The business end of the season is upon us and this is where it really starts to become do or die for the clubs in the hunt for finals contention. With just four games to go in the NRL Premiership season, the tension is palpable among footy fans. The two benchmark sides of the 2024 season will kick off the weekend of rugby league as the Penrith Panthers take on the Melbourne Storm on Thursday night. We’ll also be treated to some must see action as the Dolphins, Cowboys, Raiders, Dragons and Knights all battle to keep their seasons alive! Let’s dive in and take a look at what Round 24 has on offer for us this week!
Penrith Panthers v Melbourne Storm:
Much like the New England Patriots during their dynasty era, the Penrith Panthers, led by Nathan ‘Ice in the Veins’ Cleary, seem to love reminding us all “we’re still here”. The men from the foot of the mountain seem to enjoy finding new, and unique ways to win football games, and toy with their opposition like a cat playing with a mouse. Conversely, while the Melbourne Storm have been a formidable side all year, their standards seemed to have slipped in recent weeks, dropping their match to the Dragons two weeks ago, and seemingly struggling to put away the Rabbitohs over the weekend. This could be the game where Penrith really look to put the screws to the competition and launch their run to securing the minor premiership. I’m tipping the Panthers by 12 points.
Manly Sea Eagles v New Zealand Warriors:
Manly were back in a big way when they took on the Raiders in the nation’s capital last weekend, running in a mammoth score with Tommy Turbo playing one of his best games of the year. On the other hand, the Warriors launched a tremendous comeback late against the Dolphins to force their game into golden point but ultimately couldn’t get the job done. If Manly truly want to establish themselves as genuine finals contenders and not just make up the numbers, this is a game they need to win and win big. However, the Warriors have the opportunity to really rock the apple cart if they can find a way to jag a win over on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. I’m expecting a big response from the Wahs this weekend, in an effort to try and keep their slim finals hopes alive. I’m tipping the Warriors by 8 points.
Sydney Roosters v Parramatta Eels:
The Eels fought valiantly against Penrith last weekend, before falling victim to yet another Nathan Cleary masterclass. Much to the surprise of many, they’ve shown some significant signs of improvement under interim coach Trent Barrett, and are proving not to be the easy beats they were written off to be in the back end of 2024. The Roosters are coming into this game fresh off a bye, after knocking off the Dolphins in Perth in a high scoring contest for the ages. The Roosters have been point scoring machines in 2024, but their defence has come into question of late, having conceded 84 points in their last three games. I am expecting this game to be yet another high scoring affair in the East v West match up, but I have a feeling the Chooks may come into this game overconfident. I’m tipping Parramatta by 4 points.
Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs v Dolphins:
The Dogs of War are back. The second best defensive side in the competition, and still the only side to not concede 30 points in the 2024 season, take on quite the challenge this week when they bring a home game to Bundaberg against the Dolphins. The Bulldogs remain undefeated at home in 2024, and have won eight of their last ten games going into this contest. Cameron Ciraldo’s men have proven that hard work beats talent so far this year, but they will need to be on their game when they take on the high flying Dolphins. Wayne Bennett’s men snuck home in a high scoring contest over the Warriors, after going toe-to-toe with the Chooks the week before. The Dolphins have scored big in their last two matches, but have struggled in defence, conceding 30 or more points in both of their last two matches. The Phins are fighting to keep their season alive, but while the Dogs remain undefeated at home, and the Bulldog Army traveling the way it is, it’s hard to go past the blue and white this week. I’m tipping the Bulldogs by 14 points.
North Queensland Cowboys v Canberra Raiders:
If the Green Machine are going to have any chance of playing finals football in 2024, this is a must win clash for them. The Cowboys have a game-in-hand, and are pushing for a top-four finish. However, both sides were unconvincing in their big losses to the embattled Broncos and Sea Eagles respectively. However, one can never write off the Raiders entirely. After proving to be disappointing in both of Josh Papalii’s 300th game celebratory matches, and with it all on the line this week, I’d expect big things from the Raiders. Ricky Stuart is the master of big game psych-ups and will need to get absolutely everything out of his men this week. The Raiders showed some fight late last week at home, and the Cowboys have struggled defensively in 2024. If the Green Machine can find some of the fight they showed against the Dogs two weeks ago at Belmore, they could have a genuine chance of taking this one out. I’m tipping the Raiders by 10 points.
Wests Tigers v South Sydney Rabbitohs:
The Tigers and the Bunnies go into this contest playing for one thing… pride. Both have been lackluster this year; Souths having been plagued by injuries, while the Tigers ultimately, have seriously lacked discipline. The biggest shock for me coming out of the weekend was that the Tigers got through a match without having a player be sent to the sin bin. They have shown an ability to score points all year, and on occasion have been in the fight against some of the top sides but have consistently let themselves down. South Sydney’s injury list boasts some of the best players in the game right now, and that may be the only thing keeping the Tigers in this game on Saturday night. Jarome Luai will really have his work cut out for him next year if the Tigers can’t find a way to win at home this week against the South Sydney B-side. However, old habits die hard, and I really can’t see the Tigers' discipline improving enough to get the win this weekend. I’m tipping the Rabbitohs by 12 points.
St George Illawarra Dragons v Gold Coast Titans:
The Titans were utterly steam rolled by the Sharks over the weekend 44-nil after going into the match as short-odds favourites. This week they find themselves in yet another battle as they take on a St George side trying to keep their finals hopes alive. After shocking the Rugby League world two weeks ago by knocking off Melbourne in Melbourne, the Dragons weren’t quite strong enough for the Dogs at Kograh on Saturday night. Before Friday night, the Titans had been on quite a roll and proving to be massive improvers under new coach Des Hasler. I’m expecting them to bounce back this Sunday and can honestly see this game going either way. I’m tipping the Dragons by 1 point, in a golden point thriller.
Cronulla Sharks v Newcastle Knights:
The Knights will likely need to win four from their last four if they want to secure a finals berth, and if that wasn’t a hard enough task, making the trip to Shark Park to take on a top-four placed Cronulla outfit won’t make it any easier. The Sharks ran in 44 unanswered points last weekend on the Titans, and didn’t look like putting a foot out of place. Conversely, the Knights managed a solid win over the Tigers on Sunday afternoon, and unlocked a try scoring machine in Fletcher Sharpe in the process. This is another match that could go down to the wire, with Cronulla looking to further their chances of a top-four finish, while the Knights are desperate to keep their season alive. With everything to play for, this is a must see match to close out Round 24 of the National Rugby League. I’m going to tip another upset here. I think some Kalyn Ponga magic might just get the Knights over the line. I’m tipping the Knights by 13 points.
Every side has something to play for this week, whether it be pride or a chance at ultimate glory! The Brisbane Broncos will relish in taking two points from the bye this weekend, while they watch on to see if their slim finals chances stay alive or not. I’ve gone out on a limb, and tipped some upsets this week as we head into the pointy end of the season. It’s that time of year where anything can happen, and rallying around your side might just be the difference between winning and losing. Make sure you wear your team colours with pride and get the latest gear from Jerseys Megastore, both in store and online! Jerseys Megastore, for all things footy!
