorpe, Shaun Valentine, John Doyle, John Buttigieg, Robert Relf, Mark Shipway, Kyle Warren; interchange Jeremy Schloss, Peter Jones, John Manning, Paul Dezolt.

Referee: Mogsheen Jadwat.

* The Storm have an impressive 21-win, seven-loss record, one draw, at Olympic Park. The Cowboys are the only team that has never beaten Melbourne. Those two factors alone give the home side a tremendous psychological advantage, despite the high the Cowboys will be on after whacking the Eagles. The Storm took it to the Sharks last week and were out-toughed but won't be at home. The Cowboys have lost Brett Boyd (suspended two weeks, high tackle), don't have anywhere near the forward strength and will struggles for possession, territory and points.


St George Ilawarra Dragons v Canberra Raiders

Sydney Football Stadium; Sunday, April 2, 4.30pm.

Dragons: Luke Patten, Nathan Blacklock, Matt Cooper, Shaun Timmins, Jamie Ainscough, Anthony Mundine, Trent Barrett, Craig Smith (c), Nathan Brown, Luke Bailey, Lance Thompson, Darren Treacey, Wayne Bartrim; interchange Terry Larney, Chris Leikvoll, Andrew Hart, Jason Hooper.

Raiders: Brett Mullins, Mark McLinden, Luke Williamson, Brandon Costin, Lesley Vainikolo, Laurie Daley (c), Andrew McFadden, Luke Davico, Simon Woolford, David Atkins, David Furner, Anthony Colella, Jason Croker; interchange Brett Finch, Alan Tongue, Terry Martin, Justin Morgan, Anthony Brann (one to be omitted).

Referee: Sean Hampstead.

* Ken Nagas is out (Achilles), Nathan Barnes has quit the Raiders (family reasons). The Dragons were played into form by Auckland and appear to have finally put together the style that took them to the finals last season. Crucial to this was the Barrett/Mundine work in the halves and the advantage they've taken of the ground made by skipper Craig Smith, who's been devastating, and lock Wayne Bartrim. The Dragons will have too much power up front to allow the Raiders a platform, can match their broken-play opportunist work, and should win.

Canterbury Bulldogs v Northern Eagles

Stadium Australia; Sunday, April 2, 4.30pm.

Bulldogs: Rod Silva, Hazem El Masri, Darren Smith, Willie Talau, Daryl Halligan, Brent Sherwin, Ricky Stuart, Dennis Scott, Jason Hetherington, Darren Britt (c), Brad Clyde, Steve Reardon, Travis Norton; interchange Craig Polla-Mounter, Steve Price, Nathan Sologolkin, Jamie Feeney.

Eagles: Andrew King, Andrew Frew, Albert Torrens, Brett Grogan, Brandon Reeves, Michael Buettner, Jason Taylor, Steve Trindall, Geoff Toovey (c), Mark O'Meley, Adam Muir, Steve Menzies, Daniel Gartner; interchange Owen Cunningham, Josh Stuart, Greg Ebrill, Jamie Goddard.

Referee: Bill Harrigan.

* Eagles skipper Geoff Toovey had no answers for those seeking reasons for their poor performance last week. You can bet they won't be as bad here, the only pattern in the competition so far that teams that cop a hiding seem to come back the next round. This promises to be a real arm-wrestle, both sides largely unchanged. The Eagles have the strength, off-loads and pace off the ruck to go through any side and they need to find holes there and get in front early.

Sydney City Roosters v Newcastle Knights

Sydney Football Stadium, Monday, April 3, 9.30pm.

Roosters: Luke Phillips, Jack Elsegood, Richie Barnett, Matt Sing, Anthony Minichiello, Brad Fittler (c), Adrian Lam, Peter Cusack, Simon Bonetti, Ian Rubin, Craig Fitzgibbon, Bryan Fletcher, Luke Ricketson; interchange Shane Rigon, Nelson Lomi, Craig Wing, Dallas Hood.

Knights: Robbie O'Davis, Timana Tahu, Matthew Gidley, Mark Hughes, Adam MacDougall, Matthew Johns, Andrew Johns, David Fairleigh, Danny Buderus, Tony Butterfield (c), Ben Kennedy, Peter Shiels, Bill Peden; interchange Matt Parsons, Glenn Grief, Steve Simpson, Lenny Beckett.

Referee: Tim Mander.

* The Roosters' defence looked brittle against Auckland, the attack turned the ball over too many times. The Knights meanwhile have built the best defensive record in the comp and are starting to put the attack together as Andrew Johns comes back to his best. Potent centres and wingers give them a decided edge out wide and while the Knights have international Robbie O'Davis at the back the Eagles have a struggling youngster in Luke Phillips, and still lack a kicker of note.

Peter Jessup's Picks:

Broncos

Sharks

Eels

Storm

Dragons

Eagles

Knights

Success rate this season: 57%