There is this rep game on Friday night that is supposed to be City versus Country. You’d think it would be a good game to take to the bush. To show the powers that be that they remember league is played west of the Dividing Range. Yet, the game is to be played in Wollongong. Basically a suburb of Sydney these days and a town that gets regular NRL games. League is struggling in the bush. Next year, get it right you muppets and take the game back to the country grass roots. Send it out west and give those league fans something to cheer about.
Mini rant over. Onto the this week’s games.
City v Country, Friday 7:50pm WIN Stadium
In me younger days, I played junior league for the Grafton Ghosts. Even played a few games for Group 1 in the under 16s (when country league was strong and the group system was used). So when it comes to allegiance for this game I’m still a country lad at heart.
The interesting tussle will be between Brett Finch and Mitchell Pearce. The winner gets the NSW Origin halfback spot. So both will turn it on. But the boys from the bush will show those city slickers a thing or two about how to play footy.
Newcastle Knights v Gold Coast Titans Saturday 5:30pm Energy Australia Stadium
Newy had the bye last week but will have Gidley and Buderus backing up from Friday night. That could test them against a Titans side that is showing more confidence on the road. This is a hard game to split and there won’t be much in it. I’ll let the bookies guide me and go for the home team.
Penrith Panthers v Parramatta Eels, Saturday 7:30pm CUA Stadium
I like the Eels fan who in the League Unlimited forums wrote an open letter to the Eels. It went “Dear Parra, it has come to my attention that you suck. Please stop.” Short and to the point. I loved last round as I didn’t have to out myself through the agony of dashed hopes that seem to be the Eels at the moment. And Penrith are not going to be walkovers. The Eels will have quite a few players backing up from the previous evening. This will be a very close and hard fought game. Come on boys. Time to get the season back on track.
West Tigers v Brisbane Broncos, Saturday 8:30pm ANZ Stadium
Another rant I should let loose is the one about playing regular season games at ANZ. I’ll save that for later. For now, the Tigers have a tough one. The Broncos have Lockyer back and are in fine form. Not sure if the bookies have the odds on this one right though. It is going to be a closer game so the odds reckon so may be worth a little on the Tigers. Having said that, Brisbane are the safer bet.
New Zealand Warriors v Canberra Raiders, Sunday 2:00pm Mt Smart Stadium
Easy tip. The Warriors. The Raiders (like the Warriors) don’t travel that well. So I can’t possibly go past the home side.
South Sydney Rabbitohs v North Queensland Cowboys, Sunday 3:00pm ANZ Stadium
“What do we do with a drunken Bunny? What do we do with a drunken Bunny? What do we do with a drunken Bunny? Earl-eye in the morning!” We know the answer to that question after the latest shenanigans in the Bunnies camp. And it ain’t going to get much better facing the Cowboys. The Bunnies will have to win a game soon. But it won’t be against the Cowboys.
Shaun’s Sure Thing: The Cowboys
The Roughy: No stand outs this round but the Tigers are the best chance of making the bookies look like mugs.
19 responses so far ↓
Bismark O'Measles // Apr 30, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Up to your usual fine standards Shaun – some might say a little more ‘chipper’ than of late.
“What do we do with a drunken Bunny? Strip him of his Captain-o!”
I’ll be humming this all day tomorrow.
Mungo Amanda // May 1, 2008 at 6:36 am
I’m a bit surprised Knights are faves and a bit disappointed because I usually bet on them as outsiders and that has made me a nice profit this year.
josh // May 1, 2008 at 12:46 pm
i wouldn’t be so sure on the warriors shaun.
only 17 fit out of the whole squad, raiders are fresh off a bye 2… much harder then it looks.. usually would be an easy pick with warriors at home and raiders on the road, but i think there might be an upset
Vee // May 1, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Surprised to see you favour country especially since City usually wins. That said one side has the best back line and the other side has the best forwards – think it’ll be closest its been in a while as long as the ref doesn’t determine the result.
Bismark O'Measles // May 1, 2008 at 11:08 pm
Knights (that say Nee)
Eeels
Broncs
Raiders (Josh has a point)
Cowboys
Make hay while the sun shines Amanda.
Thursday = great evening Shaun.
Shaun // May 1, 2008 at 11:09 pm
Vee, I’m a country boy so it is about where I come from rather than a reasoned analysis of the game.
josh, I still like the Warriors at home. The Raiders don’t like traveling past Goulbourn let alone the Tasman.
Shaun // May 1, 2008 at 11:11 pm
Ah yes, Bismarck. And I made it home without blissfully falling asleep and missing the appropriate station. The wife was most pleased.
Shaun // May 2, 2008 at 11:19 am
Let’s test the powers of precognition this round. Earlier in the week I had a dream about the Eels v Panthers. Actually it was more a nightmare given the Eels lost and the scoreline was 53-17. Not sure why both teams went for field goals.
Bismark O'Measles // May 2, 2008 at 11:24 pm
Loved the City Country – Tigers stars shone throughout.
It would have been nice to have a winner but the draw was fitting for such a good game.
I never thought I’d see the day I SMS’d ‘Go the blue and Gold!’to Cronin S…….
Shaun // May 2, 2008 at 11:30 pm
Turned out to be quite a good game in the end. Not sure if the NSW halves were settled but my feeling is it will be Anasta/Pearce.
Hayne played himself back into a NSW jumper. Laffranchi and Heighington probably will end up on the bench (assuming Gallen/Hoffman make up the second row).
Mungo Amanda // May 3, 2008 at 6:13 pm
@35m Jarrod Mullen. I feel like Patty Bouvier watching a MacGyver episode.
Mungo Amanda // May 3, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Woot!
Shaun // May 3, 2008 at 9:42 pm
There are flasher, faster second rowers out there but none of them are a Nathan Hindmarsh. He was great tonight. And yes much relief in our household with the Eels finally back on track.
Good on the Knights Mungo. Their defence was most excellent against the Titans. More than deserved their win.
Bismark O'Measles // May 3, 2008 at 10:58 pm
Newcastle’s forgotten man, Jarrod Mullen!
Well done EEEEEeeeels as well.
Vee // May 4, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Laffranchi should have Hindmarsh’s spot in Origin and Tests for the past two years.
Bismark O'Measles // May 4, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Aha! the Tigers connection again (even if he is a Titan nowadays).
I like your thinking Vee, by far the best players in City Country were current or recently past Tigers players.
Bismark O'Measles // May 4, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Josh upset me by turning my Warriors tip but I forgive him.
I, like every other red-blooded male in Australia, tipped the Cows. I souldn’t be happier to say that I was wrong and the Bun Buns have scored their first win in 2008 premiership -very satisfying and the whole extended O’Measles (and the older O’Mumps) families were here to see it – classic!
Rowdy O’Measles (aged 12) says YAAAAAHOOOOOoooo000!!!!!!
Shaun // May 5, 2008 at 9:09 am
I had my money on the Cowboys but during the second half, financial considerations were cast aside as I too wanted the Bunnies to win. Good on them.
Club Troppo » Missing Link Daily // Jul 22, 2008 at 4:43 am
[...] Cronin posts an early edition of his weekend NRL round predictions, and wonders why tomorrow’s City-Country game is being played in [...]