Innholdsfortegnelse for 2019 - Round 9 i Big League Weekly Edition

THE mouth-watering match-up has gone largely unnoticed, but Saturday’s clash between the Bulldogs and Knights marks the first time David Klemmer will take on his former side since moving to Newcastle in the off-season. While the Knights recruit has churned through the metres in 2019, Dylan Napa – the man brought across from the Roosters to replace him – is on the comeback trail following a frustrating ankle injury which sidelined him for three weeks. The fiery front-rower bagged two tries in his first four games in blue and white – he only managed three in 121 appearances for the Roosters – and surprised everyone by returning earlier than expected in Canterbury’s dour loss to the Sea Eagles last weekend. Much was made of Napa’s arrival in Belmore, with many…

THE odds were stacked against the Sharks when they took on the Storm last Friday night. They lined up without five of their biggest names, but in true Davidand-Goliath style, their rookies outshone the Storm heavyweights to bounce back from a humiliating loss to the Broncos in Round 7. Young gun Jack Williams was a stand-out himself, but praised rookie five-eighth Kyle Flanagan, who had the tough job of filling the shoes of Shaun Johnson. “I thought [Flanagan] was great – he was probably one of the best players on the field,” Williams told Big League. “To step up against the Storm is massive, especially when you’re in the halves – you’ve got pressure on you the whole game. He really put his hand up. I think he got a…

You were born in Alice Springs Did you spend much time there growing up? I lived there until I was about two. I moved away a couple of times and I moved back when I was 10 for another six months, then moved away again. I’ve been back there since, so I remember a bit more now, but don’t remember much from when I was actually living there. I went to school up there for a little bit and played a bit of tennis and footy there too. Where else have you lived? After Alice Springs I moved to Brisbane, then the Central Coast and then to Sydney. The Central Coast is where I grew up playing most of my footy and I played tennis there as well. I stopped…

ON behalf of Brisbane, I am delighted to welcome players, teams, officials and fans to the inaugural NRL Magic Round Brisbane. This event is an Australian first, demonstrating our city’s determination to attract innovative major events that engage residents and visitors alike. The Magic Round is a mecca for rugby league fans as all 16 teams compete at our world-class Suncorp Stadium, cementing Brisbane as the heartland of rugby league. The NRL Magic Round Brisbane is exclusive to our city after proudly being secured by Brisbane City Council through Brisbane Marketing and the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland. When not at the stadium, I encourage you to experience our beautiful New World City. Brisbane is a great place to live, work, and relax – it’s a safe, vibrant,…

WITH State of Origin less than a month away, there would be plenty of players feeling a range of emotions as selection looms. There are no guarantees when it comes to Origin, but a stack of in-form incumbents will be feeling confident of a recall and eager for the upcoming series. It’s the players on the outer that start to get nervous at this time of the year, wondering if they’ve done enough to get that prized phone call. They are doing everything possible to be noticed, to ensure their form is up to scratch as they dream of selection. The players will tell you they’re not focused on State of Origin at this stage of the season, but we don’t believe them. It may not be at the forefront,…

BOUNCING back from their loss to Parramatta, five-eighth Jack Wighton praised his side’s defence against Penrith. The Raiders conceded just two tries against the Panthers to claim their sixth win of the season, moving them to third on the ladder. “It was a great improvement,” Wighton said. “We all tightened up our defence and everyone was fantastic – it was a good result.” With an injury to star forward John Bateman, rookie Hudson Young filled in at back row and even scored his first NRL try. “It felt good being out there with the boys,” Young said. “I got thrown in the back row, which is my favourite position, so I felt pretty comfortable.” The Raiders face their toughest test of the season when they come up against the Roosters…

COACH Paul McGregor has admitted it’s been tough watching his side decimated by injuries. Already without Korbin Sims (arm), Gareth Widdop (shoulder) and Jack de Belin (welfare), the Dragons lost Corey Norman and Tyson Frizell last Sunday against the Parramatta Eels. Norman will be out for a month with a cheekbone fracture, while Frizell is expected to play this weekend despite an eye injury. “It’s hard to manage, I suppose,” McGregor said. “That’s the biggest thing, when you lose players of the calibre that we’re losing, that’s the problem. “You’re always going to get injuries and suspensions… it’s a gladiator sport, but it’s the calibre of the players that we’re missing – multiple players with that type of talent.” Although the Dragons are without some of their star players, McGregor…

STRUGGLING with form and holding a 2-6 record, the Broncos’ season isn’t going to plan, yet five-eighth Anthony Milford believes the side can still make the finals. “We know we can recover from our start,” he told Big League. “It’s not the best record but we need to keep pushing through and doing everything we can.” Milford says there’s no better time to turn their form around than at Magic Round this weekend. “It’s our home ground and this is our chance to bounce back,” Milford said. “Every NRL team enjoys playing at Suncorp Stadium, in front of a big crowd; I think it’s going to be packed for all four days.”…

NEW recruit Jordan Kahu was given the opportunity to show his versatility when he shifted to fullback last Friday. “I like playing fullback. That’s what I came up here for. I took the opportunity, but obviously it was from bad circumstances with what happened to ‘Tee’ [Te Maire Martin],” Kahu said after the win. Kahu has also taken a handy boot with him up north to inherit the goal-kicking responsibilities from Johnathan Thurston. He’s worked hard on his accuracy and is reaping the benefits having kicked at 100 per cent last Friday. “It’s something I pride myself on. I was pretty filthy last year losing my spot [kicking] at the Broncos, so I’ve spent a bit of time during my days off kicking and it’s starting to show.”…

Campbell Graham won a lot of fans last year, but his number one fan is still his dad! When did you get into footy? I started watching footy when I was seven and started playing when I was nine for the Maroubra Lions. When Sunday morning came around I’d be rushing my mum and dad to get me to the pitch early, I was that excited. And on the weekend, it didn’t matter if South Sydney were playing, I was obsessed with watching footy. Were you and your Maroubra mates all Bunnies fans? No, there were a few dirty Roosters supporters! Having people who support the other team getting in your ear increases the passion! Were you always quick? I was a bit like I am now; the big long…

Form: Four wins and four losses is an accurate depiction of the Tigers’ mixed performances this season and after back-to-back wins to open their campaign, consistency has gone out the window. They have been overwhelmed in recent weeks by the Eels on opening day at Bankwest and at the SCG last Saturday night when reduced to the role of spectators at the Latrell Mitchell Show. The Panthers’ confidence levels hit a new low in Wagga last Saturday when injuries to Isaah Yeo and Viliame Kikau compounded a dire performance against the Raiders. Two wins from their opening eight games has forced them to dramatically reassess their season’s goals. History: These teams are preparing for their second clash in the space of five weeks after Nathan Cleary produced his two clutch…

Form: The Warriors slumped to their fourth-straight defeat when they were rolled by the Knights last Sunday. The Warriors drew level at 18-all with 25 minutes to play but were completely dominated by the Knights from that point. The Dragons found themselves in a similar situation to the Warriors at the same time of their match against Parramatta last Sunday History: The Dragons were a long-term bogey team for the Warriors and between 2008 and 2015 the Warriors lost 11 successive games. They ended the rot with a win at Mt Smart Stadium and last year they claimed home and away wins over the Dragons for the first time. The Warriors ended the Dragons’ undefeated start to the season with a 20-12 win at Mt Smart and they also took…

TO CELEBRATE Mother’s Day, I’m packing a bag and leaving my very cute baby in the hands of her father as I head to Brisbane for Magic Round. As I’m sure any woman with a young child reading these pages can attest to, the best present a mother can get is some time alone. Luckily for me, my mini-break coincides with my favourite hobby, watching football. Needless to say, I’ve had these dates pencilled into my diary for quite some time. Magic Round is such a big deal in the English Super League and I can’t wait to see how it translates in the NRL. The carnival atmosphere is something I’m really looking forward to. The best thing about rugby league is the community and camaraderie you develop with complete…

THEY were tipped by many to struggle in 2019, and back-to-back losses to start the year did little to sway public opinion. But the Sea Eagles now sit firmly entrenched in the top eight courtesy of a defensive resolve that once defined the club. The Sea Eagles had the worst defence last season, conceding 622 points, but they’ve turned the tide under returning coach Des Hasler, allowing just 130 points across eight rounds for the fifth-best record in the NRL. Their new-found belief has them sitting in sixth spot and boasting upset wins over top-four sides the Rabbitohs and Raiders. The fact they’ve done it without Daly Cherry-Evans and Tom Trbojevic – their two best attacking weapons – shows they’ve gone from a losing team that played pretty footy to…

8. Peter Sterling (1987) On the back of four-straight losses, perennial powerhouse Parramatta was effectively consigned to missing the finals for the first time since 1980 coming into its Round 21 encounter with second-placed Eastern Suburbs. But the Eels’ dire standing did not deter captain Peter Sterling, who scored three tries and delivered the last pass for the other three in a 32-2 rout of the Roosters. With a heavy injury toll compounding the loss of retired legends Ray Price and Mick Cronin, the 1987 campaign was a trying one for new skipper ‘Sterlo’ – but the champion half nevertheless became the first player to complete the Rothmans Medal-Dally M Medal double. 7. Mal Meninga (1990) Meninga was the chief destroyer in one of the most ruthless beatdowns of the…

The Mentalist Hollywood and rugby league mixed last Sunday when Simon Baker celebrated Parramatta’s win over the Dragons at Bankwest Stadium. The actor and director, who is an Eels fan, enjoyed the game at the new stadium and even visited the sheds after the match to meet the players. Leilua’s 200th on hold Raiders centre Joey Leilua missed out on playing his 200th NRL game last Saturday when he was a late scratching due to a minor neck/shoulder injury. He was hoping to clock the milestone this Sunday against the Roosters, but will have to put the celebratons on hold as he has been ruled out indefinitely. Fiji in mourning The Fiji rugby league community is mourning the loss of Chairman Peni Musunamasi. The long-serving administrator passed away last week…

IT IS my pleasure to welcome fans to Suncorp Stadium for the first ever NRL Magic Round. Queensland is a proud and passionate rugby league state with a rich sporting history, and hosting the inaugural Magic Round in Brisbane showcases our state’s commitment to the code. For the first time, audiences around Australia will enjoy an entire NRL premiership round at one ground – eight matches over the course of the weekend that are sure to thrill and entertain the crowds both in the stadium and throughout homes across Australia and the world. This event is only possible thanks to the positive working relationship that the Queensland Government shares with the Brisbane City Council. The Queensland Government is proud to support the 2019 NRL Magic Round through Tourism and Events…

SOCIAL media can often be a taboo subject for rugby league players, but for Storm forward Christian Welch, the much-maligned platform is his weapon of choice when it comes to bettering the community. While this week’s Magic Round places a special emphasis on the dazzling skills we see on the field, Welch has given new meaning to the concept with a heart-warming show of good will. In the lead-up to last week’s clash with the Sharks, the Origin hopeful saw a news package on Twitter about a young boy with cerebral palsy in country Queensland who was forced to use a wheelbarrow while waiting for an NDIS-supplied wheelchair. Instead of ignoring the story, Welch took to social media to see if he could help. Within days, flights, accommodation and tickets…

THE rookies stole the show for the Sharks last Friday night and Jack Williams, who ran for 142 metres and had a try assist, was one of the best. The unlikely win against the Storm was an important one, not only for the team’s standing in the competition, but also for the players’ confidence, as highlighted by Williams. “‘Bomber’ [coach John Morris] left me on the field for a bit longer – I think I got about 40 minutes on the weekend, which is good,” Williams told Big League. “It shows his confidence in me, so that will be good to take away for the coming weeks. I just want to try and build on my own game.” At just 22 years old, Williams is an up-and-coming star for the…

NEWCASTLE coach Nathan Brown believes his new-look squad has finally found its identity following much-needed back-to-back wins over the Eels and Warriors. With a host of new players joining the club this season, the Knights struggled to gel in the opening rounds, but appear to have turned the corner one third of the way through the competition. “I’m convinced they actually understand what type of team we are now,” Brown said. “We’ve got eight or nine new players in the top 19 or so, and I think they are understanding what type of team we are and what we need to do to help ourselves be in a situation to do well. “The more the guys understand that, the more chance we are of giving ourselves a shot each week.”…

GUN forward Cameron Murray says there’s a buzz around the club after starting the season with a 7-1 record. The strong start puts the Rabbitohs second on the ladder, but Murray says it’s important to stay grounded and not get carried away by their impressive record. “There’s a long way to go in this season and we know we still need to improve,” Murray told Big League. “We’re seven and one so we can’t ask for too much more than that, and we’re pretty happy with how we’re going, but it’s only Round 8 so we’ve got to remain humble and stay grounded. “We know we can’t get caught up in the hype. We’re playing well and we know that, but we can’t get ahead of ourselves.” The Rabbitohs face…

NRL Head of Football Graham Annesley has admitted to two wrong decisions made by match officials that arguably cost the Titans a win against the Cowboys last Friday. It’s a blow for the club, which is languishing in 15th place on the ladder, but captain Tyrone Roberts says his team can’t dwell on the mistakes and need to make improvements of their own. “It doesn’t mean much now. We lose the two points no matter what,” he said. “But we can’t go into a match thinking we’re going to get a couple of rough calls. We’ve got to keep disciplined and keep our errors down.”…

COACH Michael Maguire is hoping to learn from last Saturday’s thrashing from the Roosters. “I thought the effort was there but again it’s us learning how to play at that level for longer periods of time,” Maguire said. When it comes to improving his squad, the 2014 Premiership-winning coach is looking at the bigger picture. “It’s how you practise everything you do, how you look after yourself away from the field to turning up to training and being at that high level,” he said. “That’s something we need to continue to work towards. I can’t fault our boys at training, but we’ve got to find little ways of continually improving each individual’s game and that adds to the team’s game.”…

PENRITH were left counting the cost following last week’s loss, with several big names added to an already crowded casualty ward. Isaah Yeo (shoulder, above), Viliame Kikau (ankle) and Malakai Watene-Zelezniak (ribs) are set for stints on the sidelines following the defeat, but centre Dean Whare says the club can turn it into a positive. “A lot of teams have been hit hard by injuries and they performed [last weekend] so we have got an opportunity to do the same thing,” he said. “I know that the younger guys and the guys who haven’t been playing are hungry to get back in and to make a name for themselves.”…

THERE were a couple of big blows for Fantasy coaches over Round 8 that will have major implications for short-term trades and bye-round planning. We are now close enough to Round 12 that coaches aiming to do well in overall need to take that tough week into account for any trades, though if you’re more worried about your head-to-head-league and also have a bye in Round 12, you should be sweet. The worst news was that Raiders and Fantasy star John Bateman (main) suffered a fractured eye-socket and will miss at least five weeks. He had been shaping as one of the most important players for Round 12 but now probably has to be sold. His 20-point return was also a blow for anyone who punted on him as captain.…

Form: Despite losing two of their most influential players, the Sea Eagles have barely broken stride with five wins from their past six games. Without skipper Daly Cherry-Evans and fullback Tom Trbojevic, Manly fashioned a quality win over the Bulldogs to remain in touch with the top four. Brisbane are struggling for confidence and after their 32-point loss to the Rabbitohs in last week’s grudge match, coach Anthony Seibold has been forced to make changes to his line-up. History: These teams meet at Suncorp Stadium for the fifth-straight time following Manly’s decision to transfer home games to Suncorp in 2016, 17 and 18. The move came up trumps last year when the Sea Eagles claimed a 38-24 victory but the Broncos turned the tables with a thumping 48-16 victory in…

Form: There were signs of rare dissent in the ranks of the Storm at full-time last Friday night; largely the result of frustration at the team’s inability to get the better of a team beset with injury but also due to underlying concerns for the team’s mediocre performances over the past month. Opponents Parramatta were celebrating another blistering performance at their new stadium last weekend but the Eels have a long way to go to achieve consistency and they will be chasing back-to-back wins for the first time since the opening rounds. History: The Eels have found wins hard to come by against the Storm in recent seasons with just two positive results coming from the past eight encounters. Last year’s only clash resulted in a 20-4 win to the…

Form: If there is one team currently matching the standards of the Roosters it is South Sydney, who demolished the Broncos in last Thursday’s much-hyped showdown at ANZ Stadium to claim their seventh victory from their opening eight games. The Rabbitohs’ attacking efforts after eight rounds have not been exceeded by a South Sydney team in 65 years. The Cowboys welcomed the return of Jason Taumalolo from injury last weekend but their 14-point win over the Titans came at a high cost with middle forward Josh McGuire facing a period on the sidelines with a torn calf. History: These teams meet on Queensland soil for the eighth consecutive time following the Rabbitohs’ transfer of home fixtures against the Cowboys to Barlow Park in Cairns. Souths endured a lean period against…

PENRITH’S stay at the top was short-lived after the competition heavyweights were smashed by 25 points in Wagga Wagga. The Green Machine roared out of the blocks with three tries in the opening 13 minutes and then ran away with it, bagging the final four tries of the contest. Penrith’s loss allowed the Sharks to reclaim top spot, although they were far from convincing against the winless Thunderbolts. The Roosters jumped into the top two following a narrow win over the Wests Tigers who looked set for an upset after they scored two tries in the first 10 minutes, only to be run down in the second half. The Bears, Sea Eagles and Thunderbolts are all still searching for their first win of the season, although they can take confidence…

SYDNEY SHIELD ST MARYS 52 (Z Ryan 3, R Goldsmith, D Brown, H Bonanno, D White, J Jones, J Abbott tries; I Thompson 6, D White 2 goals) D. BELROSE 0. SYDNEY UNI 24 (JP Hannawe, M Long, J Boumelhem, B Pelligra tries; D Arahu 4 goals) D. HILLS DISTRICT (T Piukana, L McDonald, R Walpole, E Gibson tries; M Hyde, E Gibson goals). MOOREBANK 41 (J Wilkinson 2, S Winters-Chang 2, K Morrin, J Wilkinson, B Hamill, J Romeo tries; N Williams 4 goals; N Williams field goal) D. WENTWORTHVILLE 16 (J Ngaia, T Shelley, J Tamasi tries; T Sapienza 2 goals). ASQUITH 62 (B Batiste 3, S Stratis 2, C Johnston, J Hall, C Browne-Higginbotham, J Palmer, K Preece, N Apelu tries; S Stratis 9 goals) D. BROTHERS…

BRISBANE playmaker Anthony Milford has labelled rookie halfback Tom Dearden as the future of the Broncos. Following the departure of Kodi Nikorima to the Warriors, Dearden (right) has become the club’s first-choice No.7 and will partner Milford in the halves moving forward. The 18-year-old looked comfortable during his NRL debut last Thursday night against South Sydney, and Milford has high hopes for the teenager. “He has the potential to be the future of the club,” Milford told Big League. “He’s in the first grade squad for a reason and he needs to take this opportunity. “I can’t fault his efforts. He worked really hard in the week and when he was handed the opportunity, he played really well.” Dearden has been compared to Queensland great Allan Langer, and as much…

LATRELL Mitchell was the name on everyone’s lips after a stunning performance against the Wests Tigers last Saturday. The 21-year-old contributed 26 points in the 42-12 thrashing with a hat-trick of tries as well as seven from eight goals. But while Mitchell’s attacking dominance was the main talking point after the match, team-mate Joseph Manu was more proud of his defensive efforts. “It’s awesome to see him put on that kind of performance. He’s always had that in him – he’s always scored tries – but what I’m really proud of is his defence. He really stood up in both attack and defence,” Manu told Big League. “I’ve played with him for a while now – we’ve come through the grades together – so he’s like a brother to me.…

THE Raiders are playing with confidence and find themselves third on the ladder after eight rounds. They’re in form and have the ability to give the competition a shake in 2019. Dominating forwards As a former player who faced the Raiders just a few of years ago, I saw them as a big and powerful side. You knew you had to be really physical when you played them, otherwise they’d do some damage. But on the flip side of that, if you controlled the ball and starved them of possession, those big blokes became vulnerable and tired, especially defensively. But this season coach Ricky Stuart has made a change to their forward pack and it’s paying dividends. When Canberra lost star props Junior Paulo and Shannon Boyd, you could see…

THERE’s no denying Brisbane is a world-class city. With glorious weather, a laidback lifestyle, serious culture cred and stunning natural beauty – not to mention an unmatched passion for rugby league – it’s no wonder Broncos flyer Corey Oates is proud to call this city home. For those attending Magic Round, the opportunity to explore Brisbane shouldn’t be missed, and Oates recommends getting the lay of the land at Mt Coot-tha Lookout (right), describing it as “the best place to see the city”. Catch a dreamy Brisbane sunrise or grab an obligatory selfie with the sprawling city behind you. The Broncos love a good feed, and Brisbane has a thriving dining scene. When it comes to breakfast or brunch, Oates says there are plenty of options so they like to…

MOST young footballers take if for granted that their dad will be there to ride shotgun throughout their NRL journey – particularly if they are the son of a former first grade stalwart. But when Manly back-rower Corey Waddell made his long-awaited NRL debut against Sydney Roosters in Round 2, he had to be content with the knowledge his old man was there in spirit. Steve Waddell, a rugged veteran of 89 games for Penrith and Illawarra from 1988-97, died from a heart attack in 2012, aged just 45. Corey was only 15, making his story of perseverance and patience even more inspirational. “I was only young and it was hard at the time,” he recalls for Big League. “My sister was going through her HSC; me and my sister…

MANLY’S hot start to the season has seen the club go from wooden-spoon fancies to a genuine top-eight prospect under returning coach Des Hasler. With five wins from eight games, they sit just two points outside the top four and, given they’ll get some of their stars back in the coming weeks, the Sea Eagles now loom as a solid finals chance. “I was always confident at the start of the year in what we could do, but coming off what we did last year, you could never know how we were going to go, especially with a new coach,” Brad Parker told Big League when asked about his pre-season expectations. “I didn’t know what Des was going to be like ... but he’s been amazing. Ever since the pre-season…

STAR fullback Clint Gutherson is expecting an intense battle when Parramatta face Melbourne in Brisbane on Saturday night. The captain believes the Storm will be hurting after their loss to Cronulla and says the Eels will need to be at their best. “They don’t lose two games in a row very often so it’s going to be a big challenge, but we’re up to it,” Gutherson told Big League. “It’s going to be tough for us and we have to keep playing the way we have been. If we play to our true potential, we know we can win.” Gutherson is also excited to play at Suncorp Stadium in front of a traditionally big Brisbane crowd. “I’m excited for Magic Round – it’s a great initiative from the NRL and…

BUOYED by a strong win over the Cowboys in Round 7, fans would have hoped the blue and whites had turned a corner leading into their winnable game against an understrength Sea Eagles side. Instead, they fumbled their way to a narrow loss, with their inability to execute in the red zone drawing the ire of coach Dean Pay. “We had six good-ball sets down their end but came up with five errors whether it was a drop ball or seven-tackle set,” he said. “It’s an area we need to address and get better at. I thought our attitude wasn’t where it needed to be. They ran harder and tackled harder than us. That’s what it comes down to.”…

CHRISTIAN Welch says he’s relishing the opportunity to start in the front row, but has downplayed its significance as he’s simply doing his part for the team. The Origin hopeful has started the past two games in place of Nelson Asofa-Solomona. He also had the opportunity to start seven times in 2018, but understands that can quickly change depending on the opposition. “I’m 24 and I’ve been chipping away at it for a while now, so it’s promising to see those results,” he said. “I’d love to play a bit more to put my name forward for other things, but being such a successful club with such a talented forward pack, it’s a bit of a trade-off with other things.”…

BY THE end of last season, Roosters centre Joseph Manu was hot property. The New Zealand international formed a lethal combination with Blake Ferguson on the right edge and many tipped him to have a huge 2019. However, Manu has had a slow start to the year, partly because of Ferguson’s departure and also due to new winger Brett Morris’s injury. The 22-year-old remains confident he’ll find his groove soon, but knows he has to be patient when forming new combinations. “I’ve had Brett Morris on the wing, then Matt Ikuvalu, and I even played on the wing [last weekend], so it just comes down to finding consistency and building good combinations with whoever it is outside of me. It will take time – me and ‘Fergo’ [Ferguson] didn’t start…

BACK ROW (L-R): Gehamat Shibasaki, Patrick Mago, Patrick Carrigan, Payne Haas, Sam Tagataese, Thomas Flegler, Andre Savelio (departed), Izaia Perese MIDDLE ROW: Sean O’Sullivan, Shaun Fensom, Kotoni Staggs, Joe Ofahengaue, Matt Lodge, Corey Oates, Tevita Pangai, Jaydn Su’A, David Fifita, Jake Turpin FRONT ROW: Jamayne Isaako, James Roberts, Matt Gillett, Anthony Milford, Darius Boyd (C), Andrew McCullough, Alex Glenn, Troy Dargan, Jack Bird, Kodi Nikorima (departed)…

Form: There has been no lack of effort on the part of the Titans this season but they have been forced to deal with a savage injury toll which has impacted heavily on performances. The Titans will face an opponent who have also been dogged by injury but the ‘baby’ Sharks produced one of their finest efforts to upset competition co-leaders Melbourne last Friday night. The Sharks were missing almost 750 games in NRL experience but young stars Briton Nikora, Bronson Xerri and Jack Williams proved they belonged in top company with their assured efforts. History: The Titans and Sharks become the first teams to meet for a second time in 2019 after the Sharks scored a decisive 20-6 victory at Shark Park in Round 2. Cronulla also won last…

Form: Despite promising individual efforts by Jack Cogger and Reimis Smith in the clash with the Sea Eagles, the result against a team missing two of its biggest stars was disappointing. Wins have been hard to come by for Dean Pay’s team and that does not look like changing any time soon. The Knights have rediscovered touch and confidence over the past fortnight, overpowering Parramatta at home and the Warriors last Sunday in NZ. History: This is not the first time these New South Wales clubs have played north of the border. Back in 2013 they met in Mackay where the Knights prevailed 18-12. The Bulldogs have dominated recent clashes, winning the past six. They lead the all-time record (since 1988) 25 wins to the Knights’ 20. Danger sign: Halfback…

Form: The Roosters have performed at a different level to the majority of their rivals and their effort against Wests Tigers last Saturday night was probably their finest yet. The consensus is that the Roosters will be unchallenged in their quest for back-to-back titles but there are many hurdles to overcome first. They will be playing for their eighth-straight win in Sunday’s clash. The Raiders have stumbled only once in the past six weeks and were untroubled by the Panthers in last Saturday’s game at Wagga. The loss of in-form back-rower John Bateman is quite a blow. History: The Raiders have achieved a mini winning streak over the Roosters, claiming victory in the past three clashes between the teams. Admittedly, all three games were played at GIO Stadium, but it…

STATE of Origin may be a month away, but the New South Wales-Queensland rivalry is set to kick into gear this weekend with the annual Residents clash. It’s been a topsy-turvy clash in recent years with Queensland winning in 2015 and 2017, while the Blues have come out on top in 2016 and 2018. Last year’s clash was a fairly one-sided affair with NSW ambushing their opponents to race out to a 30-0 lead at the break courtesy of a Dean Britt double and some classy touches from Sean O’Sullivan. Queensland fought valiantly in the second stanza to go down 36-20, but they’ll be keen for revenge when the teams meet at Dolphin Stadium. The match will feature some of the finest performers in the respective reserve grade competitions, with…