The game enters the post Andrew Johns era which must concern all Newcastle supporters. Well, almost all of them.
Three teams remain undefeated. The Storm are setting the early pace, Manly are quietly grafting wins and the Cowboys were lucky not to be 3 -1 after a lucky escape. Three teams, the Eels, the Bulldogs and The Sharks, flexed their muscles last weekend and showed glimpses of what they can achieve. Meanwhile three teams are underperforming. The Dragons were woeful, the Tigers unlucky and the Roosters taking the traditional place of the Bunnies as the competition also rans.
As for the other seven, a mixed report card. The Bunnies need to show they can bounce back from a loss. The Knights now face life without Johns. The Broncos aren’t duffers despite their slow start. The Panthers excitingly inconsistent. The Titans showing they can match it when needed. The Raiders don’t like wet weather and the Warriors seem to suffer from homesickness.
Onto the the matches and tips.
Panthers v Eels, Friday 7:30pm CUA Stadium
The Panthers are developing a prediliction for raising their supporters’ blood pressure. The Eels on the other hand come off a good win against Canberra. Past clashes tend to be free scoring affairs so an exciting game is on offer. Needless to say I’m with the Eels especially of Fuifui Moimoi returns.
Titans v Broncos, Friday 7:30pm Suncorp Stadium
The Titans have shown they won’t be easy beats. But while this is a Titans home game, Brisbane won’t feel if they are in enemy territory. The Broncos haven’t been as bad as 1 from 3 suggests. They are showing some good signs and the form of Hodges has been excellent. Broncos at home, err away.
Dragons v Storm, Saturday 5:30pm Oki Jubilee Stadium
The Dragons were pretty ordinary on Monday. They have a young side and aren’t bereft of talent but seem to have the way to win. The Storm on the other hand have been good without being spectacular. But they will be too good for the Dragons unless there is a massive turnaround in the form of both teams.
Bulldogs v Sea Eagles, Saturday 7:30pm Telstra Stadium
The Sea Eagles haven’t been spectacular in their unbeaten run but that is not a problem. Grinding out wins shows the true heart of a team. The Bulldogs fired against the Bunnies but I get the feeling that there are two Bulldogs teams this year. One almost unbeatable, the other unfocused and quite easy to overcome. A real test for Manly. I’ll tip the Doggies but only because they are at home.
Warriors v Cowboys, Sunday 12:00pm Mt Smart Stadium
The Warriors don’t like the road. After two impressive wins at home they suffered a bout of homesickness. The Cowboys started off well but only some Bowen brilliance got them the points against the Tigers. The Warriors will be at home, so to speak, at Mt Smart and will give the Cowboys their first loss.
Rabbitohs v Knights, Sunday 2:00pm Bluetongue Stadium
The Knights finally face life with Joey, the Bunnies wondering if their bubble has burst or it is just a leak. The Bunnies have a large fan base on the Central Coast and with Newcastle just up the road, a big crowd is on the cards (I’ll be one of them). A very interesting game with the Bunnies desperate to show they have it this season and the Knights keen to start the new era in style. The Rabbitohs to win in a great clash.
Tigers v Sharks, Sunday 3:00pm Campbelltown Sports Stadium
The Sharks turned it on against the Dragons. The Tigers were very unlucky against the Cowboys. Form suggests the Sharks but the Tigers are due for a change of luck. I’ll tip the Tigers in a bit of an upset.
Canberra v Roosters, Monday 7:00pm Canberra Stadium
A difficult one. The Raiders have shown some good form except in the wet. The Roosters have simply been terrible. If the weathe is dry the Raiders. But check the forecast. If rain is about put your money on the Roosters.
9 responses so far ↓
Mungo Amanda // Apr 12, 2007 at 6:38 am
I don’t think the Bunnies’ bubble has burst, but they’ll lose this week.
Also, I would love to tip the Warriors … do I dare?
The rest I agree.
Shaun // Apr 12, 2007 at 10:30 pm
Go for the Warriors. They’ll fire up at home.
I’ll take some photos at the Bunnies v Knights on Sunday.
Shaun // Apr 14, 2007 at 12:18 am
I was so wrong about the Broncs. They were awful and the Titans were, well, titanic. I’m reluctant to write the Broncs off but they need to string some wins together or they are gone.
As for the Eels, Tim Smith is back. Also noted that while Parra didn’t have the go forward of Penrith, they absorbed Penrith’s attack much like they did on their great run last year.
Mungo Amanda // Apr 14, 2007 at 9:26 am
For some reason — it might have been seeing Luke Bailey on the TFS and in general my romantic nature
— I changed my tip in the office comp to Titans. So, 2/2. Woot!
Mungo Amanda // Apr 14, 2007 at 9:27 pm
Goddamn Doggies. My perfect round will have to wait a week.
Shaun // Apr 15, 2007 at 10:54 am
Yeah, the Eels have the Doggies next week. I was hoping the Doggies would win and they are dangerous coming off a loss. But Manly are grinding out wins which is a good sign for any side.
Off to the Bunnies v Knights this afternoon.
Mungo Amanda // Apr 15, 2007 at 4:03 pm
Wooooooooot
Shaun // Apr 16, 2007 at 9:33 am
Souths shoulda won that game. They were all over the Knights in the first half and then clocked off after half-time.
Also, I took to camera to take some happy snaps and but forgot the check the battery when I left.
Mungo Amanda // Apr 16, 2007 at 11:20 am
If you “clock off after half time” you should not win the game.