Paully's Picks - Round 1

Eastern Suburbs v South Sydney

 

Ladies and Gentleman, boys and girls, children of all ages: Welcome to season 2011 of the toughest competition in the world. So, without wasting any more time with the likes of Tony Greig, Peter Roebuck and Michael Clarke, let’s go to the Sydney Football Stadium this Friday night for what shapes up to be a cracking season opener between the Roosters and South Sydney.

Arch enemies? Yes. A violent history? Yes. Book of Feuds? Whatever.  This match will be a test, once again, for the enigmatic halves pairing of Sutton and Sandow, especially considering they must overcome the Roosters elite, proven pair of halves in Mitchell Pearce and Braith Anasta. This is where the game will be won or lost with two great forwards packs belting each other for 80 minutes. The class of the Roosters gets them home.

My tip: Roosters 27-18


Brisbane v North Queensland

Must be a welcome distraction to have Rugby League back in Queensland after the summer they have had. It must also be a welcome distraction for the Broncos to play football rather than worrying about who their coach for 2011 would be.  So, with everyone in joyous rapture to be playing footy again, allow me to take this opportunity to say how happy I am that future Immortal Darren Lockyer is going round again. Speaking of Lockyer, reports suggest he is fitter than ever and this can only be dangerous for the Cowboys.

To win, the visitors will need Aaron Payne to find his form from a few years ago, they’ll need Ray Thompson to play beyond his years in support of Jonathan Thurston and they will need to match the speed and enthusiasm of a Broncos back-line whose average age must be around 14 (statistic not official). Until the Cowboys prove otherwise, punters will doubt they can do any of the above.

My tip: Brisbane 24-18


NZ Warriors v Parramatta Eels

On paper, as many would have seen by now, the Eels starting 13 reads like a trial match line-up. However, reports suggest that Stephen Kearney is rewarding the hardest trainers in his reputedly vicious pre-season work outs. This means that Parra may not fade late in games and may play with a renewed spirit, but we predict the same problems that hindered the Eels 2010 tilt rear their ugly head in this match.

Mortimer and Robson struggle to find enough points, Nathan Hindmarsh makes 75 tackles and Jarryd Hayne doesn’t come looking for the ball often enough. The Warriors will capitalise with exactly the opposite. A potent scrum base, a shared effort in defence and their best players knowing when and where to inject themselves. Home ground advantage and Manu Vatuvei give NZ the edge with James Maloney a standout.

My tip: Warriors 26-12


Gold Coast v St George Illawarra

Big effort by the defending premiers to get their best team on the field for this match after essentially playing 2 ‘big games’ already this year. The Charity Shield is not simply a trial match; and of course the World Club Challenge win was impressive. The Dragons will not be fatigued from this and as always will bring their impenetrable defensive line to Skilled Park on Saturday night to face the Titans.

The home side will be disciplined, aggressive, honest and enthusiastic. This approach would normally get them a win but against St George Illawarra, it may not be enough. The visitors will see Greg Bird attacking their right side, and strangle it. They will see Scott Prince floating across field, picking up hole runners; they strangle it. The speed of the Titans superb wingers, Mead and Gordon? choke the life out of them. Saints defend as they do and come away with the 2 points.

My tip: St George Illawarra 18-12


Melbourne v Manly

A genuine rivalry exists between these two clubs. They’ve faced each other in two recent Grand Finals, one recent semi final, and a number of other matches that have erupted with fists flying. Fingers crossed for more of the same. Although Melbourne’s roster has changed significantly, their fire-breathing, fury spitting, anger filled coach will no doubt be on a mission to breathe fire, spit fury and fill his players with anger.

You can count on Des Hasler bringing much of the same intensity as two old foes meet again at AAMI Park on Saturday night. After all had settled down though, Cameron Smith will prove to be the best player on the field with a masterful display to get his side their first official premiership points in 5 years. It will be close though, with the winner decided in the final moments.

My tip: Melbourne 17-16

Canberra v Cronulla

Right.... The Joel Monaghan era has officially ended in our nation’s capital so let’s not make any further mention of the past. The Raiders have a bright future but they’ll need to have the tails up for this one. The visiting Sharks will be like a dog with a bone if they get a sniff of the two points on offer.  However, David Furner will be hoping that you can teach an old dog new tricks when he hands the leash to Matt Orford to guide his team around the park.

If the Sharks focus solely on Orford though, they will be barking up the wrong tree as the home side has many weapons on the field. A powerful forward pack will leave Cronulla feeling as sick as a dog, but not before Paul Gallen urges them to fight like cats and dogs in this match at Canberra Stadium. Unfortunately for Gallen, it’s a dog eat dog world and I’m tipping the fearsome combination of Tom Learoyd-Lahrs and David Shillington emerge as top dogs. Guess I just couldn’t let sleeping dogs lie.

My tip: Canberra 24-14


Penrith v Newcastle

A lot to like about the Panthers at home on a Sunday, especially with the forward pack they have. Kevin Kingston is a favourite of this blog and will hook the scrum with one of the games most promising young front rowers in Tm Grant, and hooking his other arm over one of the greatest ever, Petero Civoniceva. This could be enough to give Luke Walsh and a healthy Lachlan Coote the space they need to score plenty for the home side.

These two clubs have a history of playing in high scoring matches, especially when conditions suit as they should this Sunday afternoon. For the Knights, not much has changed from last year; Chris Houston and Neville Costigan will toughen them up, but keep an eye on Beau Henry. The Knights five-eighth makes his first great debut after starring in the under 20s competition. His first experience in the NRL will be to listen to Travis Burns sledge him for 80 minutes. Enjoy.

My tip: Penrith 36-26

Canterbury Bankstown v Wests Tigers

Great start to Monday Night football for season 2011. The Bulldogs faithful will expect more from their players as the memory of last year’s disappointment still stains them. However, both of these clubs have enough experience in them to know better than to throw all their eggs in the round 1 basket. Although, Mick Ennis and Robbie Farah may not be able to help themselves and this matchup alone will be worth the price of admission.

Yes, the dogs have recruited well but it may take their new ‘spine’ a few weeks to get combinations down to a fine art. This will result in a lack of direction and communication in the early rounds and the Tigers should feast on this confusion. Highlights in this one also include the battle between Jamal Idris and Chris Lawrence; and Matt Utai vs The High Ball. Benji uses football to forget and the Tigers get off to a flyer.
My tip: Wests 27-20

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