Down here we are basking in the afterglow of a great Origin win. What a game and I don’t mind admitting that I had it wrong about the NSW Origin team. They stood up when needed. Bring on Origin 2 up at Suncorp. Queensland are shot ducks for 2008.
But time to go back to the NRL and round 11 sees six teams with the bye so only five matches this round. Some interesting games and for a few sides a must win round because if their season is not already gone a loss will see them start planning the end of season trip come Tuesday.
Let the footy soothsaying begin!
Manly Sea Eagles v St George Illawarra Dragons, Friday 7:45pm Brookvale Oval
Against the Storm, the Dragons gained a lot of confidence out of their win (even given the understrength Melbourne team). But they face Manly who are putting the wins together with a minimum of fuss. It will be a test that will reveal whether the Dragons really are on the up or just another false dawn that their fans welcome with weary resignation. The game will also go some way to confirming the bona fides of Manly this year. Soward v Orford will be a great battle. But you can’t go past Manly at Brookvale
South Sydney Rabbitohs v Melbourne Storm, Saturday 7:30pm Bluetongue Stadium
The Bunnies take their (lack of) game to Bluetongue for the Storm. They were awful against Canberra and not being flogged would be a considered a sign of improvement. The Storm will enjoy having their Origin stars back and will want to make up for the loss to St George. I wonder if JT will try and takes a bit from Bellamy’s Origin game plan to nullify Smith and Slater and used it against the Storm? Even if he does, will the Bunnies have the mental application to do it on the field? Not likely. Your friendly Sidelined correspondent will be attending the game as an impartial observer. Alas not with well known Sidelined commenter and 1999 Haberfield Morris Dancing Champion (Articulated Lorry Class) Bismarck O’Measles. He has dropped the Bunnies and they are having a trail separation. Oh, well more beer for the rest of us. Hmmmm, Bluetongue.
New Zealand Warriors v Sydney Roosters, Sunday 2:00pm Mt Smart Stadium
The Warriors were not in the game against Penrith and continued their Jekyll and Hyde home/away performance. But as strong as NZ are at home, the Roosters are building their season well. The only issue against the Roosters is how their Origin forwards will pull up. But I expect Mason and co will be still pumped from the win and keen to carry on. The Roosters to carry their form across the Tasman and bring home the points.
West Tigers v Gold Coast Titans, Sunday 3:00pm Leichhardt Oval
The Tigers return to the ancestral home and about time. Using ANZ Stadium for club games is hurting the grass roots supporter base for a few sides. Take the game back where there is some atmosphere. The Titans aren’t a bad proposition on the road at the moment. And Prince will be wanting to again showcase his Origins credentials as well get one over his old club. In attack, the Tigers were great against Newcastle. Defense could be a problem especially if the Titans can isolate Marshall. Then again, when Marshall wasn’t hiding he showed that he is a major strike weapon for the Tigers. This will be the game of the round and real ding dong battle. I’m tempted to take the Titans at this stage even though the bookies have the Tigers as favourites.
Canterbury Bulldogs v Cronulla Sharks, Monday 7:30pm ANZ Stadium
The famed Bulldogs spirit is deserting the club, not to mention the possibility of Sonny Bill doing the bolt. Folkes will be the next coach to do as the Dogs have all but given up on this season it seems. Cronulla however are quietly working their way up the table. Nothing spectacular but they are getting the wins. The Dogs may dig deep but there seems to be too much internal shenanigans. Before it was us versus them. Now it is us versus us. Cronulla play like the ugly stepsisters of the comp but that will get them the points.
Shaun’s Sure Thing: The Storm.
The Roughy: Looking at the bookies, I’d go for some money on the Titans. The Dragons are dangerous (punting wise) but at three bucks are enticing as well.
12 responses so far ↓
gilmae // May 22, 2008 at 11:00 pm
Titans are the roughy? Or the Tigers?
Shaun // May 22, 2008 at 11:15 pm
The Titans. The bookies are very generous with their odds. Cant’ discount the Tigers at home but just think the Titans have the better defense. Attack wise both teams will be great to watch.
Mungo Amanda // May 23, 2008 at 7:36 am
Yeah pretty much except I picked the Tigers because if they beat the Titans it will make me feel better about them beating us, and also the Warriors just to be different.
Shaun // May 24, 2008 at 9:07 am
Bugger. One down. The turning point was Matai’s hit on Soward 5 minutes after he pass the ball. The Dragons scored from the following penalty. Of course if Menzies or Stewart had not bombed their chances Manly may have one.
But that Matai hit was stupid.
Shaun // May 24, 2008 at 11:33 pm
Ok, tonight at Bluetongue there storm were very ordinary. But they played the Bunnies who had no fifth tackle options. Really the Bunnies shoulda won as they had the run of play the whole night. Poor finishing let them down.
Three times in the first half the Bunbuns had the overlap but the ball never went through the line. It died when a player had an unmarked run to the tryline.
And the kicking game from Souths. It was woeful. It hurt more as Souths were in the game but could not convert that pressure to points.
Shaun // May 24, 2008 at 11:36 pm
It was really nice when the whole crowd was dead silent during the minutes silence for Jack Rayner.
And during the half time break, our section of the grandstand cheering a kid scoring a runaway try down the sideline during the mini-league game.
Bismark O'Measles // May 25, 2008 at 6:56 pm
… and there I was Morris-Dancing up and down the touchline (bell a-jangling) while the GLORIOUS Tigers (who I’ve always liked as you well know Shaun) romped (ahem….) to victory over the Titans, lead by that turncoat Prince (please come back – we’re screwed next year when Hodgo goes to ‘Uddersfield),
I’ve tasted it all this weekend. Gnasher O’measles danced ballet at the North Shore Eistedffod at Brookie (and lost – damn) – Missie O’measles spent the weekend with the Australian Girls Choir in Carlingford and Buster O’measles skated in the Sydney Figure Skating Club championships with a broken wrist – which he won!
I missed you on Saturday night Shaun – we should have been there together.
Ho Hum
BOM
Shaun // May 25, 2008 at 9:54 pm
I would have loved to be a Leichhardt oval today. What a game. You’re ole BOM. The Tigers will miss Hodgson. Wonder what Preston is doing next year? He had a ripper of a game.
Bismark O'Measles // May 26, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Peter Holmes a Court is gone.
For more than this reason – poor Bunnies.
Bismark O'Measles // May 26, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Dumb Sharks.
Shaun // May 26, 2008 at 10:38 pm
It was a bloody good game. The Sharks kept coming at the Dogs but dropped too much ball in the end.
There was this quite bizarre passage of play in the second half where players went slipping and sliding as if they were on ice. Quite amusing.
As for Souths, John Lang has signed on as a coaching mentor to JT. Interesting move.
Club Troppo » Missing Link Daily // Jul 22, 2008 at 6:37 am
[...] indulges in some NSW gloating before launching into previewing Round 11 of the NRL. 77. gilmae: Parramatta are 4-5-1. [...]