Welcome back to our NRL predictions and tips for Round 5 of the NRL. Last week didn’t go too well, only backing two winners from the eight games, but with several upsets taking place, we’re pretty happy to forget last week and move on! There are some unreal matches scheduled for this weekend, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see a couple of more upsets on the cards. Season 2024 has been anything but predictable, but let's get into it.
Thursday night opens the round with the Melbourne Storm and the Brisbane Broncos battling it out at AAMI Park. Two almost full strength sides have been named to do battle in what could potentially be the match of the round. Year in, year out it's proven to be quite a task to beat Melbourne in Melbourne, and Bellamy’s men seem to have started the season far more cohesively than the 2023 grand final runners up have. For that reason, I’ll be going Storm by 12 points.
Friday’s curtain raiser sees the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs take on the Sydney Roosters. This match in particular has the potential to be a colossal upset. Coach Cameron Ciraldo has had the Dog’s watching the 2004 Grand Final win over the Chooks after training this week to really instill the Dogs of War mentality they will want to emulate. The Chooks have started the season well, but having watched Canterbury take it to some legitimate top 6 contenders so far this season, I think they're ready to to finally fire on all cylinders. I’m backing the Bulldogs by 6 points.
Friday’s main event will see the Newcastle Knights host the St George Illawarra Dragons, in what should be a fairly one sided contest. With the confirmation today that Zac Lomax will be leaving the Red V at season’s end, it seems the back of house woes haven’t quite been silenced the way new coach Shane Flannagan might have us believe. Coming off a disappointing loss in New Zealand last week, I’m expecting the Knights to come out raring to go in front of the home crowd faithful. I'm going Newcastle by 10 points.
Super Saturday kicks off with the South Sydney Rabbitohs taking on the New Zealand Warriors. Frankly Souths were lucky to escape with a narrow win last week over the Dogs and have looked anything but convincing this season. I’d expect this to be light work for the Wahs, as it seems once again the Bunnies coach has refused to make the fundamental changes his side needs to be competitive (Latrell to centre, Wighton into the halves, drop Walker, etc). I’m going New Zealand by 14 points.
At 5:30 on Saturday, the other game of the round contender will take place at 4 Pines Park between the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and the Penrith Panthers. Missing Cleary didn’t seem to bother the boys from the foot of the mountain last week as Schneider slotted in seamlessly, whereas Manly were upset by a surprising Dragons outfit. I’m expecting Penrith to be too much for Manly this week, and the three-peat premiers in Penrith will walk away 13 point victors.
Super Saturday closes out with the Dolphins taking on the red hot Wests Tigers. The Phins are top of the table heading into the clash, but the Tigers have come off two shock wins. The unified club will be missing Galvin this week through suspension, who’s been instrumental in their success so far. However, I find it difficult to see lightning striking three times in a row, particularly in Brisbane against Wayne Bennett’s formidable side. I’m taking the Dolphins by 8 points.
The Sunday Ticket opens up with what should be a tremendously one sided match as the North Queensland Cowboys take on the Gold Coast Titans. The Titans are yet to win a game under new coach Des Hasler, and with the injury woes plaging the club right now, they look destined for the wooden spoon. The Cowboys are coming off their only loss of the season so far, and will be looking for redemption in a big way. I’m anticipating a Cowboys win by 24+.
Closing out Round 5 will see the Parramatta Eels making the journey down the highway to take on the Canberra Raiders. Both sides are coming off losses in matches they should have won, and this week will come down to who wants it more. In front of the home faithful, on a Sunday arvo game, I’d expect the Green Machine to come out all guns blazing, and overrun the Parramatta side. I’m taking the Raiders by 14 points.
There you have it, it’s a cracking weekend of footy coming up and we’re tipping the Storm, Bulldogs, Knights, Warriors, Panthers, Dolphins, Cowboys and Raiders to walk away victorious. How many do you think we’ll get right this week? I’m feeling confident in a perfect round of tipping for these eight games. As always, if you haven’t already got your supporter gear for 2024, make sure to head into Jersey’s Megastore for All Things Footy!
