Antonio Kaufusi looks at the teams primed to make the finals and anticipates the Raiders v Panthers game as his match of the round.
The run home – where does your team fit in to the finals equation?
You can now put a line through the Dragons as they have joined the Bulldogs and Titans as teams that can start preparing for next year.
There are three teams in the top category and it would be a big surprise if the eventual grand-final winner didn't come from the Storm, Roosters or Rabbitohs.
The top five teams from Canberra down to Newcastle are a big chance of staying where they are.
Then the teams from the Warriors to the Cowboys have a shot at pushing their way into the finals team but are a bit more out of form right now compared to those already sitting in the eight.
NRL Ladder:
- Storm
- Rabbitohs
- Roosters
- Raiders
- Sea Eagles
- Eels
- Panthers
- Knights
- Warriors
- Broncos
- Sharks
- Wests Tigers
- Cowboys
- Dragons
- Bulldogs
- Titans
Raiders to end Panthers' 7 match winning streak
My match of the round is the last game of the week.
The Raiders to travel to Penrith to put an end to the Panthers seven match winning streak.
The last time these two teams met, Canberra thumped the Panthers 30-12 in round eight.
Oh how things have changed. Almost everyone wrote Penrith off at the start of the season, however Ivan Cleary's men now sit snugly in seventh place.
The key matchup for me is James Maloney, often pulling out a clutch play when its needed.
In that regard I think Maloney has met his equal in Jack Wighton, who doesn't shirk from the big plays and is willing to back his instincts.
Whoever gains the upper hand in this battle will put their team in a commanding position.
I'm backing Canberra to end Penrith's run in a close one.
My upset of the round is the Tigers to upset the Knights at home.
Its Robbie Farah’s 300th game and the Tigers will be desperate to send one of the clubs favourite sons out a winner with a night to remember.
Whoever triumphs in this fixture will gain the edge in the all-time head to head battle between the clubs.
As it stands, the Wests Tigers and Knight have 13 wins a piece with the two draws in 28 matches.
Kaufusi’s Call Round 19:
Sharks v Cowboys
Knights v Tigers
Rabbitohs v Dragons
Eels v Warriors
Titans v Broncos
Storm v Sea Eagles
Bulldogs v Roosters
Panthers v Raiders
