We've got a decent afternoon of footy lined up on election day.
Kicks off in Auckland with the Warriors hosting the Gold Coast. No Taylor for the Titans, which means that former Broncos junior Cam Cullen makes his way into the 17. Henry will also blood newcomer Karl Lawton into the centres. Lawton was a star juniour for the Gold Coast during a few lean years in the Under 20s where he predominately played as a dummy half. In recent times, he's been playing centre for the Tweed Heads Seagulls who are experiencing a similar trot as the 20s. What's interesting is that Henry is backing the talent of Lawton over the form of the Burleigh Bears backs like Sami Sauiluma and Connor Broadhurst.
And if you feel like you've read the name before, that's because you remember his older brother Kayne Lawton. Kayne played for the Gold Coast way back in 2009 and was something of a fringe player for them over the next few seasons. Fingers crossed Karl goes onto have a stronger career in first grade.
There isn't much to report on in regards to the Warriors after their nail-biting loss to the Sharks. All the talk has centred around the fullback position where Fusitua and Lolohea are expected to alternate. I really don't understand where coach McFadden is coming on this one. Lolohea is clearly their best fullback option, where as Fusitua doesn't quite have the ball-skills out there.
This is one of those games the Warriors should win by all-rights but you just never know with this squad and the Titans ability to stay in games.
Later we have the Wests Tigers taking on the resurgent Penrith Panthers. Word going around that English import Zak Hardaker could debut for the Panthers in the centres after the mid-year swap for James Segeyaro. For Penrith, it's a question of whether they can actually build. They've won two games, albeit not convincingly and they're coming up against a side that gave Melbourne a fright last week and can score points in a hurry. I think this could be the game of the round and one that's definitely worth watching.
Finally, in our main event of sorts we see the Cronulla Sharks go for a club record 12 straight wins when they take on the down-trodden Parramatta Eels. In the midst of the Semi Radrama, it's amazing to think we've got a game on our hands, and a game that could go either way. The Eels have returned to form, piling on three wins and have a habit of frustrating their opponents into errors. They shape as the perfect spoiler, so a win here will definitely be well earned, Semi or no Semi.
All that, plus the NSW Cup, the Queensland Cup and the NYC.
