Well my word, weren’t there some upsets in the week gone! The Titans ran in 66 points on the Warriors, the Tigers ran riot on the Raiders and the Rabbitohs managed to keep the Sea Eagles scoreless! As each week goes on in the NRL for 2024, it seems like anyone can beat anyone and tipping a perfect round is just about impossible! Each game seems to be must-see football, and every fan has a chance to see their team do something truly remarkable. So with that being said, let’s dive in and have a look at what Round 17 has in store for us this week.
KIcking off the round, on Friday night will see the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs host the Cronulla Sharks. The Sharks will come into this game fresh off a bye, while the Dogs will come in off a loss to the Roosters. The Sharks are a tremendous side this year, and if fit to play, Nicho Hynes will no doubt be looking to make a point after his State of Origin axing. However, the Bulldogs remain undefeated at home in 2024, and it is hard to go past the sheer will power of this side to stay in the fight. I think this will be a tremendously hard fought contest, and I’d expect it to also remain low scoring! I’m going with the Bulldogs by 6 points.
Super Saturday will begin with the New Zealand Warriors taking on the Brisbane Broncos. The Wahs will return home this week with their tails between their legs, after losing by 60 points to the Titans last week. The Broncos on the other hand will come into the contest fresh off a bye, and looking to reestablish themselves in the top eight and resurrect their season. In their last game, the Broncos went down to the Rabbitohs in Sydney, so should be looking to make amends for that in this game. I think the Warriors will struggle to rebuild enough to take down the Broncs in the space of a week, and for that reason I’m tipping the Broncos by 12 points.
The second Super Saturday clash will see the Newcastle Knights and Parramatta Eels go head to head at MacDonald Jones Stadium. Both sides will come into this match well rested after the bye round, and will look to get their season rolling after mixed results so far this year. The Knights have now lost three on the trot, and the Eels have slipped to 17th place after winning just one game from their last eight. The Eels will be praying that Mitchell Moses can get through State of Origin Game II unscathed and back up for them this weekend, otherwise they could be in some real trouble. They have looked absolutely lost without him this year, and something needs to change quickly. Given the Knights haven’t won at home since Round 9, I’m sure they will be looking to give their home faithful something to cheer for. I’m going with the Knights by 14 points.
Closing out Super Saturday will be the Melbourne Storm and Canberra Raiders. The Storm may sit top of the table, and the Raiders may have conceded 82 points in the last two weeks, however the Green Machine have enjoyed tremendous success in Melbourne in recent years.The Storm only just got over the line last weekend against the Dolphins, and Ricky’s Raiders have won five of their last six games at AAMI Park. If there was ever a time for a bit of a shake up in the Canberra sheds it is this week. Tom Starling is a chance of returning from injury, which would add some spark to the Raiders chances. I’d expect them to rev up this week, and hit back hard. I’m tipping the Raiders by 8 points.
The Sunday ticket showcases the St George Illawarra Dragons hosting the Dolphins for mid-afternoon footy. The Phins put up a tremendous fight last week against Melbourne considering they lost two key players to State of Origin and Jack Bostock went down to HIA in the third minute. Things don’t look good for the Dragons this week, having conceded 122 points in their last 4 games at this ground, and the Dolphins having won five from their seven away games this year. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has scored 9 tries in his last 7 games and does not look like stopping if he can back up from State of Origin duties. With the Dolphins fighting to reclaim a top four position, I’m thinking it will be all Phins Up this weekend. Dolphins by 20 points.
The final match of Round 17 will see the Sydney Roosters take on the Wests Tigers. The Roosters come in after a hard fought victory over the Dogs, and the Tigers will come in after dismantling the Raiders and be looking for three straight wins for the first time since 2018. However, the Roosters have won 17 of their last 18 games against the Tigers, and will be eager to perform for two club legends who celebrate milestones this weekend. James Tedesco will play his 150th game as a Chook, while Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will equal the club record for most games played (306). It’s exciting times in Tigertown this week, however I’m anticipating the Roosters to rain on that parade. I’m tipping the Chooks by 18 points.
There you have it, my tips and predictions for Round 17 of the NRL 2024. We’ve learnt anything can happen in Rugby League this year, but I’m anticipating wins for the Bulldogs, Broncos, Knights, Raiders, Dolphins and Roosters with the Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles and Titans all enjoying a bye this weekend. As we continue to approach State of Origin and finals football, remember to head into Jerseys Megastore, both in store and online, to get your 2024 supporter gear and all things footy!
