Rugby League: NRL Preview - Round 7

Compiled by PETER JESSUP

Brisbane Broncos v Canberra Raiders

ANZ Stadium; Friday, March 17, 9.30pm.

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

Raiders: Brett Mullins, Anthony Swann, Ken Nagas, Brandon Costin, Leslie Vainikolo, Laurie Daley (c), Andrew McFadden, Anthony Brann, Simon Woolford, David Atkins, David Furner, Anthony Colella, Jason Croker; interchange Mark McLinden, Mark Corvo, Justin Morgan, Rod Jensen.

Ref: Sean Hampstead.

* The Broncos are in unstoppable form and will win again at home, despite again losing skipper Kevin Walters after he re-injured his troublesome calf at training on Monday. Ben Ikin and Shane Walker have established a confident combo in the halves so they shouldn't lose much there, and Tallis has been a lead-by-example skipper. The Raiders are all fit to back up after the hiding they got at Newcastle but will again be lacking in forward power, and perhaps resolve, given captain Laurie Daley's musing on retirement this week.

Auckland Warriors v St George Illawarra Dragons

Ericsson Stadium; Saturday, March 18, 4.30pm

Warriors: Cliff Beverley, Shontayne Hape, David Myles, Nigel Vagana, Lee Oudenryn, John Simon (c), Ben Lythe, Terry Hermansson, Robert Mears, Talite Liavaa, Logan Swann, Tony Tuimavave, Jason Death; interchange Scott Pethybridge, Monty Betham, Ali Lautiiti, Joe Vagana, Paul Whatuira (one to be omitted).

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, Andrew Hart; interchange Daniel Heckenberg, Terry Larney, Wayne Bartrim, Jason Hooper.

Ref: Mark Oaten.

* The Dragons have lost their way after having the premiership cruelly snatched from them by a penalty try last year. They were cruelled again last week, the video ref last weekend sending back to the whistler a decision on a Tyran Smith pass - forward - which gave Wests Tigers a late matchwinner, ref Simpkins allowing it and the Dragons losing for the first time ever at Wollongong. Skipper Craig Smith reckons they're on target but they still have headspin problems, clearly. The Warriors might be better placed and have some advantage mentally after the 32-18 win at Ericsson late last season.

Northern Eagles v Sydney Sharks

Brookvale Oval; Saturday, March 18, 9.30pm.

Eagles: Andrew King, Andrew Frew, Albert Torrens, Joel Wilson, Brendan Reeves, Michael Buettner, Jason Taylor, Mark O'Meley, Geoff Toovey (c), Steve Trindall, Adam Muir, Steve Menzies, Nik Kosef; interchange Owen Cunningham, Greg Ebrill, Willie Leyshon, Jamie Goddard.

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

Ref: Tim Mander.

* The Eagles have gone well but will face a bigger Sharks forward pack with nearly as much skill in the second and backrow as they have themselves, and more out wide. A good crowd filled Brookvale for their first game as a united side and will lift them at home again. With Geoff Toovey and Jason Taylor in good form they're likely to try and go through the middle with quick plays. If the Sharks defence holds there, they should win it out wide.

Melbourne Storm v Parramatta Eels

Olympic Park; Saturday, March 18, 9.30pm.

Storm: Robbie Ross, Matt Geyer, Aaron Moule, Tony Martin, Marcus Bai, Tasesa Lavea, Brett Kimmorley, Robbie Kearns (c), Richard Swain, Rodney Howe, Matt Rua, Stephen Kearney, Scott Hill; interchange Danny Williams, Russell Bawden, Ben Roarty, Paul Marquet 18th man John Lomax.

Eels: Brett Hodgson, Clinton Schifcofske, David Kidwell, Daniel Wagon, Eric Grothe, Stuart Kelly, Ben Kusto, Michael Vella, Wade L'Estrange, Nathan Cayless (c), Troy Wozniak, Nathan Hindmarsh, Jim Dymock; interchange Dennis Moran, Michael Hodgson, Jason Smith, Andrew Ryan.

Ref: Kelvin Jeffes.

* The Eels are the under-achievers this year but coach Brian Smith had a full squad to choose from this week for the first time. Still, his constant re-juggling of the backline, justified as broadening the team's skills, has unsettled some. The Storm should have the edge in the halves, Tesesa Lavea 34 points from two games at standoff. Their skipper Robbie Kearns said this week that they were still "short of a gallop" and short of their best football - ominous for the Eels. Former Kiwi prop John Lomax is available from this week.

Penrith Panthers v Newcastle Knights

Penrith Stadium; Sunday, March 19, 4.30pm.

Panthers: Rhys Wesser, Robbie Beckett, Ryan Girdler, David Woods, Chris Hicks, Steve Carter (c), Craig Gower, Craig Greenhill, Brad Drew, Carl MacNamara, Scott Sattler, Nigel Gaffey, John Cross; interchange Mark Geyer, Lee Hopkins, Shane Elford, Sid Domic, Tony Puletua (one to be omitted).

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

Ref: Bill Harrigan.

* Should be one of the closest games of the round, Andrew Johns the difference. He is reaching peak form and destroyed Canberra last weekend. The Panthers will have had a rev from Royce Simmons after nearly slipping to Auckland and should stiffen their resolve, Tony Puletua's return stiffening the attack if his back is OK. But the Knights have too many matchwinners around the park - the powerful Adam MacDougall returns out wide - and a run of good form that will give them confidence to get home - just.

Sydney City Roosters v Wests Tigers

Sydney Football Stadium, Sunday, March 19, 4.30pm.

Roosters: Craig Wing, Jack Elsegood, Shannon Hegarty, Matt Sing, Robert Miles, Brad Fittler (c), Adrian Lam, Scott Logan, Simon Bonetti, Ian Rubin, Luke Ricketson, Craig Fitzgibbon, Bryan Fletcher; interchange Shane Rigon, David Solomona, Nat Wodd, Dallas Hood.

Tigers: Matt Seers, Joel Caine, Kevin McGuinness, Terry Hill, John Hopoate, Steve Georgallis, Craig Field, Shane Walker, Darren Senter, Jason Lowrie, Mark Stimson, Luke O'Donnell, Tyran Smith; interchange Ciriaco Mescia, John Skandalis, Michael Gillette, Mark O'Neill.

Ref: Steve Clark

* The Tigers have started better than anyone predicted and were still going strong in the last minutes of their win over the Dragons last weekend, that enthusiasm giving them a late win. Their pack is proving one of the most mobile, with enough off-loads to worry any opposition. The Roosters have made things tough for themselves with 60 minute efforts. They're again shortened up by injury, centre Ryan Cross gone for four weeks with a hamstring and Richie Barnett out, knee trouble. Fullback Craig Wing can expect plenty of bombs. David Solomona continues to attract plenty of raps, Artie Beetson this week saying he could go anywhere if he applies himself.

Canterbury Bulldogs v North Queensland Cowboys

Stadium Australia, Sunday, March 19, 4.30pm.

Bulldogs: Rod Silva, Hazem El Masri, Darren Smith, Willie Talau, Daryl Halligan, Craig Polla-Mounter, Ricky Stuart, Troy Stone, Adam Perry, Darren Britt (c), Brad Clyde, Steve Price, Glen Hughes; interchange Jason Hetherington, Brent Sherwin, Steve Reardon, Barry Ward.

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

Ref: Paul Simpkins.

* The Cowboys will cop another hiding, no doubt. There's been instability at the club this week with the board meeting to decide if coach Tim Sheens should be kept on to see out the remaining four years of his contract - he was but watch this space. Hardworking lock Glenn Morrison is gone for a month with a broken jaw. The Dogs, meanwhile, continue to grow in stature with their non-stop pressure producing ordinary but successful football. Jason Hetherington comes back after shoulder surgery.

Peter Jessup picks:

Broncos

Warriors

Sharks

Storm

Knights

Roosters

Bulldogs

Success rate this season: 57%