As the finals football draws closer in the NRL, each matchup is set to deliver critical results that will shape the finals landscape. The seventeen teams are battling for positioning and survival, and every game is carrying significant implications for end of season aspirations. Join us as we dive in and take a look at what Round 21 of the 2024 NRL Season has to offer:
The New Zealand Warriors return home this week, to take on the embattled Wests Tigers. The Wahs went down last week in a narrow loss to the Raiders, with goal kicking proving the difference as they outscored Canberra four tries to three. Injuries to Taine Tuaupiki and Adam Pompey indicate those struggles may continue this week. The Tigers come into the clash off the back of an inspired performance against the Bunnies last week, but will face their own challenges as Aidan Sezer sits out due to suspension. The Tigers will welcome back Api Koroisau, Alex Lobb, Alex Seyfarth and Justin Olam into the side, which should add some extra fire power to a side that was up and about last week. The Warriors have lost five of their past six games to sides that sit outside the top-eight, and combine that with Api Koroisau’s career 80% win rate against the Warriors, I’m going to have to tip the Tigers by 12 points.
The Parramatta Eels will welcome the Melbourne Storm into the west of Sydney this week, as the two sides go head to head at Commbank Stadium. The Storm marked their sixth consecutive win with a dominant performance over the Roosters last week, while Parramatta will come in off a bye and a Round 19 loss to the Titans. The circumstances for each side could not be any more different going into this match. Melbourne expect to welcome back star half Cameron Munster, as they chase the minor premiership, while the Eels star half Mitchell Moses is out for the remainder of the year as they look to avoid the wooden spoon. I can really only see this match going one way, and that's Melbourne Storm by 30+ points.
The Brisbane Broncos look to resurrect their season as they host the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs at home on Saturday. The return of Adam Reynolds last week helped the Broncos to a 30-14 win over the Knights, as every match from here on out is a must win if the proud Queensland side is to play finals football. The Bulldogs, who arguably lost to themselves last week against the Cowboys, will be hopeful that skipper Stephen Crichton and forward Viliame Kikau will be available after sustaining knocks during the match. History shouldn’t play too much of a part in this one, as the Broncos have lost their past four games at Suncorp, while the Bulldogs have only won one of their past eight in Queensland. I’d expect a hard fought contest, but ultimately I think the Broncos will come out on top by 8 points.
The North Queensland Cowboys look to cement their top-eight position as they host the Cronulla Sharks on Saturday. The last time these two sides met, the Sharks walked away with an emphatic 42-6 victory in Round 7, and will come into this contest fresh off a bye and a 52 point win over the Tigers the week before. The Cowboys haven’t beaten the Sharks in Townsville since 2018, and lost eleven of their last twelve games to the Sharks. Queensland Country Bank stadium has not proved a happy hunting ground for North Queensland in 2024, and I’d expect this to continue. I’m tipping the Sharks by 24 points.
Allianz Stadium is set to host the most anticipated match of the round as the Sydney Roosters take on the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in the battle of the beaches on Saturday night. Both sides have been impressive so far in 2024, and will be looking to really make strong statements as they head towards September. The Chooks need to bounce back quickly after a deflating performance against Melbourne, while Manly come in red hot after a thumping win over the Titans. The last time these two sides met, the Sea Eagles flew home with a 21-14 win, however I’d be surprised if this was the case again. The Sea Eagles haven’t managed to beat the Roosters in the Moore Park area since 2017, and I’d expect Trent Robinson to have his side raring to go after last week. Manly may be walking into an ambush here, and if they’re not careful, it could derail their season. I’m tipping the Roosters by 22 points.
The St George Illawarra Dragons will face the biggest test of their progress yet, as they take on a Penrith Panthers outfit expecting the return of their Origin stars to complement last week’s return of Nathan Cleary. After the Dragons managed to snatch a win over the reigning premiers in Round 13 (granted Penrith were missing key players due to Origin duties), Penrith will no doubt be looking to flex their muscles this week. The next two weeks don’t look promising for Dragons fans, as once they get through this test, they take on Melbourne next week. The next fortnight will really test the resolve of the Red V. I’m tipping Penrith by 20 points.
In an all Queensland battle, the Dolphins play host to the Gold Coast Titans on Sunday afternoon. The Dolphins took Penrith to the wire last week, only going down to a monster two-point field goal from Nathan Cleary in golden point. The Dolphins would be disappointed in themselves after leading by 14 points inside the first half an hour, and will look to make amends for that this week. However, one can never count out the Titans this season as they continue their hit and miss season. The potential return of AJ Brimson could boost their chances, however if they are going to stay in the fight they will need to seriously work on their defence this week. I’d expect this one to be a lot closer than some anticipate, and I’m tipping the Dolphins by 6 points.
Closing out the weekend of footy will see the Canberra Raiders stay home for the second week in a row, as they host Jack Wighton and the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Both of these sides need to treat this game as a must-win if they are to stay in the hunt for finals berths. GIO Stadium has proved to be a less than intimidating hunting ground for visiting teams so far this season, and Ricky Stuart will really need to put a rocket up the Raiders if they are to come out of this one victorious. Poor goal kicking from the Warriors handed the Raiders a win last week, and this contest ought to be significantly tougher. With a for-and-against deep in the negatives, defence has proved a problem for the Raiders the last two years, and when they are jagging wins it is not by much. I’m tipping the Rabbitohs by 14 points.
The upcoming weekend of Rugby League promises to be full of exciting matches and high-stakes games. Almost every side has something to play for this week, whether its cementing a top-four or eight position, or just avoiding the spoon, every fan will be on the edge of their seats this weekend. I’m tipping the Tigers, Storm, Broncos, Sharks, Roosters, Panthers, Dolphins and Rabbitohs to all walk away victorious this weekend, while the Knights sit this week out with a bye. What do you think of my predictions? Let me know your thoughts. Don’t forget, Jersey’s Megastore is running a massive winter clearance sale right now, with 20, 30 and 50% off selected stock. So make sure to head in store or online, to get yourself a great deal now! Jerseys Megastore, for all things footy!
