Penrith Panthers v Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles
Panthers Stadium
Saturday, 30 June 12.45pm
Broadcast LIVE on Fox League
It's been an impressive season to say the least for the Penrith Panthers but they now face a Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles outfit who are coming off an upset victory over the Dragons in Round 15.
Their hard-fought 20-12 win just two weeks ago has them sitting comfortably in seventh place but will be desperately looking to repeat their efforts against a lethal Panthers side brimming with confidence.
The Sea Eagles will be without Jackson Hastings after the maligned five-eighth was released by Manly this week, but welcome Veiru Mapesone into the side.
Meanwhile, the Panthers will be vying for consistency after a scrappy two-point victory over the Bulldogs in Round 15, but not before a 16-all draw with the Wong Roos two weeks prior.
Expect a spirited performance from dynamic Hooker Liam Coleman, while the halves combination of Tyrone May and Jarome Luai will cause plenty of havoc off the back of their barnstorming forward pack.
Newcastle Knights v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
McDonald Jones Stadium
Saturday, 30 June 1.00pm
The Newcastle Knights were valiant in defeat against the Warriors in Round 15 but a victory this weekend is a must if they to close the gap on the Bears at the bottom of the competition ladder.
Although a vastly improved performance, it will be imperative they put in a better defensive effort having leaked the most points of any other team this year (459) as they look to avenge their 22-12 loss to the Dogs in Round 11.
It's been a roller coaster season for the Bulldogs in 2018 but a big performance against the Knights will certainly put them in good stead for the second-half of the season.
It will be a huge task for the Bulldogs with Ofahiki Ogden and Lachlan Lewis earning their first-grade debut but welcome the addition of Matthew Frawley at halfback who will add a wealth of experience to their side.
They will also be without Rhyse Martin after earning a re-call into the top squad for this week, but will still boast the likes of Josh Cleeland and Josh Bergmain who have plenty of strike-power.
Newtown Jets v Wentworthville Magpies
Henson Park
Saturday, 30 June 1.00pm
Broadcast LIVE on Channel 9 and 9NOW
This game looms as a must-win for both sides if they hope to cement a spot in the top eight at season's end, with the Jets sitting nicely in sixth while the Magpies are lingering towards the bottom of the competition ladder.
Having formed one of the most lethal attacking line-ups in the competition this year, with William Kennedy and Kyle Flanagan in blistering form, the defensive efforts of the Magpies will be crucial to an unlikely victory after conceding 100 points in their past three games.
With a host of players representing the NSW Residents on Sunday afternoon, the contingent of Aaron Gray, Kurt Dillon, Blayke Brailey and Flanagan will take an array fo confidence following their impressive performances.
For the Magpies, a week-off couldn't have come quickly enough having lost five consecutive games, with a strong performance against the Jets being season-defining after a disappointing 2018 campaign so far.
Wyong Roos v North Sydney Bears
Morry Breen Oval
Saturday, 30 June 3.00pm
The Wyong Roos are firing and are certainly sending a scare to the other premiership contenders with some stellar form in recent weeks, and have a golden chance to break into the top eight this week when they take on the North Sydney Bears.
Undefeated since Round 11, with four victories and a 16-all draw against Penrith, the Roos have returned to the form that saw them reach the Grand Final last year.
Dynamic Five-Eighth Sean O'Sullivan will be brimming with confidence following his Man of the Match performance for the NSW Residents, with an attacking masterclass of three try-assists, four line-break assists and a try tearing Queensland apart.
With the likes back-rowers Brock Gray and Josh Curran showing strong form, they will prove tough to beat at home against the Bears who have struggled for consistency in 2018.
The battle between O'Sullivan and Bears Five-Eighth Connor Tracey will be one to keep an eye on, with both players boasting a potent running game and classy ball-playing ability that will prove to be the X-Factor for their respective sides.
Warriors v Mounties
Mt Smart Stadium
Saturday, 30 June 3.00pm
It's a blockbuster that can make or break the Warriors season as they host a red-hot Mounties side looking to extend their lead on-top of the Intrust Super Premiership NSW ladder.
The Warriors have shown glimpses of their potential with some resounding victories so far in 2018, but a sub-par performance against the Knights saw them claim just a four-point victory.
Willing to play an expansive brand of footy – leading the competition in offloads (149), an improved display on either side of the ball will be imperative if they are to match the attacking prowess of the Mounties.
Inspired by Craig Garvey, who has been in scintillating form this year and leads the competition in try-assists (15) and line-break assists (14), the Mounties will be looking to build on their already strong season to date.
Boasting the best attacking record of the competition so far, with prolific finisher Mikaele Ravalawa and Fullback Brad Abbey combining for 23 tries already this year, the Mounties will be hard to stop despite the Warriors having a home-ground advantage.
Western Suburbs Magpies v St George Illawarra Dragons
Leichhardt Oval
Sunday, 1 July 11.45am
Broadcast LIVE on Fox League
Wests will be looking to cement their premiership credentials this Sunday afternoon when they take on the Dragons in a must-win clash for both sides.
With the best defensive record of the competition, the Magpies will be looking to build on their gutsy 12-10 victory over the Bears in Round 15 in their hopes of remaining in the top-four.
They face a Dragons outfit who will be desperate for a strong showing after a 20-12 loss to the Workers in Round 15.
Although sitting fourth on the ladder, the Dragons will need to exercise more discipline with the ball-in-hand as they lead the competition in handling errors with 80 but can take confidence from their strong go-forward as they lead the competition in metres gained.
Fullback Patrick Herbert has been a shining light for the Dragons this season having recorded nine try-assists, six line-break assists and eight line-breaks of his own.
Expect a hard-fought performance from both sides as they look to make a statement to the rest of the competition in one of the matches of the round.
