Manly Sea Eagles v Brisbane Broncos
Free bus rides or no free bus rides, big crowd or no big crowd, these two clubs will be ready for a monumental game of rugby league on Friday night at the SFS. Even though some fans can’t help but feel robbed after learning of Darren Lockyer’s omission from this match, we will still be treated to a beauty. In fact, the opening exchanges become all the more important as Manly will not want to be chasing any points against the now heavy underdogs from Brisbane.
The Broncos forwards will be superb, their exciting and speedy backline will give everything they have, but unfortunately for them and all who believe in fairy tales, the visitors will not have enough to get through. Kieran Foran elevates his reputation even further with a mighty performance as the Sea Eagles come out blazing from two weeks rest and reach another Grand Final. The Broncos will struggle to turn possession into points and when Manly get their chances, look for Jamie Lyon and Brett Stewart to do the damage. Eagles the first team into the big one.
My tip: Manly 20-12
Melbourne Storm v New Zealand Warriors
First and foremost, credit where it is due; Magnificent effort by both clubs to reach the prelim final when not many would have picked them to do so and when other rosters looked more likely to come this far. Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk have done wonders for the Storm, again, to have them 80 minutes away from the GF. James Maloney has worked a similar brand of magic to lead the Warriors to such success and come Saturday night at AAMI Park, he will need to be every bit the magician to get past the home side.
The Storm’s defence presents another huge challenge for Ivan Cleary and his men. It is a proverbial brick wall that has allowed an average of just over 12 points per game through the season and will be even more resolute at home after a week off. The visitors will not be given many opportunities as Melbourne turn every play-the-ball into peak hour at central station; crowded, slow and a little smelly. If the visitors can overcome this snail’s pace style of footy and can score at least 3 tries – they win. They won’t. The grind wins again.
My tip: Melbourne 14-10
For live updates throughout the weekend, go to http://leagueunlimited.com/
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Paully's Picks - Finals week 2
West Tigers v NZ Warriors
Before Warriors coach Ivan Cleary moves to Penrith in a few weeks time, the biggest challenge of his career stands like a mountain in front of him. How to get the New Zealand Warriors back from the 'dead'. Last week's game against the Broncos was arguably their most disappointing big match performance in the club's history. Perhaps their fans should not have expected too much from such an inexperienced spine.
There-in lies the key, again, to why the Tigers will move ahead in this year’s premiership race. Robbie Farah's combination with Benji Marshall will simply be too much to handle for the visitors at the Sydney Football Stadium on Friday night. The Tigers forwards are fresh and will be in the right places at the right time in this match as their collective experience wins well over a much improved, but ultimately out-matched New Zealand team. Can't see the Tigers not being ready for this.
My tip: Wests 30-12
Brisbane Broncos v St George Illawarra Dragons
An epic battle awaits the 50,000 strong at Suncorp, as well as the soaring number of footy fans up and down the eastern seaboard who will be glued to their television sets. The Broncos will bring a perfectly balanced combination of youth and experience to face the reigning premiers who have, in the past, balanced a record breaking defence with a clinical and patient attack. The question is, can they still deliver on the big stage or has their time passed?
Dragons fans should be prepared for the latter. Even though the smart money says Wayne Bennett will have them perfectly prepared for Saturday's night's blockbuster, it won't be enough to match up against the home side. Alex Glenn's performance last week reminded some of the great Brad Clyde and he will again be a standout against two of the best in Beau Scott and Ben Creagh. A juicy confrontation but can't help but feel that this is not Darren Lockyer's last game.
My tip: Brisbane 19-12
for live updates for both games - go to http://www.leagueunlimited.com/index.php
Before Warriors coach Ivan Cleary moves to Penrith in a few weeks time, the biggest challenge of his career stands like a mountain in front of him. How to get the New Zealand Warriors back from the 'dead'. Last week's game against the Broncos was arguably their most disappointing big match performance in the club's history. Perhaps their fans should not have expected too much from such an inexperienced spine.
There-in lies the key, again, to why the Tigers will move ahead in this year’s premiership race. Robbie Farah's combination with Benji Marshall will simply be too much to handle for the visitors at the Sydney Football Stadium on Friday night. The Tigers forwards are fresh and will be in the right places at the right time in this match as their collective experience wins well over a much improved, but ultimately out-matched New Zealand team. Can't see the Tigers not being ready for this.
My tip: Wests 30-12
Brisbane Broncos v St George Illawarra Dragons
An epic battle awaits the 50,000 strong at Suncorp, as well as the soaring number of footy fans up and down the eastern seaboard who will be glued to their television sets. The Broncos will bring a perfectly balanced combination of youth and experience to face the reigning premiers who have, in the past, balanced a record breaking defence with a clinical and patient attack. The question is, can they still deliver on the big stage or has their time passed?
Dragons fans should be prepared for the latter. Even though the smart money says Wayne Bennett will have them perfectly prepared for Saturday's night's blockbuster, it won't be enough to match up against the home side. Alex Glenn's performance last week reminded some of the great Brad Clyde and he will again be a standout against two of the best in Beau Scott and Ben Creagh. A juicy confrontation but can't help but feel that this is not Darren Lockyer's last game.
My tip: Brisbane 19-12
for live updates for both games - go to http://www.leagueunlimited.com/index.php
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Paully's Picks - Finals Week 1
Wests Tigers v St George Illawarra Dragons
Make no mistake, this game will be played at sudden death speed and will keep you enthralled until the final moments are played out. Put simply, that’s just what the Tigers do. Coaches Sheens and Bennett, with two lifetimes of rugby league experience, have their respective clubs at peak fitness for this match. It is no coincidence that both clubs essentially have their best 17 available on Friday night at Homebush to kick of the 2011 finals.
Form has proven less important than fitness for the Dragons and the Tigers so tune in to see the fittest and the fastest go head to head. Watching Beau Scott go face to face with Benji Marshall and probably instigate two or three ‘dust ups’ will be a highlight as will round two of the ‘race riot’ between Robbie Farah and Dean Young. NRL footy at its finest and in the end, the Dragons defence is again the winner in an absolute pearler between two ‘traditional’ Sydney teams. Always a winning formula.
My tip: St George Illawarra 16-14
Brisbane Broncos v NZ Warriors
A big test for the many youngsters in this game as the Warriors travel to Brisbane on Saturday night to face the Broncos. Names like Beale and Reed... Locke and Johnson.... may well be superstars in the future but semi final football has a very different learning curve. They will be under pressure and that is when the cream rises to the top. Or is it when we separate the men from the boys? Will we get rocks or diamonds? I’m rambling due to semi final excitement.
Either way – the experience in the Broncos team will shine brighter in another close match between these clubs. Lockyer, Hannant, Hodges and Wallace keep their heads when this game is decided in the final 10 minutes but no doubt it will be a classic. With James Maloney and Feleti Mateo leading the way, the Warriors have plenty of weapons and will put a scare through the 50,000 screaming Queenslanders at Suncorp, but will not be able to hold on.
My tip: Brisbane 22-20
Manly Sea Eagles v North Queensland Cowboys
A huge ask for the Cowboys. Winners of only 1 from their past 5 and losing their most dangerous ball runner in Tariq Sims, they face the Sea Eagles with their season on the line. The only saving grace for the visitors is that their captain and superstar Jonathan Thurston is possibly the only man capable of overcoming these odds and combined with the venue change away from Brookvale, the Cowboys do have a sniff.
Manly’s defence is second best in the competition and their attack is outright first. With the return of Kieran Foran, they will be brutal, they will be potent and they will start with a ferocity saved especially for the finals. The Cowboys will match this intensity early but won’t have enough to last the 80 minutes. Rookie of the Year Daly Cherry-Evans plays his first ever post season match against the best halfback in the world and this will be a highlight among many.
My tip: Manly 24-18
Melbourne Storm v Newcastle Knights
The Knights have nothing to lose and will give this game an almighty crack on Sunday afternoon at AAMI Stadium. Early in the match, they win the battle of the forwards when experienced hitters like Neville Cositgan, combined with the youthful animosity of Joel Edwards, give the Storm a few headaches during the opening exchanges: until the wrestling begins and Melbourne slow things down to a crawl.
Unfortunately for Knights fans, the Minor Premiers’ defence holds strong and come the final quarter of this match, Cameron Smith will take over and ensure Melbourne’s week off. A courageous finish to a difficult season for Newcastle but they will go out with a bang. Keep an eye on everyone’s favourite footballer, Akuila Uate in this one – he will no doubt be launching himself into the best defence in the competition and you won’t want to miss it.
My tip: Melbourne 23-10
For live updates throughout the weekend - go to http://leagueunlimited.com/
Make no mistake, this game will be played at sudden death speed and will keep you enthralled until the final moments are played out. Put simply, that’s just what the Tigers do. Coaches Sheens and Bennett, with two lifetimes of rugby league experience, have their respective clubs at peak fitness for this match. It is no coincidence that both clubs essentially have their best 17 available on Friday night at Homebush to kick of the 2011 finals.
Form has proven less important than fitness for the Dragons and the Tigers so tune in to see the fittest and the fastest go head to head. Watching Beau Scott go face to face with Benji Marshall and probably instigate two or three ‘dust ups’ will be a highlight as will round two of the ‘race riot’ between Robbie Farah and Dean Young. NRL footy at its finest and in the end, the Dragons defence is again the winner in an absolute pearler between two ‘traditional’ Sydney teams. Always a winning formula.
My tip: St George Illawarra 16-14
Brisbane Broncos v NZ Warriors
A big test for the many youngsters in this game as the Warriors travel to Brisbane on Saturday night to face the Broncos. Names like Beale and Reed... Locke and Johnson.... may well be superstars in the future but semi final football has a very different learning curve. They will be under pressure and that is when the cream rises to the top. Or is it when we separate the men from the boys? Will we get rocks or diamonds? I’m rambling due to semi final excitement.
Either way – the experience in the Broncos team will shine brighter in another close match between these clubs. Lockyer, Hannant, Hodges and Wallace keep their heads when this game is decided in the final 10 minutes but no doubt it will be a classic. With James Maloney and Feleti Mateo leading the way, the Warriors have plenty of weapons and will put a scare through the 50,000 screaming Queenslanders at Suncorp, but will not be able to hold on.
My tip: Brisbane 22-20
Manly Sea Eagles v North Queensland Cowboys
A huge ask for the Cowboys. Winners of only 1 from their past 5 and losing their most dangerous ball runner in Tariq Sims, they face the Sea Eagles with their season on the line. The only saving grace for the visitors is that their captain and superstar Jonathan Thurston is possibly the only man capable of overcoming these odds and combined with the venue change away from Brookvale, the Cowboys do have a sniff.
Manly’s defence is second best in the competition and their attack is outright first. With the return of Kieran Foran, they will be brutal, they will be potent and they will start with a ferocity saved especially for the finals. The Cowboys will match this intensity early but won’t have enough to last the 80 minutes. Rookie of the Year Daly Cherry-Evans plays his first ever post season match against the best halfback in the world and this will be a highlight among many.
My tip: Manly 24-18
Melbourne Storm v Newcastle Knights
The Knights have nothing to lose and will give this game an almighty crack on Sunday afternoon at AAMI Stadium. Early in the match, they win the battle of the forwards when experienced hitters like Neville Cositgan, combined with the youthful animosity of Joel Edwards, give the Storm a few headaches during the opening exchanges: until the wrestling begins and Melbourne slow things down to a crawl.
Unfortunately for Knights fans, the Minor Premiers’ defence holds strong and come the final quarter of this match, Cameron Smith will take over and ensure Melbourne’s week off. A courageous finish to a difficult season for Newcastle but they will go out with a bang. Keep an eye on everyone’s favourite footballer, Akuila Uate in this one – he will no doubt be launching himself into the best defence in the competition and you won’t want to miss it.
My tip: Melbourne 23-10
For live updates throughout the weekend - go to http://leagueunlimited.com/
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