Nrl Peter Sterling's Previews
Sydney Morning Herald
Friday April 9, 2004
Sydney Roosters v Brisbane
Friday 7.30pm Aussie Stadium Referee: P Simpkins
TV: Delayed Channel Nine, 8.30pm FootyTAB Brisbane + 4 1/2
STERLING SAYS: Roosters
It is testimony to the depth at the Roosters that they will be more than competitive despite having five top players on the sideline. There will be plenty of emphasis on providing more through their attacking game than they displayed against the Panthers. However, it will again be the defensive mettle in handling Brisbane's big men which determines their success. A fast-moving defence with the marker making doubles or triples is the way to go. The Broncos are starting to take real shape and the return of Tate and Shaun Berrigan will give Lockyer options wide of the ruck.
(1) A Minichiello
(2) T Byrne
(3) R Cross
(4) J Hodges
(5) C Walker
(6) B Fittler (c)
(7) B Finch
(13) L Ricketson
(12) C Flannery
(11) S Crouch
(10) N Catic
(9) M Crocker
(8) P Cusack
(1) K Hunt
(2) M De Vere
(3) B Tate
(4) S Berrigan
(16) C Frawley
(6) D Lockyer
(7) B Seymour
(13) T Carroll
(12) D Carlaw
(11) G Tallis (c)
(10) P Civoniceva
(9) B Berrigan
(8) S Webcke
Reserves: Roosters: C Robinson, G Lester, L Paea,
A Tupou.
Brisbane: C Parker, B Meyers, C McGuire, D Mapp.
STATISTICSHead to head
Roosters 10, Broncos 14
At Aussie Stadium
Roosters 5, Broncos 6
Last weekend
Roosters 6 Penrith 22
Broncos 34 Storm 26
2004 positions
Roosters: 1st
Broncos: 3rd
GREG PRICHARD'S VERDICT
The Roosters are really stretched in the forwards now, with Adrian Morley, Craig Fitzgibbon and Stuart Webb joining Craig Wing and Jason Cayless out. They still look good in the backs but that may not matter if the Broncos win the forward battle. The Roosters have won five of their past seven games against the Broncos but most of those were close. The Broncos could be getting the Roosters at the right time. BET: One unit on the Broncos at $2.25. THE STORY SO FAR: After four rounds, if you treat one unit as $10, we are showing a profit of $43.50. Email me on gprichard@mail.fairfax.com.au if you want a full breakdown.
NZ Warriors v Newcastle
Saturday 5.30pm Ericsson Stadium Referee: S Lyons
TV:Live Fox Sports 1 FootyTAB Newcastle +13 1/2
STERLING SAYS: NZ Warriors
I always thought that Newcastle would be better later than sooner following Johns's injury and with an inexperienced lot last week it was difficult. Class returns for this one but a trip overseas with leaky defence to face a very physical team is a problem. The Warriors have battled to find the right mixture with the ball in hand but their 22-point second half against Manly is a sign of things to come. They are dangerous from a longer distance while Newcastle had been lethal from close range. The Knights' inability to score inside the Dragons' 20m was a disappointment. Warriors coach Daniel Anderson will have stressed the importance of closing down Buderus at dummy-half.
(1) B Webb
(2) H Faafili
(3) C Toopi
(4) T Martin
(5) J Murphy
(6) T Leuluai
(7) S Jones
(13) S Faumuina
(12) A Guttenbeil (c)
(11) A Lauitiiti
(10) R Villasanti
(9) T Latu
(8) J Seuseu
(1) R O'Davis
(2) C Hall
(3) M Gidley
(4) T Tahu
(5) G Carmont
(6) S Witt
(7) K Gidley
(13) B Kennedy (c)
(12) D Abraham
(11) A Price
(10) A Woolnough
(9) D Buderus
(8) J Perry
Reserves: Warriors: M Jobson, L Anderson, K Temata, W Koopu.
Newcastle: M Kennedy, M Parsons, T Lowrie, C Newton, J Fitzgerald, R Richardson (two to be omitted).
STATISTICSHead to head
Warriors 2, Knights 10, drawn 1
At Ericsson Stadium
Warriors 1, Knights 5, drawn 1
Last weekend
Warriors 28 Manly 10
Knights 2 St George Illa 48
2004 positions
Warriors: 13th
Knights: 10th
GREG PRICHARD'S VERDICT
The Warriors should win but if you're thinking of having a bet this is a dangerous game in which to concede the start of up to 13.5 points. Unless the Knights suffer late injury withdrawals, which could see them get walloped, they look better than they did going into the game they lost 48-2 to the Dragons last weekend. They have now had more time to come to terms with the loss of Andrew Johns for the season. This could be a game in which they will have a red-hot go. They will probably still be beaten but if they don't lose more players they may be able to almost keep in touch.
Cronulla v North Queensland
Saturday 7.30pm Toyota Park Referee: T Mander
TV: Live Fox Sports 1 FootyTAB North Qld +8 1/2
STERLING SAYS: Cronulla
The Sharks completed their sets at 80 per cent last week but a 15-4 penalty count took away the majority of that impact. The Cowboys are a similar side to Souths and, unless Cronulla can close down the ball more effectively, their superb record against North Queensland, especially at Toyota Park, will be under threat. Even in losses, I've enjoyed the way the Cowboys approached their game but last week they looked flat and uninspired. A mental lift is needed to help the physical. Both teams have struggled to score points this season, the return of a prolific try-scorer in Vagana for the home side is huge.
(1) D Peachey
(2) D Simmons
(3) N Vagana
(4) R McGoldrick
(5) M Rieck
(6) M Hilder
(7) B Kimmorley (c)
(13) P Bailey
(12) K Galloway
(11) M Bickerstaff
(10) C Beattie
(9) M Sullivan
(8) D Nutley
(1) M Bowen
(2) T Williams
(3) J Hannay
(4) P Bowman (c)
(5) M Sing
(6) T Norton
(7) N Fien
(13) G Morrison
(12) L O'Donnell
(11) K Campion
(10) J McDonald
(9) A Payne
(8) P Rauhihi
Reserves: Cronulla: J Williams, D Dumas, S Isemonger,
D Bosnich.
North Qld: D Myles, M Luck, M Sargent, D Strickland,
B Bowen (one to be omitted).
STATISTICS
Head to head
Sharks 13, Cowboys 1
At Toyota Park
Sharks 7, Cowboys 0
Last weekend
Sharks 12 Souths 36
Cowboys 8 Tigers 18
2004 positions
Sharks: 14th
Cowboys: 12th
GREG PRICHARD'S VERDICT
Surely the Cowboys are going to salute soon. They have played poorly so far this season but their line-up is the same one that a lot of people were tipping to make the finals before the season began. It isn't that they can't play, it's just that they're not doing it at the moment. The Cowboys have a shocking record against the Sharks but the Sharks are hardly anything to write home about and they have lost key players Greg Bird and Jason Stevens to suspension. BET: One unit on the Cowboys at $2.85.
Wests Tigers v St George Illawarra
Sunday 2.30pm Telstra Stadium Referee: T Archer
TV: Live Fox Sports 1 FootyTAB Wests Tigers +5 1/2
STERLING SAYS: St George Illawarra
The Dragons have not won consecutive matches since last season but a defensive effort similar to last week would change that. The joint-venture club finished well in front in dominant tackles, making the rest of the contest much easier. With time and space Barrett and Head were able to excel, taking advantage of plenty of bodies in motion on their outside. The Tigers may have lost half their matches but there has been a real consistency about their performances which reads better than that record. They may lack a real game-breaker but all members contribute, which always makes for a difficult afternoon.
(1) B Hodgson
(2) J Moodie
(3) J Wilson
(4) S Elford
(5) R Miles
(6) B Reynolds
(7) S Prince
(13) S Sattler (c)
(12) M O'Neill
(11) N Graham
(10) J Skandalis
(9) D Fitzhenry
(8) C Paterson
(1) B Hornby
(2) N Blacklock
(3) M Gasnier
(4) M Cooper
(5) R Simmonds
(6) T Barrett (c)
(7) M Head
(13) S Timmins
(12) L Thompson
(11) D Young
(10) B Kite
(9) M Riddell
(8) L Bailey
Reserves: Wests Tigers: D Halatau, R Farah, B Harrison, B Gibbs.
Dragons: L Withers, J Poore, M Howell, B Creagh,
A Sims (one to be omitted).
STATISTICS
Head to head
Tigers 3, St George Illa 4
At Telstra Stadium
Tigers 1, St George Illa 0
Last weekend
Tigers 18 Cowboys 8
St George Illa 48 Knights 2
2004 positions
Tigers: 9th
St George Illa: 7th
GREG PRICHARD'S VERDICT
The Dragons look to have a slight edge but it is way too early to invest all of your trust in them. They smashed the Knights last weekend but the Knights were severely weakened. The Tigers will look to force errors by working hard in defence to get up in the faces of the Dragons. It's a simple game plan but one that has brought the Dragons undone in the past and which has the potential to do so again. The Dragons to win, but only just.
Penrith v Melbourne
Sunday 3.00pm Penrith Stadium Referee: S Hampstead
TV: Delayed Channel Nine, 4pm FootyTAB Melbourne + 9 1/2
STERLING SAYS: Penrith
For some NRL teams, Melbourne can be out of sight, out of mind, making them especially dangerous. The Panthers come off four high-profile games in a row and will need to ensure their intensity is still up. They will be very aware of the Storm threat after going down in both clashes in 2003, the latter bringing an end to Penrith's record winning run. This season the gap between the Panthers' attacking and defensive prowess has closed which always leads to higher confidence. Melbourne's pack is formidable and no-nonsense and is the reason their back line has scored all 15 tries.
(1) R Wesser
(2) A Roberts
(3) R Girdler
(4) L Lewis
(5) L Rooney
(6) P Campbell
(7) C Gower (c)
(13) T Waterhouse
(12) T Puletua
(11) J Galuvao
(10) M Lang
(9) L Priddis
(8) J Clinton
(1) B Slater
(2) J Webster
(3) S Bell
(4) M King
(5) D Cooper
(6) S Hill
(7) M Orford
(13) D Kidwell
(12) S Kearney (c)
(11) P Robinson
(10) R Howe
(9) C Smith
(8) R Kearns
Reserves: Penrith: S Rodney, B Ross, P Whatuira,
F Pritchard.
Melbourne: D Williams, K Reynoldson, R Hoffman,
A Kaufusi, C Cronk (one to be omitted).
STATISTICS
Head to head
Penrith 3, Storm 7
At Penrith Stadium
Penrith 2, Storm 2
Last weekend
Penrith 22 Roosters 6
Storm 26 Broncos 34
2004 positions
Penrith: 2nd
Storm: 8th
GREG PRICHARD'S VERDICT
The Storm have a fabulous record against the Panthers, winning five of their past six clashes and three in a row at Penrith. Last year the Storm ended the Panthers' eight-match winning streak when they whipped them 32-12 at Penrith. You can't ignore a record like that and the Storm were travelling well against the Broncos last weekend before they got down to 15 players because of injuries. But the Panthers are rightful premiers and they should be more able to handle challenges that were previously too difficult for them. Stick with the Panthers.
Bulldogs v Manly
Sunday 4.30pm Telstra Stadium Referee: S Clark
TV: Delayed Fox Sports 2, 6pm FootyTAB Manly +16 1/2
STERLING SAYS: Bulldogs
I have yet to see a full tough 80 minutes from the Sea Eagles and until that happens they will struggle to beat the well-credentialled sides. The Bulldogs were belted by the Roosters before the bye but all did not look lost on that forgettable night. The form of Willie Tonga was a highlight while there was still plenty of unrewarded effort against a side which was at its very best. I've always thought that O'Meley was crucial to the Dogs' changes as he allows the likes of Price and Mason to play their natural games.
(1) L Patten
(2) H El Masri
(3) J Lolesi
(4) W Tonga
(5) M Utai
(6) J Thurston
(7) B Sherwin
(13) B Anasta
(12) A Ryan
(11) W Mason
(10) S Price (c)
(9) T Grimaldi
(8) M O'Meley
(1) A Walker
(2) S Donald
(3) A Torrens
(4) S Menzies (c)
(5) C Hicks
(6) J Mullane
(7) M Monaghan
(13) L Williamson
(12) N Tutt
(11) S Harris
(10) I Donnelly
(9) C Randall
(8) D Heckenberg
Reserves: Bulldogs: J Feeney, SB Williams, R Maitua,
R Asotasi.
Manly: S Dunley, A Watmough, K Cleal, K Leuluai,
P Stephenson (one to be omitted).
STATISTICS
Head to head
Bulldogs 42, Manly 52, drawn 5
At Telstra Stadium
Bulldogs 1, Manly 0
Last weekend
Bulldogs bye
Manly 10 Warriors 28
2004 positions
Bulldogs: 6th
Manly: 15th
GREG PRICHARD'S VERDICT
The Bulldogs have routinely cruised home over Manly and the Northern Eagles in recent years. The winning margins, over three seasons, have been 32 points, 14, 20, 18, two and 20. There is a question mark over the Bulldogs in terms of what they are capable of doing on the field as they try to balance football with off-field issues but there is a much bigger question mark over whether the struggling Sea Eagles can do anything this season. The Bulldogs shouldn't have to be at their best to win well. BET: Two units on the Bulldogs minus 16.5 points at $1.90.
Parramatta v South Sydney
Monday 3.00pm Parramatta Stadium Referee: S Hayne TV:Live Fox Sports 1 FootyTAB South Sydney +8 1/2
STERLING SAYS: Parramatta
There was no fluke in Souths' win over Cronulla and they will fancy their chances against an Eels outfit who were poor in the opening 40 against Canberra. Last week's was the most complete game I've seen from half Willie Peters with his kicking game instrumental in paving victory. They should again look to play to their strengths going to Fletcher and Adam MacDougall in attacking positions. The Eels look good in patches but still concede too many soft tries. Dykes is in great touch and looks dangerous when promoting wide sweeping second man plays which start behind the play-the-ball.
(1) L Burt
(2) M Petersen
(3) J Langi
(4) D Vaealiki
(5) E Grothe
(6) D Wagon
(7) A Dykes
(13) L O'Dwyer
(12) N Cayless (c)
(11) N Hindmarsh
(10) M Vella
(9) J Morris
(8) C Armit
(1) B Watts
(2) L MacDougall
(3) L Hookey
(4) A MacDougall
(5) S Marteene
(6) B Kearney
(7) W Peters
(13) A Harrison
(12) M Minichiello
(11) B Fletcher (c)
(10) G Hall
(9) J Death
(8) L Stuart
Reserves: Parramatta: C Stapleton, A Peek, J Webster,
D Widders.
South Sydney: W Manu, S Rigon, J Smith, D Fa'alogo.
STATISTICS
Head to head
Parramatta 44, Souths 55, drawn 2
At Parramatta Stadium
Parramatta 5, Souths 5, drawn 1
Last weekend
Parramatta 12 Canberra 26
Souths 36 Sharks 12
2004 positions
Parramatta: 11th
Souths: 4th
GREG PRICHARD'S VERDICT
The form suggests the Rabbitohs are going to be very competitive in this
game. The best thing about them is that they are finishing off their games well.
The Rabbitohs have won two in a row and the self-belief of the players will be
at a far greater level than it has been at any stage since the club returned to
the competition. The Eels are going to have to blow the Rabbitohs off the park
to make them think they are out of this game before it reaches the final stages.
The Rabbitohs have defended better than the Eels so far this season. BET: One
unit on the Rabbitohs, plus 7.5 points, at $1.90.
NRL STATS AFTER ROUND FOUR
LADDER
P W D L B F A Pts
ROOSTERS 4 3 0 1 0 109 58 6
PENRITH 4 3 0 1 0 112 66
6
BRISBANE 4 3 0 1 0 112 96 6
SOUTH SYDNEY 3 2 0 1 1 69 54 6
CANBERRA 4 3 0 1 0 84 76 6
BULLDOGS 3 2 0 1 1 72 69 6
ST GEORGE ILLA 4 2 0 2 0 82 67 4
MELBOURNE 3 1 0 2 1 86 76 4
Wests Tigers 4 2 0 2 0 70 63 4
Newcastle 4 2 0 2 0 92 126 4
Parramatta 4 2 0 2 0 90 126 4
Nth Queensland 3 0 0 3 1 46 61 2
NZ Warriors 4 1 0 3 0 80 96 2
Cronulla 4 1 0 3 0 66 92
2
Manly 4 1 0 3 0 74 118 2
TOP POINT SCORERS
T G FG Pts
M De Vere (Brisbane) 3 20 - 52
L Burt (Parramatta) 3 13 - 38
C Schifcofske (Canberra) 1 15 1 35
P Campbell (Penrith) 3 9 - 30
C Fitzgibbon (Roosters) - 15 - 30
B Kimmorley (Cronulla) 2 11 - 30
B Hodgson (Tigers) 1 11 - 26
M Riddell (Dragons) 2 8 - 24
C Smith (Melbourne) - 12 - 24
H El Masri (Bulldogs) - 12 - 24
TOP GOALKICKERS
Goals Attempts %
M De Vere (Brisbane) 20 24 83
C Schifcofske (Canberra) 15 20 75
C Fitzgibbon (Roosters) 15 17 88
L Burt(Parramatta) 13 19 68
H El Masri(Bulldogs) 12 12 100
C Smith(Melbourne) 12 17 71
B Kimmorley (Cronulla) 11 16 69
B Hodgson (Wests Tigers) 11 16 69
TOP TRY SCORERS
A Roberts (Penrith) 5
J Moodie(Wests Tigers) 4
L Rooney(Penrith) 4
L MacDougall(South Sydney) 4
R Simmonds(St Geo Illa) 4
B Webb(Warriors) 4
M De Vere(Brisbane) 3
C Walker(Roosters) 3
M Robertson(Canberra) 3
D Buderus(Newcastle) 3
L Burt(Parramatta) 3
C Hicks(Manly) 3
P Campbell(Penrith) 3
A Minichiello(Roosters) 3
M King(Melbourne) 3
P Stephenson(Manly) 3
TOP TACKLERS
N Hindmarsh(Parramatta) 153
D Young(St Geo Illa) 130
L Ricketson(Roosters) 129
L Thompson9St Geo Illa) 128
D Wagon(Parramtta) 127
N Graham(Wests Tigers) 127
L Williamson(Manly) 127
S Sattler(Wests Tigers) 126
L Priddis(Penrith) 125
R Wiki(Canberra) 116
MOST HIT-UPS/RUNS
J Skandalis(Wests Tigers) 86
A Minichiello(Roosters) 79
C Schifcoske(Canberra) 73
J Stevens(Cronulla) 72
B Webb(Warriors) 70
S Webcke(Brisbane) 68
L Davico(Canberra) 67
R Wiki(Canberra) 66
M Lang(Penrith) 66
A Morely(Roosters) 65
© 2004 Sydney Morning Herald