Rugby league is set for one of its biggest weekends of the year, with Magic Round taking place in the River City of Brisbane.
With eight games set to occur across three days at Suncorp Stadium, Smith and Kemp previewed the entire weekend, with Friday’s two games the first cab off the rank
The pair discussed the first two clashes on SEN 1170 The Captain’s Run.
Canterbury Bulldogs v Newcastle Knights
Friday evening – Magic Round – Suncorp Stadium
Kemp: “The Doggies are favourites.”
Smith: “I’d have them as favourites too, I don’t know what’s happened to Newcastle, whether it’s the (Kalyn) Ponga thing.
“They’ve had a ton of injuries, let’s not forget that, perhaps the worst in the competition.
“They’ve been non-competitive, they really have been, we talk about this a lot, but the strong clubs and the good clubs, it doesn’t matter who’s not there, it matters who is there.”
Kemp: “I hope Newcastle take this as an opportunity to say, ‘Hey, let’s get our season back on track’.
“You’re already at the bottom, it’s already a more disappointing year than you thought it would be, just go out and rip and tear.
“When you look at these two rosters together, the Dogs probably have a better team on paper.
“I think it’ll be a fantastic clash, both will be desperate for a win, but I think the Knights will say, ‘Enough is enough’… this is the game they’re going to do it.”
Manly Sea Eagles v Brisbane Broncos
Friday night – Magic Round – Suncorp Stadium
Kemp: “Broncos are hoping to claim their fourth win in a row for the first time since 2017.
Smith: “Outside of Penrith and Melbourne, this is the next best match.
“The Broncos are outsiders, but I think they’re a good chance. I was really impressed with them last week against the Rabbitohs.
“The thing I’m most impressed by is the energy that they’re showing throughout the entire match, their resilience in defence and the willingness to use the football out of their own end.
“Adam Reynolds’ influence has also increased tenfold … he looks at home in that attack.”
Kemp: “What I loved about last week is that in every single stat, they lost the stat, but one the game.
“That’s a sign of attitude, it’s the only stat you can’t measure, and they won off the back of it.
“As for Manly, they’re going well, they’ve put together some great wins.
“Ben Trbojevic came in on the weekend, Tom Trbojevic is finding form and Daly Cherry-Evans, he’s just a freak.
“This is a fantastic match-up, they towelled up the Broncos last year.”
Smith: “It’s a different looking Broncos side this year, though.”