The final Origin bye week is here, which means a shortened round and an opportunity for clubs to really show their depth. The Puppies will take on the Baby Broncos as Canterbury host Brisbane with 8 players missing out across the two teams to State of Origin. The Raiders will look to keep their winning streak alive, and the Tigers are in a hot battle to avoid a fourth straight wooden spoon. We’ve taken a look at all five head to heads this week and have prepared our tips and predictions for Round 18 of the NRL. Let’s take a look!
Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs v Brisbane Broncos:
The last time these two sides met, the Broncos gave the Dogs their first touch up of the season off the back of numerous players being sent to the dog house, as Canterbury accumulated three sin bins. The Bulldogs will no doubt be looking for revenge this week, but the depth of both sides will be tested as a whopping eight players sit out due to State of Origin, with both teams surrendering key backs to the 18th man position for NSW and QLD. The Broncos have been battling for consistency all year, while the next man up mentality has truly gotten a workout for the Belmore club this year through suspensions and injuries. The first grade experience of depth may be the deciding factor here. I’m tipping the Bulldogs by 8 points.
Canberra Raiders v St George Illawarra Dragons:
The Raiders are back at home and chasing an illusive seventh straight wins this week. The Dragons managed to get out of jail free last week after nearly blowing a substantial lead, and will need to be significantly better if they are to stand any chance this week. The Raiders will lose Big Josh Papali’i and Hudson Young to State of Origin, but that shouldn’t make too much of an impact with the depth of young forwards in the Nation’s Capital. I’m tipping the Raiders by 24 points.
North Queensland Cowboys v Melbourne Storm:
Melbourne come into this clash off the back of touching up the Cronulla Sharks at home last week, while the Cowboys seemed to really struggle against the last placed Gold Coast Titans. Leaking four tries to a struggling side will not hold the Cowboys in good stead against a firing Melbourne attack, especially while losing their halfback to State of Origin duties. Melbourne will lose Cameron Munster and Harry Grant from the spine in their own right, but I’d expect Papenhuyzen and Hughes to hold the fort in their absence. I’m tipping the Storm by 18 points.
Sydney Roosters v Wests Tigers:
The Tigers are back in struggle town after six consecutive losses, and things aren’t looking like getting better any time soon. Api Koroisau is expected to miss this week, and the merger club has just lost another young gun in Talyn De Silva effective immediately. The Roosters are starting to really hit their stride, and while they will lose a couple of players to rep duties, it isn’t expected to impact them too much with some serious junior depth coming through the ranks in the Eastern Suburbs. I’m tipping the Roosters by 16 points.
Manly Sea Eagles v South Sydney Rabbitohs:
The Sea Eagles go back to Brookvale this week to take on the Rabbitohs. The Northern Beaches have not been a happy hunting ground for the Bunnies, winning only just over a third of their total games at 4 Pines Park, and missing Latrell Mitchell to State of Origin will likely hurt them badly. The Sea Eagles managed to pull off a win after a major shake up by Anthony Seibold, who looks to be coaching for his job. This one could go either way, but I suspect the Sea Eagles may just sneak out in a close one. I’m tipping Manly by 2 points.
With just five games on the slate for Round 18, depth and resilience will be the name of the game as clubs navigate the final Origin-disrupted weekend of the season. Whether it’s the Bulldogs and Broncos testing their next-man-up mentality, the Raiders chasing seven straight, or the Tigers fighting to avoid another wooden spoon, there’s no shortage of storylines across the shortened round. As always, expect the unexpected during Origin season, and make sure you’re geared up for all things footy with Jerseys Megastore.
