Manly v Brisbane
Your week-long festival of Queensland Rugby League continues on Friday night as the boys from the ‘insular peninsular’ fly up to Brisbane to take on the ‘Baby Broncos’. Not including Peter Wallace, the average age of the rest of his backline is just over 20. Remarkable that this nursery north of the border continues to deliver athletes bred for the toughest competition in the world and this makes for some fascinating matchups out wide.
Once again, the Broncos coaching staff have decided not to name their origin players to back up from Wednesday night which makes tipping slightly less muddled and gambling slightly more interesting. Having said that, who knows what Anthony Griffin is up to before kick-off. By contrast we know exactly what Des Hasler is up to. Sticking pins in his David Gallop voodoo doll and enjoying a week of training with his full squad barring skipper Jason King. This shows on the final scoreboard and Manly outmuscle the kids from QLD.
My tip: Manly 20-12
Canterbury v Gold Coast
The Bulldogs have shown their true colours recently. They are a hard working team with one or two standout footballers who can break a game open, but their opposition knows only too well how to shut them down. Still, you would expect more from this roster than a 5-5 record but so does ‘dogs coach Kevin Moore. It remains to be seen if yanking his halfback out of the game with 10 minutes remaining last week in Canberra will have the desired effect.
The Titans have their own problems. Owners of a 3 and 7 record including 4 losses at what should be a difficult away game for the opposition teams; Skilled Park. They come into this game with 11 days rest and this match will be a slog for 80 minutes with both teams desperate to right the ship. Canterbury hooker Mick Ennis will need to guide his young halves combination to get the best out of them and this is exactly what he does. The Titans woes continue.
My tip: Canterbury 19-12
Newcastle v Parramatta
Two teams heading in completely opposite directions. Through the past week, the Newcastle Knights have come under some criticism for lacking focus and desire towards their 2011 premiership tilt. Some in league circles seem to think that having a new owner of the club, a new coach for 2012 and no idea if they will have a job in 6 months should not be a distraction. Speaking of distractions, the Eels seem like they are slowly getting rid of their own.
They were good last week against an undermanned Sharks’ team but more importantly looked a whole lot slicker in attack. They seemed to be working harder in the middle of the field and knew when and how to use their outside backs to proper effect. No doubt Eels coach Stephen Kearney has been working hard enough for his efforts to finally bear fruit. 12 weeks into the season and the players understand his philosophy. Upset of the week for mine as the Robson/McGuire era begins and the Knights just can’t get motivated.
My tip: Parramatta 24-18
North Queensland v Eastern Suburbs
Match of the Round for mine. The Roosters have been a miserable bunch at times during season 2011 but looking at their roster, it must simply be a matter of time before the Pearce/ Carney combination works as it did last year. With Todd Carney 3 games back from his ‘break’ and the Roosters front rowers finding some of their old form last week; they will be a handful for the Cowboys in Townsville on Saturday Night.
Unfortunately for the Roosters, being a handful will not get you the two points. The Cowboys, even with Matt Scott and Jonathan Thurston backing up from huge performances on Wednesday night, will continue their good run of form this season. JT gets enough support and protection from his back rowers to put the visitors away late and the Mitchell Pearce v Thurston battle is a highlight for the second time this week. This will be a bruiser.
My tip: North Queensland 28-22
Melbourne v Cronulla
Must be heady days for Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy. This time last year he would have felt like the Rugby League world was collapsing around him. His origin career was all but over and he still had to juggle two jobs, a salary cap scandal and questions over his ability to coach at the highest level and about his integrity. Funny how quickly the league community moves on and how quickly life changes.
Rather than managing all of this drama... this week, Craig Bellamy has had to do nought but one thing: Plot the downfall of the Cronulla Sharks. He must feel like he is on holidays and with no injury concerns coming out of Origin 1 for his troops, the sun keeps shining brighter. The last time Melbourne went into a home game as such hot favourites, they were beaten. That won’t happen this time.
My tip: Melbourne 30-8
St George Illawarra v Wests
The Tigers face the same problem they have faced for two or three years now. They just can’t seem to find a rugby league identity. Robbie Farah and Benji Marshall dream of scoring points and making breaks, chip and chases and behind the back passes. They then wake up and realise that this generation of Rugby League lives off completion rates, winning the wrestle and controlling field position. In other words, a nightmare that has the Tigers waking up in cold sweats every weekend.
So what will it be Wests? Fantasy or reality? Are you flash, or can you grind? Before answering that question, you should probably first realise that it won’t matter this week when you catch the team bus to Kogarah to face a footy team that knows exactly who it is. The dragons will strangle the life out of Benji and his boys by sticking to what they do best. Their simply won’t be enough space for the visitors to move and Saints make it 9 in a row.
My tip: St George Illawarra 30-12
Penrith v South Sydney
South Sydney CEO Shane Richardson’s recent comments referring to a ‘Luke Lewis clause’ were surely meant to stir the pot for this Monday Night game in Penrith. The Panthers’ lock did sign with Souths a few years back and then had the contract torn up only days later so he could stay at Penrith. If Luke Lewis now has an official clause named after him, what better legacy to leave to the greatest game of all.
So with the makings of a rivalry upon us, Lewis will no doubt have his fuse lit and play accordingly to inspire his team and this game to greater heights. Unfortunately with both clubs sitting outside the top 8 with horrible defensive records don’t expect much in the way of commitment but tune in for plenty of points. The Luke Walsh – Lachlan Coote combination proves too much for the bunnies.
My tip: Penrith 30-22
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