Rugby League: NRL Preview - Round 13

Compiled by PETER JESSUP

Brisbane Broncos v Parramatta Eels

ANZ Stadium; Friday, April 28, 9.40pm.

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

Eels: Brett Hodgson, Luke Burt, Daniel Wagon, Stuart Kelly, Eric Grothe, Jason Smith, Ben Kusto, Michael Vella, Dean Schifilliti, David Westley, Nathan Hindmarsh, Ian Hindmarsh, Jim Dymock (c); interchange Dennis Moran, Andrew Ryan, David Vaeliki, Jason Moodie, Gary Larson (one to be omitted).

Referee: Paul Simpkins

* The Broncos always have to be favourites at home. Kevin Walters returns after his rib problem but otherwise Wayne Bennett has kept faith with the side that slumped at Brookvale. The Eels have lost too many games by a couple of points, are starting to look the goods but still lack the killer instinct. The rolling captaincy stays with Jim Dymock, Nathan Cayless still three weeks away with his broken thumb. The Eels look to be benefiting from the rotational theory that cost them early season given the returns from injury and are in good position for a winning run given the interruption State Of Origin will cause in May.

Auckland Warriors v West Tigers

Ericsson Stadium; Saturday, April 29, 2.35pm.

Warriors: Scott Pethybridge, Lee Oudenryn, David Myles, Nigel Vagana, Henry Faafili, John Simon (c), Stacey Jones, Talite Liavaa, Robert Mears, Joe Vagana, Monty Betham, Matt Spence, Jason Death; interchange Shontayne Hape, Tony Tuimavave, Awen Guttenbeil, Jerry Seuseu.

Tigers: Matt Seers, Joel Caine, Kevin McGuinness, Terry Hill, John Hopoate, Ben Duckworth, Craig Field (c), Jason Lowrie, Ciriaco Mescia, Shane Walker, Mark O'Neill, Jarrod McCracken, Tyran Smith; interchange Steve Georgallis, Luke O'Donnell, John Skandalis, Mark Stimson.

Referee: Tony Archer

* The Warriors have a win behind them, some stability in selection, and a chance to push into the middle of the competition ladder if they can string together a second home win, something not managed since last year. The punters have returned big-time, pushing them to an unrealistic price to win and leaving the visitors a good bet given the return of Jarrod McCracken after the thigh cork that kept him out of the test. Craig Feild keeps the captaincy as coach Wayne Bennett seeks to teach him some leadership skills after the Bulldogs' Ricky Stuart sledged his side to a win a fortnight ago, main target Field. The home side will want big crowd backing as revenge for the debacle at Leichhardt, where Scott Pethybridge was unjustly ordered off.

North Queensland Cowboys v St George Illawarra Dragons

Dairy Farmers Stadium; Saturday, April 29, 4.35pm.

Cowboys: Tim Brasher (c), Damien Smith, Julian O'Neill, Paul Bowman, Scott Donald, Scott Prince, Paul Green, John Buttigieg, Leigh McWilliams, Martin Locke, Mark Shipway, Kyle Warren, Jeremy Schloss interchange Nathan Fien, Peter Jones, Glenn Morrison, Robert Relf.

Dragons: Luke Patten, Nathan Blacklock, Jamie Ainscough, Shaun Timmins, Mark Gasnier, Luke Branighan, Trent Barrett, Craig Smith (c), Nathan Brown (c), Chris Leikvoll, Darren Treacey, Luke Bailey, Wayne Bartrim; interchange Terry Lamey, Corey Pearson, Andrew Hart, Jason Hooper.

Referee: Mark Oaten

* The Cows are still without sometime skipper Noel Goldthorpe after the cheergirl brawl but junior Scott Prince stood in well last week. They'll be hard at home as they too are putting together some stiff performances but it's hard to see the Dragons losing given their recent consistency. That's despite the Amazing Mundine's disappearing act. Trent Barrett still doesn't get the pivot's jersey he wants, junior Luke Branighan preferred, and legend's son Mark Gasnier holds his spot, age 18, as a result of Anthony's unexpected overseas tour. The club has said it will consider his contract when and if he surfaces. Lance Thompson is gone for the season, knee reconstruction.

Northern Eagles v Canberra Raiders
NorthPower Stadium; Saturday, April 29, 9.35pm.

Eagles: Andrew King, Andrew Frew, Albert Torrens, Michael Buettner, Brendon Reeves, Adam Hayden, Jason Taylor, Josh Stuart, Geoff Toovey (c), Paul Stringer, Steve Menzies, Daniel Gartner, Owen Cunningham; interchange Damien Driscoll, Daniel Quinn, Greg Ebrill, Jamie Goddard, Steve Trindall (one to be omitted).

Raiders: Mark McLinden, Greg Wolfgramm, Anthony Swann, Brandon Costin, Lesley Vainikolo, Laurie Daley (c), Brett Finch, Luke Davico, Simon Woolford, Todd Payten, Justin Morgan, David Furner, Jason Crocker; interchange Andrew McFadden, David Atkins, Alan Tongue, Terry Martin, Sean Rutgerson (one to be omitted).

Referee: Mogsheen Jadwat.

* Gosford has been a lucky venue for the Eagles and they'll take in some confidence after thumping the comp leaders Brisbane at their other home at Brookie last weekend. Their strength is in the second and back row, ball-players Gartner, Menzies and Ebrill running off Geoff Toovey and Jason Taylor. The Raiders meanwhile appear to be starting to lose steam, injuries and internal conflict taking their toll. Brett Mullins will again play first garde after Mal Meninga's assessment that he had a poor game there last weekend - and just a fortnight ago he was a test candidate! The Raiders aren't that bad, but will struggle up front.

Melbourne Storm v Newcastle Knights

Olympic Park; Sunday, April 30, 4.35pm.

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

Knights: Adam MacDougall, Darren Albert, Matthew Gidley, Mark Hughes, Lenny Beckett, Matthew Johns, Andrew Johns, David Fairleigh, Ben Donaldson, Anthony Butterfield (c), Ben Kennedy, Peter Shiels, Bill Peden; interchange Matt Parsons, Glenn Grief, Steve Simpson, Timana Tahu, Troy Fletcher.

Referee: Bill Harrigan

* The Storm are looking deserved premiership favourites after their slow start. With eight players backing up from test duty they thrived against the Bulldogs on Tuesday, testament to wily coach Chris Anderson's ability to get them back up and to re-knit the side. The Knights have Peter Shiels in doubt with a hip injury. Timana Tahu escaped punishment for a foot trip given his clean record but is rested after two poor games. The Johns brothers and Ben Kennedy continue on with injuries and that alone gives the Storm a look-in. At home at Olympic Park in front of increasingly educated and enthusiastic fans they should be unstoppable. John Lomax is injured again with a calf muscle tear.

Sydney City Roosters v Sydney Sharks

Sydney Football Stadium, Sunday, April 30, 4.35pm.

Roosters: Luke Phillips, Anthony Minichiello, Ryan Cross, Robert Miles, Matt Sing, Brad Fittler (c), Adrian Lam, Peter Cusack, Simon Bonetti, Ian Rubin, Bryan Fletcher, Craig Fitzgibbon, Luke Ricketson; interchange Darren Burns, Dallas Hood, Craig Wing, Scott Logan.

Sharks: David Peachey (c), Mat Rogers, Paul Mellor, Russell Richardson, Colin Best, Adam Dykes, Jason Ferris, Martin Lang, Dean Treister, Jason Stevens, Andrew Pierce, Sean Ryan, Nick Graham; interchange Tim Maddison, Paul McNicholas, Paul Donaghy, Mitch Healey.

Referee: Steve Clark

* Bryan Fletcher comes back and Brad Fittler will play a full game after both had breaks last weekend - Fittler's during the game as Craig Wing was tested at the standoff spot as cover for the Origin series. Richie Barnett is gone for the season, facial reconstruction. The Roosters have been up and down, last week's win their first back-to-back this year, and they'll go hard here against a Sharks outfit smartened up at Ericsson. ET is still sidelined, hamstring, but the Sharks have depth to burn in the outside backs. You won't see another 40 minute forward performance like last weekend's all year.

Penrith Panthers v Canterbury Bulldogs
Penrith Stadium; Sunday, April 30, 4.35pm.

Panthers: Peter Jorgensen, Robbie Beckett, Ryan Girdler, David Woods, Shane Elford, Chris Levy (c), Matt Rodwell, Jody Gall, Lee Hopkins, Carl MacNamara, Scott Sattler, Matt Adamson, John Cross; interchange Mark Geyer, Tony Puletua, Fred Petersen, Frank Puletua.

Bulldogs: Rod Silva, Hazem El Masri, Darren Smith, Shane Marteene, Daryl Halligan, Brent Sherwin, Ricky Stuart, Dennis Scott, Jason Hetherington, Darren Britt (c), Steve Reardon, Brad Clyde, Travis Norton; interchange Craig Polla-Mounter, Steve Price, Glen Hughes, Barry Ward.

Referee: Tim Mander

* Ryan Girdler is named but in doubt with a shoulder injury, Craig Gower remains sidelined by his knee/groin; the Dogs have lost Darren Smith and Willie Talau. So much of the sparkle has been taken from this game before it starts, the Dogs devoid of attacking options other than the Ricky Stuart bomb and the Panthers' dummy-half play and everything that follows slowed by Gower's absence. The Panthers are over the worst of their injury woes, though, andf should have too much for the ordinary Dogs given the home ground advantage. Mark Geyer's career might be coming to a close given coach Royce Simmons' suggestion to him that he consider retirement rather than a life hobbling on injuries.

Peter Jessup's picks:

Eels

Warriors

Cowboys

Raiders

Storm

Sharks

Panthers


Success rate this season: 56%