Fox Sports commentator Laurie Daley offers his thoughts and predictions for round eight of the NRL premiership.
South Sydney v Manly, ANZ Stadium, Sunday 3pm (EST) Any team that can go to Canberra and get the points off the Raiders is a good footy team. To come back like they did in the second half shows what they are capable of and it will give them enormous confidence. Manly looked flat on Monday night even though for the majority of the match they had the game under control. They have been up for a while and they play a very physical brand of football , which is going to get more difficult with the rep season coming up. I think Souths can win this game if they come with the attitude of turning up for 80 minutes because Manly have struggled in the back end of their games when under pressure. An area of Manly's game where they can struggle is sometimes in their attack.
Parramatta v Canterbury-Bankstown, ANZ Stadium, Friday 7.35pm (EST)
These two are traditional rivals and it should be a great clash. Both sides have won two games in a row, but the Bulldogs look to be weakened with a few key players missing in Josh Morris, Ben Roberts and Ben Hannant. Parramatta are slowly starting to build their confidence and play like a footy team. It is at this time of year when you start to see the likes of Jarryd Hayne really start to hit their best with the representative season around the corner. I think the fact that Hayne may be able to able to create something from second phase play with the forwards going well and with the injury concerns the Bulldogs have I think the Eels can win this.
Brisbane Broncos v Newcastle Knights, Suncorp Stadium, Friday 7.35pm (EST)
The Knights have been struggling, they are just not executing as well as we know they can and they will need to find their rhythm against the Broncos, who can play very good football at home. Lockyer will be the key man once again for Brisbane so Newcastle will need to make sure they are hunting him around the fringes of the ruck. Newcastle tend to go well against the Broncos but on what they have shown me so far I can’t find enough reasons to tip them so I think the Broncos will win but it could be close.
Warriors v Canberra Raiders, Mt Smart Stadium, Saturday 3pm (EST)
The Raiders have played some brilliant first half football but have had too many fade-outs. They are bad on the road and it is always a difficult trip over to New Zealand to face the Warriors, who will be looking to bounce back from a dismal display against Melbourne Storm. The Raiders have showed us what they are capable of and if the Warriors give them too much possession and are slack in defence then they may find themselves in trouble. The Raiders have a very physical forward pack and rely a lot on Campese and Dugan, who are playing some tremendous football. But while their road record is poor I can’t go with them so I will stick with the Warriors.
Gold Coast Titans v Penrith, Skilled Park, Saturday 5.30pm (EST)
Gold Coast have got a tremendous home record and I like the way that when they were under pressure they were still able to withstand Manly’s attack. They only conceded two tries off kicks and another off a nice set piece. They had no football and had no right to be trailing by as little as they were, and they showed that they are a very committed football team. Playing against Penrith they will need to repeat that performance and that is the challenge for them. If Prince does make a return he will add to their kicking game but they also have Friend out of dummy-half who was inspirational against the Sea Eagles. Penrith are looking to make it five in a row. Their back row is as good as any in the competition. Grant and Civenociva continue to take them forward and Walsh is starting to be more consistent with his play. If the Titans can reproduce their defensive display from Monday Night, I believe they will get home.
North Queensland Cowboys v Melbourne Storm, Dairy Farmers Stadium, Saturday 7.30pm (EST)
The toughest thing about tipping this game is the question of whether Melbourne can turn up again like they did on Sunday night. On face value you would tip them and they are a very professional football team but they will come against a pretty desperate team in North Queensland. It worries me that the Storm have nothing to play for except pride. They may be able to get away with it again this week but I don’t know how long they can continue. I don’t think even the players themselves know how they will go in the long run but I think they will win but albeit without much certainty. I hope they can play with the same mindset they had the other night.
St George Illawarra v Cronulla, WIN Stadium, Saturday 7.30pm (EST)
The Dragons are playing outstanding football at the moment, they just give you nothing. They are relentless in defence, they don’t turn over the football so that when you have the football you have to make sure that you are completing your sets, otherwise fatigue sets in and the Dragons can pounce. They have improved their attack with Darius being one of the form players of the competition at the moment and he certainly wouldn’t look out of place with an Australian two or a five on his back. It would be difficult to see them being beaten by the Sharks given the form they are in. The Sharks did have a win last week and it was a commendable performance and they will be courageous against their big brother but I just can’t see them winning.
Wests Tigers v Sydney Roosters, Campbelltown Stadium, Sunday 2pm (EST)
The Tigers are always difficult to beat at Campbelltown and the Roosters will be without Mitchell Pearce, which is a huge blow for them. I am looking forward to watching Carney fill in at halfback and Minichellio playing at fullback. They are very good replacements so the Roosters are lucky in that regard. Will Farah have the same impact on the game from halfback as he does at hooker? The Tigers believe he can. He has played their in the past so it shouldn’t affect him too much. The Tigers need to start winning to avoid losing three or four games in a row, which puts you under a lot of pressure in this competition. Marshall has been a little bit quiet by his lofty standards. But I think it will help him with Farah at halfback. I am tipping Tigers to get the cash.
