NRL - Round Five Preview

The South Sydney Rabbitohs appeared to have turned the corner last year when they stormed into the finals for the first time in years. Russell would have been crowing, pardon the pun, after his vast sums of time and money appeared to have resurrected the once proud club back towards the top of the competition.

Well a year in Rugby League is a long time. Those happy days seem a distant memory, and to say the team is struggling this year would be a grave understatement. The really worrying sign is that over their 4 straight loses this year they have consistently looked worse. Jason Taylor must be wondering where the secret elixir has disappeared as his team bumbles to mistake after mistake on the back of shoddy defence and poorly organised attack.

They have their chance to turn things around on Monday night when they take on the Sharks. The Sharks have been very good this year but don't posses potent weapons and prefer to rely on good old fashioned mistake free, honest football. If the Bunnies can come out firing, and don't make a host of stupid mistakes, I give them every chance to cause an upset or at least be competitive.

The Grand Final replay kicks off this round of League on Friday night. Both sides have had their problems this year and this game looms as a cracker. I think the Storm may be too disciplined and should come away with the 2 points.

My best bet of the round is the Brisbane Broncos who travel to Newcastle to play the Knights. The Broncos will be without Darren Lockyer but will welcome back a few stars including Justin Hodges. The Broncos are travelling along very nicely and even though the Storm touched them up last week they should be too strong for the Newcastle side.

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