NRL Round 17 Previews: Experts analyze face-to-face clashes

Cronulla Sharks – Melbourne Storm, PointsBet Stadium, Thursday at 7.50pm One of Melbourne’s great luxuries is being able to hand over the No. 9 jersey to Brandon Smith when Harry Grant goes to Queensland camp for the home state.

Ryan Matterson, Brandon Smith, Bradman Best and Adam Reynolds Credit: Getty

The 26-year-old will be desperate to shine for a Storm team that was hit at Brookvale last week, only for a chaotic finish to paint the cracks reducing the margin to six. Nick Meaney will move on to the eighth in the absence of Cameron Munster while Felise Kaufusi remains in the United States. The Sharks need to take advantage of those changes if they want to maintain their place in the top four with Melbourne, North Queensland, Penrith and South Sydney next month. Midfielder Nicho Hynes plays an important role in playing against his former team as he continues to emerge as one of the NRL’s purchases of the year. 4.Caden Helmers sharks

Newcastle Knights vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs, McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday at 7.55pm Jayden Brailey and Bradman Best return with the colors of Newcastle and suddenly there is reason for optimism in Steel City. The Knights face only two teams in the current top eight in the final nine rounds and have a chance to replicate last year’s race in the final, which allowed them to finish seventh despite not entering the top eight. between the fourth and 21st round. One of the top eight teams. On the way to Newcastle is a South Sydney team led by Latrell Mitchell, who will have been a focal point for Adam O’Brien’s video sessions this week. Mark Nicholls has to wipe out the concussion protocols after being appointed to the block with Cameron Murray in the Origin service, while Siliva Havili starts as a prostitute instead of Damien Cook. Jed Cartwright will play his first NRL game since round 25 last year to cover Queensland’s Jai Arrow. Don’t be surprised if there is a late remodel with Kodi Nikorima and Blake Taaffe sitting on the bunny bench. 10.Caden Helmers Rabbitohs

Wests Tigers v Parramatta Eels, Leichhardt Oval, Saturday at 7.35pm Parramatta is already in an almost prohibitive situation, which should coldly sweat his faithful. No major part is more susceptible to banana skin than eels, which alternate between their best and worst performances weekly. After being defeated by the Bulldogs Brad Arthur’s side back up and has Ryan Matterson (ribs) returning instead of the big man of the Blues Paulo Júnior. The Tigers have named Adam Doueihi in the centers after trying it Luke Brooks in the mannequin half when the couple got together Jackson Hastings in the paddock last week against the Warriors – the last offensive shake didn’t make much of a difference, as it never seemed to worry the scorers. A wet night in the Leichhardt Oval has an ambush written all over it, but it’s hard to see that the Tigers will reverse such terrible luck. Eels at 8.Dan Walsh |

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Brisbane Broncos – St George Illawarra Dragons, Sunday at 16:05 The Dragons have sneaked up with four wins in their last five games and will have chances against a very exhausted Broncos team. Having said that aside from their recent stint at the Rabbitohs, St George Illawarra’s combined set against the top eight teams is 72-201 in six games this year, it’s time to prove they can match it with the best . Ben Hunt’s Homework assignments give 20-year-old Jayden Sullivan a chance to partner with Talatau Amone and Red V for another vision of a very crazy scrum-based future. Brisbane has no Payne Haas or four Maroons representatives. All eyes set on Adam Reynolds as he plays behind an exhausted pack. Dragons at 6.Dan Walsh |