NRL Round 21 Preview

With six clubs in the top eight equal on 24 competition points and the twelfth-placed Roosters only two wins behind the pack, this weekend's round of NRL matches could determine the fate of a number of clubs still clinging to hope of a top eight finish.

With four of those teams, the Sharks and Tigers, and the Eagles and Cowboys, squaring off against each other. Round 21 should produce some great games with finals-like intensity.

Friday Night, July 29
St George-Illawarra vs Sydney Roosters
WIN Stadium, Wollongong - 7:30pm.

Channel 9 Replay from 8:30pm (NSW/QLD).
Check local guides for other areas.

Aided by the home town advantage, this is a golden opportunity for St George-Illawarra to stake a claim for a top four berth and knock bitter rivals, the Roosters, out of finals contention. The Dragons may be struggling to shake the inconsistency tag but if they slip up during the run to the finals, the critics will be lining up for a shot at Nathan Brown's boys.

The Roosters, on the other hand, are just plain struggling. A third straight loss has them two wins out of the eight and despite the return of Michael Crocker, it is difficult to see how the trend can be reversed in this match. DRAGONS by 12.

DRAGONS: Clint Greenshields, Colin Best, Mark Gasnier, Matt Cooper, Wes Naiqama, Trent Barrett (c), Ben Hornby, Luke Bailey, Dean Young, Jason Ryles, Ben Creagh, Lance Thompson, Shaun Timmins. Interchange: Ashton Sims, Justin Poore, Michael Henderson, Michael Ennis.

ROOSTERS: Anthony Minichiello, Amos Roberts, Joel Monaghan, Iosia Soliola, Sam Perrett, Brett Finch, Jamie Soward, George Rose, Heath L'Estrange, Adrian Morley, Chris Flannery, Craig Fitzgibbon, Luke Ricketson (c). Interchange: Craig Wing, Michael Crocker, Richard Fa'aoso, Anthony Tupou, Ned Catic, Adam Schubert (two to be omitted).

Referee: Paul Simpkins.

FootyTAB: Roosters 6.5   Sporting Bet: Dragons - $1.44, Roosters - $2.80

Saturday Night, July 30
Newcastle Vs Melbourne
EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle - 5:30pm, Live on Fox Sports One.

With three wins from the last five outings, Newcastle will be full of confidence going into this match despite the quality of the opposition. The local fans have watched a number of close contests at EnergyAustralia Stadium but witnessed only one victory – a second home win here would be cause for celebration.

The Storm put a week of Matt Orford inspired angst behind them with a comfortable win over the Roosters. They are quickly closing in on the second-placed Eels but so are six other teams and a big road win could set Melbourne up for a big finish to the year. STORM by 8.

KNIGHTS: David Seage, Trent Salkeld, Matthew Gidley, George Carmont, Anthony Quinn, Brad Tighe, Andrew Johns (c), Craig Smith, Danny Buderus, Josh Perry, Steve Simpson, Clint Newton, Reegan Tanner. Interchange: Adam Woolnough, Todd Lowrie, Daniel Tolar, Dustin Cooper, Milton Thaiday (one to be omitted).

STORM: Billy Slater, Matt Geyer, Steve Bell, Matt King, Jake Webster, Scott Hill, Matt Orford, Robbie Kearns (c), Cameron Smith, Ian Donnelly, David Kidwell, Ryan Hoffman, Dallas Johnson. Interchange: Dennis Scott, Jamie Feeney, Cooper Cronk, Brett White, Alex Chan (one to be omitted).

Referee: Shayne Hayne.

FootyTAB: Knights 5.5   Sporting Bet: Knights - $2.25, Storm - $1.65

Saturday Night
Brisbane Vs Canberra
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane - 7:30pm, Live on Fox Sports One.

Brisbane return to the safety of Suncorp Stadium, licking their wounds after a tough loss to the Bulldogs last Friday night. Justin Hodges misses through suspension, allowing Brent Tate the opportunity to start in the centres and turn his career around.

The Raiders are also coming off a loss and now sit precariously outside the eight, behind the six teams clumped together on 24 points. Stringing good performances together has been a struggle for Canberra so even if they perform well here, who knows what would happen next week. BRONCOS by 16.

BRONCOS: Karmichael Hunt, Scott Minto, Brent Tate, Shaun Berrigan, Leon Bott, Darren Lockyer (c), Brett Seymour, Shane Webcke, Casey McGuire, Petero Civoniceva, David Stagg, Brad Thorn, Tonie Carroll. Interchange: Corey Parker, Darren Smith, Dane Carlaw, Neville Costigan, Sam Thaiday, Berrick Barnes (two to be omitted).

RAIDERS: Clinton Schifcofske, David Howell, Phil Graham, Adam Mogg, Craig Frawley, Jason Smith, Todd Carney, Josh Miller, Lincoln Withers, Troy Thompson, Matt Adamson, Ian Hindmarsh, Jason Croker (c). Interchange: Alan Tongue, Ben Cross, Matt Gafa, Andrew Lomu, Michael Hodgson, Kris Kahler (two to be omitted).

Referee: Tim Mander.

FootyTAB: Raiders 13.5   Sporting Bet: Broncos - $1.22, Raiders - $4.35

Saturday Night
Penrith Vs New Zealand Warriors
Penrith Stadium, Sydney - 7:30pm, Replay on Fox Sports One @ 9:20pm.

With the Rabbitohs and Panthers showing signs of improvement, the preseason fancies are in danger of collecting the wooden spoon in six weeks time. This would be a mighty fall for the 2003 premiers and they will be hellbent on avoiding this dubious honour, starting this week at home.

Two wins in a row and the return of skipper Steve Price has the Warriors believing they can scrape into the finals. A healthy points differential may work in their favour but need to close the deal on winnable matches such as this. New Zealand hopes will remain alive for another week at least. WARRIORS by 4.

PANTHERS: Rhys Wesser, Luke Lewis, Danny Galea, Paul Franze, Luke Rooney, Preston Campbell, Craig Gower (c), Joel Clinton, Luke Priddis, Ben Ross, Frank Pritchard, Shane Rodney, Trent Waterhouse. Interchange: Frank Puletua, Matthew Cross, Luke Swain, Joe Galuvao.

WARRIORS: Brent Webb, Francis Meli, Clinton Toopi, Jerome Ropati, Todd Byrne, Sione Faumuina, Stacey Jones, Iafeta Paleaaesina, Nathan Fein, Steve Price (c), Ruben Wiki, Wairangi Koopu, Monty Betham. Interchange: Richard Villasanti, Karl Temata, Lance Hohaia, Awen Guttenbeil, Louis Anderson (one to be omitted).

Referee: Russell Smith.

FootyTAB: Warriors 2.5   Sporting Bet: Panthers - $1.90, Warriors - $1.90

Sunday Afternoon, July 31
Manly Vs North Queensland
Brookvale Oval, Sydney - 2:30pm, Live on Fox Sports One.

Manly have not won since whipping the Knights at home in Round 15 and have slumped to eighth spot on the ladder. The Eagles play the Broncos at Brookvale next week so if they are unable to recapture their best home form and conquer the Queenslanders, what started as an exciting season is in danger of becoming a wasted year.

A big win at home against Penrith signalled a return to form for the Cowboys, sparked by new signing Brett Firman. Considered a key signing for the Roosters when Brad Fittler retired last season, he may become a vital part of North Queensland's finals campaign. Leaving Sydney with the two competition points would really boost their finals prospects, potentially crushing those of Manly in the process. COWBOYS by 12.

SEA EAGLES: Brett Stewart, Scott Donald, Terry Hill, Ashley Alberts, Chris Hicks, Michael Witt, Michael Monaghan (c), Jason King, Chad Randall, Brent Kite, Steve Menzies, Luke Williamson, Ben Kennedy. Interchange: Sam Harris, Shane Dunley, Nathan Tutt, Kylie Leuluai, Paul Stephenson, Mark Bryant (two to be ommitted).

COWBOYS: Matt Bowen, Ty Williams, Josh Hannay, Paul Bowman, Matt Sing, Johnathan Thurston, Brett Firman, Paul Rauhihi, Aaron Payne, Shane Tronc, Steve Southern, Luke O'Donnell, Travis Norton (c). Interchange: Rod Jensen, David Faiumu, Jacob Lillyman, Mitchell Sargent.

Referee: Steve Clark.

FootyTAB: Sea Eagles 1.5   Sporting Bet: Sea Eagles - $2.08, Cowboys - $1.75

Sunday Afternoon
South Sydney vs Bulldogs
Aussie Stadium, Sydney - 3:00pm, Replay on Fox Sports Two @ 6:00pm.

The Rabbitohs lost for the first time in three weeks last start and registered a draw against the Bulldogs earlier in the season. Former Rooster Bryan Fletcher started the year as captain and now Peter Cusack, who also ran out for the tricolours, has been named as skipper for next season. Current captain Ashlet Harrison is, of course, moving to the Roosters.

Just as the Bulldogs announced themselves as contenders for this years premiership, the injury curse struck yet again. With Hazem El Masri out for up to six weeks with a knee injury, he will rely on his teammates to keep on winning so he and Sonny Bill Williams can play a part in the Dogs premiership defence. BULLDOGS by 18.

RABBITOHS: Todd Polglase, Luke MacDougall, Adam MacDougall, Yileen Gordon, Shannon Hegarty, John Sutton, Ben Walker, Peter Cusack, Shane Walker, Scott Geddes, Bryan Fletcher, Luke Stuart, Ashley Harrison (c). Interchange: Mark Minichiello, David Fa'alogo, Beau Champion, Manase Manuokafoa.

BULLDOGS: Hazem El Masri, Makasini Richter, Jamaal Lolesi, Reni Maitua, Matt Utai, Braith Anasta, Brent Sherwin, Mark O'Meley, Corey Hughes, Roy Asotasi, Willie Mason, Andrew Ryan (c), Tony Grimaldi. Interchange: Chris Armit, Nate Myles, Adam Perry, Dallas McIlwain.

Referee: Sean Hampstead.

FootyTAB: Rabbitohs 16.5   Sporting Bet: Rabbitohs - $5.00, Bulldogs - $1.18

Sunday Afternoon
Cronulla vs Wests Tigers
Toyota Park, Sydney - 3:00pm, Replay on Fox Sports Two @ 7:30pm.

Channel 9 Replay from 4:00pm (NSW/QLD).
Check local guides for other areas.

The Sharks have lost three of the past four matches, their only win in golden point extra time at home against Newcastle. They face the hottest team in the NRL right now but Cronulla's home record is solid and with a reasonable draw, a run to the finals could begin with a return to form here.

The West Tigers have had a great month, climbing all the way up to sixth spot on the ladder. Robbie Farah is emerging as a dangerous player from dummy half and Scott Prince faces a tough battle with Sharks half Brett Kimmorley. Don't be surprised if the Tigers' record-breaking roll continues. TIGERS by 10.

SHARKS: David Peachey, David Simmons, Nigel Vagana, Paul Mellor, Nathan Merritt, Adam Dykes, Brett Kimmorley (c), Jason Stevens, Matt Hilder, Danny Nutley, Reece Williams, Phil Bailey, Paul Gallen. Interchange: Hutch Maiava, Keith Galloway, Sam Isemonger, Phil Leuluai, Keith Galloway (one to be omitted).

TIGERS: Brett Hodgson, Daniel Fitzhenry, Shane Elford, Paul Whatuira, Pat Richards, Benji Marshall, Scott Prince (c), Todd Payten, Robbie Farah, John Skandalis, Anthony Laffranchi, Liam Fulton, Ben Galea. Interchange: Dean Collis, Dene Halatau, Chris Heighington, Bronson Harrison.

Referee: Tony Archer.

FootyTAB: Tigers 6.5   Sporting Bet: Sharks - $1.53, Tigers - $2.50

Bye: Parramatta Eels.

Note: All kick-off times Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) unless stated.

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