Match Preview

Todd Payten's men have won five from seven away games in 2022 so a trip to Manly's spiritual home shouldn't faze them, although the loss of young gun Heilum Luki for the season presents a significant challenge after a relatively injury-free run to date.

The Sea Eagles have had their own setbacks with superstar Tom Trbojevic and workhorse Karl Lawton gone for the season but Des Hasler won't be making any excuses if his team misses out on finals for the second time in three years.

Sunday’s clash is an important game for both sides, who currently sit equal on the ladder with three wins apiece so far this season.

With the pointy end of the year approaching, the two points on offer in Round 12 are invaluable as the Hunters and Pride both chase a coveted finals berth.

After winning just seven games last season and three the year before, Brisbane have already chalked up nine wins this year on the back of Adam Reynolds' poise and the power of Pat Carrigan and Payne Haas, but they'll have to make do without their skipper at AAMI Park after he injured his ribs against Canberra.

The Storm were pushed all the way by the Roosters on Saturday but found a way to win even with three players backing up from Origin and Xavier Coates sidelined by an ankle injury.

The Raiders have won three of five at home this season and will be smarting after pushing the Eels to the limit on Sunday but ultimately going down by eight points.

These two sides have engaged in some epic battles in recent years dating back to the 2019 grand final, when a fair dash of controversy surrounded the Roosters' victory and Raider Jack Wighton had the rare honour of collecting the Clive Churchill Medal in a beaten side. 

A number of Penrith players were rested from NSW Cup duties on Sunday so they'd be fresh for duty if called up to face the Bulldogs, including playmaker Sean O'Sullivan who performed admirably in the first three rounds of the season while Nathan Cleary recovered from shoulder surgery.

The Bulldogs showed plenty of good signs on an emotional day at their spiritual home Belmore but still came up short to remain at the bottom of the table.

North Queensland's flying start to 2022 has seen Val Holmes, Reuben Cotter, Jeremiah Nanai, Tom Dearden, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Murray Taulagi all rewarded with Maroons selection while Gold Coast are without big guns Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (Origin) and David Fifita (knee).

The Titans have lost seven of their past eight, including Friday's inexplicable fadeout against the Broncos in which they led 24-4 after 50 minutes before conceding five tries in 21 minutes to be blown off the park.

Both sides come into this game following a weekend off and will be looking to start the second half of the season on a high. 

The 32-12 victory was Canberra's third on the trot, lifting them to ninth on the ladder, outside the eight only on points differential.

Parramatta had to dig deep to get the better of Manly in a tight struggle at CommBank Stadium, coming back from 20-10 down to register their seventh win of the season.

The Raiders are traditionally tough to beat at home on a Sunday afternoon and they'll be hoping for a huge crowd to make life uncomfortable for Brad Arthur's men.

In the last four meetings between these sides the Bulldogs have come away with two wins, including a thumping 28-6 victory at Accor Stadium in round 14 last year when Luke Thompson and Josh Jackson ran riot through the middle.

The forwards will again hold the key if Canterbury are to turn their fortunes around and hand interim coach Mick Potter his first victory on what is sure to be an emotional day back at Belmore Sports Ground.

Souths have already lost more games than they did all season in 2021 and their devastating left-side attack seems to have deserted them.

In contrast the Tigers have gradually found their feet and the inclusion of Brent Naden gives them another strike weapon out wide.

When the sides met in round seven it was the Tigers coming away with an upset 23-22 victory on the back of a late Luke Brooks field goal so Michael Maguire's men will have plenty of belief heading into Saturday's rematch.