Match Preview

Match Preview: Eels v Broncos

With Dally M leaders Reece Walsh and Payne Haas in rare form and Adam Reynolds marshalling his troops magnificently, the Broncos boast a 6-1 record on the back of the NRL's slickest attack.

The Eels, meanwhile, look to be hitting top gear on the back of wins over Wests Tigers and Bulldogs but Brad Arthur is well aware a much sterner test awaits in the shape of the Broncos.

Rabbitohs v Panthers: Milne replaces Thompson; Sorensen set to start

A key area the Rabbitohs will need to improve if they are to take down the premiers is their completion rate, which was down at 68 per cent (24 of 35 sets) that night, making their task extremely tough.

The fact they stayed in the fight and had a chance to draw level in the dying minutes is cause for optimism heading into a game on their own turf and coming off two big wins over the Bulldogs and Dolphins.

Dolphins v Rabbitohs: Wallace ruled out; Arrow, Johnston return

Wayne Bennett's men headed north without inspirational skipper Jesse Bromwich and playmakers Sean O'Sullivan and Anthony Milford, but exploded out of the blocks with an early double to Jamayne Isaako and never looked back.

In Round 7 they come up against South Sydney, the club Bennett led to the 2021 grand final and a side riding high after a Good Friday demolition of the Bulldogs.

Knights v Warriors: Phoenix rises to No.6; Harris ruled out

The Warriors managed a narrow win in the season opener but it wasn't without a scare as the Knights went close to snatching victory late. 

Both sides have had a mixed start to the year since - the Warriors winning four of their first five games while the Knights have won two and drawn once.

It is clear that there has been a change in attitude from both clubs in 2023, however, with Warriors coach Andrew Webster showing some good signs early while Adam O'Brien has found some steel from his side. 

Titans v Dragons: Campbell, Sexton step up; Same 17 for Griffin

The Dragons are coming off a big win over the Dolphins and will be looking to get another victory against the Titans after coming from behind to get a first-up victory 32-18 in Round 1. 

The Titans, coming off a bye, will be fresh to welcome the Red V to the Gold Coast but are also facing some injury concerns in their spine. 

Both sides have met on 28 occasions with the Dragons winning the past two clashes in high-scoring fixtures.

A Sunday afternoon scheduling on a sunny Gold Coast only looks set to add to a potential point-scoring try-fest.

Match Preview: Panthers v Sea Eagles

With Nathan Cleary running the show and Brian To'o running for 235 metres the Panthers moved on quicky from the disappointment of a golden point loss to the Eels in Round 4 to take their record to 2-2 for the season.

The Sea Eagles also had their attack working in a free-flowing contest against the Knights in Mudgee but were forced to settle for a draw after 90 minutes of pulsating action.

Match Preview: Cowboys v Dolphins

Both teams lost in Round 5, with the gritty efforts of the first month taking a toll on the Dolphins who have had their depth severely tested in recent weeks. Their loss to the Dragons was made even harder to take, with the side suffering another key injury in the halves, with Anthony Milford injuring his hamstring.

The Cowboys went down in a thriller against the Bulldogs, with a stunning Matt Burton field goal in golden point consigning the North Queensland side to their third loss of the season.

Match Preview: Broncos v Wests Tigers

Reeling at the bottom of the NRL ladder, nobody was tipping the Tigers to defeat the red-hot Broncos in 2022 and few will be backing them this week but there were signs of improvement against the Storm and Sheens will look to build on those.

New recruits John Bateman and Api Koroisau did their best to lift Wests Tigers back from the Storm's early lead on Friday but errors in possession errors and some poor defence consigned them to a fourth straight loss.

Match Preview: Raiders v Panthers

The premiers opened the round with an epic 17-16 loss to the Eels in a match that went down to the wire and beyond while the Raiders had a Sunday afternoon to forget as they gave up a 14-8 half-time lead to go down 24-14 to the Knights.

Compounding matters for the Raiders was the sin binning of five-eighth for high contact on Jackson Hastings, with the star No.6 charged on Monday and facing a two-game ban.

Roosters v Eels: Hutchison steps up; Greig in for Paulo

Halfback Mitch Moses stood tall with the match-winning field goal to ease some of the pressure on last year's runners-up after a shaky 0-3 start to the season.

With Ryan Matterson back on deck and Junior Paulo and Reagan Campbell-Gillard leading the way through the middle, the Eels got in the grind with the Panthers and were able to come out on top in a high-quality contest.