NRL PREVIEWS | Round 17

STORM V DRAGONS AAMI Park, Thursday, 7.50pm

History: Played 35, Storm 24, Dragons 10, drawn 1

Last met: Dragons 34-14, round 9, 2018

Did Cameron Smith have this match in mind when he stunningly announced his retirement from rep footy two weeks before Origin I? Not only are the Storm without injured key forwards Dale Finucane, Jesse Bromwich and Sam Kasiano, but six of their remaining best will miss this clash with the ladder leaders because of Origin commitments. However, they still have Smith, who got them home on the bell last weekend. And while the Dragons may have five absent on Origin duty, the remainder of their roster is intact and they will still field a strong side. But Smith, aided and abetted by the Dragons‘ poor record at AAMI Park – none from four – could be the stumbling block.

TIP – Dragons

PANTHERS V WARRIORS Panthers Stadium, Friday 7.55pm

History: Played 39, Panthers 22, Warriors 16, drawn 1

Last met: Panthers 34-22, round 19, 2017 Following two successive losses and a skinny one-point win, the Panthers need to resurrect their season quickly, but that may well be another week away. Missing halves James Maloney and Nathan Cleary as well as utility Tyrone Peachey, all to Origin, Penrith is hoping the recalled trio of Corey Harawira-Naera, Waqa Blake and Viliame Kikau do return from an injury list that numbers nine members of their NRL roster. But the Warriors have also slipped down the ladder with indifferent form of late, and the addition of Tohu Harris and Bunty Afoa to their list of injured is poorly timed. However, try-scoring wingers David Fusitu'a and Ken Maumalo return, as does Adam Blair, giving the Warriors a line-up of 12 internationals, which will be hard to beat.

TIP – Warriors

BULLDOGS V RAIDERS Belmore Sports Ground, Saturday 7.35pm

History: Played 66, Bulldogs 37, Raiders 29

Last met: Raiders 26-10, round 5, 2018

This clash brings together a team that has nothing to lose – the Bulldogs – and the Raiders, who have their season on the line. With the Raiders having led 10 times this season with 10 minutes to go and losing seven of those matches, there is a major issue with the team’s mentality – a mindset they must change because a loss here almost certainly ends their finals hopes. Conversely, a rejuvenated young Bulldogs outfit proved last week what enthusiasm can achieve and their 11-1 domination at Belmore must strike fear into a nervous Ricky Stuart. David Klemmer is a big loss for the undermanned Bulldogs, who these days prefer to be called the Underdogs. But surely, with so much at stake, the talented Raiders will prevail.

TIP – Raiders

TITANS V BRONCOS Cbus Super Stadium, Sunday, 4.10pm

History: Played 24, Broncos 18, Titans 6

Last met: Titans, 26-14, round 4, 2018 Already down two key forwards because of Origin, the Titans will be sweating on the fitness of Blues skipper Boyd Cordner before the weekend. If Cordner is not cleared to play by Sunday, Titans captain Ryan James will more than likely miss this important match – and the chance to edge his team closer to what is an unlikely finals berth – and be called into the NSW side. If the Titans lose, they will be eight points adrift of the eighth-placed Broncos, who have Joe Ofahengaue and Tevita Pangai Jnr back, but will be without their four Origin stars. Dummy half Jake Turpin, 21, will become the fourth Brisbane NRL debutant this season when he lines up opposite the experienced Nathan Peats. TIP – Broncos

BYE: Cowboys, Eels, Knights, Rabbitohs, Roosters, Sea Eagles, Sharks, Tigers