If the Broncos win tonight, they’re a big chance of making the top four. It will all come down to Penrith; in rounds 24 (Storm), 25 (Raiders) and 26 (Bulldogs), the premiers play the top three teams. The joker up Penrith’s sleeve is the point they earned from a draw earlier in the season.

The Storm will put a lot of energy into their defence, whereas the Broncos will put a lot of energy into their attack. It’s a case of contrasting styles, but if it sticks for the Broncos, they are so dangerous. Reece Walsh sums up Brisbane; if it sticks for him, they’re hard to beat.

For mine, the Storm are still the favourites to win the competition. Even if Jahrome Hughes can’t return for the finals, they can still win it.

There are question marks over Nelson Asofa-Solomona, whether he can get himself back in shape and into the team. They really missed him last year in the grand final against Penrith.

There are great match-ups all over the field. The five-eighths, Munster and Mam, are great runners of the ball. Munster will want a big game against the Broncos, and I reckon Ezra’s getting better each week.

Then there’s Harry Grant versus the Broncos ruck defence. Harry is in incredible form; he’s a run threat, and his pass selection close to the line is just top-notch. The Brisbane markers and ruck defence will have to be on because if they’re not, Harry will carve them up.

The other big match-up I can’t wait for is between the NSW front-rowers, Payne Haas and Stefano Utoikamanu. Will they be the Samoan two props at the end of the year?

Both are huge men, are great attacking forwards with huge frames, both fit and fast. These clashes will shake the stadium.

There will be nothing in it. The Storm’s bench looks a bit stronger, and they’re so tough to beat down there in Melbourne.

Joey’s tip: Storm by four
First try scorer: Grant Anderson
Man of the match: Cameron Munster

Walker v Katoa is a peek into the future for Origin

Sam Walker and Isaiya Katoa are genuine halfbacks and will be playing against each other in Origin in four or five years.

I can see a Maroons pairing of Tom Dearden and Sam Walker complementing each other’s game; that would be a really good combination.

Katoa and Walker are different players and body shapes. Katoa is 93 kg, Walker is just 78kg wringing wet – he looks like a heavyweight jockey.

Walker’s a throwback to the early 1990s halfback; he looks like Aflie Langer and plays what he sees, without a safety net. With Sam, you’ve got to take the good with the bad.

He’s going to make some terrible errors, but on the flipside, he’s going to come up with some breathtaking, attacking brilliance.

Katoa is so different. He likes set plays, and he does them better than anyone. He’s fairly calculated, the way he plays the percentages, and has got more of a running game than Walker. He’s also a better defender, just with that bigger body.

Here’s how I compare them in key areas:
Passing game: Katoa 9/10, Walker 7
Long kicking: Katoa 8, Walker 7
Short kicking game: Katoa 7, Walker 10
Creativity: Katoa 7, Walker, 10
Defence: Katoa 9, Walker 7
Run threat: Katoa 7, Walker 7
Entertainment value: Katoa 9, Walker 10

I would pay money each week to watch these two play. Walker warms my old halfback heart. Watching him play, he’s so creative. When Walker makes an error, he’s got a “I don’t give a rat’s arse” attitude that’s similar to James Maloney. He’s a great halfback test case for young coaches.

His dad, Ben, coached him through the juniors and let him play, let him make errors, let him try things. That’s where you learn your hardest lessons, by making mistakes on the field.

In contrast, Izzy [Katoa] is just an incredible halfback. He’s my favourite player to watch at the moment. A big Sorry to Cody Walker there, he’d been that player for me for a long time.

Katoa’s passing and pass selection are on a whole other planet; it’s the best in the game.

The Dolphins are such an attacking threat, and a big reason is how straight Katoa plays, which frees up the likes of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Jake Averillo.

I predict Katoa and Walker will play a lot of rep footy against each other in Origin, but also for Australia and Tonga. We’re very lucky to get to watch these two halfbacks.

Ban the third-man-in legs tackle

When the third man in the tackle dives at the legs from an unseen position, it’s an absolute cheap shot.

All teams are guilty of the cannonball tackle; I’m not just picking on Felise Kaufusi and the Dolphins. But Kaufusi’s tackle broke the leg of Warriors back-rower Jacob Laban, who is out for the rest of the year.

If two players are in the tackle, and the key here is if momentum has stopped, the third person can’t come in.

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Back when I was playing, the name of the game was to get the attacker to the ground as quickly as possible. Now it’s the opposite; trying to hold them up, squeeze them tight and then let the third man sweep the leg.

I know every team does it, but it’s so dangerous, and the margin for error is so small. They say you have to tackle above the knees, but it’s easy to get it wrong.

It’s led to attackers, when they get into contact, to turn around to look out for that third defender coming in. That’s brought into play the crusher tackle. They need to eliminate that third man in. I hate it.

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