Round 1
Parramatta v St George Illawarra
The dragons backline looks slower than an over 35s oztag team. With the exception of Brett Morris, I don't think they can trouble the Eels in this season opener. The dream matchup of Tahu v Cooper will have to wait. However, the other dream matchup of Poore v Weyman will be a highlight.
Man of the Match prediction - Feleti Mateo
Tip - Eels 21-14.
Result: Dragons 18-16
Man of the Match - Jeremy Smith
Match Review
35/37 completed sets for the dragons. Combined with their rock-solid defence and they are a good chance of winning most games. Unfortunately this system does not work in the playoffs. However, as Jamie Soward mentioned in post match interviews - perhaps they have a few offensive tricks up their sleeve. Early days for Parra.
Brisbane Broncos v Nth Qld Cowboys
Rugby League is a hard game played by hard men with hard intentions. The hardest part of this hard game is to come up with more ways to use the word 'hard' in a football sense. Injury is already robbing us of a spectacle so early in the season with Hodges and Bowen out.
Man of the Match prediction - Darren Lockyer
Tip - Broncos 18-16
Result: Broncos 30-24
Man of the Match - Corey Norman
Match Review
The Black Prince once again showed why he is the Black Prince. In attack, Darren Lockyer made the Cowboys pay for not earning points from their field position. Defensively, he swarmed and jumped on every Cowboy that moved and rescued his team from near disaster. Finally, a little tap on the back for this blog: Corey Norman, as predicted in our Broncos season preview, had a blinder.
Dogs v Knights
The last time these two teams played, the Bulldogs won convincingly. Reviewers of the match suggested this was due to injured Knights players Isaac De Gois and Zeb Taia being unable to play. Both are ruled out for this game so going by aforementioned reviewer’s rationale the Dogs win. Junior Sau and Mad Dog v Jamal Idris and Josh Morris on either side of the field will be a highlight.
Man of the Match prediction - Mick Ennis
Tip - Dogs 34-10
Result: Knights 20-16
Man of the Match - Ben Cross.
Match Review.
Unfortunate that Adam MacDougall missed this game and robbed viwers of more sledging from the energetic veteran. The Knights built a wall using defensive pride as the bricks and some unknown substance as the mortar. They never let it crack (excuse the pun). The dogs showed glimpses of attacking flair, but twas all too late. It would be remiss of me not to mention Pistol Pete's Lock of the Week... He had the Knights. Massive tip.
Penrith v Canberra
Has there ever been a smaller 'spine' than the Panthers 9, 7, 6 and 1? Kevin Kingston, Luke Walsh, Travis Burns and Lachlan Coote respectively have a combined weight of 72 kgs. Campese and Tongue get on top of them. The excellent forwards packs on display cancel each other out.
Man of the Match prediction - Michael Jennings
Tip - Raiders 21-20
Result: Panthers 34-16
Man of the Match - Luke Walsh
Match Review.
Momentum is everything. The Raiders seemed to have it all at certain stages, enough to score points when they needed. The fact that the Panthers still got away to a big lead and then defused a comeback suggests they have something special at the club this year. Make no mistake, the Raiders played well, but the Panthers won by pouring a proverbial bucket of water on the lit fuse of Fyshwick firecracker, Terry Campese.
Cronulla v Melbourne
There will be a biff in this match. Ricky Stuart will be invoking Roy Masters’ tactics by playing the class card with his team. Arguably the best and worst teams from last year and coach Stuart would have mentioned this week that Melbourne expect to walk away with the two points quite easily. They are probably right.
Man of the Match prediction - Greg Inglis
Tip - Melbourne 22-12
Result: Melbourne 14-10
Man of the Match - Adam Blair.
Match Review.
At least we were close with this game. Seems as though nothing has changed at Cronulla with their steely defence and stalled attack. This might work against some teams in 2010 - but not the Bolsheviks. Melbourne's defence was key to their success last year and will be again this year. The Iron Curtain is all powerful. Brett Finch looked more relaxed than ever in his career and seems to have finally become the complete footballer. Biff confirmed as predicted. At least I got something right.
Gold Coast v NZ Warriors
Blowout of the week. This one will be over after halftime when Scott Prince will take the foot off the pedal with his team already leading by 20. Bad start to the Warriors season and the beginning of the Ivan Cleary resignation conversation.
Man of the Match prediction - Anthony Laffranchi
Tip - Titans 44-6
Result: Titans 24-18
Man of the Match - Preston Campbell.
Match Review.
Before hanging my head in shame and admitting that this game cost me a multi bet victory... I will say that the Warriors and Brett Seymour look controlled and stuck to the basics better than we have seen for a long time. Unfortunately for Ivan Cleary and his team, they couldn’t put the Titans away. Joseph Tomane and David Mead look threatening together. What does not look threatening are my chances to win money on Rugby League - the Greatest Game of All.
South Sydney v Eastern Suburbs
It's always good fun when two Sydney team play against each other and the bitter rivalry between these teams has grown in the past few years. I only wish this Rabbits forward pack was around when the Roosters were at the peak of their powers earlier this decade. This time - we will have to settle for a Roosters forward pack that won’t be able to matchup.
Man of the Match prediction - Isaac Luke
Tip - Souths 30-12
Result: Roosters - 36-10
Man of the Match - Todd Carney
Match Review.
Wrong again! Congrats to Brian Smith and the Roosters for a complete performance. Congrats also should go to Chris Sandow and John Sutton.... they will play at least 3 or 4 good games this year so I thought I would just pat them on the back now instead of waiting for them to turn up. Enjoy the wait Rabbitohs fans. Smoke 'em if you got 'em.
Finally - Anthony Minichiello... may he stay injury free all year. He looked good.
Wests v Manly
Des Hasler's post match interview, if the Eagles win or lose, will be the highlight. Stay tuned about 20 minutes after full time for this - it will be worth it. On the field, Manly have too much pride not to turn up. They keep it very close and probably lead at times during this game, but if the Tigers attack is clicking, they will pull away in the final quarter.
Man of the Match prediction - Robbie Farah.
Tip - Tigers 33-26
Result: Tigers 26-22
Man of the Match - Benji Marshall
Match Review.
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