Old rivals. Saints and the Storm will have a bloody good
go at each other on Friday night in Wollongong; and for good reason. Melbourne
have lost 4 in row and must be getting sick of it whilst the Dragons are
struggling in their own way, but still only 2 points behind 8th position.
Desperate times? Perhaps. Desperate measures? No. You won't see anything
different from the two best defensive units of the past 5 years.
Times and results may have changed, but their philosophies
have not so get comfortable and get ready for Wrestlemania. Not the WWE version
with fireworks and ladder matches and 3 hours of entertainment... we're talking
about the NRL version with rolling pins and chicken wings. Actually... there
might be more similarities than we thought. Cameron Smith's 'ankle hold' looks
surprisingly similar to a submission move which is quite apt because watching
this game could make me 'tap out'.
My tip: Melbourne 14-12
Ever noticed how, after a few losses, the media can turn
every club into a soap opera style drama? Parramatta's senior players don't
talk to the junior players?? The Tigers dressing room is split into sections
where some hang out and some can't?? And now to the Roosters... halfback
Mitchell Pearce is claimed to have delivered an ultimatum - either Brian Smith
goes, or Pearce does...?? Rubbish – all of it. Since when did 1st grade
footballers turn into a bunch of private school kids?
Don't answer that - this rant is over. Just like the
Roosters chances of any success on the field this year and on Friday night, they
host a team moving in the opposite direction. The Titans are back after
crushing the Raiders in Canberra and then beating the Broncos at home. They win
again on Friday night at Allianz with solid defence and a forward pack ready to
take on the Bullies from Bondi. Nate Myles will be especially keen to send a
message.
My tip: Gold Coast 24-18
Coaches in the NRL seem to be really enjoying themselves
this year. Perhaps a few of them got together in March and decided to use the
same phrases for every interview in 2012 and by gum, it's hilarious. We've all
come to expect at least one "under the radar" reference each week and
now we've lost count of all the teams referred to as 'the benchmark' or 'the
yardstick'. Well, on Saturday night, we will find out whose yardstick is
bigger.
The 'Dogs host the Cowboys in what will be your match of
the round. Canterbury are on an unbelievable 8 match winning run where their
defence has ruled the town. At 5.30pm on Saturday they face the team with the best
attack in the NRL. Who breaks first? The ‘Dogs. They’ll be missing two blokes
that touch the ball plenty in Kasiano and Keating and whilst the ‘dogs managed
to handle this adversity last week, the Cowboys will fire a lot more bullets.
My tip: North Queensland 18-16
Cronulla Sharks v Penrith Panthers
This is where the season feels a bit too long for the
Cronulla Sharks. Learning the hard way as so many have done before them that
success in the NRL brings its own set of problems, the Sharks look tired.
Injuries and losing players to rep season are part and parcel, but nobody
expected a performance like last week's against the Raiders at Toyota Stadium.
This Saturday Night, the boys from the Shire get a chance at redemption.
Paul Gallen and Jeremy Smith are named to return and the
Panthers are coming to town. This has the bookies leaning heavily towards the
Sharks and with upcoming road trips to Auckland and Newcastle; they'll be
desperate to win at home. Almost as desperate as I am to tip correctly but
unlike me, the Sharks know what they are doing and they bounce back from the
horror and shame of last week to get their season back on track.
My tip: Cronulla 30-12
Manly Sea Eagles v New Zealand Warriors
The longest possible road trip that COULD be scheduled
for the Warriors..... HAS been scheduled for the Warriors as they take on Manly
this Saturday night in Perth. Is Ken Arthurson back in charge of the NRL? Seems
like someone's done the Eagles a favour here and if you believe Geoff Toovey's
post match comments last Friday, it’s about damn time. They were shafted.
Everyone in the league community thinks so, because we all have a soft spot for
Manly.
Since the sarcasm switch on my computer seems to be
broken - let's get straight to the point. The Grand Final replay will be a
beauty with both clubs keen to overcome tough losses last round. When the
Warriors get over their jet lag, they'll be primed for this one but inconsistency
haunts them again and the Eagles will be too good. A real highlight watching
Maloney and Johnson against Foran and Cherry-Evans. Enjoy.
My tip: Manly 22-16
Canberra Raiders v Newcastle Knights
Having a top 8 semi-final structure in a 16 team
competition has helped save face for these two teams. Both clubs have experienced
some dark times this season with a number of losing streaks and more than one
occasion of fans questioning the direction of the club. So, armed with the
knowledge that you only have to turn up after June in the NRL these days, the Knights and the Raiders
have a shot at the playoffs with nearly identical records.
Last weekend’s matches were almost like 'coming out
parties' for both teams. The Knights came back from plenty down at Mt Smart
while the Green Machine absolutely thumped the Sharks at Toyota Stadium. Big
wins - and now the test of consistency comes again for Canberra as they hold
the advantage at home. For mine, they ruin their chances again with poor
discipline and underestimating the opposition. The Boyd/Mullen/ Buderus spine is warming up.
My tip: Newcastle 24-22South Sydney Rabbitohs v Wests Tigers
For the Tigers, their season rests in the weary hands of
Robbie Farah. Their attack looks great when he has the ball, playing from the
ruck; but over the past few weeks they've not looked very fluid when others are
involved. If Robbie doesn't get the platform he needs to attack Souths'
defence, the Tigers will struggle. They do. Souths are heavy on the accelerator
these days and won't let up for this match. Peats and Merritt are ample
replacements for Luke and Inglis.
My tip: Souths 30-18
Brisbane Broncos v Parramatta Eels
A new coach for the Parramatta Eels and if you follow
history, this usually means a big win for a struggling club. Usually. Interim
coach Brad Arthur's first assignment is to take the Eels up to Suncorp Stadium
for Monday Night football to face the Broncos. His first order of business was
to bring back Ben Roberts from NSW cup and while this might confuse a few Eels
fans, to the rest of us it says that Arthur is giving everyone a clean
slate.That slate is about to get very dirty. The Broncos will be keen to find some form after losing last week and halves Peter Wallace and Corey Norman, after receiving most of the criticism, will be out to atone. They do. Brisbane get off to a flying start through their forwards and they never look back. With a number of injuries to the Bronco backline, the likes of Hannant, Thaiday and Parker respond to the challenge and dominate up the middle.
My tip: Brisbane 25-12
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