I’m still starting from the certainty of bold statements last week concerning the firming form. It is obvious from the last week that I have no clue at the moment. The sure things turned into unsure nothings and outsiders lived it up inside the VIP ropes of the winners’ circle. A calamitous round especially when the bloody Sea Eagles took my cumulative bet down with them. Bastards.
Thank the footy gods for the Eels who helped a little with the wallet. But as for this round, nerves don’t make the hand steady for selection, consternation clouds my judgement but through the fog of apprehension I shall state my intentions.
Tips assisted by Helen Lui and members of the PLA (they just love their footy).
Broncos v Dragons, Friday 7:35pm Suncorp Stadium
The Broncos have been the form team but will it matter this weekend? Benny jets back from whence he came to plot his beloved club’s downfall. The Dragons have had tough and scrappy wins and look a much tougher side that last year. Their attacks lacks fire and that might hurt them against the galloping Broncos backs ready to ride roughshod over any defensive deficiencies. Still I think it will be a close game. The Broncos have been the form side of the comp and they get my tip for that reason.
Roosters v Eels, Friday 7:35pm Sydney Footbal Stadium
The Eels do seem to by playing a bit of rope-a-dope at the moment. Not exactly easy on the fans but if they keep winning I’ll be happy. Facing the Roosters is a bit of a worry as they seem to be an Eels bogey team. But there are now serious questions regarding the Roosters’ forwards even without the sly groggers, Mason and Myles. A game that sparks some concern but if the Eels play like the last 20 minute of last week for the full 80 this week, the Roosters will all be wanting a drink to drown the sorrows.
Panthers v Tigers, Saturday 5:30pm CUA Stadium
Well, what do we make of the Panthers? Heavy rain tends to level the playing field but it was a great upset. But their fortune seems to be week to week. As with their opponents. Benji was on fire but that is the problem. If he fails to spark then the Tigers suffer. And the Tigers seem to have adopted the Canberra tactic of don’t worry about defence, just keep scoring more tries. You know, the head says the Tigers but if Wade Graham gets going on a good Penrith platform then I’m going with my heart.
Storm v Titans, Saturday 7:30pm Olympic Park
The question of whether Prince will play is academic really. The Storm have been reliable so far and I just don’t see the Titans finding a way to win. Unless they hobble half the Storm’s side. So I’m not going to bother with any more thought and state the obvious that the Storm will win.
Warriors v Rabbitohs, Sunday 12:00pm Mt Smart Stadium
The Warriors were very disappointing last week showing very little direction in attack. Even Jones could not get them going. And with Price out for NZ and the Bunnies welcoming back Merritt and Wesser, an interesting game in the making. My impression was that Mt Smart would be a fortress this year but after last week I’m not too sure. Souths are a real chance of an upset if the Warriors continue to wander aimlessly in attack. I’ll take the Warriors but the Bunnies are worth the punt.
Bulldogs v Sharks, Sunday 2:00pm ANZ Stadium
The Sharks are more like a flounder with a crook neck at the moment. The neck being Barrett’s of course. They scrap hard but seemed doomed for a mediocre season if Seymour and Barrett fail to work together. The Bulldogs are still an unknown quantity. Internal barney’s during the week wouldn’t have helped preparation and Idris is a big loss. But Kimmorley will be wanting to show his old club a thing or two. Along with the Bulldogs wanting to get their season back on track, those reasons puts me in their camp.
Knights v Sea Eagles, Sunday 3:00pm Energy Australia Stadium
The Knights may become ronin if the news is any guide. Hard to say whether the uncertainty will affect their mental focus but it is sure to be nagging in there somewhere. And that may be the opening Manly need to get their first win of the season. Manly did look quite dangerous at times on Monday night but impatience let their attack down. If they keep their heads the win will the theirs.
Raiders v Cowboys, Monday 7:00pm Canberra Stadium
The key for the Raiders is to have their defense work for the full 80 minutes. It has been wanting so far and that is why they are winless. The reliance on Campese is also a problem as it limits their attacking options. The Cowboys were in it for most of the game against The Storm and have been better than their position on the table suggests. If it was the depths of winter I’d lean to the Raiders but will stick to the Cowboys for this one.
The Sure Thing: The Storm
The Roughy: Bunnies are about $2.60 and are tempting.
25 responses so far ↓
Jason // Apr 2, 2009 at 10:44 pm
Good calls all. Although I reckon the Dragons will play for the coach and get up. Oh, also, needless to say, the Raiders are gonna get thrashed, no ifs, no buts.
Bismark O'Measles // Apr 3, 2009 at 6:59 am
No sure thang and roughie this week Shaun?
I’m going to disagree with you on the Bunnies and Tigers (like I do)
All hail Footy Gods!
BOM
Mungo Amanda // Apr 3, 2009 at 7:24 am
DRAGONS
EELS
WEST TIGERS
TITANS
WARRIORS
BULLDOGS
KNIGHTS
COWBOYS
Mountain Boy // Apr 3, 2009 at 8:05 am
I think you will find Wade Seccombe was a decent cricketer. I think you will also find Wade Graham a decent footballer.
Shaun // Apr 3, 2009 at 8:16 am
@ Bismarck, forgot about them. Now up.
@ Mountain Boy, I’m glad that someone is paying attention. I was just testing you all. No, really.
…
OK, I goofed. Have no idea why I’ve still got cricket on my mind let alone a Queenslander who retired 3 years ago.
Mungo Amanda // Apr 3, 2009 at 5:58 pm
The Bluebags are up your way this weekend, but I don’t think they take the KB with them.
April 4
V Central Coast Storm
Morrie Breen Oval
Cnr Wallarah & Arizona Rds Gorokan
Bismark O'Measles // Apr 3, 2009 at 7:28 pm
Good God Mountain Boy – that’s impressive! Shaun could’ve got away with that……..
Bismark O'Measles // Apr 3, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Oh…. I meant to tell you why I’m tipping the BunBun’s.
Check out their performance against the Kerniggets last week. Good work in the centre (Sandow Sutton again + Wing), but a little lacking in defence (see Kerniggets line-breaks) and on the wing (bloody Corrigan stuffed-up no less than four times.) which cost them tries for and against.
Put Merritt.N in the No.2 shirt and Wesser.R in the No.1, I think they’ve got it covered.
It’s certainly the best Bunnies line up I’ve seen (only following footy since ’95) ever.
Shaun // Apr 3, 2009 at 10:53 pm
Main Entry:
1stu·pid Listen to the pronunciation of 1stupid
Pronunciation:
\?stü-p?d, ?styü-\
Function:
adjective
Etymology:
Middle French stupide, from Latin stupidus, from stup?re to be numb, be astonished — more at type
Date:
1541
1 a: slow of mind : obtuse b: given to unintelligent decisions or acts : acting in an unintelligent or careless manner c: lacking intelligence or reason : brutish
2: dulled in feeling or sensation : torpid
3: marked by or resulting from unreasoned thinking or acting : senseless
4 a: lacking interest or point b: vexatious , exasperating
5: The Parramatta Eels
Bismark O'Measles // Apr 3, 2009 at 11:04 pm
6: The Brisbane Broncos
Shaun // Apr 3, 2009 at 11:25 pm
@ Amanda, the local rag was talking about the game and the officials deciding whether to put on extra staff etc in case Mason and Myles play and a few thousand turn up.
Morrie Breen is a nice ground. Played cricket there the past season. Right next to Wyong Leagues which is handy but unlikely I’ll be going.
No KB, no deal.
Shaun // Apr 4, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Putting the footy into perspective.
If Rowdy is anything like his dad he’ll be all right.
Bismark O'Measles // Apr 5, 2009 at 11:34 am
0/4.
The Gods have truly forsaken me. Must be all that beer I drank last week.
Stupid game played by stupid teams.
Bah.
Shaun // Apr 5, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Well I got the Panthers at least. And my head hurts. A combination of the cricket presentation last night and trying to understand the form guide to the NRL.
Amazing round of upsets so far.
Mungo Amanda // Apr 5, 2009 at 7:01 pm
woooooot. Had $50 on the Knights at $2.50 too.
Bismark O'Measles // Apr 5, 2009 at 8:27 pm
Nice call Amanda!
At least I got the Buns right .. that gives me the grand total of 2.
Capewell was a fine replacement for Wesser and, as expected, Merritt lifted the team + did some real magic to set up a couple of tries and scored a beauty himself.
Talanoa’s a champ – full stop!
I didn’t see the Sunday game today cos Gnasher’s ballet school was opening a new premises but I got to go to Wests at Midday and watch the game with the missus and brother. Always a treat.
C’mon Footy Gods – you know I don’t like the Raiders…….
Bom
Shaun // Apr 5, 2009 at 10:49 pm
@Amanda, and I see you had the Titans as well. Good calls this round.
I had a fiver on Souths so a modest win there.
GidKid // Apr 6, 2009 at 7:01 pm
Raiders will win against Cowboys
Bismark O'Measles // Apr 6, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Thanks GidKid. If only I’d seen your tip sooner.
What a crappy week.
The gods hate me.
How were the Bluebags avec Mason & Miles Shaun ? Any KB on offer?
Shaun // Apr 6, 2009 at 10:46 pm
Good call GidKid. The Raiders were exceptional in the first half. Not sure what happened in the second as the Cowboys were still awful yet got within 4 points until a Campese field goal just before time.
The Raiders need to get some defense happening. As for the Cowboys, they were dominated. An ordinary display and gave Thurston nothing to work with. Not that he played well.
Drew // Apr 7, 2009 at 12:55 am
i have been following these tips for the first few weeks – i was leading the comp – i decided i had bragging rights i said i had this week in the bag, until i found i got one one game … bulldogs over the sharks! lets hope the luck turns!
Bismark O'Measles // Apr 7, 2009 at 8:22 am
Sorry Drew.
We all took a bath this week.
I can confirm that Shaun knows what he’s talking about though… he won the comp I run last year.
Good luck next week.
BOM
Shaun // Apr 7, 2009 at 9:50 am
Sorry Drew. A lot of punters got caught out this round.
Have no idea if what happened was an aberration or there has been a changing of the guard. Fascinating but makes this weekend’s tips all the more difficult.
Mountain Boy // Apr 7, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Most people down in the haze of Sydney are thinking that 7 roughies just got up. But in my eyes only 4 roughies got up this week. Roosters should have been posted favourite at home to beat Parra, same goes for Penrith against the Tigers, and the Knights against Manly. so in my books 4 favourites, 4 roughies – not far from a normal round. And yes, the air is clearer up here.
(Apologies for starting that last sentence with a conjunction)
Jason // Apr 7, 2009 at 7:21 pm
2 from 8. Time for me to give the game away, I think.