My NRL Round 4 Tips

What another sensational week of League we all had to watch.

A Benji Marshall show against an Eels outfit that lacked attitude. The Bulldogs thrashing the Roosters with a Josh Morris 4 try spectacle.

Souths dominating a hapless Sharks on Monday Night, recording their first win of 2010.

The Warriors, obliterating Brisbane at Suncorp and the Raiders woeful errors again costing them two competition points.

4/8 tips correct last week for me. That brings my overall tally to 16/24, not bad. Can be improved though.

My Round 4 tips

Melbourne Storm V St. George Dragons

I Tip the Storm

We all know that the Storm playing in Melbourne are difficult to beat. They still have not reached their full potential, however this week at home for the first time, will bring it together. Especially knowing that they are going up against the Dragons.

Saints have also not won a game in Melbourne since 1999. It should be a tight match and I'm tipping that this should be that match of the round.

The Saints will be playing clinical football against a team that has made it their success the past four seasons.
Dragons will need to pull something new out of the hat now for teams are once again aware of how they play. REPETITIVE. The Storm will be on it.

Final Verdict Saints will have plenty of drop ball as the Storm defense will put Soward under constant pressure.
The Storm also have plenty of game breakers and with Cameron Smith kicking game out of dummy half should be able to pin the Dragons in there own end early.
Close finish. Storm by a margin of 4 - 12.

Sydney Roosters V Brisbane Broncos

I tip the Roosters

Unfortunate for Brisbane, the loss of Israel Folau and Denim Kemp is a massive blow to a side with big injury concerns every where. Darren Lockyer can only do so much.
They also have no Corey Parker or Justin Hodges and last weeks massive defeat from NZ at Suncorp has the alarm bells ringing.

Not this week; they travel to the heart of Sydney and take on a Roosters outfit with nothing to lose after the thrashing the Bulldogs gave them. The only thing to keep in mind is if the Roosters think they are an actual chance of making the 8, will surely collapse under the pressure they give themselves.

The need to play care-free football to keep winning. The likes of Myles, Guerra and Mitch Pearce will be looking to control the game up-front and around.
The relationship between Pearce and Carney is more than likely to erupt again this night and will run Brisbane's big men ragged.

Final Verdict Roosters by plenty. I know I said that last week, but I do not think anyone predicted the slaughter. The Roosters will be finally playing out of the harsh sun and heat, and will cherish playing under lights in Sydney.

Roosters must hold on to the ball and limit Brisbane's possession. Pearce and Carney show.

Cronulla Sharks V Parramatta Eels

I tip the Eels

Big concerns for Sharks. Attitude is key for them to improve, they must find pride in the Sharks Guernsey and then play for Coach Stuart if they are a chance.

The Eels are looking to stamp their label on this years NRL competition as a force to be reckoned with.
Last week the Eels forwards lacked momentum going forward and backs had no opportunity against the raging Tigers. They will not make the same mistake this weekend.

Final Verdict Parramatta forwards are they key here. Fui Fui, Poore and Hindmarsh must make inroads and give good off-loads to their backs.

Sharks are in crisis mode, they will play conservative and try to just complete the sets of six. The Eels will pounce on this style of play and should dominate out-wide.

Nth. Queensland Cowboys V Gold Coast Titans

I tip the Cowboys

1. Fortress 2. Jonathan Thurston 3. No Scott Prince 4. Gold Coast away from home.

However, if the Gold Coast are to be a chance, it's their forward pack that should do the damage. But with no Scott Prince, the Titans will find it hard to win this one away from home. Stats show that when Prince does not play for the Titans, that they can only win 1/3 of games.

J.T will direct the play smoothly and the difference of a solid half back will be the key for the Cowboys to win.

Final Verdict Cowboys will control all necessary field position and convert them to points.

Titans lack a quality half-back and even though Preston Campbell should fill in, it will not be enough for them to win.

NZ Warriors V Manly-Warringah Sea-Eagles

I tip the Warriors

The Warriors will continue this early form to post another win. Manly are still struggling and the win last week against Newcastle, though large, was not enough to prove to me that they are going to be able to compete in this one.

The Warriors at home are hard to beat. The Warriors have injury concerns but are able to fill in positions no problems.

Final Verdict - Warriors too strong at home.

Newcastle Knights V Penrith Panthers

I tip the Panthers

Penrith Panthers are about to show how dominating they can be. Newcastle do not stand a chance here.

Panthers forward running out-wide will get over the top of Knights backs and Kevin Kingston up the middle will tire the Knights forwards.

Final Verdict Panthers by plenty. Knights are about to hit the slump everybody predicted, while the Panthers are going to show everybody that they are top 8.

South Sydney Rabbits V Canterbury Bulldogs

I tip the Rabbits

Wow, what a match up this will be. Both teams hit form last weekend. Hard to pick however I think the Rabbits will continue winning know and roll the Bulldogs who are still not quite there.

Final Verdict Rabbits. Tough contest... Close match.