Brisbane v Penrith
First leg of a double header in the annual footy extravaganza at Suncorp Stadium. How fitting that a football festival kicks off with two attacking teams who are not afraid to throw the ball around. The Broncos are dangerous with more players returning from injury each week and their youngsters getting used to 1st grade in a hurry. Penrith have a similar crop of youth beginning to flower and their results speak for themselves.
So, who will do all the talking on Friday night? Hard to go past the Broncos on a 5 game winning streak where they have only allowed an average of 12 points in defence. Impressive. The Panthers will miss the 'small man syndrome' anger of Travis Burns and the inspirational leadership of Petero Civoneceva. Look for another big match from the Broncos’ star back rowers as they take on 3 of the best in Panthers trio Waterhouse, Pritchard and Lewis. A mighty affair.
Man of the Match Prediction: Peter Wallace
Tip: Brisbane 26-20
Result: Penrith 22-12
Man of the Match: Lachlan Coote
Snap Review:
Penrith worked hard with their discipline and the results showed. Good hit up metres, good kick chase, good defence. I can't believe Michael Gordon is not signed for next year. Penrith showed they can win without Petero. Also, welcome back Wade Graham. On the nose with Matt Elliott earlier and now coming back from injury, Graham is talented and lets hope he is nurtured.
Canterbury v Gold Coast
The dogs are not enjoying their footy lately. Their traditionally strong defence has lost its aura and their attack is averaging 11 points per game over the past 5 matches. Their chances of turning it around against a resurgent Titans squad look slim to say the least. Greg Bird looks a might better with the return of Mat Rogers and they will work the Bulldogs right sight defence mercilessly in this match. Bird will be a handful, as will Scott Prince as he conjures a magical kicking game to punish the 'home' side for 80 minutes.
The one roadblock awaiting Bird and Rogers will be one Jamal Idris. This battle will be a highlight but there won't be much else to bark about for the boys from Belmore as they struggle to keep pace with the Titans. The mobility of Laffranchi and his back row partners prove too sharp for the dog’s forwards who have been stale in attack. Prince and Preston Campbell could have a field day.
Man of the Match Prediction: Preston Campbell
Tip: Titans 32-12
Result: Titans 25-24
Man of the Match: Mark Minichiello
Snap Review:
If Scott Prince stayed on the field the result could have easily been an embarrassment for the Dogs. Ahead 18-6 early, the Titans lost their way when Prince's hamstring gave up on him but did enough to keep the fast finishing Bulldogs at bay. Barba took advantage of a tiring defence and looked fantastic with the ball - all too late though.
Melbourne v North Queensland
Return leg of a round 8 match won by the Storm 34-6. Difficult to see a different outcome to this one. Jonathan Thurston looks tired when not playing for QLD and the Cowboys seem to have internal problems resulting in a horrible record and rumours of coach/player infighting beginning to surface. The Storm, on the other hand, will enjoy playing with a full squad and seem to enjoy playing footy for the fun of it.
More fun in store for viewers of this match as Cameron Smith renews combinations with Cronk, Slater and friends to rough up the visitors and probably rough up JT in the process. Greg Inglis, if given enough space, could have his way with you centre Will Tupou in a definite mismatch. Keep an eye on front rowers Brett White and Matt Scott as they face each other for the second time this week. Could be fun.
Man of the Match Prediction: Billy Slater
Tip: Melbourne 22-10
Result: Melbourne 58-12
Man of the Match: Brett Finch
Snap Review:
And why not Finch? Brett played magnificently in this match. It's like the Storm had complete disdain and disrespect for the Cowboys defence. They were bursting through the line at will. Watching Brett Finch 'toe-poke' a conversion between the posts could have been the funniest thing i've seen on the footy field for ages. Thanks Finchy for bringing the fun back into footy.
Manly v South Sydney
Great to see both teams with a full compliment heading into this match. Two clubs that have impressed so far this season and let’s hope this old rivalry lives up to it's 124 match history. Fantastic. The bunnies put in one of their worst performances of the season against Manly in round 8 this year and will be keen to atone for this. Before any revenge is considered, Souths must remember that they are heading to Brookvale Oval where Eagles fans will be baying for blood.
The folks from the north side don't care much for the boys from Redfern and will be happy to voice this hatred at every opportunity. Manly's forwards will heed the call and respond in kind. With the visitors forwards is such good form this year, we might see fireworks. Match of the round for mine as both clubs hit hard but home ground advantage carries Manly over the line. Hodkinson and Foran rebound from some recent struggles to get Manly back on track.
Man of the Match Prediction: Jamie Lyon
Tip: Manly 22-20
Result: Manly 26-25
Man of the Match: Glenn Stewart
Snap Review:
Cracking game at brooky. Manly seem to be improving every week. Watching them earlier this year, you wouldnt think they'd be making big comebacks like this. Trent Hodkinson with ice in his veins. Isaac Luke had another blinder and the Souths pack will be brilliant next year when they have spent more time together. How good is Ben Lowe?
Cronulla v St George Illawarra
"We are predicting plenty of 'niggle' in this game. The Sharks will be revved up to the eyeballs by Ricky Stuart and hoping to cause a massive upset in this local derby".
This is how we previewed the last match played between these clubs in round 8 this year. The Dragons won 38-0 without a punch thrown in anger. Very disappointing.
This time round, I implore Ricky Stuart to invoke the ghosts of Les Davidson, the Sorensen family and of-course Dan Stains to re-ignite this war of neighbours in the hope that the 2010 rivalry does not end with a whimper. Unfortunately Ricky looks like being out-coached again by Wayne Bennett as the Dragons defence will dominate and eventually this will reflect on the scoreboard. Saints to run away late.
Man of the Match Prediction: Darius Boyd
Tip: Dragons 30-10
Result: Dragons 22-4
Man of the Match: Ben Creagh
Snap Review:
Creagh does deserve this, but the Saints defence was outstanding. Simply hunting and scrambling as a pack with no mistakes and a relentless amount of energy to keep turning up. The Sharks were valiant but still need more spark in attack. Good to hear no complaints from the Cronulla camp after the Gallen 'try' was not awarded. I dont think it would have mattered.
Wests Tigers v Canberra
This Tigers team looks dangerous on paper. Very dangerous. Having not played in more than two weeks and opening the official "Balmain" leg of their season at Leichardt Oval, it is difficult to convince anyone to tip the Raiders here. Except those wonderfully loyal Raiders fans who travel in droves to support their team at away games. Must be nice to flee the sub-arctic temperatures of our nation’s capital for at least a few hours.
Moving on, the Raiders have been playing with a fair share of commitment and chutzpah this year but will find it difficult to shut down the Tigers who are rolling along nicely since the return of one Robert Lui. Huge wrap on this kid and huge wrap on the Tigers defence over the past 3 matches. The continuation of this good form will see the home side win well and welcome new recruit Wade McKinnon in style. The feisty Raiders may not go quietly though - Joel Thompson v Chris Lawrence a highlight.
Man of the Match Prediction: Robert Lui
Tip: Tigers 32-16
Result: Tigers 18-8
Man of the Match: Chris Heighington
Snap Review:
We love a good defensive struggle. Notice that this is happening more often with the Tigers? Not used to that are we? Perhaps a sign that the entire club is maturing into more than just a group who like to score points. Robert Lui again outstanding but the Wests forwards get all the credit here. Shout out to the Raiders forwards also, they muscled up well.
Newcastle v Parramatta
Reputations on the line here for the Newcastle Knights. Whilst defensive liability Scott Dureau is replaced by Ben Rogers for Monday Night Football this week, the Knights problems protecting their line remain. They allow an average of 75 points per game this season (please note that 90% of statistics on this blog are made up on the spot). Jokes aside, this must be a huge concern for folks in the Hunter as they try to restore some pride against the visiting Eels.
Speaking of the Eels, they seem to be cruising through the season, waiting for the big games to arrive. They will no doubt win enough to make the finals this year and then it’s anyone's trophy. For now, I'm tipping they take the week off for this match and the Knights cause an upset. Kurt Gidley leads from the front and Adam MacDougall's matchup against Timana Tahu will be a highlight. Newcastle bolt from the gates and do enough to hold on.
Man of the Match Prediction: Akuila Uate
Tip: Newcastle 24-22
Result: Newcastle 6-4
Man of the Match: Cory Paterson
Snap Review:
Wet and soggy. I've never seen this many dropped balls in a game of footy but somehow the match was still entertaining. Probably because their was a bit of niggle at the beginning and plenty of drama at the end. No complaints from me. I enjoyed this and also enjoyed seeing Kurt Gidley boot home the match winner. Much deserved.
See our "Minute by Minute Monday Night" blog - delivered in 'retro' form on Tuesday. For live updates go to http://www.leagueunlimited.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment