What's to Come in NRL's Round 19?
With many exciting match-ups set for this weekend and with only eight rounds left in the season, Round 19 promises to be an important and exciting week in the National Rugby League (NRL).
Titans vs. Broncos
This home state match-up between the Gold Coast Titans and the Brisbane Broncos should be an exciting one. The home town Titans will be looking to make up for a 28-6 drumming they received at the hands of the Broncos in Round 10. The bad news for the Titans is that is looks as though Darren Lockyer and Israel Folau of the Broncos are fit to play in this week’s match.
Dragons vs. Rabbitohs
After a week off, the Dragons will look to come back strong and return to form after a Round 17 loss at the hands of the Panthers. The Rabbitohs are hoping to make up for last week’s devastating loss in the derby to the Roosters. The Rabbitohs will enjoy home town advantage and a win could go a long way as they only sit four points behind the table-topping Dragons.
Warriors vs. Storm
The Warriors look to be on a role, which is not good for the lowly Storm, as they are floundering at the bottom of the table. The New Zealand side is coming off four straight victories and is looking for another, while the Storm are in search of their first points of the season. The Melbourne side will be at home for the match and are coming off of a hard fought loss to the Bulldogs. However, it is unlikely that the sixth place Warriors are going to give the Storm their first point of the year.
Panthers vs. Eels
The Panthers are coming off a tough home loss to the Warriors last week and will look to re-establish their home base against the Parramatta Eels this weekend. Only two points out from the top of the table, the Panthers have been playing well this season. The 10th place Eels will have to work hard to come away with a road victory in this one.
Sharks vs. Sea Eagles
Both with losses last week, the Sharks and Sea Eagles will look to capture a victory in Round 19. The Sharks will be at home at Toyota Stadium in Cronulla this week but will have their hands full with a Sea Eagles side that finds themselves in the middle of the table, with the possibility of moving up a few spots with a win.
Raiders vs. Knights
The Raiders head back home to Canberra to face off against the Newcastle Knights in this round. Both the Raiders and the Knights were successful last week and will look to build on that with eight rounds to go. Sitting at the bottom of the table this could be a chance for one of these teams to begin a move up the standings.
Roosters vs. Bulldogs
In one of the top match-ups of the week, the Sydney Roosters take on the Canterbury Bulldogs in Sydney Football Stadium. The Roosters are coming off a tight victory in the Sydney derby versus the Rabbitohs, while the Bulldogs are looking to stay in form, having won three straight matches. Nestled in fourth position on the table, the Roosters will attempt to stop a runaway Bulldogs squad, who are looking to climb out of the basement.
Wests Tigers vs. Cowboys
The Tigers will take on the North Queensland Cowboys in this week’s Monday night affair. The Tigers are in the third position, only four points out from the top spot, and will look to take advantage of a Cowboys team that currently sits in second last place.
Round 19 should be an exciting week for the NRL. As the season comes to a close, teams will be looking to lock up a strong place in the table, while lower ranked teams will want strong showings as they attempt to climb up the ladder.
1. What's to Come in NRL's Round 19?
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