Friday night footy from ANZ Stadium to kick off round 17
of the premiership and what a beauty this would have been. Rather, we’ll see an
undermanned Bulldogs outfit defend bravely for as long as they can but
ultimately, won’t have enough points in them to trouble the competition
leaders. The dangers of playing mid-season rep footy, I guess – but no doubt
you’ve read plenty about this topic of late so let’s get past it, people.
Michael Ennis has been named at halfback so it’s not
gonna be pretty, but it won’t be a blow out. The ‘Dogs are battling their way
through the rep season and like many good teams before them, are learning how
to use their depth. Manly, meanwhile, have grown accustomed to it and will be
on another mission to put the sword to Des Hasler’s team. Keep an eye on Kris
Inu facing Steve Matai. They’ve had some battles in the past – none better than
the 2011 GF and this could be another
one.
My tip: Manly 22-12
St George Illawarra Dragons v North Queensland Cowboys
Saturday night in Kogarah. The visiting Cowboys have not
won a game away from 1300Smiles Stadium all year and the bookies think they are
absolutely no chance again here. The visitors have some decent depth, these
days. Michael Morgan subs in well for JT and their forwards don’t look
completely horrible without Matt Scott and James Tamou, but you just can’t bet
on them against a rejuvenated Dragons outfit.
Benji Marshall will never be the player from those
highlights packages they keep showing, but he is most definitely back from the
ugly, horrible and stinky caper that was his Rugby Union career. Benji is
creating formidable combinations with Mitch Rein and Gareth Widdop, the two
most important people in the Dragons’’ playbook and this is great news for the
Jubilee Avenue faithful. Saints win their 3rd in a row and go into
the bye with a fire back in the belly.
My tip: Dragons 24-12
Sydney Roosters v Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
Tough times again in the Shire. In fact, the stink just
seems to get stinkier from Caringbah to Como to Kurnell and beyond. With the
cloud of PED’s hanging over them; their superstars’ contract torn up; their
captain and coach not able to keep things in house and a wooden spoon in the
mail, it cannot possibly get worse. Unless you have a game on Saturday night
against the reigning premiers at their home ground, without your rep players.
Good god.
The Sharks may have had their backs against the wall for
what seems like forever, so they’d be used to the struggle, but it won’t make a
lick of difference here. The chooks will be stinging from last week’s loss to Manly
and will thrive on 8 days’ rest. It will be just a matter of time before the
floodgates open in this match with James Maloney and Sonny Bill Williams the
key destroyers. A tough start to James Shepherd’s coaching career but it can
only get better for the Sharks, right?
My tip: Roosters 36-12
Wests Tigers v Penrith Panthers
Sunday afternoon from Leichhardt Oval – the sun will be
shining, the crowd could be drinking and the home side will be underdogs. Sound
familiar? Hell yes. The Tigers come into this match without their captain
Robbie Farah and are heavy outsiders with the bookies. They host the 2nd
place Panthers who lost for the first time in months last week and will be keen
to atone and even more keen to celebrate Brent Kite’s 300th first
grade appearance. They will be confident.
But many have been at this graveyard in Sydney’s inner
west and if the visitors are not prepared for a blistering open 20 minutes from
the likes of Keith Galloway and Martin Taupau, they’ll be chasing from the
outset. Braith Anasta almost single handedly won the game for the Tigers last
week with his defence and his right boot; and he will once again lead the young
Tigers around the park for an unlikely victory. Wests pull an upset and beat
the Panthers for the 8th straight time.
My tip: Tigers 17-16
The poor Titans get another game 48 hours out from origin
– when nobody is really watching and nobody really wants to go out to the game
on a Monday night. They’ve lost 6 in a row and now face the huge task of
beating the Bunnies at a vacuous ANZ Stadium. They are $5.50 outsiders and the
grim picture just paints itself. This is a mismatch. Souths might be missing GI
and a couple of back rowers, but they have ample depth to cover them.
Michael Maguire has benched Issac Luke and for some
reason; maybe he is bored. The Titans certainly are not, they’ll be desperate
to get their season back on track and will give it a good shake. They also welcome
back Paul Carter from a drink driving charge only 2 matches after the incident
(some people have all the luck). It won’t be enough; but make sure you keep an
eye out for Gold Coast’s James Roberts playing against his old teammates –
should be interesting.
My tip: Souths 24-0
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