Western Suburbs Magpies v Warriors
Campbelltown Sports Stadium
Saturday, 7 April 12:45pm
Broadcast live on FOX LEAGUE
The high-flying Western Suburbs Magpies, currently in first position, host the Warriors to kick-off Round 5… broadcast live on FOX LEAGUE. The Magpies, featuring the likes of Mahe Fonua, Chris McQueen and Josh Drinkwater, are one of the hottest teams in the competition, having disposed of Wentworthville on Easter Monday. The Warriors, though, won’t be easy beats – they accounted for last year’s grand finalists Wyong last weekend. Lewis Soosemea has proven a thorn in opponents’ sides this year – he’s already scored seven tries to lead the league in four-pointers.
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Belmore Sports Ground
Saturday, 7 April 1pm
Broadcast live on Channel 9
This week’s Channel 9 fixture, featuring a battle of two of the competition’s most experienced coaches, Steve Georgallis and Rip Taylor, should be a cracker. These teams have quite the history… with some of their recent matches some of the most memorable in the competition’s history. Scores have been level after 80 minutes in three of the past four games (two of these have been finals and have gone to extra time, with Wyong winning both). The margin has exceeded 10 points just twice in their past nine meetings. Three of Wyong's four games have been decided by one point (they won two, lost one) so it looks like it could be another close one! Last time they met was a thriller in last year’s Finals Series.
Newtown Jets v St George Illawarra Dragons
Henson Park
Saturday, 7 April 3pm
The Jets and Dragons face-off in what could well be the Intrust Super Premiership NSW Finals Series… 21 weeks early. St George Illawarra, in fifth, and Newtown, in sixth, are two sides warming to the task in 2018, and both sides look potential title threats when they hit their straps. Last week the Dragons put the Knights to the sword, while the Jets blew last year’s premiers off the park at the foot of the mountains. With both sides finding form and this featuring some of the biggest names in the competition including Darren Nicholls, Jai Field and Kyle Flanagan, this could be an absolute classic at Henson.
Mounties v Penrith Panthers
Aubrey Keech Reserve
Saturday, 7 April 3pm
Mounties, led by new coach Ryan Carr, have enjoyed a three-and-one start to the 2018 season – and they can further consolidate their reputation as one of the competition’s title hopes with a strong performance against last year’s premiers. Last week Mounties demolished Blacktown Workers at Lottoland… and Blake Austin and co. will be determined to show the winless Raiders they are ready for the NRL with another strong showing. Penrith, however, will be demanding more out of their troops after last week’s disappointing effort, where they were blown off the park in the first half by the Jets.
Newcastle Knights v North Sydney Bears
McDonald Jones Stadium
Saturday, 7 April 5:15pm
The Bears, yet to record a win in 2018, need to come out of hibernation here. The Knights, however, will also be stinging for a victory – they’ve registered one win and a draw so far this season. Earlier this season Knights coach Simon Woolford was critical of his side’s performance, and they’ll need to heed his advice. Both sides, even just five rounds into the competition, will be desperate for the two points. This could go down to the wire. A footnote to this clash: it’s the second week back in Ryan Stig’s miraculous return to Rugby League.
Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles v Wentworthville Magpies
HE Laybutt Field
Sunday, 8 April 3pm
The one Sunday game this week sees the Sea Eagles host Wentworthville, and there’s plenty of value for spectators interested in heading to HE Laybutt. Blacktown Workers’ side features some of the game’s brightest young stars and those desperate to return to the top grade including Honeti Tuha, Vai Toutai, Jonathan Wright, Joey Lussick, Lewis Brown and Jacob Loko. So too does the Magpies team with the likes of Nathan Davis, Magnus Stromquist, Brad Deitz and Arana Taumata. In good news for the visitors, their captain escaped suspension at this week’s judiciary.
