What a wierd game, the Eels were absolutely abysmal in the first half, errors in their own half, failing to find touch from penalties, it was a comedy of errors which was most enjoyment and then the Bulldogs lost it, similar to how they lost the Toyota Cup from 22-6 just an hour before-hand, and to rub salt into the wounds it was one Daniel Mortimer who was among the best players on the field. Isn’t there a law that the descendents of Folkes, Lamb, Mortimer, Hughes (actually you can have Corey and StephenHughes) et al. are required to play for the Dogs (while overlooking the hypocrisy of us picking up the sons of Steve Roach and Gary Jack in the off-season.)

Mind you Finch and Mateo (that reverse flick-pass) were impressive in the second half, I don’t know why you’re worried about Smith, I think Finch is more suited to half-back than playing 5/8, and he was the instigator of the big comeback. Mind you the Bulldogs did help manners, being mighty disorganised in attack, Holdsworth and Roberts going missing, and SBW jittery after the knee complaint. The only ray of sunlight was that former Eel Justin Tsolous looked like he had some go-forward in him, something which in absence of any decent prop forwards is much needed. Armit is coming back from injury I here.

Mind you I know how we’ll deal with Finch in the next game, we’ll send Brad Morrin back for seconds, he’ll be hungrier having attained the taste of blood from last years epic encounter, and he’ll be eager to dine out on another leg of flesh.

For the Bulldogs it could be a lean season, we’re a little soft up the middle, our marker defense is still suspect and we all too easily fall into the directionlessness that typified last season. I wonder if Folkes will chance some of the young talent we have coming through the system, or whether he’ll wait another 6 months. I think with the loss of Mason, O’Meley, Sherwin it will be a season of rebuilding, so I think we should be chancing a few players looking ahead toward the next few years, but poor old Folkesy might be looking to avoid the axe and will see things from a much shorter time frame.

Except for R. Brown and Co. *spit*

How could such thuggery be legal?

Round 2 tips shall be up late Thursday. There are some interesting games in this round that will sort the tippers out.

Craig Wing :

This from SMH today
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/prowler-ban-just-a-start-say-souths/2008/03/18/1205602374185.html

Being a Souths supporter, I was close to tears when R Brown took that cheap shot but understood that it was legal.

Outlawing it now does little for my season but will hopefully save some other poor sod from the same fate.

Shame it couldn’t have happened to someone who deserved it like W.Mason. (hahahah – joke – really…)

Let’s see your round 2 tips then Shaun.