NRL Round 25 Preview

Only two weeks of NRL action remain before the finals and four contenders and leading the race for the minor premiership.

The Brisbane Broncos are in real danger of being overtaken at the top of the ladder, perhaps next week when they take on fellow contender Parramatta in Sydney. The red-hot Dragons will cool their heels this weekend but the exciting Wests Tigers travel to Melbourne in search of a ninth straight win.

Only one spot inside the eight is yet to be decided but Manly could sew that spot up with a win at home to the Warriors. If they fail, it could cost them a finals appearance that seemed a certainty when they headed the league early in the season and were virtually unbeatable at home.

Friday Night, August 26
Brisbane vs Sydney Roosters
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane - 7:30pm.

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

Brisbane's hopes of snaring the minor premiership will be on the line this Friday night. Victory over the Roosters could see them wrap up top spot if Parramatta slip up on Sunday but defeat would see them square off against the Eels in Sydney next week – winner takes all. Dane Carlaw moves into the front row for injured stand-in skipper Shane Webcke, Petero Civoniceva will lead the injury-depleted side.

Sydney still maintain a very faint hope of scraping into the finals despite losing a fiery clash with Souths last Saturday night. The Roosters may be cursing referee Russell Smith's mistake in failing to send off Luke MacDougall in the one-point loss but once they go down to the Broncos, despite Brisbane's injury woes, it will all be academic anyway. BRONCOS by 8.

BRONCOS: Karmichael Hunt, Scott Minto, Justin Hodges, Brent Tate, Leon Bott, Shaun Berrigan, Brett Seymour, Dane Carlaw, Barry Berrigan, Petero Civoniceva (c), David Stagg, Brad Thorn, Tonie Carroll. Interchange: Corey Parker, Darren Smith, Berrick Barnes, Neville Costigan, Tame Tupou, Sam Thaiday, Darren Mapp (three to be omitted).

ROOSTERS: Anthony Minichiello, Amos Roberts, Ryan Cross, Iosia Soliola, Joel Monaghan, Chris Flannery, Brett Finch, David Shillington, Craig Wing, Adrian Morley, Anthony Tupou, Craig Fitzgibbon, Luke Ricketson (c). Interchange: Michael Crocker, Heath L'Estrange, Lopini Paea, Nigel Plum, Richard Fa'aoso (one to be omitted).

Referee: Tony Archer.

FootyTAB: Roosters 4.5   Sporting Bet: Broncos - $1.68, Roosters - $2.20

Saturday Evening, August 27
Melbourne vs Wests Tigers
Olympic Park, Melbourne - 5:30pm, Live on Fox Sports One.

A must-win for the Storm if they harbour any desires to host a final at Olympic Park in two weeks time. If they fail to finish top-four, this match will be the final game in Melbourne for captain Robbie Kearns after 14 seasons in the top grade. A return to form for fullback Billy Slater in time for the finals would make Melbourne a dangerous proposition in the playoffs.

The West Tigers made mincemeat of the floundering Bulldogs last week to continue their record-breaking win streak. An away win in Melbourne would keep alive hope of a remarkable ascent to the minor premiership but all good things must come to an end and the Storm will send the retiring Kearns out a winner. STORM by 12.

STORM: Billy Slater, Matt Geyer, Steve Bell, Matt King, Jake Webster, Scott Hill, Matt Orford, Robbie Kearns (c), Cameron Smith, Brett White, David Kidwell, Ryan Hoffman, Dallas Johnson. Interchange: Dennis Scott, Cooper Cronk, Antonio Kaufusi, Glen Turner, Peter Robinson, Ian Donnelly, Greg Inglis (three to be omitted).

TIGERS: Brett Hodgson, Daniel Fitzhenry, John Wilson, Paul Whatuira, Pat Richards, Benji Marshall, Scott Prince (c), Todd Payten, Robbie Farah, John Skandalis, Anthony Laffranchi, Mark O'Neill, Ben Galea. Interchange: Dene Halatau, Chris Heighington, Liam Fulton, Bronson Harrison, Ray Cashmere (one to be omitted).

Referee: Paul Simpkins.

FootyTAB: Tigers 3.5   Sporting Bet: Storm - $1.68, Tigers - $2.20

Saturday Night
Newcastle vs Cronulla Sharks
EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle - 7:30pm, Live on Fox Sports One.

Newcastle is firing on all cylinders but despite five straight victories, just cannot climb out of last place. But the Knights appear to be enjoying this late season resurgence and are building some real momentum to take into next season, provided Andrew Johns can stay healthy.

Despite some scratchy form in recent weeks, the Sharks will be there in September after a massive win at home over the hapless Eagles. The goal now for Stuart Raper's men is to claim fifth or sixth spot and avoid elimination in the first week of finals. Unfortunately, the Knights are in rare form and should make it six from six. KNIGHTS by 14.

KNIGHTS: Milton Thaiday, Trent Salkeld, Dustin Cooper, Brad Tighe, Anthony Quinn, Kurt Gidley, Andrew Johns (c), Craig Smith, Danny Buderus, Adam Woolnough, Steve Simpson, Clint Newton, Reegan Tanner. Interchange: Daniel Tolar, Todd Lowrie, Riley Brown, Matthew White.

SHARKS: David Peachey, David Simmons, Nigel Vagana, Beau Scott, Luke Covell, Adam Dykes, Brett Kimmorley (c), Jason Stevens, Kevin Kingston, Danny Nutley, Paul Gallen, Phil Bailey, Matt Hilder. Interchange: Hutch Maiava, Paul Mellor, Phil Leuluai, Michael Sullivan, Reece Williams (one to be omitted).

Referee: Steve Clark.

FootyTAB: Sharks 5.5   Sporting Bet: Knights - $1.56, Sharks - $2.45

Saturday Night
Manly vs New Zealand Warriors
Brookvale Oval, Sydney - 7:30pm, Replay on Fox Sports One @ 9:20pm.

The Sea Eagles are battered and bruised, a hammering from the Sharks leaving them as the only side currently in the eight that could miss the finals. They only need to win one of their next two to qualify but if they cannot beat the Warriors at home, it would be difficult to see them seriously challenge anybody in the finals.

The Warriors have dropped right off the pace now, four straight losses relegating them from the finals race. In fact, having the bye next week has virtually saved them from landing the spoon. Last game in the NRL for club stalwart Stacey Jones but he will not receive any fairytale send-off. SEA EAGLES by 6.

SEA EAGLES: Brett Stewart, Paul Stephenson, Terry Hill, Steve Matai, Chris Hicks, Steve Menzies, Michael Monaghan (c), Jason King, Chad Randall, Daniel Heckenberg, Luke Williamson, Anthony Watmough, Ben Kennedy. Interchange: Kylie Leuluai, Shane Dunley, Mark Bryant, Sam Harris, Michael Witt, Nathan Tutt, Kane Cleal, Scott Donald (four to be omitted).

WARRIORS: Brent Webb, Manu Vatuvei, Clinton Toopi, Simon Mannering, Todd Byrne, Sione Faumuina, Stacey Jones, Ruben Wiki, Nathan Fien, Steve Price (c), Awen Guttenbeil, Wairangi Koopu, Monty Betham. Interchange: Iafeta Paleaaesina, Karl Temata, Jerome Ropati, Louis Anderson, Sonny Fai, Francis Meli. (two to be omitted).

Referee: Sean Hampstead.

FootyTAB: Warriors 3.5   Sporting Bet: Sea Eagles - $1.68, Warriors - $2.20

Sunday Afternoon, August 28
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Penrith
Telstra Stadium, Sydney - 2:30pm, Live on Fox Sports One.

Both the Dogs and Panthers will be disappointed with their position on the ladder but the winner of this match could be in for a little surprise. If the Sea Eagles lose, whoever takes the points in this game could possibly steal eighth spot in the final round. But after two straight 50-plus floggings, the Doggies would just be hoping for a competitive effort.

Penrith knocked off the league leading Broncos at home last Saturday and with three wins in a row, have finally jumped clear of wooden spoon territory. The Panthers should prove to be too strong for the Dogs but if they are in a position to challenge for eighth next week, would need to beat the Tigers to get there. PANTHERS by 24.

BULLDOGS: Luke Young, Filinga Filiga, Jamaal Lolesi, Cameron Phelps, Matt Utai, Braith Anasta, Corey Hughes, Mark O'Meley, Adam Brideson, Roy Asotasi, Willie Mason, Andrew Ryan (c), Tony Grimaldi. Interchange: Reni Maitua, Adam Perry, Nate Myles, Chris Armit.

PANTHERS: Brett Howland, Luke Lewis, Danny Galea, Paul Franze, Luke Rooney, Preston Campbell, Craig Gower (c), Joel Clinton, Luke Priddis, Ben Ross, Frank Pritchard, Shane Rodney, Trent Waterhouse. Interchange: Frank Puletua, Matthew Cross, Luke Swain, Joe Galuvao.

Referee: Jason Robinson.

FootyTAB: Panthers 2.5   Sporting Bet: Bulldogs - $2.07, Panthers - $1.77

Sunday Afternoon
South Sydney vs North Queensland
Central Coast Stadium, Gosford - 3:00pm, Replay on Fox Sports One @ 6:00pm.

The Rabbitohs would have celebrated long and hard after finally getting one over their more glamorous cross-town rivals last week for the first time in eleven years. They might have chalked up three wins in a row but need to keep the roll going to avoid yet another last-placed finish.

The Cowboys arrested a two-game slide at home against Canberra to secure only the second ever appearance in the finals for the club. It has been a long season for North Queensland and they are not displaying the form that took them agonisingly close to the grand final last year. Even if the Bunnies knock them off here, they still loom as a danger side in the coming weeks. RABBITOHS by 8.

RABBITOHS: Todd Polglase, Garth Wood, Adam MacDougall, Yileen Gordon, Shannon Hegarty, John Sutton, Mick Moran, Peter Cusack, Shane Walker, Scott Geddes, Mark Minichiello, Luke Stuart, Ashley Harrison (c). Interchange: Manase Manuokafoa, David Fa'alogo, Beau Champion, Scott Logan.

COWBOYS: Matt Bowen, Ty Williams, Josh Hannay, Paul Bowman, Matt Sing, Johnathan Thurston, Brett Firman, Carl Webb, Aaron Payne, Mitchell Sargent, Steve Southern, Luke O'Donnell, Travis Norton (c). Interchange: David Faiumu, Jacob Lillyman, Justin Smith, Shane Tronc, Rod Jensen (one to be omitted).

Referee: Shayne Hayne.

FootyTAB: Rabbitohs 6.5   Sporting Bet: Rabbitohs - $2.60, Cowboys - $1.50

Sunday Afternoon
Parramatta vs Canberra
Parramatta Stadium, Sydney - 3:00pm, Replay on Fox Sports Two @ 3:30pm MONDAY.

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

Parramatta may have lost last week to the Dragons but Brisbane's slip up in Penrith keeps them on track for a massive final round showdown with the Broncos, possibly for top spot. The Eels were well beaten in Canberra a few weeks back so would love nothing more than to return the favour, though Nathan Hindmarsh is under an injury cloud.

The Raiders have a tough task ahead of them this week, winless in their past five encounters and taking on one of the premiership favourites. But an upset win here plus a Manly loss could see an elimination final take place next week between Canberra and Manly for eighth spot. Problem is, there will be no upset at Parramatta Stadium this week to allow that to happen. EELS by 12.

EELS: Joel Reddy, Luke Burt, Ben Smith, Brett Delaney, Eric Grothe, John Morris, Tim Smith, Nathan Cayless (c), Mark Riddell, Paul Stringer, Nathan Hindmarsh, Chad Robinson, Luke O'Dwyer. Interchange: PJ Marsh, Dean Widders, Michael Vella, Fuifui Moimoi, Josh Cordoba. (one to be ommitted).

RAIDERS: Clinton Schifcofske, Marshall Chalk, Phil Graham, Adam Mogg, Matt Gafa, Jason Smith, Todd Carney, Ben Cross, Lincoln Withers, Troy Thompson, Kris Kahler, Ian Hindmarsh, Jason Croker (c). Interchange: Alan Tongue, Michael Hodgson, Alan Rothery, Jason Williams, Jermaine Ale, Andrew Lomu (two to be omitted).

Referee: Tim Mander.

FootyTAB: Raiders 12.5   Sporting Bet: Eels - $1.22, Raiders - $4.35

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!