Australian, Maroons and Melbourne captain
Cameron Smith: “As a parent, it’s heart-breaking to know that Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander babies have more than double the chance of dying before
the age of one”.
Sydney Roosters v St George Illawarra Dragons
We acknowledge that this match is being held on the traditional lands of The
Gadigal People of the Eora nation, and pay our respect to elders
both past and present.
The Dragons must have a sniff of the semifinals now after winning a
couple of big home games in recent weeks and will be especially confident in
this match on Friday night at Allianz Stadium. The Roosters, by contrast, would
only be sniffing the foul stench of failure. A tough season with their very
young forward pack learning a harsh lesson about discipline.
In fact, the Chooks only victory in the last 4 months was against the
Tigers in round 15 when their opposition was heavily distracted. Wretched times
at Bondi but with youth, comes enthusiasm so they’ll give the Dragons
everything they can handle for 80 minutes. Saints should have enough in them to
get the biscuits here. They win with defense and desperation to keep their
season alive.
My tip: St George
Illawarra 20-18
The Melbourne Storm v Penrith Panthers
We acknowledge that this match is being held on the traditional lands of
The Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation, and pay our respect to elders both
past and present.
Surely. Surely this is the end of the rut. For those of us who saw the
Panthers beat Cronulla last week – we noticed two things. 1. The Sharks may
have been completely robbed by the referees and 2. The Panthers, no matter what
the end result, looked inspired. They played with a passion and enthusiasm not
seen from this club in some time. They even looked like they were enjoying
their footy and playing hard for each other.
The Storm, meanwhile, have lost their last 5 matches and look anything
other than ‘on the same page’. Having said all that, if not for the defensive
instincts of one Brett Morris, they beat the Dragons in Wollongong last week
and this conversation is over. Saturday afternoon footy returns to your TV with
a 3.30pm kick off as Melbourne finally break the shackles.
My tip: Melbourne 24-12
Newcastle Knights v Canterbury Bulldogs
We acknowledge that this match is being held on the traditional lands of The Awabakal
and Worimi Peoples, and pay our respect to elders both past and present.
A complete domination of the Canberra Raiders in our nation’s capital
last weekend has the League community fearing the return of Wayne Bennett and
his Newcastle Knights. They were methodical on Sunday and could have won by 50
if not for a few bombed opportunities in the opening 20 minutes. Ordinarily
this would send shivers through any opposition.
The Bulldogs are not any opposition. They sit atop the ladder, have the
best defense in the league and are winners of their past nine matches. Only a
fool would tip against them, if you know what I mean. In a match dripping with
excitement and great matchups, the highlights here will be Mick Ennis up
against his former mentor in Danny Buderus and Willie Mason up against the
colours that made him famous… or infamous.
My tip: Bulldogs 16-14
North Queensland Cowboys v Manly Sea Eagles
We acknowledge that this match is being held on the traditional lands of The
Bindal and Wulgurukaba Peoples, and pay our respect to elders both past and
present.
Part 3 of your Saturday Triple Header and for those of us who have made
it back from the bottle shop to re-stock in time for kick-off. Congratulations.
The opening exchanges will be fearsome – and not only between the forwards.
Keep an eye on the Matai v Tate encounter and I defy anyone to find two more
miserable footballers in 1st grade today.
Speaking of miserable, the Eagles’ will come down from their flight of
fancy to get a dose of reality as the Cowboys will prove too strong here. Manly
were a mess in the opening 50 minutes of last week’s miracle in Perth and won’t
be able to fix those problems quick enough to beat the Cowboys. Chances are
they will be missing Watmough and captain Jason King. The Cowboys forwards too
good.
My tip: North Queensland 30-16
New Zealand Warriors v Cronulla Sharks
Both last start losers in the dying moments. Literally the last second
decided their respective fates last week and this match from Mt Smart Stadium
on Sunday at noon will be a test for both teams to bounce back. The Sharks will
definitely bounce higher if Carney and Gallen are playing but at this stage it
looks as though only the latter will make the trip.
This leaves the Cronulla attack without enough punch to overcome an angry
Warriors team staring directly at the prospect of an early end to their season
if they can’t win this one. Shaun Johnson and Kevin Locke should find enough
space late in this game to run away with it and keep the Warriors season alive.
Cronulla drop their 4th in a row and the future does not look
bright.
My tip: Warriors 30-18
Canberra Raiders v Brisbane Broncos
We acknowledge that this match is being held on the traditional lands of The
Ngunnawal and Ngambri Peoples, and pay our respect to elders both past and
present.
It says a lot about the Broncos that from an entire season so far, we can
only remember two bad performances and by bad, I mean slightly embarrassing.
Round 17 against the Sharks was, perhaps, forgivable as they were missing their
rep players, but the opening exchanges in that match made the baby Broncos look
a lot worse than simply inexperienced.
Then, we have last Monday’s loss to the Eels. A more staggered and
shambolic defensive line you will not see from a Broncos outfit before or after
this loss. What better way to bounce back than to travel to Canberra to face a
Raiders team hell bent on destroying their own chances this season? Not sure if
that was a question or a statement but you get the point. The Broncos will be
desperate.
My tip: Brisbane 19-18
Gold Coast Titans v South Sydney Rabbitohs
We acknowledge that this match is being held on the traditional lands of The
Yugambeh People, and pay our respect to elders both past and present.
A beauty. South Sydney bring their 5 match winning streak and league
leading attack to Skilled Park on Sunday afternoon to face the Titans. Winners
of 3 in a row and holding the much coveted 8th position on the
ladder –they won’t go quietly. In fact, credit must go to the Gold Coast after
on field performances early in the season were almost as painful as their
financial dramas.
They’ve recovered from both problems to be a player in this year’s Premiership
and the bunnies will be a huge test to see how far they’ve come. Not far
enough. The Rabbitohs travel outside of Sydney for the first time in 6 weeks
but have a system strong enough to handle the challenge. The likes of Burgess
and Taylor running into Myles and Douglas will make for great entertainment.
My tip: South Sydney 26-16
Wests Tigers v Parramatta Eels
We acknowledge that this match is being held on the traditional lands of The
Dharawal People, and pay our respect to elders both past and present.
Round 22 comes to a close with a Monday Night showdown at Campbelltown
Stadium. A few weeks ago, this battle of the west would have been an easy tip
but unfortunately for Tigers fans, things have changed. The Tigers have had an
emotional season; A 5 match losing streak, followed by a 7 match winning streak
and now the doldrums again. They must be exhausted.
The Eels, by contrast and by miracle, have found their mojo and whilst
some wonder where this form has been, fans of Nathan Hindmarsh are thankful.
What a travesty of justice it would have been for Hindy to go out as part of a
shameful football team. Rather, the Nathan Hindmarsh Farewell Tour will roll
out of Campbelltown triumphantly as the Tigers still can’t find a way out of
their hole.
My tip: Parramatta 25-18For live updates throughout the weekend, go to http://leagueunlimited.com/
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