Well, last week was a shocker. We all heard the wail of Bismarck O’Measles when the Dragons won consigning him to 0 from 8 for the week. He wasn’t alone. Watching the Foxsports NRL show last night (it is slightly different from Nein’s version – on Fox, footy is the main topic of discussion), two of its league luminaries got 0 as well.
I’m not sure if it gets any easier this week. I’ve considered tossing the coin, consulting the Oracle of Footy or throwing darts at the team match-ups. But that would not make me a fearless, opinionated league pundit. So once again, I throw caution to the wind and try and make sense of the coming round.
Parramatta Eels v Newcastle Knights, Friday 7:30pm Parramatta Stadium
Earlier in the week, Bill Hindmarsh, the father of Nathan, died. His dying wish was the Nathan play this Friday. There will be plenty of emotion not just with Hindy but the Eels and their fans. And this league blogger of course. There is something in my eye as I type go the Eels.
Brisbane Broncos v North Queensland Cowboys, Friday 8:30pm Suncorp Stadium
The Broncos have been as impressive as the Cowboys have been disappointing during the opening two rounds. The Cowboys attack is just not firing and given their propensity to leak points, has put them 0 from 2. I liked what I saw of the Broncos last week. The new look side has plenty of willing lads and Lockyer is playing great footy. Being of blue blood, you have to hope both teams can lose but that is not going to happen. Brisbane have the form and my tip.
Sydney Roosters v Melbourne Storm, Saturday 5:30pm Sydney Football Stadium
The Storm are not travelling well. They weren’t that impressive against the Warriors and got done by some hubris and the enthusiastic Sharkies. The Roosters were very unlucky against the Broncos and are looking a good side. Can the Storm come good as expected or are the Roosters the real deal this season? I dunno but it will be a great game. I’ll give the Roosters the benefit of playing at thome.
Canberra Raiders v St George Dragons, Saturday 7:30pm Canberra Stadium
Brownie is safe for another week as the Dragons did well against the Titans. The Raiders were a little lucky in that as bad as they played, at least they are against the Panthers. If this game was during the depths of winter I’d go the Raiders. Not many teams like the travel down south during that time of year. However, just turning autumn not much chill to worry the Dragons.
Gold Coast Titans v Cronulla Sharks, Saturday 9:30pm Skilled Park
The Sharks have continued from last year to base a game around resolute defence to counter their limited attack. So far so good. But if their defence leaks a little I doubt if the Sharks have the attack to come from behind. The Titans were woeful against the Dragons but they don’t play well away from the Gold Coast. At home is a different story and I’m expecting a titanic struggle.
Penrith Panthers v South Sydney Rabbitohs, Sunday 2:00pm CUA Stadium
This will tell us where Souths are at in 2008. Lose and it will be a long season for the Bunnies. The Panthers have been awful but they have a good record against Souths at CUA over the past few seasons. This is one of those coin toss moments. I’m going to give the Bunnies one last bit of tipping love. If they lose, its over.
Canterbury Bulldogs v Wests Tigers, Sunday 3:00pm ANZ Stadium
My game of the round. The Tigers have been playing a great style of footy and were great against the Cowboys last week. The Bulldogs got a win and their second half was not bad. But they are playing some inconsistent footy. But the return of Sonny Bill will lift the Dogs. But maybe not enough needed to beat the Tigers.
Manly Sea Eagles v New Zealand Warriors, Monday 7:00pm Brookvale Oval
Manly seem to be getting closer to a win. If only Josh Perry had kept his head…from crashing into Danny Wicks then Manly would have got away with the points. The Warriors played some razzle dazzle, chance the arm footy against the Eels and deserved to win. But they are a team that has not traveled that well. It is evident that the Sea Eagles are missing Monaghan and that Lyons is the most useless five-eighth in the NRL. Even with those handicaps, Manly at home should get the win. Especially if they are serious about competing this season.
Shaun’s Sure Thing: I’ll take the Broncos at home this week.
The Roughie: I’ll take the Cowboys against the Broncos. Yeah, I should spread it around but the Cowboys are the best bet for an upset this round.
29 responses so far ↓
Mungo Amanda // Mar 28, 2008 at 2:39 pm
I can’t remember what I tipped in the office loeague but as of today
Knights
Broncos
Storm
Canberra
Sharks
Rabbits
Tiges
Kiwis
I have $30 on the Knights.
I also put $10 on someone called the “Cheetahs” to beat the Waratahs because they are at $7 and those are the odds I like. The Tahs are shit but, right? I’m sure they have it within them to lose such an expected walkover, hastening the inevitable return of Kurtley Beale to league. Show us yr best butter fingers, Lote.
Mungo Amanda // Mar 28, 2008 at 2:43 pm
And Duff Man is tipping the Cheetahs in the SMH yawnion tipping. Good enough for me.
Shaun // Mar 28, 2008 at 5:45 pm
I gather the Highlanders are more crap than the Tahs but are they more inept? But a $7 roughy has to come in one day.
And who am I to argue with Duff Man?
Mungo Amanda // Mar 28, 2008 at 6:44 pm
@ 2 seconds in. HA, Smithy. Have another beer mate. HA.
Mungo Amanda // Mar 28, 2008 at 6:58 pm
Mungo Amanda // Mar 28, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Mungo Amanda // Mar 28, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Cooper Vuna: Just fracking dive.
YAY.
Stupid Tahs are winning.
(as you can see I resolved the problem of what to do tonight by doing neither.)
Bismark O'Measles // Mar 28, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Eels
Horses
Weather Feature
People Who Run In And Pinch Things
Mythical Heroes
Mighty Biting Bunnies
Stripey Cats
Birds
How comes that wasn’t a field goal?
Mungo Amanda // Mar 28, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Hayne you dog.
Mungo Amanda // Mar 28, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Here we come!
Bismark O'Measles // Mar 28, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Game on
Bismark O'Measles // Mar 28, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Happy birthday Nathan
Mungo Amanda // Mar 28, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Aw.
Shaun // Mar 28, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Bad luck Amanda. Even though the Knights lost be proud of how they have played their footy this so far.
As for the Eels, thank some deity for Luke Burt. Can’t get over my sister who said that the Eels didn’t deserve to win. We’ll take the two points any way we can get them thanks.
But a good game. If the Eels cut out the dumb mistakes they will do well. but I am thinking that Grothe is now a big liability in defense.
Mungo Amanda // Mar 28, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Grothe and Smith are such big grumps. Turn those frowns upside down, boys, for bob’s sake!
Shaun // Mar 28, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Though Grothe was playing for your guys Amanda given how he tackled on the edges.
I’d say Smith is grumpy as he had a mixed return to 1st grade and seemed to have a running battle with the ref re the offside rule all night.
Shaun // Mar 28, 2008 at 9:39 pm
And the Cheetahs lost by only 4 points I even had a tenner on them. But the Broncs got up so I got one bet this round. And two from two in tipping.
Mungo Amanda // Mar 28, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Yeah, I flicked over at one stage and it was Tahs 20 Cheetahs 19. Newcastle looked like they might get up at that stage too. Happy days oh so fleeting.
There was a funny thing on The Footy Show (no, really) the other week with Grothe Snr walking into a glass door .
Bismark O'Measles // Mar 29, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Talking of defence… did anyone watch the Broncos match later on Friday?
Tighter than a duck’s bum!
Shaun // Mar 29, 2008 at 10:52 pm
Alas Bismarck old friend, the Eels win had exhausted me and did not watch the match. But the Broncos are looking very good this year.
Could Graham Murray be the first coach punted this year? And I didn’t even have him in my pole.
This evening I watched the Roosters put in a mighty defensive display to win against the Storm. Gotta say they Roosters are looking very good while the Storm are quite off their game.
Canberra at home are still a tough side as the Dragons found out. Brownie is not looking that safe as the Dragons should have won this one.
The Titans are another team that their form at home is far better then when they travel. They did everything right against the Sharks. The Sharks lack of effective attack exposed in this game. As was Gallen’s grubbiness. He may be in trouble with the judiciary for his facial on Lafranchi.
4/5 this week. A much better result.
Bismark O'Measles // Mar 29, 2008 at 11:37 pm
Same here – phew….
I’ve got my money on Brown.N and have voted above.
Good luck with the rest of the weekend Shaun.
BO’M
Bismark O'Measles // Mar 30, 2008 at 3:20 pm
C’mon Tigers
6-0 yay
Bismark O'Measles // Mar 30, 2008 at 4:18 pm
…..should’ve taken 2
Shaun // Mar 30, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Stupid Tigers. And stoopid Souths.
Broncos only team left undefeated and looking good. Really looking good that they have signed Israel Folau for 4 years at a nice $2 million.
Does loyalty have any place in the modern game?
Bismark O'Measles // Mar 30, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Not for me after this week!
Bismark O'Measles // Mar 31, 2008 at 8:48 pm
ho hum .. best week yet though….
See you on Sunday Shaun.
Shaun // Mar 31, 2008 at 8:54 pm
The Warriors were woeful tonight. I bet they were wishing Manly continued the experiment of Lyon at 5/8. Move him to the centres and he played very well.
Don’t despair Bismarck ole pal. No season is won in week 3. Nor a footy tipping comp. I reckon there are few twists and turns to come before September.
One obvious change is the speed of the game. The Eels v Knights was quick as was the opening stanza of the Sea Beagles v Warriors. This will favour the smaller mobile packs as the season goes on. So I haven’t written off the Tigers just yet.
Mungo Amanda // Apr 3, 2008 at 8:49 am
Knights are at $2.55 this weekend. I know teh Kiwis are a different side at home but that’s got to be the cholice “roughy” of the week don’t it?
Unless you want the $5 for the Bunnies.
Shaun // Apr 3, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Worth a tenner I reckon. Roughies for the week to be revealed soon.