Gary's Picks
Dragons vs Broncos, tonight
Brisbane's Matt Gillett and Corey Norman are going to be stars this year. I think Norman will be a champion of a fullback. He showed signs of brilliance in the halves last year and has a good frame for a fullback. On the other side of the coin, the Red V are in trouble already. They were rolled by the Storm and bringing in ex-Bronco Gerard Beale to play at fullback is like putting a band-aid on an open wound.
Broncos 13+
Cowboys vs Storm, tomorrow
A massive clash at 1300Smiles Stadium, shaping as the game of the round. Johnathan Thurston was superb last week and the rest of the side certainly weren't passengers. The Cowboys are a real threat this year. Look out for the Sims brothers, they ask plenty questions when they come surging off the bench. I think the Storm are one big injury away from sliding down the table.
Cowboys 12-
Warriors vs Roosters, tomorrow
Oh dear. Only up from here for the Warriors after last week. I did like glimpses of Dane Nielsen, he is a classy centre. Pita Godinet is a bright talent coming off the bench into the halves or hooker. The Chooks' Sonny Bill Williams may start to bring his offload back into the fray after a no-frills effort last week. Overall, the Roosters look a few weeks off getting their combinations right.
Warriors 12-
Titans vs Raiders, Sunday
A lot of eyes are on the Raiders, not because they are a giant threat or are involved with the drug scandal, but because star fullback Josh Dugan has just been sacked. Dugan had failed to show up to a single training since last weekend's loss to the Panthers. The Dragons and Tigers are two teams who could really benefit from signing him. The Titans did well last week, almost nailing the Sharks. Should be a good clash of big packs tomorrow.
Titans 13+
Tigers vs Panthers, Sunday
Bad move from the Cowboys selling James Segeyaro. In the NRL only a handful of players scamper out of dummy half like a champion. Rabbitohs hooker Issac Luke is the best but Panthers utility Segeyaro isn't far behind. The Panthers were impressive last week against the Raiders and the Tigers made too many errors against the Knights. Should be two from two for the mountain men (Panthers). On a side note, can someone explain why error-ridden Tigers winger Matt Utai is still in the NRL?
Panthers 12-
Sea Eagles vs Knights, Sunday
Ukuila Uate broke the line last week against the Tigers like a grown man playing against the Suva under-6s. Imagine him playing local football in Fiji, he'd score 100 tries a season. Another thing I like about Uate is his mate Dane Gagai. The kid causes havoc. The Sea Eagles will be a much bigger challenge this Sunday, though, for the Knights. They love tight games and I can see them stealing the chocolates at Brookvale Oval.
Sea Eagles 12-
Rabbitohs vs Sharks, Monday
Can't wait for this. The Bunnies were red hot last week and the Sharks are high on emotion after drug allegations have seen a massive staff clean-out. I read somewhere the Sharks don't have a physiotherapist or team doctor for this weekend. Look to captain Paul Gallen to administer any medical help if players go down, ie the staple gun. While the NRL is busy checking Sharks players for drugs, I think some scientific research should be done on Greg Inglis. I'm not fully convinced he is human. He's too good. Dally M medal winner come end of the season, I'm thinking.
Rabbitohs 13+