Gold Coast Titans v Cronulla Sharks
Skilled Park, 5.30pm
Titans $1.72, Sharks $2.10
Titans: William Zillman, Steve Michaels, Clinton Toopi, Joseph Tomane, David Mead, Preston Campbell, Scott Prince (c), Luke Bailey, Matt Srama, Anthony Laffranchi, Greg Bird, Mark Minichiello, Ashley Harrison. Interchange (from): Matt White, Michael Henderson, Bodene Thompson, Ben Ridge, Brenton Lawrence, Luke O’Dwyer.
Sharks: Nathan Gardner, Matthew Wright, Ben Pomeroy, Colin Best, Nathan Stapleton, Wade Graham, Chad Townsend, Kade Snowden, John Morris, Luke Douglas, Jeremy Smith, Jayson Bukuya, Paul Gallen (c). Interchange: Anthony Tupou, Sam Tagataese, Stuart Flanagan, Taulima Tautai.
Let’s be honest and say this isn’t exactly a battle of a couple of competition heavy-weights, but I will be attending this game with the expectation of a good battle nonetheless. Both teams sit on four wins for the season and will see this match as a good opportunity to add a fifth victory to their tallies.
The two team’s performances could not have been more contrasting last week when the Sharks towelled up a pathetic Bulldogs side whereas the Titans last week were the pathetic ones getting flogged at the hands of the Rabbitohs.
Having only left the Titans a few weeks earlier, Sam Tagatese will line up for the Sharks against his mates and I’ll be watching him with a great deal of interest, as he will be attracting plenty of it.
I can’t wait to get an up close and personal view of the Shark’s juggernaut Paul Gallen. I get the feeling I’m going to be short of breath just watching him!
Mike’s Best Bet: None
Canberra Raiders v Parramatta Eels
Canberra Stadium, 7.30pm
Raiders $1.65, Eels $2.30
Raiders: Nathan Massey, James Stuart, Jarrod Croker, Blake Ferguson, Reece Robinson, Josh McCrone, Sam Williams, Brett White, Alan Tongue (c), David Shillington, Joe Picker, Josh Papalii, Shaun Fensom. Interchange (from): Glen Buttriss, Bronson Harrison, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Dane Tilse, Trevor Thurling, Josh Miller.
Eels: Jarryd Hayne, Luke Burt, Ryan Morgan, Jacob Loko, Jordan Atkins, Casey McGuire, Jeff Robson, Tim Mannah, Matt Keating, Fuifui Moimoi, Nathan Hindmarsh (c), Taniela Lasalo, Ben Smith. Interchange: Shane Shackleton, Mitchell Allgood, Carl Webb, Justin Horo.
Rug up footy fans, we’re off to the nation’s capital for a night game in the middle of winter which in layman’s terms translates to: It’s going to be cold!!
It’s never pleasant for a visiting team to play in such conditions and tonight the temperature should be anywhere around 5 degrees, possibly less.
The last game at home for the Raiders saw them squander a 22-0 lead and lose Josh Dugan and Terry Campese to injury.
Parramatta played some quality footy last Monday night against the Sea Eagles and may be starting to turn their season around. A win here will see them knocking on the door of the top 8.
A man to watch for the Eels will be young Jacob Loko who was an absolute handful for the Sea Eagles defence and I’m expecting another big performance from him as he rides a high.
Mike’s Best Bet: None
