NRL Round 5 - Preview and Tips

Well Round 4 once again produced a slew of upsets and a pretty average round of tipping from me only getting 2 from 8, i am hoping to turn it around this week and get back in the winners circle. Some very interesting match ups again this week and crucial games for teams that are sitting down the ladder, lets have a look at how i think all 8 games will shape up.

Canberra Raiders v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, 7.50pm Thursday at GIO Stadium

Canberra are desperate sitting dead last having not one a game yet and coach Ricky Stuart has acted accordingly and dropped Australian player Josh Papali. Canterbury are also desperately in need of a win having butchered last weeks game vs Souths and having only one game themselves. I am going to stick with my Bulldogs in this one to hopefully leave Canberra wallowing in last place for another week.

Cronulla Sharks v Sydney Roosters, 6pm Friday at Southern Cross Group Stadium

Tough to gauge either of these teams form at the moment, the Roosters looked like world beaters a few weeks ago against Newcastle then came thudding back to earth in getting flogged by the Warrriors last week. The Sharks had an ugly win last week against the Storm but dont look to have clicked at all in attack and the penalty crack down doesnt suit there style of play. I am tipping the Rooster to bounce back in this one away from home.

St George Illawarra Dragons v South Sydney Rabbitohs, 7.50pm Friday at Jubilee Oval

The Saints are definitely marching in at the moment, undefeated and playing some really entertaining attacking footy, i thought on the other hand Souths were very lucky to beat Canterbury last week. Friday night back at Kograh i see the Dragons winning this one easily.

Wests Tigers v Melbourne Storm, 5pm Saturday (3pm AET) at Mt Smart Stadium

Very interesting game this, the Tigers stunned the Storm few weeks ago in Melbourne and will be looking to do the same in what is a home game for them that they have taken to Auckland, should be a full house for a double header so that atmosphere will be great. I am torn in that i don't fully trust the Tigers yet where maybe i should, in what i think is a 50/50 game i am going to take the Storm to bounce back from a poor performance last week and tame the Tigers.

New Zealand Warriors v North Queensland Cowboys, 7.50pm Saturday (5.30pm AET) at Mt Smart Stadium

This is another game that i really think is a toss of a coin, the Cowboys have been in average form and were well beaten last week and conversely the Warriors have been on fire of late and toyed with the Roosters last week. I am going to go out on a limb here and take the Warriors at home although i have very little confidence in them still.

Newcastle Knights v Brisbane Broncos, 7.35pm Saturday at McDonald Jones Stadium

The Broncos season seems to lurching from controversy to controversy with assitant coach seemingly fueding with Wayne Bennett and quitting his post as assistant coach. Newcastle after a decent start have now lost a few in a row also and have a few injury issues, i am taking Brisbane to bounce back this week away from home.

Gold Coast Titans v Manly Sea Eagles, 2pm Sunday at Marley Brown Oval

I wasnt overly impressed with the Titans last week against the Broncos i thought that they were gifted two points, Manly looked good against Canberra but have lost three players to injury namely there gun fullback Tommy Turbo. I still think Manly are a better team however then the Titans and will tip them for a win as the Titans are also having to take this game to a regional ground due to the Comm games on the Gold Coast.

Parramatta Eels v Penrith Panthers, 4.10pm Sunday at ANZ Stadium

Parra were dreadful again last week and Penrith are looking Premiership heavy weights at the moment. I cant see the Eels stopping there slide in this one, Penrith are to composed and have too much fire power, the Panthers for me this Sunday.

,

TIPS

Bulldogs

Roosters

Dragons

Melbourne

Warriors

Broncos

Manly

Penrith

So there you have it my round 5 preview and tips, hoping to have a bit more luck this week and pick a few winners for you all in what promises to be another topsy turvery round! Hope you all enjoyed my post, go ahead and comment and upvote would love to hear from everyone.