Are the Eels for real in 2019 or can the Bulldogs throw another spanner into the works of a team already planning for September?
The opening match of Round 23 of the Telstra Premiership is one of a quartet sure to test tipsters.
The Bulldogs proved they are capable of beating top-eight sides with the way they took care of South Sydney last week while the Eels enter the match riding a four-game winning streak.
In other matches sure to challenge tipsters, the Rabbitohs face the Broncos on Friday night, Wests Tigers face Newcastle and Manly meet Canberra on Sunday afternoon.
Round 23 tips and previews
Eels v Bulldogs, Thursday, 7.50pm at Bankwest Stadium
Brett Kimmorley says: The form of both sides over the last month sets up a great clash. It is another opportunity for Canterbury to be a nuisance for a team that has everything to play for. I think Mitchell Moses showed us again last week that his game management in 2019 is at a whole new level. I look forward to this clash. In the old days, these clubs had some great clashes, hopefully, this is another one. Eels by 6
Match: Eels v Bulldogs
Round 23 -
home Team
Eels
6th Position
away Team
Bulldogs
12th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Cowboys v Panthers, Friday, 6pm at 1300Smiles Stadium
Brett Kimmorley says: Penrith have plenty to play for now. We've seen them play good – and play bad. It's three rounds to go now, they need to find three consistent wins. If that's going to happen it has got to happen off the back of their forwards. As for the Cowboys, they now sit in 15th which is not very good. They need to find a lot more than just a high completion rate to win a game of football. Panthers by 8
Match: Cowboys v Panthers
Round 23 -
home Team
Cowboys
14th Position
away Team
Panthers
10th Position
Venue: 1300SMILES Stadium, Townsville
Broncos v Rabbitohs, Friday, 7.55pm at Suncorp Stadium
Brett Kimmorley says: Former coaches against former clubs and one of those clubs (Brisbane) fighting tooth and nail to make the eight. David Fifita and Payne Haas were unbelievable last week and for the Broncos this is an opportunity to show their former coach the new style Anthony Seibold is playing with. For South Sydney, they're at desperation stakes now. The South Sydney forward pack need to handle the physicality of the young Broncos. Broncos by 4
Match: Broncos v Rabbitohs
Round 23 -
home Team
Broncos
8th Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
5th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Sharks v Warriors, Saturday, 3pm at PointsBet Stadium
Brett Kimmorley says: It was a pretty bad performance from Cronulla last week but the two points is what was needed. They're in the eight and control is in their hands. They have this week and next week at PointsBet Stadium to probably seal a semi-final position. Three wins in a row is probably good enough. Shaun Johnson will be looking forward to a dry track on Saturday. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was unbelievable last week and I'm hoping he continues to shine for the Warriors. Sharks by 2
Match: Sharks v Warriors
Round 23 -
home Team
Sharks
7th Position
away Team
Warriors
13th Position
Venue: PointsBet Stadium, Sydney
Eels v Bulldogs - Round 23
Wests Tigers v Knights, Saturday, 5.30pm at Campbelltown Stadium
Brett Kimmorley says: It's a grinding game for the Tigers, unfortunately, they are just running out of dummy halves. When Robbie Farah was so instrumental in what they do, it is hard to find Plan A or Plan B once he is out. Newcastle need to keep winning and see if they can sneak into the eight. Kalyn Ponga, Mitchell Pearce and Connor Watson were great for Newcastle last week. Watson is out this week but the other two need to repeat that form. Knights by 6
Match: Wests Tigers v Knights
Round 23 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
9th Position
away Team
Knights
11th Position
Venue: Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney
Dragons v Roosters, Saturday, 7.35pm at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
Brett Kimmorley says: We've seen the Roosters put lots of big scorelines on lately and I think this will be another one similar to that. They are finding their groove. The Dragons shot themselves in the foot against the Sharks last weekend. They had nothing to play for and it looks like they are just cruising through to the end of the season. I think that with the pace that this will be played at the Dragons won't be able to handle the game place the Roosters will play at. Roosters by 14
Match: Dragons v Roosters
Round 23 -
home Team
Dragons
15th Position
away Team
Roosters
2nd Position
Venue: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
Broncos v Rabbitohs - Round 23
Storm v Titans, Sunday, 2pm at AAMI Park
Brett Kimmorley says: I think the Storm, who gave up an 18-point lead and lost last week, will be seething. I think that is a nice, timely reminder for them a few weeks out from the semi-finals. They copped criticism for wrestling and tackling techniques, and I think they will respond. The Titans might be the team they respond against. I'd love to see some of the Titans forward – apart from Jai Arrow – stand up and help him out a bit. Storm by 18
Match: Storm v Titans
Round 23 -
home Team
Storm
1st Position
away Team
Titans
16th Position
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Raiders v Sea Eagles, Sunday, 4.05pm at GIO Stadium
Brett Kimmorley says: The Raiders will have got some belief with what they did last week. Being able to come from behind and beat the Storm like they did will have given them enormous confidence. They should get a massive crowd down there at GIO Stadium. Manly's forwards will provide a good battle. Also, the battle between Tom Trbojevic and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (who has been one of the buys of the year) should be great. Raiders by 2
Match: Raiders v Sea Eagles
Round 23 -
home Team
Raiders
3rd Position
away Team
Sea Eagles
4th Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
