Scroll through the official NRL website and Nathan Peats is listed on the Titans' interchange bench ... wearing an Eels jersey. Maybe the sacrificial lamb in Parramatta's salary cap drama might not know which way to run at times in Darwin on Saturday night. One thing for sure is his new steely teammates are showing a stack of resolve this season. And they're more chance of playing finals than his ex-blue and gold comrades. It might all be about Peats, but Konrad Hurrell could make his club debut for Titans who have racked up the frequent flyer points in the past week.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
2. Knights v Warriors
Contenders or pretenders? It's the Warriors, so take your pick. But what is the point in thumping one of the premiership favourites if you can't beat the competition's also-rans seven days later? At least that will be the message Andrew McFadden will be beating into his players this week after an impressive demolition of the Broncos. Mid-season recruit Brendan Elliott could be in line for a Knights debut as Nathan Ross struggles with a calf complaint.
3. Roosters v Storm
Bread has been broken and the Roosters are at ease with whistleblower Ben Cummins, the man in the middle of Trent Robinson's raging inferno on Anzac Day. But this is about much more than the referee this time.
Outburst: Roosters coach Trent Robinson. Photo: Anthony Johnson
Missing Latrell Mitchell and Dylan Napa, the Roosters desperately need to string back-to-back wins together to remain in the finals hunt. The Storm? They halted the Roosters' long winning run in the first week of the finals last year and will fancy themselves to do it again.
4. Sea Eagles v Panthers
Hands up who thought Nathan Cleary and Bryce Cartwright would be Penrith's halves pairing at the mid-way stage of the season? But what would Trent Barrett give to be in Anthony Griffin's shoes and have the luxury of dropping someone like Jamie Soward to the reggies. A patched-together Manly have been dodging drama all week and will need Brett Stewart to best Matt Moylan and be a chance toppling a side they have struggled against in recent times.
5. Dragons v Bulldogs
The Bulldogs sent the Dragons packing for Mad Monday with a win in a golden-point thriller in last year's final series, a change from their second-half fadeouts in the past two losses against the Raiders and Sharks.
Will Hopoate. Photo: Getty Images
Jason Nightingale and Will Hopoate may only be marking time in the No.1 jersey for their sides, but have been more than handy deputies at the back. This will be won up front with Jack de Belin likely to return for the Red V.
6. Sharks v Cowboys
Match of the round. Comfortably. First v third should be fascinating viewing in the Shire with both sides sharing recent history in snapping the other's long winning runs. Cronulla toppled the eventual premiers in Townsville last year to suspend the Cowboys' winning run at 11, North Queensland will try to limit the Sharks' purple patch to nine on Monday night. Johnathan Thurston may have been stalked by a real shark live on TV earlier this week, but it might be nothing compared to the reception he will receive at Southern Cross Group Stadium.
