NRL Round 17 Preview

After another round of upset results, who know what will be served up in Round 17 of the NRL? With ten rounds remaining before the finals, plenty of teams are still in contention and the competition for spots will become more intense with every week.

This week will be the last for those teams with heavy state representation to field weakened sides with the State of Origin decider to be played next Wednesday. Those sides with players out of contract will also be looking forward to finalising their playing lists and chasing any big name still available. For those players, tere is no better time than now to hit top form

Friday Night, July   1
Wests Tigers vs Manly
Leichhardt Oval, Sydney - 7:30pm.

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

Just when the Tigers looked like falling off the pace, they knock off the high-flying Dragons to stay within reach of the top eight. They were dynamic with the ball in attack last week and another fast start would really put Manly under pressure. With six of the last ten at home, the Tigers are not without hope.

With the unbeaten run at Brookvale coming to an end, this becomes a vital game for Manly. A full strength Eagles outfit would be favoured to top the Tigers but the NSW rep players are out and the loss of Anthony Watmough is a major blow. Without their usual strike power in the forwards, the Eagles might struggle. TIGERS by 12.

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

SEA EAGLES: Brett Stewart, Scott Donald, Terry Hill, Ashley Alberts, Chris Hicks, Michael Witt, Michael Monaghan (c), Mark Bryant, Chad Randall, Brent Kite, Nathan Tutt, Sam Harris, Glenn Stewart. Interchange: Kane Cleal, Shane Dunley, Phil Morwood, Kylie Leuluai, Steve Matai, Jason King (two to be omitted).

Referee: Steve Clark.

FootyTAB: Sea Eagles 6.5   Sporting Bet: Tigers - $1.47, Sea Eagles - $2.70

Saturday Night, July   2
Bulldogs vs Melbourne
Sydney Showground - 5:30pm, Live on Fox Sports One.

The futures of the Bulldogs biggest stars have been all but settled, Willie Mason signing on but Braith Anasta moving on – but where to? The Dogs have taken seven of eight premiership points in the past month and are closing in on the eight. With Mason and Sonny Bill Williams to come, the signs are ominous.

The Storm feasted on Rabbit stew in Melbourne last Saturday night but after a few hiccups at Olympic Park, away wins are vital. The shock omission of Billy Slater from the Queensland side for the Origin decider is a bitter blow for the exciting fullback but he will bounce back, perhaps at the Bulldogs expense. BULLDOGS by 4.

BULLDOGS: Luke Patten, Hazem El Masri, Jamaal Lolesi, Cameron Phelps, Matt Utai, Corey Hughes, Brent Sherwin, Mark O'Meley, Adam Brideson, Roy Asotasi, Tony Grimaldi (c), Nate Myles, Dallas McIlwain. Interchange: Daniel Irvine, Charlie Tonga, Chris Armit, Daniel Conn.

STORM: Billy Slater, Matt Geyer, Steve Bell, Greg Inglis, Jake Webster, Cooper Cronk, Matt Orford, Robbie Kearns (c), Nathan Friend, Ian Donnelly, David Kidwell, Glen Turner, Jamie Feeney. Interchange: Dennis Scott, Tevita Metuisela, Jeremy Smith, Brett White, Josh Graham (one to be omitted).

Referee: Sean Hampstead.

FootyTAB: Storm 6.5   Sporting Bet: Bulldogs - $1.50, Storm - $2.60

Saturday Night
North Queensland vs New Zealand Warriors
Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville - 7:30pm, Live on Fox Sports One.

The Cowboys came oh-so close to beating Canberra but instead themselves sitting just outside of the top four. The home form is good, only one loss in Townsville, but will be far from full strength.

The Warriors have struggled to find consistency this season but having scored two victories over the Broncos, have the potential to trouble any side on their day. If they fire, a weakened Cowboys line-up might struggle to hold the visitor out. WARRIORS by 8.

COWBOYS: Brenton Bowen, Jason Barsley, Josh Hannay, David Myles, Neil Sweeney, Travis Norton (c), Aaron Payne, Paul Rauhihi, David Faiumu, Shane Tronc, Steve Southern, Luke O'Donnell, Justin Smith. Interchange: Rod Jensen, Leigh McWilliams, Mitchell Sargent, Jacob Lillyman.

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

Referee: Tony Archer.

FootyTAB: Warriors 2.5   Sporting Bet: Cowboys - $1.98, Warriors - $1.84

Saturday Night
Newcastle vs Sydney Roosters
EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle - 7:30pm, Replay on Fox Sports One @ 9:20pm.

What odds would you have been offered in March for the Knights to remain winless until Round 16 – and would then open their account at Penrith Stadium? The local fans will be hoping for a repeat performance but with Andrew Johns cooling his heels before Origin 3, Newcastle may struggle to back up.

After slogging out a tough win against the Eels last Friday night, it has been a tough week for the Roosters - Ryan Cross and Adrian Morley receiving hefty suspensions and Michael Crocker announcing his move to Melbourne. State of Origin further depletes the side but enough class remains to take the points – just. ROOSTERS by 2.

KNIGHTS: Milton Thaiday, Trent Salkeld, Brad Tighe, George Carmont, Anthony Quinn, Jarrod Mullen, Dane Campbell, Craig Smith (c), Luke Quigley, Adam Woolnough, Clint Newton, Reegan Tanner, Todd Lowrie. Interchange: Brendan Worth, Daniel Tolar, Andrew Price, Dustin Cooper.

ROOSTERS: Chris Walker, Joel Monaghan, Iosia Soliola, Ryan Cross, Lelea Paea, Amos Roberts, Brett Finch, Jason Cayless, Heath L'Estrange, Adrian Morley, Anthony Tupou, Adam Schubert, Luke Ricketson (c). Interchange: Stuart Webb, Richard Fa'aoso, Mickey Paea, Ben Hannant, Ned Catic, Michael Lett (two to be omitted).

Referee: Russell Smith.

FootyTAB: Knights 9.5   Sporting Bet: Knights - $3.00, Roosters - $1.40

Sunday Afternoon, July   3
Canberra vs Penrith
Canberra Stadium - 2:30pm, Live on Fox Sports One.

There is a new Lazarus in the nation’s capital – not Glenn, the Brick With Eyes, but Jason Smith! His early comeback from injury and winning field goal helping to arrest the Raiders’ five-game slide. With the side now close to full strength, the finals are not out of the question but only if they keep winning at home.

Penrith's season of woe reached its lowest ebb last Saturday night, unable to beat the winless Knights at home with its season on the line. The chance of a late push for the finals looks unlikely, particularly with skipper Craig Gower’s inclusion for Origin 3 leaving him sidelined for this match. RAIDERS by 14.

RAIDERS: Clinton Schifcofske, Matt Gafa, David Howell, Adam Mogg, David Milne, Jason Smith, Lincoln Withers, Jason Williams, Simon Woolford (c), Troy Thompson, Kris Kahler, Ian Hindmarsh, Jason Croker. Interchange: Alan Tongue, Andrew Lomu, Michael Hodgson, Michael Robertson, John Miller (one to be omitted).

PANTHERS: Rhys Wesser, Brett Howland, Danny Galea, Paul Franze, Luke Rooney, Peter Wallace, Preston Campbell (c), Joel Clinton, Luke Priddis, Garret Crossman, Shane Rodney, Frank Pritchard, Trent Waterhouse. Interchange: Frank Puletua, Ben Rogers, Luke Swain, David McLean.

Referee: Shayne Hayne.

FootyTAB: Panthers 5.5   Sporting Bet: Raiders - $1.47, Panthers - $2.70

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

Parramatta maintained second place on the ladder despite losing to the Roosters, thanks to yet another round of upsets. The club re-signed a multitude of players during the week and barring a massive boilover, will celebrate with a seventh win in eight matches.

The Rabbitohs were flying two weeks ago after flogging the Eagles on the back of drawing with the Dogs. They have since fallen away so badly that it is hard to see where they can win another game this season. It certainly will not be this week. EELS by 22.

EELS: Wade McKinnon, Matt Peterson, Ashley Graham, Ben Smith, Eric Grothe, John Morris, Tim Smith, Michael Vella, Mark Riddell, Paul Stringer, Nathan Cayless (c), Glenn Morrison, Chad Robinson. Interchange: PJ Marsh, Dean Widders, Adam Peek, Aaron Cannings.

RABBITOHS: Todd Polglase, Brad Watts, Shannon Hegarty, Adam MacDougall, Luke MacDougall, John Sutton, Mick Moran, Peter Cusack, Trent Young, Scott Logan, Bryan Fletcher (c), Luke Stuart, Mark Minichiello. Interchange: David Fa'aloga, Scott Geddes, Shane Walker, Manase Manuokafoa.

Referee: Jason Robinson.

FootyTAB: Rabbitohs 15.5   Sporting Bet: Eels - $1.18, Rabbitohs - $4.90

Sunday Afternoon
Brisbane vs Cronulla
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane - 3:00pm, Replay on Fox Sports Two @ 7:30pm.

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

Brisbane suffered only their third defeat of the season in New Zealand last Sunday, two of those losses at the hands of the Warriors. So far, the Broncos have won without their representative players, the evergreen Darren Smith still knowing his way to the tryline.

The Sharks were the major benefactors of last week’s round of upsets, climbing into the top four courtesy of two points from the bye. They may struggle here in Brisbane but with two matches each against the Rabbitohs and Knights to come, a top four finish is likely. BRONCOS by 10.

BRONCOS: Karmichael Hunt, Scott Minto, Justin Hodges, Steve Michaels, Leon Bott, Casey McGuire, Brett Seymour, Shane Webcke (c), Barry Berrigan, Dane Carlaw, David Stagg, Darren Smith, Tonie Carroll. Interchange: Darren Mapp, Berrick Barnes, Sam Thaiday, Tom Leroyd-Lahrs, Greg Eastwood, Michael Bond, Nick Kenny (three to be omitted).

SHARKS: David Peachey, David Simmons, Nigel Vagana, Paul Mellor, Luke Covell, Adam Dykes, Brett Kimmorley (c), Jason Stevens, Matt Hilder, Hutch Maiava, Reece Williams, Phil Bailey, Paul Gallen. Interchange: Keith Galloway, Phil Leuluai, Vince Mellars, Michael Sullivan.

Referee: Tim Mander.

FootyTAB: Sharks 4.5   Sporting Bet: Broncos - $1.65, Sharks - $2.25

Bye: St George-Illawarra Dragons.

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

•  Have a view on this story? Send us your feedback!