Gold Coast Titans vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs @Cbus Super Stadium, Saturday 3:00pm

Stat Fact: Moses Mbye has scored a pathetic two tries this year.

Big Talking Point: The media circus up on the ‘Glitter Strip’ is finally over as Neil Henry was relieved as his role as the head-coach of the Gold Coast with a season and two games left on his contract. Linked to the current role have been the likes of QLD coach Kevin Walters, Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy and ex-Manly coach Geoff Toovey. Many have regarded the boards choice to cut Henry and not Jarryd Hayne as the wrong choice given it was largely viewed as Hayne being the problem due to his ‘toxic-like training attitude’ and not Henry. So the player has won out over the coach yet again due to the very arguable ‘spineless’ decision made by Graham Annesley and the Gold Coast board. But at what cost will this saga have impacted the future of the side in the likes of Ash Taylor and Kane Elgey?

What Will Happen: From the Gold Coast’s perspective anything could happen. They performed very badly during this whole saga but have had games where they’ve been on fire this year. On the same accord they might perform differently now that Henry is actually gone and at least for now, a larger part of the problem has been solved. For Canterbury it is the same as well, last Sunday afternoon/evening they gained a much needed & shock 30-16 win over the finals aspiring Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. But on the whole, much like the Gold Coast’s, their season has been pretty disappointing. You can expect a close game but besides that it’s hard to say given both teams seasons so far.

What Won’t Happen: A high-scoring affair. This year the Gold Coast have been kept to eight points or under four times while Canterbury an even worse six times. Combined with their back-line struggles, Will Zillman (two tries this season) and Will Hopoate (zero tries this season) you can see why not many points will be scored in this encounter.

Our Tip: Gold Coast by four.
 

Melbourne Storm vs South Sydney Rabbitohs @AAMI Park, Saturday 5:30pm

Stat Fact: Suliasi Vunivalu and Josh Addo-Carr have combined this season for an incredible 35 tries along with five try assists.

Big Talking Point: He’s less than a season in with his new club, but if the reports are true Robbie Farah may have angered some of the South Sydney hierarchy as he is reportedly being shopped to rival clubs for next season. South Sydney are only paying $200,000 of Farah’s $950,000 contract with Wests paying the rest but even South’s don’t want to pay that amount for a player that at times this year hasn’t resembled a player close to what he’s being payed. South Sydney already have Damien Cook on their books who is doing his job right and is a lot cheaper of an option than Farah. Newcastle could be an appropriate location for Farah provided they don’t have to give him the outrageous contract that he is on at the moment.

What Will Happen: Melbourne using this game as a trial-run and to fix any potential problems they may have coming into the finals. With Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith all named and fit to play, this game has the potential to get ugly for Michael Maguire’s side.

What Won’t Happen: South Sydney have never won at AAMI Park from their six previous attempts there. History should continue along its merry path as after this game they will be zero of seven from there.

Our Tip: Melbourne by 30.
 

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks vs Sydney Roosters @Southern Cross Group Stadium, Saturday 7:30pm

Stat Fact: Cronulla have won their past six games against Sydney and the last two being by 32 and 25 points respectively. For the side that’s in equal 2nd this encounter should be a lot more competitive than the previous ones.

Big Talking Point: Sydney skipper Boyd Cordner has fired a shot to their Premiership rivals saying that on their day, his team can beat anyone. Despite his side sitting comfortably inside the Top Four this is still a big statement given that recently Sydney have struggled against other teams in the Top Eight as evident through their recent 36-18 loss to finals hopefuls Manly. This weekend will prove to be another big test for Sydney as they take on Premiership contenders Cronulla who they haven’t beaten since 2014.

What Will Happen: A fiery encounter given that both teams are trying to fight for 2nd spot on the competition ladder. With Andrew Fifita and Paul Gallen on one team and the likes of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Dylan Napa on the other expect a hard hitting, blood-spilling encounter with the more physical, tougher team to come through with the victory.

What Won’t Happen: Sydney breaking that streak. At home this year Cronulla are a very poor five out of 12. Heading into the finals with home-ground advantage for the first week is a massive likely for the Shire side. Expect them to try and make it a fortress again starting with a win against Sydney.

Our Tip: Cronulla by eight.