The 2024 NRL season is tight, with plenty of players injured or in and out of form. As clubs start their runs home to the finals, tipping a perfect round is nearly impossible, so each week we'll give you some extra help with three standout games.
The sure thing
Parramatta Eels vs. Melbourne Storm - CommBank Stadium, Friday July 26, 8pm AEST
I really should have the Storm as the sure things to beat whoever they are playing. Needing to make up for two errors last week, I'm certainly taking the easy option with them to be too good for the Eels this week.
The Storm are just mechanical in the way they pull even the best teams apart. Halfback Jarome Hughes is brilliant, Harry Grant controls things around the ruck, Ryan Papenhuyzen presents an ever-present danger and then there are the supporting cast players who each week put in amazing performances to complete Craig Bellamy's work of art.
The Eels have all but lost hope of making the finals and in a final body blow they lost their inspirational best play Mitchell Moses to a season-ending injury during the State of Origin decider. At home they should put up a good performance for their ever-loyal fans, but against the Storm, it just wont be good enough.
The round 21 sure thing is: Storm
The toss of the coin
Sydney Roosters vs. Manly Warringah Sea Eagles - Allianz Stadium, Saturday July 27, 7:35pm AEST
I tipped the Roosters to beat the Storm last week and they would have been almost as disappointed as I was with their effort. The Storm dismantled them and they had no answers for the relentless purple wall of defence.
The Sea Eagles started poorly against the Titans, but were all class in running up 32-unanswered points to take a comfortable victory. Tom Trbojevic is back to his supporting play best, while Luke Brooks and Daly Cherry-Evans seem to take turns at being the best half in the team.
This game could go either way, but I'm tipping the Roosters will not want to lose this one at home after succumbing so meekly to the Storm last week.
Toss of the coin game winner: Roosters
The roughie
Canberra Raiders vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs - GIO Stadium - Sunday July 28, 6:15pm
The Raiders were less than impressive last week in beating the Warriors and yet go into this clash as the clear favourites. The Rabbitohs have been on a winning run, collecting the points in six of their last seven games. The one loss to the Dolphins came because they couldn't kick their conversions.
The Bunnies will still be without suspended Cam Murray, and of course Latrell Mitchell is still injured, but they have proven they can win without them. If you are struggling in your tipping competition and looking for an upset, the Rabbitohs could help you out in frosty Canberra.
Round 21 roughie: Rabbitohs
Click here for a full guide to Round 21 of the 2024 NRL season