By CASEY O’CONNOR
AFTER a few miserable rounds, this tipster finally hit form in round six with eight from eight, but more importantly league fans were treated to some awesome games of football.
Rugby League has certainly become a game of attrition and injuries are playing a significant role in the form of some of the more fancied sides. Suspensions are also exposing the underbelly of some teams. The competition landscape is a long way from what we anticipated at the start of the season.
In round seven there is no room for resting on your tipping laurels. Out-of-form teams, injuries and suspensions make it another tough task.
In the first of the Friday night games, the out-of-form Sea Eagles face an injury and suspension-ravaged Doggies. The anticipated return of Jamie Lyon and Feleti Mateo will be welcome news to devastated Eagles fans.
The problems in the Eagles nest appear to run deeper than just poor form but they have their chance to rise to the occasion this week. In a difficult game, the Eagles are set to inflict more pain on the Dogs who still have their captain and several heavy weights on the chain and in the doghouse.
In contrast, two of the current in-form teams Brisbane and St George clash at Jubilee Oval. The Broncos top the table and the Dragons are on equal points with Melbourne and the Bunnies.
The Dragons were breathing fire against the depleted Doggies. It was a tradesman-like win for the Dragons. Prop Tyson Frizell was lucky to stay on the paddock after his shot on Tim Browne left the Dogs prop unconscious and stretchered from the field. Frizell will have a couple of weeks to contemplate that act of lunacy. Andrew Fifita is also facing a stint on the sideline.
The Brisbane Roosters game was one of the clashes of the season. Recalled to the starting side, Sam Thaiday made every post a winner, playing one of the best games of his career. The scores were locked at 18-all at full time. Both sides traded field goal attempts before Ben Hunt broke the deadlock backing himself to get through the defence to the try line.
The Dragons will have the backing of an army of supporters but I think the Broncos will get the biscuits. Hold on to your hats this will be a corker.
In round six, the Titans proved they are capable of grabbing the headlines for all the right reasons. After blowing the Sea Eagles out of their nest the previous week, the Titans engine room played havoc with the Eels. Speedster James Roberts has become the new master of the intercept giving some Eels wind burn on his way to the try line.
Penrith won the battle against Manly but the win was costly. In another injury blow, they lost Jamal Idris for the season with a knee injury.
Neil Henry has the Titans focused on football, and if they reproduce their round six performance they will add to the Panthers pain.
The accolades continue for the Cowboys number seven and the team continues to build momentum. On Monday night, JT made it three man-of-the match awards on the trot with another stellar performance. It is no coincidence that the Cowboys have also won three from their last three.
Thurston’s form has been breathtaking and the Cowboys big men led by Matt Scott and James Tamou have been punishing.
Back to Dairyfarmers on Saturday night, the home fans will be hoping they replicate their recent heroics when they host the Warriors.
At Mt Smart on Saturday, the Warriors saw off the Tigers giving popular winger Manu Vatuvei a win in his 200th NRL game. The score line was 32-22 but the game was never really the Warriors until the full-time siren.
Two big packs will mean plenty of big hits, but with another Thurston masterclass on the cards the Cowboys should come away with another scalp.
The Storm Roosters game is a nightmare for tipsters. There has been nothing flashy about the Storm this season but they sit in second spot on the ladder. Their performances have been workmanlike and give the impression they have something in reserve. With Billy Slater sidelined, his replacement Cameron Munster proved a handful for Canberra. Bellamy is the best in the business working with the best footy brain the competition, Cameron Smith.
The Roosters will be out to turn the tide on back-to-back losses. Jake Friend returned from injury against the Broncos and is expected to play 80 minutes this week.
Melbourne has the ability to step up another gear and claim the win.
The Tigers host the Raiders at Leichardt Oval in another tough one to call. The Tigers were good in patches against the Warriors. The Raiders led the Storm 10-2 at half time, but were blown away in the second half. Hooker Josh Hodgson and lock Shaun Fensom have both joined the Raiders casualty ward. It was a better performance by the Raiders but the Tigers look to have a paw on the till looking for their next win. It should come here.
Two of the more disappointing sides face off on Sunday afternoon, the Knights and the Eels. After bursting out the blocks and leading the field for the first few rounds the Knights have lost form. The Eels decimated by injury have no confidence at all. Their completion rate against the Titans was awful and the score line flatters their performance. They have a dreadful away record and injuries are taking a massive toll. Hard to know which way the cookie will crumble here, but with no certainty the Knights get the nod purely on the home-ground advantage.
The Sharks and Bunnies wrap up round seven at Remondis. The Sharks proved too good for the Knights last week. There was much to like about that win. The Sharks were well disciplined and the form of youngster Jack Bird has been sensational. Brimming with confidence after back-to-back wins, they are primed to upset the Bunnies who have plenty of walking wounded including Greg Inglis. The Sharks could take a big bite out of the Bunnies confidence here.
Casey tips
Sea Eagles
Broncos
Titans
Cowboys
Storm
Tigers
Knights
Sharks
