Match Preview

With Chad Townsend and Tom Dearden clicking in the halves, Murray Taulagi and Val Holmes on fire out wide, and Reuben Cotter playing out of his skin up front, North Queensland look every bit a premiership contender - a remarkable turnaround for a side that finished 15th in 2021.

The Storm did it tough without Ryan Papenhuyzen and Jahrome Hughes against the Panthers but Craig Bellamy's men rarely put two below-par performances back-to-back so Todd Payten's men need to be on high alert.

Anthony Griffin's men went toe-to-toe with the Gold Coast for 89 minutes before Jamayne Isaako's try secured a golden point victory for the Titans.

The Warriors were blown off the park in the first half but four tries in 15 minutes dragged them back within two points with two minutes to play but the Bunnies held on.

After the Dragons this week and the Knights in round 12, the Warriors face Manly, Cronulla and Penrith in consecutive weeks so it's imperative they get some confidence and momentum up ahead of that tough stretch.

Both sides are coming off Magic Round defeats, a third in four weeks for Manly, so the stakes will be high and CommBank Stadium is sure to be buzzing.

Their previous meeting in round 22 last year resulted in a 56-10 cakewalk for the Sea Eagles as Reuben Garrick piled on 28 points, just two shy of Ron Rowles' record of 30 set way back in 1954.

A repeat of that sort of scoreline is unlikely but the Eels are sure to be on high alert as they confront a Manly backline packed with threats and desperate to make a statement after being held scoreless in Magic Round.

Despite the upheaval the Bulldogs must find a way to turn their form around under interim coach Mick Potter and climb off the bottom of the ladder, while the Tigers are equally desperate after three straight losses.

Sitting 15th and 16th with two wins apiece, both sides head into the Friday night clash under extreme pressure and looking to recapture the buzz that carried them to memorable wins in recent weeks - the Tigers over Parramatta and Souths in round six and seven, and the Dogs over the Roosters in round eight.

Coming off a big 42-20 win over the Townsville Blackhawks last Friday, the Hunters will take plenty of confidence into this weekend’s match up. Middle forwards Sylvester Namo and Emmanuel Waine were standouts in that win, combining for three tries, 264 running metres and 12 tackle busts through the middle of the field. 

Adam O'Brien's men secured a relieving win over the Bulldogs in Magic Round but they face an uphill challenge in the form of the Broncos, who have hit form and are beginning to show signs of the club they once were in the glory years.

It will be an intriguing occasion for Knights recruit Anthony Milford, who is expected to line up against the Broncos after departing the club last season.

The final match of the special event wraps up round 10 with the Cowboys looking to extend their winning run against a Wests Tigers side that have taken a few steps backwards in recent weeks after putting two wins together.

The joint venture, however, enjoy Magic Round more than their opponents.

They've beaten the Knights and Panthers in the past two concepts and despite the Cowboys well-placed on the ladder, the Tigers have shown they can spring an upset. 

The Tricolours, fresh off a big 44-16 win over the Titans, are about to enter an interesting four-week block that includes matches against the Eels, Sharks, Panthers and Raiders (away and without Origin stars). 

Roosters coach Trent Robinson has urged patience over his star-studded side and their attack. They delivered in spades to score eight in Mackay.

However, they face no tougher ask in the NRL at the moment than the Eels, who have upset the Panthers and Storm this year in big matches.

Such was their composure and faith in their systems that they rarely seemed troubled in defence despite having 12 men for 63 minutes and going down to 11 men when Jesse Ramien was sin binned in the second half.

The Raiders got back on track with a win over the Bulldogs but know they'll need to go to another level if they're to make it two on the bounce.

When these sides met in round one, a late try to Hudson Young gave the Green Machine a 24-19 win over the Sharks in Canberra.

With both sides boasting 8-1 records and sitting first and second on the ladder the hype will build throughout the week before the last two premiers square off on Saturday night.

For 2020 champions Melbourne, the injuries to star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen and centre Reimis Smith leaves a couple of big holes to fill but such is their depth that few expect them to miss a beat.