Round 7 has already arrived and what a ride the first five rounds have been! In round 6 we saw some incredibly unfortunate injury's, a couple of super stars in Cam Munster and Dylan Edwards shine in a big way! And we saw some big guns let a few coaches down with some disappointing scores. So what will round 7 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 7 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.
Dolphins V South Sydney Rabbitohs
Thursday 13th of April - 7:50pm AEST
Wayne Bennett has his men soaring again after a round 6 win, beating out their state rivals in the North Queensland Cowboys, by putting up 32 points against the the men from the North. South Sydney simply spanked the Canterbury Bulldogs last week, notching up the half century in classy fashion. Dolphins skipper Jesse Bromwich returns up front after missing last week's win over the Cowboys due to illness. Jarrod Wallace will miss the clash after suffering a category one concussion. Robert Jennings will replace Edrick Lee this week and Ray Stone starts over Herman Ese'Ese. For the Rabbitohs, winger Alex Johnston will make his return after missing a week. Jai Arrow will also return from a hamstring injury and will replace Tevita Tatola in the starting side.
All eyes will be on dynamic Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow after a blitzing performance last week. Against stronger opposition in round 7, can he back up his round 6 score of 81 GDS fantasy points?
Predictions!
Dolphins 18 - 25 South Sydney Cam Murray - 75 GDS fantasy points
Cronulla Sharks V Sydney Roosters
Friday 14th of April - 6:00pm AEST
After a bye week in round 6, Cronulla will look to re-enter the competition in devastating fashion after a shock loss to New Zealand in round 5. The Roosters are also coming into this matchup licking their wounds after falling to the Melbourne Storm in round 6. The big inclusion for this matchup is star fullback for the Roosters James Tedesco will return to the starting side on Friday night. Wade Graham and Oregon Kaufusi will return for Cronulla in the wake of Toby Rudolf and Dale Finucane missing the clash.
If Cronulla are to take this out, it will be largely due to a big, trademark Nicho Hynes performance that will inevitably please fantasy coach's all across the country! Look for Hynen's to have a big day. Predictions! Cronulla 18 - 16 Sydney Nicho Hynes - 70 GDS fantasy points
Manly Sea Eagles V Melbourne Storm
Friday 14th of April - 8:00pm AEST
4 pines park hosts a tantalising matching on prime time friday night as the Manly Sea Eagles host the Melbourne Storm. The Storm look well and truly back after losing their first two matches of the season, they have gone on to virtually dominant the remaining fixtures and now sit pretty up at third on the ladder. Manly's season has spelt the polar opposite of Melbournes, starting hot with two wins but petering out with two losses and a draw most recently. Both teams have huge outs this week as well, Melbourne will lose starting fullback Nick Meaney after he suffered some delayed concussion symptoms, Cameron Munster will replace Meaney in the #1 jersey which means young gun Jonah Pezet will partner Jahrome Hughes in the halves this week. On Manly's end, Reuben Garrick will miss the matchup after suffering from concussion symptoms as well, Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega will replace Garrick. Aaron Woods will make his Manly debut this weekend, as he is called onto the bench. Cooper Johns will start at five-eighth with Josh Schuster (quad) included in the reserves.
Can Cam Munster retain his form when playing out at fullback for the storm? He was a matchup winner for fantasy last week as he piled on 111 GDS fantasy points in round 6.
Predictions! Manly 12 - 28 Melbourne Harry Grant - 65 GDS fantasy points
New Zealand Warriors V North Queensland Cowboys
Saturday 15th of April - 3:00pm AEST
Both teams are coming off of round 6 losses and will look to walk away with points in the winners column to climb up the ladder ranks in round 7. North Queensland welcome back a massive pair that will give them a major boost, the first being Jeremiah Nanai who is eligible for selection after serving his suspension. The second is Murray Taulagi who makes an early return to his wing. For New Zealand, they unfortunately loose an influential pair in Wayde Egan And Te Maire Martin for this round 7 clash. Dyland Walker and Freddy Lussick have been promoted to the starting side. Tohu Harris has been named to make a return from a knee injury after two false starts.
North Queensland's fullback Scott Drinkwater returned in a big way for the Cowboys last week, setting up two tries in the first half, but ultimately missed the mark for fantasy coach's who started him. Can he bounce back in a big way in round 7? Predictions! New Zealand 28 - 16 North Queensland Scott Drinkwater - 60 GDS fantasy points
Newcastle Knights V Penrith Panthers
Saturday 15th of April - 5:30pm AEST Could a wrecking ball stop the reigning premiers right now? Highly doubtful, they are coming off a 44-12 shattering of the Manly Sea Eagles last week and show no signs of showing any mercy or slowing down at all. The Newcastle Knights are coming off a an impressive win against New Zealand, but they would be stoked to leave this matchup with any form of dignity. It doesn't get any easier for the Knights after their starting hooker Jayden Brailey was ruled out for the season post last weeks game after succumbing to a devastating ACL injury. Tyson Gamble looks set to return to the number 6 jersey will inform lock Mat Croker will retain his position in the starting side after a leg injury scare last week. Scarily (for the Knights) Penrith go unchanged for the clash. Isaah Yeo has one of the biggest floors in fantasy football at the moment. He hasn't fallen below 50+ GDS fantasy points once so far this season. Can he take advantage of this match up and post a major score in round 7?
Predictions! Newcastle 8 - 30 Penrith
Isaah Yeo - 65 GDS fantasy points
Gold Coast Titans V Brisbane Broncos
Saturday 15th of April - 7:35pm AEST
The battle of the M1 highway takes place on prime time Saturday night when the sixth placed Gold Coast Titans take on the league leading Brisbane Broncos. The Broncos actually proved that they were human after getting their winning streak snapped by the Canberra Raiders last week. The Titans just edged out the St George Illawarra Dragons winning 20-18 in their round 6 clash. Last week's match winner Toby Sexton will be ruled out with a wrist injury he suffered throughout the game in round 6, Kieran Foran will be a like-for-like replacement for Sexton. Thomas Flegler is out after failing a HIA last week, which means Corey Jensen starts in the front row and Kobe Hetherington joins the bench for his first NRL game of the year, after missing the start of the year due to a ruptured biceps.
Gold Coast can not get any continuity going for their halves pairing, can Adam Reynolds recognise and take advantage of that? Look for a Reynolds domination game!
Predictions
Gold Coast 14 – 24 Brisbane
Adam Reynolds – 60 GDS fantasy points
Canberra Raiders V St George Illawarra Dragons
Sunday 16th of April - 2:00pm AEST
The Dragons were so close to taking down the Gold Coast Titans last week but ultimately feel excruciatingly close to a win. Canberra however, went on to snap the league leaders winning streak, humbling the Broncos at home. Relief of Ricky Stuart and his men as he should expect some big reinforcements for round 7, headlined by halfback Jack Wighton returning after serving his suspension and Joseph Tapine back on deck after missing last week due to the birth of his child. Nick Cotric return just in time as Jordan Rapana is ruled out with a facial injury. Impressive rookie Toby Couchman retaining his spot in the 17 for the Dragons, while Mikaele Ravalawa and Francis Molo miss the Sunday matchup.
Jack Bird has quietly had two really good fantasy performances in as many weeks for the Dragons, posting up scores of 61 GDS fantasy points in round 5 and 55 GDS fantasy points in round 6. Can he keep this run of form going against a solid Canberra forward pack?
Predictions
Canberra 28 – St George Illawarra 16
Jack Bird – 60 GDS fantasy points
Parramatta Eels V Canterbury Bulldogs
Sunday 16th of April - 4:05pm AEST Mitch Moses was absolutely electric for Parramatta last week as the Eels took down the West Tigers as they look to ascend up the NRL ladder. The Canterbury Bulldogs however will look to lift their trousers up from their pants this week after suffering 50 point slapping to the Rabbitohs in round 6. The one inclusion for Parramatta is that of co-caption Junior Paulo returning after serving his suspension. Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Tevita Pangai Jnr and Viliame Kikau all return to bolster the Bulldogs starting front pack this week. With star winger Josh Addo-Carr missing due needed ankle surgery, Braidon Burns will be awarded his first league start of 2023.
Shaun Lane was slow to start last week for fantasy owners but if 2022 was anything to go by, we should know that Lane will be more than useful in his next few matchups.
Predictions
Parramatta 22 – 18 Canterbury
Shaun Lane – 60 GDS fantasy points