MAGIC ROUND PREVIEW

This weekend marks NRL history as the first ever ‘Magic Round’ is set to take place in Brisbane. On May 9^th-12^th, Suncorp Stadium will host all 16 teams in 8 games of magic throughout the weekend.

Picture Above: NRL Magic Round takes place in Brisbane May 9-12
(Source: NRL)

Thursday 7:50pm- Titans v Sharks

To kick off the round, the Gold Coast Titans will take on Cronulla as they fight for a win, having only 2 wins from 8 games. Looking at form, the Sharks look to be too strong for the Titans, having beat Melbourne last week 20-18.

For the Titans, Dale Copley returns on the wing for Phil Sami, while AJ Brimson is set to start at five-eighth for injured Tyrone Roberts.

The Sharks have dropped Sione Katoa to the reserves, with Aaron Gray taking the left-wing spot. Gray was moves from the right wing to allow Sosaia Feki to return at his preferred position.

The key matchups between the side will be the props. Titans duo Jarrod Wallace and Shannon Boyd will have to bring their best against one of the league’s most destructive duos in Andrew Fifita and Matt Prior.

Friday 6:00pm- Tigers v Panthers

Friday night will be kicked off with Ivan Cleary facing his old side for the second time this season following Penrith’s 9-8 win over the Tigers in an extra-time thriller.

Cleary will have to find a way to inspire his side however, as last week’s 30-12 loss to the Raiders in Wagga Wagga marked their fourth in a row. The side are also lacking, with key players Isaah Yeo, Viliame Kikau and Malakai Watene-Zelezniak all out with injuries.

The Tigers are 4-4 this season, and look to redeem themselves after their loss last week to the Roosters by 20 points.

Maguire has made several changes after last week, as Benji Marshall is set to return from 6-weeks off with injury, allowing Ryan Matterson to move back to the back-row. With Josh Aloiai out with a concussion, Matt Eisenhuth takes his spot at lock, and NRL debutant Oliver Clark has been named on the bench.

For Penrith, Viliame Kikau (ankle) was included in the reserves and could be a shock late inclusion, but at this point Frank Winterstein is set to take his place as he returns from a knee injury. Dean Whare is back from a hamstring injury in the centres which allows Dallin Watene-Zelezniak to move back to the wing. Reagan Campbell-Gillard has been promoted to the starting side, while five-eighth James Maloney is free to play after beating a dangerous contact charge at the judiciary on Tuesday.

Friday 8:05pm- Sea Eagles v Broncos

The Broncos have a lot to do in front of a home crowd this week following last week’s hiding from the Rabbitohs, while Manly continue to aspire to hold a Top 8 position.

Injury for Manly has meant Des Hasler has had to make changes, with Api Koroisau chosen at five-eighth for injured Lachlan Croker. Jorge Taufua moved back to the wing and Toafofoa Sipley replaces injured Addin Fonua-Blake at prop.

Anthony Seibold has made big changes following last week’s loss, as he dropped James Roberts and Jamayne Isaako and relegated Tevita Pangai Jr to the bench. Kotoni Staggs has been recalled to a starting position and Gehamat Shibasaki is on the left wing. Jake Turpin has been named to replace Andrew McCullough after he suffered an MCL injury during training on Monday.

Saturday 3:00pm- Bulldogs vs Knights

Saturday arvo footy kicks off with a clash between the Dogs and Knights, two teams looking to redeem themselves.

Kieran Foran is aiming for a comeback from injury after being selected as a reserve. Canterbury coach Dean Pay has dropped Ofahiki Ogden to the reserves and promoted Sauaso Sue to the bench.

Knights coach Nathan Brown has kept confidence in his side, not making a single change to last week’s side as they seek their third straight win.

Bulldogs fullback Nick Meaney matches up against Kalyn Ponga, the man who made him realise he had to leave the Hunter Valley region to get more NRL games.

Saturday 5:30pm- Dragons v Warriors

After going down 32-18 against Parramatta last week, the Dragons are looking to redeem themselves as they look to up the edge on their 4-4 record, however it could be injury that sees the Warriors take control. The Warriors claimed their sixth loss from eight games last week against Newcastle and need to start producing results to live up to last year’s top eight finish.

Fresh recruit Kodi Nikorima will make his Warriors debut at five-eighth at Suncorp for the first time since leaving the Broncos two weeks ago. David Fusitu’a returns on the wing, with Gerard Beale moving to the reserves. Issac Luke has been omitted and his place at hooker is taken by Nathaniel Roache. Bunty Afoa moves into the side to replace the suspended Adam Blair following a leg injury.

For the Dragons, Jai Field comes in for his first game of 2019 to replace Corey Norman (cheekbone) in the only change to McGregor’s 17 whom went down to the Eels.

Ben Hunt is looking for an origin recall, and if he is to gain a place, he will need to out-shine Blake Green.

Saturday 7:35pm- Storm v Eels

Craig Bellamy’s side have recently been in poor form and are proving to be more vulnerable than usual, while Parramatta are in good form.

Brad Arthur praised his side for their efforts in last weeks 32-18 comeback win over St George Illawarra and is hopeful that they will be able to pull off another strong performance.

Bellamy decided to stick solid with the same starting side that went down to the Sharks, while Brandon Smith returns on the bench from a calf injury and Patrick Kaufusi moves to the reserves.

Meanwhile, Parramatta welcome back Tim Mannah from an ankle injury, as Kane Evans moves out of the side, being their only change to last week’s winning 17.

The battle between the wingers will be a sight to see, as in form Eels pair Maika Sivo and Blake Ferguson face off against two of the competition’s best Suliasi Vunivalu and Josh Addo-Carr.

Sunday 2:00pm- Roosters v Raiders

Mother’s Day footy kicks off with a top-four clash between two in form sides. Canberra are at a loss as the English enforcer John Bateman is out with a fractured eye socket.

Roosters star Latrell Mitchell will be looking to retain last week’s impeccable form as he bagged 26 points from a hat-trick and seven goals in last week’s 42-12 win over Wests Tigers at the SCG.

With Canberra’s Jarrod Croker leading the NRL points race, fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad having the most run metres and second rower Elliott Whitehead topping the intercepts, the Raiders have the skill to put on a show at Suncorp.

For the Tri-colours, Matt Ikuvalu returns on the wing, with Joseph Manu shifting back to centre and Mitch Aubusson moving back to the bench, sending Lindsay Collins back to the reserves.

For the raiders, Hudson Young is the man to replace John Bateman, while Jordan Rapana returns to the wing and Joey Leilua remains sidelined with a neck injury.

Sunday 4:05pm- Cowboys v Rabbitohs

The Magic Round ends with a clash between North Queensland and Souths, with the Bunnies coming off a 38-6 demolition of the Broncos.

Souths worked hard in both offence and defence, much to the satisfaction of coach Wayne Bennett facing his former club, and its clear that the Bunnies are fitting Bennett’s plan for premiership success. The Cowboys are coming off a win as well, beating the Titans at home 28-14.

The Bunnies have made no changes to their 17, while Coen Hess moves into the starting side to replace Josh McGuire (calf). Kyle Feldt also comes in for his first game of the year, allowing Justin O’Neill to move back to centre.

Big names in this match will be Jason Taumalolo looking to make some big impacts in his first game back, with Sam Burgess leading Souths with the same intensity.