Defecting to the game that supported the Vichy government has a nice touch of irony don’t you think? As agents of those cheese eating surrender monkeys circle player-manager, rugby league marches on. And this week round 21 looms, the finals almost within reach. The question is what is more cruel to fans? Having your finals hopes extinguished once and for all or having your team continue winning keeping whatever faint hopes alive?
This round may reveal the answer to that question. During the week I visited all the clubs, picked a few players and did some phrenological investigations to determine this week’s likely winner. The results are over the fold.
Manly Sea Eagles v Penrith Panthers, Friday 7:35pm Brookvale Oval
The Roosters may have smashed the Eagles last week but it was just a glitch. The Eagles on their day seem a level above all other teams except the Storm. But the Panthers aren’t going to be easy beats. They are in the eight and want to finish the season there. They have a nicely beefy forward pack that is the equal of Manly. This will be a great game but reckon Manly will win through home ground advantage.
Melbourne Storm v Gold Coast Titans, Friday 7:35pm Olympic Park
Not even going to try and talk up this game. The Titans have some moxy but the Storm will just have too much power. The Graveyard will claim another victim.
Cronulla Sharks v St George Illawarra Dragons, Saturday 5:30pm Toyota Park
Aah, nothing like a local derby. Both teams are well in the hunt for the eight. It will come down to whether Cronulla’s defence can contain the Dragons attack. The bookies favour the Sharks but it will be a close game. I’m two minds but will go with the first one that says Sharks.
North Queensland Cowboys v Sydney Roosters, Saturday 7:30pm Dairy Farmers Stadium
Will the Cowboys win a game before the season is over? Odds are that it will but they are running out of time. And the Roosters won’t give the Townsville boys any time at all. The Roosters will be wanting to continue their good form. North Queensland fans will have to wait another week for a sniff of a win.
South Sydney Rabbitohs v New Zealand Warriors, Saturday 7:30pm ANZ Stadium
The brief burst of glory is over for Souths. Their finals hopes have gone. The Warriors however are clinging onto the edge of the eight and had a good win against the Storm last week. Souths are not out of this game by any means. Even though the Warriors are suspect on the road, the have the momentum and should get over the Bunnies.
West Tigers v Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs, Sunday 2:00pm ANZ Stadium
I don’t think anyone can predict how the Bulldogs will come out this week. A player drama on top of the continuing saga of Sonny Bill Gate (Whaaaaat? Someone had to say it) and you got to think they are just waiting for the final whistle of the season. The Tigers still have some finals hopes and that will be spurring them on. The Dogs could bounce back but I think their heart is not in their game. The Tigers to keep their finals aspirations alive.
Brisbane Broncos v Canberra Raiders, Sunday 3:00pm Suncorp Stadium
The Raiders have been the form team of the past few weeks. They have a great ability to score tries from anywhere on the park. They are in the eight and would like a win to help cement their position. But the Broncos are a class outfit. They can control a game and that is what they will need to do to beat the Raiders. The Raiders have a weaker defence and if they Broncos get on top of them early they will wilt. Plus it is about 25 degrees warmer up there than Canberra and they may melt as well.
Newcastle Knights v Parramatta Eels, Monday 7:00pm Energy Australia Stadium
Both teams are on 20 points. A win from the eight. But if you look at their respective form through the year, the Eels have underachieved while the Knights have shown plenty of signs that they are the way back as a force in the NRL. There is a healthy rivaly between these clubs, the 2007 coach swap notwithstanding. But the Eels struggle in Newy. And given their form last week, I don’t see any improvement. I hate to say but I’m with you on this one Mungo. Newy to kill the Eels off for 2008 and put me out of my NRL misery (Of course I hope the Eels will win but I don’t see it happening).
21 responses so far ↓
Bismark O'Measles // Jul 31, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Where’s the Sure Thing and the Golden Roughie this week Shaun?
Tips – same as yours, as I broadcast to my tipsters, my season’s over, I never recovered from the horror of the first three weeks. Ho Hum.
Thanks for the votes folks! I suppose a quick whip-round for an air fare to CDG is out of the question….?
BOM
Shaun // Jul 31, 2008 at 11:40 pm
Yes, I’ve been a little slack on the add ons.
Sure thing is the Storm but you’d get better value from the Roosters.
The Roughy is..the Eels. One can only dream.
Shaun // Jul 31, 2008 at 11:47 pm
I suppose a quick whip-round for an air fare to CDG is out of the question
How about I buy you a beer at the Concourse Bar after 5:00pm tomorrow instead. If Zvetlana complains I’ll tell her that I’m trying to stop you from running off to France to play union.
Mungo Amanda // Aug 1, 2008 at 5:23 am
Woot, go Knights!
I’ve got $20 on Titans at $12, who’s with me????
Mexican Jumping Bead // Aug 1, 2008 at 11:49 am
It was a Friday, late November last year and I was jostling for position in the queue for the office coffee machine. My immediate opponent was one of the department heads, a very intelligent Chinese woman and in idle conversation, she asked with a distinct Asian inflection “Any thoughts on this weekends election?”. I replied “Oh, I’ll probably have several but I can’t say I give them much thought.”
The slap did smart for a time, but I did win the queue position.
This morning we crossed paths again and I asked for her thoughts on NRL round 21. She said she thought Shaun’s tips were on the money but had an “eelie” feeling about Monday (k)nights game.
I neglected to comment, but changed my selection to Parramatta. I only hope I haven’t lead too much into it.
Mungo Amanda // Aug 1, 2008 at 11:52 am
Casual racism comes to Sidelined. Awesome development!
Mexican Jumping Bead // Aug 1, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Sorry Mungo, I would have replied earlier but ironically this “racist” just got back from a Chinese lunch with my friends and colleagues of various ethnic descent.
My light hearted dig on the amusing and sometimes adorable pronunciation of ells and ars typically by natives of far east Asian countries was indeed inappropriate. Obviously my intention was to disparage an entire race, not to simply relate, with some creativity a coincidental experience of mine.
I apologise to anyone who found that post offensive, it was a little wayward and perhaps Shaun might be kind enough remove it.
I’m sure the site would be far more interesting with just Mungo’s posts about his gambling exploits and three-leg of the quaddy sob stories.
Shaun // Aug 1, 2008 at 2:30 pm
MJB, Apology accepted and the matter is now closed.
No more snark please. We are all here for the greatest game on earth so back to the topic at hand. Sideliners are a friendly bunch no matter what weekend allegiances and would like to keep that way.
And Mungo is a she as she will likely point out.
Now off to the city to imbibe with BOM. I hear he got a contract with French Rugby Union. But he has to pay his own way over. And all living expenses. And the French club hoping that he could be replaced by someone who could actually play union. I’m going to try and talk him out of going over there.
Mexican Jumping Bead // Aug 1, 2008 at 2:49 pm
OK. Sorry Mungo for the gender assumption – that was very blokey of me.
You may have a better chance of a ROI for your $20 if you whack it on BOM replacing SBW in NRL headlines this weekend regarding contract violation and fleeing to France.
You’d probably get bigger odds and there’s probably more chance of that happening than the Titans troubling the Storm tonight.
Mungo Amanda // Aug 1, 2008 at 7:56 pm
I know, which is why they’re twelve bucks. Betting on anything less is boring. Where’s your sense of adventure?
dropbeer // Aug 1, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Bet the crowds will hit a record low this weekend.
Bismark O'Measles // Aug 2, 2008 at 2:36 pm
My head hurts.
Bismark O'Measles // Aug 2, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Feeling better now.
Thank god for Noddy.
Half time at the Bunnies and the Cows… neither looking good for me but, as usual, I would be stoked to see the Buns win.
Hang on Shaun… the SMH is on the other line…. something about wanting a picture for the front page.
Shaun // Aug 2, 2008 at 9:51 pm
That is what you get from drinking Carlton Draught. Imbibing the James Squire Golden Ale was far more pleasant during and after.
Though I tipped the Warriors was glad to see the Bunnies win in what wasn’t a bad game. Some very spectacular tries from both sides.
Didn’t see the Roosters and Cows but how would North Queensland be feeling? The last time they won a game was back in April if I have me stats correct.
Stephen Hill // Aug 3, 2008 at 2:59 pm
The bulldogs have put in another dominating first-half performance, as the other teams retreat in sight of our fearsome pack, with camoes from
Fred “a couple of knock-ons a game” Briggs – A romantic promotion from the Jim Bean cup last year. And if it wasn’t for the second-tier salary cap problems I’d suggest his selection could only be attributed to a few too many Jim Beans, as he is about as convincing as Brendon Nelson’s ute men analogy.
Ben “I like to go out night clubbing” Roberts – He’s as unpredictable as Cliff Lyons when he has the ball, but unlike Lyons even he doesn’t know what he is doing (should be breathilised before each match – as the way he directs traffic he often looks like he is pissed)
Charlie “Fat Albert” Leano – This man mountain, moves at the pace of a mountain
Brad “hungry, hungry hippo” Morrin – He puts his heart into every game, its a shame his body cannot keep up
And we dropped John Kite back to the U20s
Bismark O'Measles // Aug 3, 2008 at 6:37 pm
He he he .. very funny Stephen.
Talking of the Tigers….. Weekend of the 1st Sept (my birthday) Tigers at home to the Sharks – Leichhardt – What say you Shaun me’ old mucker?!?
If it’s a Friday or Saturday night, perhaps Mrs & Ms could have a night with the O’Measles whilst us chaps go out ‘on-the-sauce’…….
Shaun // Aug 3, 2008 at 10:23 pm
The Bulldogs and the Cowboys play each other next week. This will be the game that decides the wooden spoon. On form (well lack of it) the Cowboys have at least shown heart in their past few games.
Leichhardt late in the season. Always a good day. But better check with the Missus.
Mungo Amanda // Aug 4, 2008 at 7:10 pm
The serial pest!! FFS.
Bismark O'Measles // Aug 4, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Half time.
Looks like the Eels haven’t had any posession in the first half… as soon as they had anything resembling back-toback, they managed to pull off a try.
Second half looks completely different (set for set) so it’s certainly not over……
Shaun // Aug 4, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Good on ya Mungo. Newy wanted the game more.
Disturbing to hear that some of the younger Eels didn’t like Hagan giving them a dressing down after an insipid performance a few weeks ago. Worrying signs for the club.
At least we won’t get the spoon.
Mungo Amanda // Aug 4, 2008 at 9:03 pm
Well met, Shaun. I’m happy of course but feel for you.
Also, 500 games for Smithy — grats!