Yes blogging gets you a worldwide audience (in theory) but there is something nice seeing you name in old fashioned newspaper print. But that needs to be pushed aside to concentrate on the weekend at hand. There are no more byes left and teams are looking at September now. It will be intense. There will be drama and there will be lots of footy.
The mystic runes have been consulted and the results over the fold.
Sydney Roosters v Gold Coast Titans, Friday 7:43pm Sydney Football Stadium
The Titans played well against Manly only to fall off in the last few minutes. But they suffered more injuries with Mark Minichello unavailable for a while. The Titans do not have much depth and without Prince and Bailey don’t offer that much. That doesn’t mean this will necessarily be an easy game for the Roosters. But they are looking to good with all the Origin players back and Fittler will have them tuned up for a win.
Penrith Panthers v Newcastle Knights, Friday 7:45pm CUA Stadium
Penrith are doing it ok at the moment. Nothing to spectacular but they are in the eight and heading for the finals. The Knights were dudded a little against the Dragons and the result was not an indication of how close the game was. I’m leaning close to tipping the Knights but keep getting burned. So I’m gonna stick with the Panthers as their form warrants the tip. But I won’t surprised if Mungo Amanda gets to say “I told you so” after about 9:30pm tonight.
New Zealand Warriors v North Queensland Cowboys, Saturday 5:30pm Mt Smart Stadium
Both teams are suffering but the Warriors at least have won a game in recent memory. They will be refreshed after the bye and looking to make some statement at the end of the season. The Cowboys are going to have to win a game soon. But I don’t see it being this one.
Cronulla Sharks v Manly Sea Eagles, Saturday 7:30pm Toyota Stadium
This will be a very close game. The Sea Eagles are on top of the competition but will be tested all the way. Very tempted to tip the Sharks but just reckon the Eagles have both the defense and the attack to overcome the pride of the Shire.
South Sydney Rabbitohs v Parramatta Eels, Saturday 7:30pm ANZ Stadium
Souths are on the way up. After looking sure things for the spoon they have put together four wins, most of them heart stoppers, and are above the Cowboys and Bulldogs. As for the Eels, this is a must win game. As Gould pointed out, they seem to be sleep walking. If they awake, watch out Bunnies. However, if the Parra of 2008 continue their somnolent ways then Souths will have five in a row. Hoping that the Eels take some nodoze.
St George/Illawarra Dragons v Canberra Raiders, Sunday 2:00pm WIN Stadium
I’ve liked the Raiders at times this year and then marveled at how terrible they can be. Usually in the same game. But as we move towards the finals the Raiders are dropping off the pace. The Dragons however have been blessed by a dream run. They are looking for their eight straight win. And I see them getting it. Canberra could put up a fight but the Dragons will run over them in the end.
Brisbane Broncos v Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs, Sunday 3:00pm Suncorp Stadium
Oh dear. It doesn’t get any better for the Bulldogs. The Broncos welcome back Lockyer and Wallace. They have done well without them so expect the Broncs to put the foot down from here in. Sonny Bill is a handful for any team but he is playing with little support. The Bulldogs have the potential to put on a good show but the Broncos will be to strong.
West Tigers v Melbourne Storm, Monday 7:00pm Campbelltown Stadium
The Tigers have spirit. And it will showing as it is Hodgo’s last game at Campbelltown. But that won’t be enough to overcome the Storm. I reckon the Tigers will make Melbourne fight a little but in the end, the visitors will simply be too strong.
The Roughy: Take the Sharks. They are capable of the upset. And thinking about the Cowboys. Just have one of those feelings.
The Sure Thing:The Roosters but they off no value. Storm will give a return for any investment.
16 responses so far ↓
Mungo Amanda // Jul 11, 2008 at 7:29 am
You’re There:
Paul Sheehan describes some Parramatta Eels fans as “flannel-wearing, feral, abusive retards” (”Racist sport fans climb out on a limb”, July 10). While complaining about “obscenity and bile screamed at league matches”, he seems to think it appropriate to join them wallowing in the muck.
Shaun Cronin East Gosford
Woo Hooo! Go Shaun!
Mungo Amanda // Jul 11, 2008 at 7:35 am
I thought the other letter aboutOl’ Miracle Water was good too:
If Petero Civoniceva’s abusers were indeed “retards”, they would be deserving of sympathy rather than acrimony. At best, this derogatory metaphor reflects a petulant intellectual snobbery. At worst, it is offensive to those who are genuinely disabled. Racial abuse is intolerable. Intellectual vilification is not the solution.
David Grant
Ballina
Well said!
Shaun // Jul 11, 2008 at 9:45 am
The SMH did edit a bit out but that is ok. But he is a shocking journo. Credulous and seemingly inclined to whinge about everything with writing nothing constructive.
Ol’Miracle Water. heh.
Bismark O'Measles // Jul 11, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Same tips as me again this week Shaun.
Stuck in the house with 4 kids so no time to get SMH hard-copy. Where’s yer tome if I was searching for it on the web?
Cheerio
BOM
Mexican Jumping Bead // Jul 11, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Sheehan is definitely wrong to have written that. His comments are unwarranted and offensive in that they imply only some eels fans wear flannels.
Shaun // Jul 11, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Web version of the letter here.
Bismark O'Measles // Jul 11, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Hhhhhmmm….
Speaking as somebody who has a mentally handicapped son, I take offence to the use of the word ‘Retard’.
My other children and their mates drop it into their vocabulary from time to time and I go off deluxe.
People who make use of words like this in the public arena should consider how they become colloquialisms and influence younger people into accepting an offensive term as ‘normal’.
BOM
Bismark O'Measles // Jul 11, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Why would you want to wear face-cloth’s anyway?
Shaun // Jul 11, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Was think of getting out the flanny this weekend in honour of Sheehan.
Mungo Amanda // Jul 11, 2008 at 7:54 pm
I was going out to Penrith to see the Knights tonoght but then I lined up for 5 hours for an iPhone and I’m too buggered.
Shaun // Jul 12, 2008 at 5:15 pm
So does the iPhone live up to the hype? I be getting one ‘cept I only just got a new blackberry.
As for last night, a good time was had by all. Heads are a little sore…oh, the footy.
I fear it could be one of those rounds where the favourites get knocked over. We’ll see after tonights three games.
Shaun // Jul 12, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Well I’m gutted. Parra is gone for 2009.
And not just Bismarck O’Measles sending my texts as Zvetlana O’Measles decided to compound my misery with texting joy (obviously not shared) after the game.
Bismark O'Measles // Jul 13, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Well, that proves it.
The Pope flies in and all my tips go south.
QED : The Pope is really the Devil and the Footy Gods have gone into hiding for the week.
Listen, I love to see the Bunnies win as much as the next bloke but let’s be honest, the Eels were the first ‘real’ team they’ve met in this streak - I certainly didnt expect them to win.
As for the others… I could count the Knights as marginal - but the Titan, Raiders and Dogs !!!!!!! Thanks Benedict for buggering it up.
How was Friday night Shanie??
Berrsmark.
Shaun // Jul 13, 2008 at 6:57 pm
My fears have been confirmed. 2/7 this round. The Tigers surely can’t get up tomorrow night.
You may be right BOM. Bennie is confounding us footy tipping heathens.
Stephen Hill // Jul 13, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Praise upon Bennie, a modern miracle, healing lepers is easy, but to provide the Bulldogs with their first victory since the time of the mighty burning bush and the plague of locusts is something only the divine can achieve.
But I hate to disappoint the Israelites about the burning bush, it wasn’t a divine symbol it was just Geoff Robinson’s beard catching on fire, and all that blathering about Egyptians had something to do with a blood fued with Kerry Hemsley about who had the coolest head of hair.
Mexican Jumping Bead // Jul 14, 2008 at 3:39 pm
The Chooks forgot to score in the 2nd half, that was a surprise and I couldn’t believe the Bronco’s loss to Bulldogs but the Bunnies, Raiders & Knights victories were within reason on current form.
Thus far there has really only one solid performance - and in a lot of places you could get arrested for what Manly did to the great white minnow on Sat evening.
If round 18 shows anything, it shows that upsets do happen, however, should the Tigers get over the Storm tonight, I’ll be figure skating with Lucifer such will be the inclement weather conditions down there.
Hey look at that… just gone 3:30pm, time for Siesta!!!
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