The season proper kicks back into action this week with
the defending premiers hosting the banged up Tigers. On paper, it’s a mismatch
but the visitors have shown plenty of grit this season to be sitting in 4th
position on the ladder. Their forward pack deserves all of the credit. Speaking
of the Tigers’ forwards, it will be up to them to keep Wests in this match but
they’ll only be able to do it for so long until the class of the Roosters
shines through.
The Chooks superstars turned up the heat in their last
outing on Anzac Day and now, with more than a fortnights rest for their key
playmakers, this could get ugly early. The Roosters will take advantage of a
very young Tigers halves pairing while their big brothers aren’t there to
protect them. Blake Austin and Luke Brooks will have a tough time. Pearce and
Maloney should teach these kids a lesson and the rest will be Foundation Cup
history.
My tip: Roosters 24-12
North Queensland Cowboys v Brisbane Broncos
A Queensland derby to finish up your Friday night double
header so make sure you put this one on mute, but whatever you do, don’t switch
off. The Cowboys have been mightily inconsistent this year but always tend to
lift for this rivalry. They will again here and it seems like the punters are
all predicting they will as well, with the home side starting as favourites. But
beware the Broncos, my friends.
They have a 4-4 record but have been playing some very,
very good football. They’ve not lost by more than 7 points this year and were
absolutely nailed with some bad luck on three of their 4 defeats. Yes, that’s the
last time you’ll hear me make excuses for a bunch of Queenslanders, but these
blokes are worth a tip. Brisbane continue their good form, especially in
defence and get away with a win here. Ben Barba might be due for one.
My tip: Brisbane 20-16
New Zealand Warriors v Canberra Raiders
Saturday arvo footy comes
to you from Eden Park and what a way to start a pearler of a triple header. The
Warriors will be keen not to blow their
good form from round 8, where they were able to knock off the Storm in a thriller. This week, they face the
visiting and struggling Canberra Raiders who choked quite badly against Manly a fortnight ago. No doubt, they
would have copped a mouthful from
their coach after that match. .
The Warriors won’t want to give them a head start in this one. Led by Sam
Rapira and a rejuvenated Simon Mannering, the home side will be in the driver’s seat right from the start and
Shaun Johnson will steer them to
victory. Look for Konrad Hurrell to have a big game in this match, as he won’t
want to take a back seat to his
opposite number, Jarrod Croker, in this one. A good head-to-head battle here. Warriors win the tale of the tape, and the match.
My tip: Warriors 24-22
Gold Coast Titans v South Sydney Rabbitohs
Jeez I wish they’d get rid of this 5.30 timeslot – except
for Sharks games. It’s too early to be a night game for prime time TV and too
late to be a day trip for families. This week, it’s even worse – these two clubs
deserve top billing as they sit 3rd and 7th on the
ladder, respectively, and have two of the most aggressive forward packs in the
competition. It will be a ripper and for once, I’m not tipping against the
bloody Titans.
The supreme kicking game of Adam Reynolds will keep
Souths in great field position; their disciplined defense will be a good foil
for the Titans grinding style of attack; their fullback is the greatest athlete
Rugby League has seen, but gosh darn it, the Titans have a horseshoe sitting
somewhere that just keeps producing good fortune. As they say though, you make
your own luck and the home side will do so again here. Nate Myles v Sam Burgess
and roaring highlight.
My tip: Gold Coast 19-18
Melbourne Storm v manly Sea Eagles
As we reach the tail end of this 10 year battle that
re-shaped the word rivalry and made
us actually like Manly for a few years – let’s look back at the highlights of
so many unforgettable matches between these two proud clubs. Actually, just one
stands out; that beautiful moment where Manly’s Brett Stewart runs 65 metres to
launch a WWE style swinging arm at the head of Adam Blair, just as Blair is
throwing a few poorly aimed haymakers at Glenn Stewart’s face. Beautiful.
Now, as we realise that these two teams won’t be turning
this match into a similar bloodbath, we also notice that Melbourne have lost
their last 4 matches. Perhaps it’s a bloodbath they need. Similarly, the visitors
could be in strife without Kieran Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans in this match. Manly
have never won a match at AAMI Park and without these two assassins, they won’t
start now. Storm at the death.
My tip: Melbourne 17-12
Newcastle Knights v Penrith Panthers
Sunday afternoon football comes to you from Hunter
Stadium in Newcastle and once again, the Knights are doing it tough. Their
franchise owner, Nathan Tinkler, has long been under scrutiny from the Knights
board and Knights supporters about his management of finances, and whether
those finances actually exist in the first place. Now, this football clubs
owner is facing charges of bribery to elected state officials. Classy guy.
Does this affect the football team’s performance? Maybe. But
not this week. The visiting Panthers have not won an away game since Manly
tanked at Brookvale in round 26 last year. They are 0-4 on the road this season
and against the Knights on a Sunday arvo in the rain, they won’t be reversing
that trend. Newcastle gets revenge for their round 1 shellacking at Sportingbet
Stadium and it’s an ever improving Jarrod Mullen who leads them around the
park.
My tip: Newcastle 18-16
St George Illawarra Dragons v Canterbury Bankstown
Bulldogs
Your match of the round and despite the merged entity, a
true Sydney rivalry of magnificent proportions. Growing up in a house full of
Dragons fans, I never had a chance when these two teams would meet – I was the
black sheep. In fact, back then, when all games were played on a Sunday
afternoon, there is no way my old man was driving my siblings to Kogarah and
then dropping me at Belmore to watch the ‘Dogs. Alas, I spent many Sunday’s
watching Saints at Kogarah.
Only when the Bulldogs came to Jubilee Oval did freedom
reign. It was me against the world. 19,000 people jam packed into a stadium
with about 12 seats. A spiritual experience and a lifelong memory. Now, as I teach
my kids to hate Saints as much as I did, Sunday afternoon from ANZ will again be
a beauty. Sam Williams becomes the 17th halfback to start for the
Dragons this year and even with plenty of talent in the squad, the home side are
big outsiders. The Bulldogs defence will get them home again.
My tip: Canterbury 21-14
Parramatta Eels v Cronulla Sharks
The Johnny Mannah Cup. A great cause and a great tradition
started by these clubs and to close out round 9, Monday Night Footy with have
plenty of emotion. The Eels come into this match as justified favourites. They are
undefeated at home this year, a miracle in itself, and facing the cellar dwellers
of the 2014 premiership so far. Cronulla are struggling, but on the way up as more
and more troops return from injury.
Luke Lewis makes his long awaited comeback to replace the
(you guessed it) injured Todd Carney and whilst this will bolster the visitors
defensive line, it won’t help them in attack. The Sharks will be more than
competitive in the forwards but won’t have any try-scoring power out wide and
this is where Jarryd Hayne will make the difference for the home side. Hayne continues
his blistering start to the season and will get the Eels home. Bryce Gibbs v
Darcy Lussick a hilarious side show. Watch them niggle.
My tip: Parramatta 22-14
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