The Phantom bounced back to form after his suspension the previous week with two winners and looks to do so again this weekend.
The Phantom bounced back to form after his suspension the previous week with two winners and looks to do so again this weekend.
Gold Coast Titans V Manly Sea Eagles
Skilled Park, 7:45pm
Friday July 4th
Referee: Jared Maxwell
For the record, Manly will go one better this year and win the premiership.
The injuries to Scott Prince and Luke Bailey in my mind spell the end of the finals chances for the Titans.
It was the same time last year they started to get the wobbles.
The signs were there against the Rabbitohs before the Dragons pipped them in a close game on home soil at Skilled Stadium on Saturday.
But news of Prince breaking his arm for the Maroons in the final and deciding origin game on Wednesday was the final nail in their coffin on top of Bailey's ankle injury which required surgery.
Manly are building momentum and have slipped underneath the radar in the past six weeks.
Their steel in defence, athleticism, skill, power and the poise and maturity of Matt Orford gives them a perfect springboard in season 2008.
The fact they weren't knocked around with rep selections has played into their hands and the side will be physically and mentally fresh comes finals time.
Melbourne, are a definite danger while the Broncos have had a taxing campaign with representative duties.
I am not writing off the Storm, they are one of three teams who can win it, the other being the Roosters, but I am prepared to say this is the year of the Sea Eagle.
Manly's overall depth, quality of play and ability to weather pressure will be enough to down the Titans on the Gold Coast.
Coach John Cartwright has got every inch of ability and skill out of his team and the Titans have played attractive, clever and enterprising football.
Verdict:
Manly's relentless power game, strong defence and supreme fitness should prevail in the final 20 minutes and wear down the Titans.
Sea Eagles by 12.
Parramatta V Penrith
Parramatta Stadium, 3:00pm
Sunday July 6th
Referee: Shayne Hayne
This is a true blue Sunday arvo blockbuster at Parramatta Stadium.
It’s crunch time for the Eels, a side rich in attacking potential and skill versus a team, in Penrith, which I still think can reach the top eight.
Panthers coach Matt Elliott is slowly building a highly competitive team.
Injuries in recent weeks have curtailed Penrith's flair, strikepower and precision plays they showed when winning a few on the trot before a loss to Saints and an unlucky draw with Brisbane.
For the Eels Brett Finch, Feleti Mateo, Jarryd Hayne, Luke Burt are all critical to their performance. Nathan Cayless is in career best form and the skills of the Keating boys are to be admired.
Penrith through Luke Lewis, Trent Waterhouse and the warrior Petero Civoniceva, will make sure the game is close and tight.
From Penrith watch for intricate ruck plays and a lot of decoy running in attack.
The Panthers like to attack from midfield, work across to the right then sweep back quickly to left hand side and get Frank Pritchard running wide as he attempts to break the line and deliver his clever passes.
Parramatta like to play Finch and Mateo together in attack on the edges and hit down short sides.
Finch's grubber kicks and aerial kicks for his outside backs targeting opposing wingers and centres are a feature of his play.
Verdict:
Parramatta at home by seven in a thriller.
