Round 5 has already arrived and what a ride the first three rounds have been! In round 4 we saw some incredibly unfortunate injury's, we saw Nicho Hynes back on the footy field and killing it! And we saw some big guns let a few coaches down with some disappointing scores. So what will round 5 bring? In this blog we'll be previewing every game of the round and providing some insight into what we might expect in the week ahead. What do you think round 3 hold for us? let us know who you agree with and who else you might have selected down below on all of our social channels twitter, facebook, instagram, discord.
Sydney Roosters V Parramatta Eels
Thursday 30th of March - 7:00pm AEST
The Sydney Roosters have had a week off to freshen up for this huge clash while the Parramatta Eels will have their tails up after a scintillating one points extra time win in the grand final rematch last week. Star centre Joey Manu will miss this clash due to suspension, with Drew Hutchinson set to fill those big shoes. For Parramatta, prop Junior Paulo will also miss as he serves a careless high tackle charge.
It's got to be now for James Tedesco! You cannot keep the great man down for long and in a big match up against a fellow powerhouse, I fully expect Teddy to repay the faith some owners are putting into him and score big on Thursday night prime time!
Predictions!
Sydney 26 - 18 Parramatta James Tedesco - 60 GDS fantasy points
Canberra Raiders V Penrith Panthers
Friday 31st of March - 5:00pm AEST
It's only a matter of time before the champs kick into gear and will this match up against a struggling Canberra Raiders outfit provide just the right platform to do that? It won't get any easier for the Raiders as they lose Jack Wighton as he serves suspension for a week. They do however welcome back winger Jordan Rapana, which is a massive step in the right direction. For Penrith, Liam Martin won't be available which is music to the ears of Zac Hosking owners who will look for him to smash it again.
The big question coming into this game is does Zac Hosking back it up? Hosking scored a sensation 98 GDS fantasy points in his first start of the season last week. How does he fare in week two? Predictions! Canberra 6 - 16 Penrith Zac Hosking - 65 GDS fantasy points
South Sydney Rabbitohs V Melbourne Storm
Friday 31st of March - 7:00pm AEST
Two of the biggest clubs in the country meet on Friday night primetime when the 8th on the ladder Rabbitohs face off against the 9th of the ladder Storm. The Storm who can't catch a break at the halves position will be without Jahrome Hughes again with suspension this week. South Sydney prop Hame Sele returns from concussion protocols, and will slot straight back in.
The famous Storm #1 jersey is always a talking point in fantasy and that no exception with Nick Meaney. Meaney has scored six tries in his past seven NRL games, can he keep that streak going for his fantasy owners?
Predictions! South Sydney 21 - 20 Melbourne Latrell Mitchell - 60 GDS fantasy points
Manly Sea Eagles V Newcastle Knights
Saturday 1st of April - 2:00pm AEST Despite copping their first loss of the season at the hands of South Sydney last week, Manly won't have lost any confidence as they sit perched up at second on the ladder still. Newcastle will too have their tails up after a putting in a shift and taking the win against Canberra last week. Dominic Young is set for a stint in the reserves after the incredible performance Greg Marzhew put on display last week. Morgan Harper is set to play his first game of the season this Saturday.
After tearing it up in his in week 3, and then producing a fairly mediocre performance by his standards in week 4, will we see Tom Trbojevic boom again in week 5? Predictions! Manly 30 - 12 Newcastle Tom Trbojevic - 70 GDS fantasy points
St George Illawarra Dragons V Dolphins
Saturday 1st of April - 4:30pm AEST
Both teams meet after sustaining two very different losses last week. St George were dismantled by Nicho Hynes and the Sharks last week losing 8-40. The Dragons will look to put in a good performance for themselves and their fans after last week. The Dolphins fell just short of the mark against the ladder leading Broncos last week losing 12-18. The Dragons remain relatively unchanged while there are a slew of changes for the Dolphins this week. Halfback Sean O'Sullivan and winder Tesi Niu will miss this game with injuries. There will be an NRL debut for Jack Bostock as he replaces Niu, Young gun Isaiya Katoa come back in for the injured O'Sullivan. Jeremy Marshall-King also comes back in at hooker after serving his suspension.
Jamayne Isaako has been quietly going about his business amongst all the Dolphins hype. Averaging 52 GDS fantasy points per game, can he continue that run of form and put a big score up against this St George Illawarra outfit? Predictions! St George 10 - 16 Dolphins Jamayne Isaako - 50 GDS fantasy points
Brisbane Broncos V Wests Tigers
Saturday 1st of April - 6:35pm AEST It gets easier for the men on top as the #1st ranked team takes on the #17th ranked team on the late Saturday slot. Api Koroisau and John Bateman tried their best to lift their new side last week to no avail last week. While the Brisbane Broncos just keep on trucking, beating the Dolphins last week in a tough tussle. Both teams make minimal changes to their lineups for this matchup.
Tigers star man Adam Doueihi has scored six tries in his past six games at Suncorp Stadium. Can he keep that run of form going for fantasy owners?
Predictions! Brisbane 32 - 8 Wests Tigers
Payne Haas - 65 GDS fantasy points
Cronulla Sharks V New Zealand Warriors
Sunday 2nd of April - 4:05pm AEST
Not to keep harping on him but Nicho Hynes is just so good at football. He steered his side to a pumping win over St George Illawarra last week in his return, he and his team will look to put in another big performance this weekend. New Zealand did show a lot of ticker to come back and steal the win away from the Bulldogs last week. Shaun Johnson has been immense so far this year. Cronulla make minimal changes while New Zealand make a truckload. Hooker Wayde Egan come back into his hooker role. Te Maire Martin will miss this matchup due to copping a head knock. Captain Tohu Harris has been miraculously named after suffering a knee injury last week.
I'm not expecting triple digits fantasy points from him again but all eyes will be on Nicho Hynes after his performance last week. Can we see something similar on Sunday? Predictions! Cronulla 28 - 20 New Zealand
Nicho Hynes - 75 GDS fantasy points
Canterbury Bulldogs V North Queensland Cowboys
Sunday 2nd of April - 6:15pm AEST
The Canterbury Bulldogs will look to rectify what was a sure win last week that turned into a collapse. While the North Queensland Cowboys are coming off a grinding win against their state rivals, the Gold Coast Titans. Josh Reynolds has been named on the bench for the Bulldogs, this will be his first appearance for the bulldogs since 2017! Jeremiah Nanai, Murray Taulagi, James Tamou and Gehamat Shibasaki will all miss this round 5 matchup, while Peta Hiku come back in after serving his suspension. There will be an NRL debut for youngster Riley Price who replaces the injured James Tamou on the bench.
With an average of 55 GDS fantasy points so far this season, can Reece Robson put in a big performance against opposing hooker Reed Mahoney this week?
Predictions! Canterbury 16 - 18 North Queensland Reece Robson - 465 GDS fantasy points