The penultimate round! It doesn’t seem that long ago I was preparing my tips for round 1. The season review can wait though. While a few teams are gearing up for Mad Monday, there is still plenty of interesting match ups and the final three final spots up for grabs.
Obviously not a great week for the NRL but as always, redemption will be on the field. This weeks tips via rhapsodomancy, the art if divination by lines of poetry.
West Tigers v Cronulla Sharks, Friday 7:45pm Leichhardt Oval
The Sharks have not beaten the Tigers since 2003. With Bird gone one would be forgiven for thinking the upheaval will hurt the Sharks. But the Tigers form has been woeful and (at the time or writing) Farah has been ruled out as Hodgson is doubtful. I’d like to give Bismarck some hope but alas, I can’t see the Tigers winning this one as Tennyson in his immoral poem, Charge of the Light Brigade wrote “Half a league, half a league, Half a league onward” wrote. Pretty much sums up the Tigers season.
Sydney Roosters v South Sydney Rabbitohs, Friday 7:45pm Sydney Football Stadium
Souths say they aren’t out for revenge but it will be on the minds. The trouble is determining which Souths will turn up for the game. The Souths that lead Canberra at half time or the Souths the capitulated in the second half? Or will both turn up and really confound things. They Roosters have been very ordinary. Anasta and Pierce have lost their touch and the forward pack has taken on marshmallow like consistency. If the Roosters want to do anything in the finals this is their game. I’m hesitant to tip them but have the same feelings about Souths. Indecision won’t help so the Roosters.
Newcastle Knights v Melbourne Storm, Saturday 5:30pm Energy Australia Stadium
Unfortunately for the Knights, the post-Buderus era has started a little earlier than expected. And they will miss him against the Storm. The Storm did Penrith with their characteristic ruthless efficiency last week and I expect no different here. There will be some sentiment that the Knights could use and they won’t lie down. But they won’t win either.
North Queensland Cowboys v Canberra Raiders, Saturday 7:30pm Dairy Farmers Stadium
This game is the Cowboys grand final of sorts. A win would see them equal with the Bulldogs (provided the Dogs lose) and a chance to avoid the spoon. Can you tip them against Canberra who have been in great form recent weeks? I shouldn’t but I said last week that the Cowboys will win. Just a feeling I have and I know I shouldn’t but I must.
St George Illawarra Dragons v Parramatta Eels, Saturday 7:30pm ANZ Stadium
My tipping comp fortune rests on the Eels. And I reckon they are good for this game. Never mind the first half against the Dogs. The second half was what counted. The loss of Finch is a blow but young Kris Keating will step up to the mark. The Dragons will be tough but they rode a bit of emotion last week. They will bring them down and the Eels will get the points.
New Zealand Warriors v Penrith Panthers, Sunday 2:00pm Mt Smart Stadium
A loss for either side will see the end of their slim finals hopes. But give the form of both sides, they would just make up the numbers. The Warriors were woeful last week but should be better at home. As for the Panthers, watch for Pritchard to stub his toe running onto the field and then call it a night. As Wordsworth said, “Five years have passed; five summers, with the length Of five long winters!” 2003 seems far away for the mountain men
Canterbury Bulldogs v Brisbane Broncos, Sunday 3:00pm Suncorp Stadium
I also said last week that the Bulldogs will not another game this year. While the Broncos have been patchy in recent weeks, the Bulldogs will be the side they need to help iron out the kinks before the finals. The Dogs may play it hard like they did against the Eels but it will only delay the invetible. For the Bulldogs fans this season is a Coleridge mentioned, “He went like one that hath been stunned And is of sense forlorn”
Manly Sea Eagles v Gold Coast Titans, Monday 7:00pm Brookvale Oval
The Gold Coast, in any form, has never beaten Manly. And that start will not change after this game. Manly will be in the hunt to keep their slim minor premiership hopes alive but above all, start powering on the form for the finals. The Titans will show some courage but will eventually be worn down. And yes, Watmough is wearing the number 6. before you wonder about his newly developed passing and kicking skills, it is only so that Beaver can wear the 11 in his final home game.
30 responses so far ↓
Bismark O'Measles // Aug 28, 2008 at 10:52 pm
Rabbitohs
Tigers
Knights
Cows
Eels
Panthers
Bulldogs (by heaps - they’re a dead-set shoe-in)
Titans
So there.
One might say I’ve given up for the season but you’ll be wiping that silly grin off your face on Monday!
I am, however, looking forward to taking my loverly lady [mail-order] wife (Zvetlana Grostova O’measles) to sunny Leichhardt for the titanic clash of the Tigers & Sharkies which the Tigers are bound to win or I’ll chuck a glass at Noddy… my head hurts and my socks have gone all soggey.
Shaun // Aug 29, 2008 at 11:09 pm
Poor Bismarck. Tigers and the Bunnies went down. I just hope the beer was plentiful at Leichardt to drown your sorrows and Zvetlana also enjoyed herself.
gilmae // Aug 30, 2008 at 12:20 am
Sigh. Just one more Hodgson game left.
Bismark O'Measles // Aug 30, 2008 at 9:25 am
(Blub) you’re right Gilmae - I’ve got a very grainy photo of his lap-of-honour last night with me desparately trying to get him over to shake my little hand.
Beer was good (although it’s gone up to $5.00 a can!) and the pies were too - Svetlana had to take hers back.
otherwise, a thoroughly enjoyable nigh bar the score.
Looks like the poor old Bunnies had a close call again… that 40-20 looked good to me. Makes you wonder why they only bother in the second half though.
BOM
Mungo Amanda // Aug 30, 2008 at 5:36 pm
GO KNIGHTS! VALE BEDSY!
That is all.
Mungo Amanda // Aug 30, 2008 at 5:36 pm
TRY!!!!!!!
Mungo Amanda // Aug 30, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Billy Slater you dog!
Mungo Amanda // Aug 30, 2008 at 6:17 pm
HT — Go Knights. Woulda been nice to have a few more points on them when the going was good though. Nervous!
Mungo Amanda // Aug 30, 2008 at 6:54 pm
16-10 ohohohohohohohohohoohohohoohohoo pleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease …..
Mungo Amanda // Aug 30, 2008 at 6:56 pm
DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Mungo Amanda // Aug 30, 2008 at 6:57 pm
oh crap
Mungo Amanda // Aug 30, 2008 at 6:58 pm
phew
Mungo Amanda // Aug 30, 2008 at 7:00 pm
WES!!!
Mungo Amanda // Aug 30, 2008 at 7:00 pm
oh bugger. oh well. nice work anyway.
Mungo Amanda // Aug 30, 2008 at 7:03 pm
Come ON! NO MISTAKES! Grrrrrrrr.
Mungo Amanda // Aug 30, 2008 at 7:04 pm
OH HO! YES!
Mungo Amanda // Aug 30, 2008 at 7:10 pm
frakkkkkkk
Mungo Amanda // Aug 30, 2008 at 7:11 pm
what a bs penalty. cheeSUZ.
Mungo Amanda // Aug 30, 2008 at 7:15 pm
OMG!!!!! ZOMG!!!!!! ohmyfrakkinggod!!!!!!!
When Bedsy comes on screen I’m gonna bawl …
Shaun // Aug 30, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Congrats Mungo. Not just on a great win but getting a spot in the eight. 25 minutes into the Eels v Dragons and Parra are gorn for 2008.
Shaun // Aug 30, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Forgot the obligatory stupid Eels.
Shaun // Aug 30, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Oh well. Time for some numbing alcohol.
gilmae // Aug 30, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Ooh, doesn’t next week look fascinating now. Assuming Manly beats the Titans this week, it will be three teams - Melbourne, Cronulla, and Manly - locked up on 36pts going into the final round, with Manly and Melbourne pretty close on F&A. All three playing games in the final round you’d expect them to be winning.
Channel Nine must be crying at the lost ratings with two of those three games on Saturday and the other a Sunday game.
Shaun // Aug 31, 2008 at 10:31 am
And the Dragons and Roosters will fight it out for 4th spot.
At least I got the Cowboys right yesterday. Dogs for the spoon unless they pull off a miracle against Brisbane.
Bismark O'Measles // Aug 31, 2008 at 12:11 pm
OMG I actually tipped two - Kinghts included!
Great commentary Amanda.. nice to see some passion in the game.
You want to get some Semi action going Shaun? Perhaps some fellow contributors might be interested??
Shaun // Aug 31, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Good idea Bismarck old pal.
So to the regular commentators and lurkers, a Sidelined meet up at one of the finals sounds good (not the GF). There should be a game or two at ANZ or the SFS.
Prefer the SFS. Better pubs close to the ground.
Shaun // Sep 1, 2008 at 8:50 am
Gilmae,
Looking at the draw for next week, Nine have the Dragons/Roosters and Broncos/Knights on Friday.
They are likely very happy to have these two games given the results of the weekend. Two games where all teams are fighting to improve their position. By 9:30pm on Friday fourth spot will be settled.
And if the Knights beat the Broncos, they Knights will secure eight spot. If not, they will be sweating on the Eels beating the Warriors. Knights could finish in 7th if the Raiders lose. Raiders could finish as high as 6th but only if they have a huge win and the Dragons get a pasting.
Lots of interesting calculations heading into the final round.
gilmae // Sep 1, 2008 at 2:47 pm
I think you could put up a good argument for those being consolation prizes in terms of ratings while games that will determine the minor premiership were unavailable to them.
Mungo Amanda // Sep 1, 2008 at 7:19 pm
Nein gets first choice of the games they want so they obviously made their calculations and took the risk.
They get choice of the “best two games” of the round , as decided by them, for Friday night. Then Fox gets the “third best” for Monday night.
Quite gutted I won’t get to see Knights-Brisbane live, will have to investigate if I can stream Newcastle radio on the computer or something.
Shaun // Sep 1, 2008 at 9:19 pm
You could put up an argument but I’d be reluctant to describe it as good. While the minor premiership race is interesting, the games themselves aren’t great match ups. On form a clean sweep for all three sides with the only question being can the Storm overcome Manly’s points differential.
For the Dragons, Roosters and Broncos there is the lure of a home semi. Also, best to avoid 6th spot if you can. If 7th win, then the 6th need to win to stay in the hunt.
Yeah, maybe it would have been good to have Manly, the Storm or Cronulla on Sunday but the Broncos game will rate will in Brisbane and the Dragons/Roosters will rate quite well in Sydney.
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