A strange experience. For the life of me, the period between 8 and 10:30pm from Wednesday night has been erased from my memory. I have no idea what happened but I’m sure it was nothing important.
A slightly abbreviated round with only 7 games so lets get into it. Please note that no-one from the Defence Department via representation to Joel Fitzgibbon was involved in collating the tips.
Melbourne v Brisbane, Friday 7:35pm, Olympic Park
Both teams have players backing up after some unimportant game that they played on Wednesday for some reason. Brisbane suffer the most with Hodges out for a few weeks after a knee injury. Hard to split the teams but Melbourne have the edge being at home.
Wests v Penrith, Friday 7:30pm, Leichhardt Oval
The Tigers are very slight favourites and this could be an epic game. Even with Jennings out, the Penrith do offer a lot in attack. The Tigers are slightly depleted but as long as Marshall and Farah play, they’ll be in the game. Tempted by the home side but Penrith have the form over the past month or so.
Newton v North Sydney, Saturday 3:00pm, Henson Park
Meeting around 2:00pm at the Henson Park Hotel before the game if anyone is interested.
Manly v Easts, Saturday 5:30pm, Brookvale Oval
Does anyone know where Jamie Lyon was Wednesday night? There was a rumour he was playing footy but no one actually seemed to remember seeing him at the game. Lyon will probably have a field day against the more gentle Roosters. They have been woeful and I can’t see them, even with spiritual guidance from Artie, mounting a challenge.
North Queensland v South Sydney, Saturday 7:30pm, Dairy Farmers Stadium
Oh Bunnies, you need to do something or another promising start to the season will be wasted amidst the also rans. Knocking over the Cowboys will be quite a statement of intent for the rest of the year. Thurston is playing as well as he ever has this season after a quiet start. While the Bunnies have had the wood on the Cowboys over the past few seasons, North Queensland’s form deserves the tip.
Cronulla v New Zealand, Sunday 2:00pm, Toyota Park
Cronulla treated their win like a grand final last week. The question is was that a sign that they have turned the corner or just an aberration in a woeful season? The Warriors have been underwhelming this year and not a bad team for Cronulla to come up against with some confidence now returned. It won’t be a pretty game but the Warriors do offer a little more in attack.
Newcastle v Eels, Sunday 3:00pm, Energy Australia Stadium
Congratulations Mungo on your win.
Gold Coast v St George Illawarra, Monday 7:00pm, Skilled Stadium
I’m not sure about the Titans. They are in fifth spot but not convinced of their bona fides yet. This game will help with working this out. The Dragons are on top of the table and just motoring along nicely. The home side will be out for an upset and it will be tough, hard game. But St Benny’s boys just keep impressively bouncing along.
The Sure Thing: The Knights
The Roughy: If you believe in hoodoos then the Bunnies.
20 responses so far ↓
Bismark O'Measles // Jun 5, 2009 at 12:21 am
All the above bar Brisbane and the Blue Bags.
I get the feeling there will be one less Cronin on the planet from 3:00 – 5:00 on Sunday and, yes I congratulate you too Amanda.
Anyone who cares to turn up at the Henson Park Hotel on Saturday will be able to recognise your seteemed host easily – not by the handsome glint in his eye but by the glorious headgear that he will be wearing.
Yes Shaun, I found the Deerstalker !! (or Deerslayer as our glorious drinking captain was heard to say.. after a few drinks.)
.. oh, I’m only going for the blues cos you’re going for the Bears. Gotta’ give me something to cheer for!
See you on Saturday
BOM
Mountain Boy // Jun 5, 2009 at 9:59 am
I remember Wednesday night well. It was at times painful, at times heartbreaking, at times exhilarating, at times heart-stopping, at quite a few times bewildering, and so at times thinking why am I screaming at the television – but all the while knowing that win or lose, it’s a special time of year. QLD won in the end. It hurts to lose, but thats ok. Just be careful not to hop off the bus when your team is down. There’s an unwritten rule that you’re not allowed back on again.
This weekend I select:
Brisbane.
Two day turnaround for a few from each team, but preparation for the Broncos far better as the Storm train half a week without key players, but a whole week (and a bit) without their coach.
Penrith.
Like Gidley doesn’t make or break Newcastle, so Jennings won’t make or break Penrith. I’m not sure if its that Penrith have worked out Marshall and Farah, or if Marshall and Farah have yet to work out Penrith, but it’s one of those two.
Manly.
Won’t be a great game but I think the chooks will do it tough at Brooky. I think the last game against the Gold Coast is still in the ref’s memory bank – and payback to come in spades.
South Sydney.
My theory why Souths do so well up in Townsville is that they all get to work on their tans, and vitamin D does wonders in the midst of winter. They are the Cowboys bogie team and probably at their wariest now that they are doing well, and Souths seem to be struggling.
New Zealand.
Gallen is back in, and will continue to lead without the (c). He is in fact their achilles heel this year given that he leads so poorly. Warriors to romp home.
Newcastle.
Parra have nothing to lose and will try all day, but the truth is that they will need something freaky to suddenly come together for them to beat a top 4 team away.
St George.
Another tough one. Titans will test, and Prince wants a crack at Origin II but like many a game so far this year, he will get outpointed by his opposite number.
Mungo Amanda // Jun 5, 2009 at 10:05 am
Knights are getting heads shaved for charity so seeing the whole squad that way is an extra reason to tune in
http://www.leagueunlimited.com/article.php?newsid=17995
Shaun // Jun 5, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Aah, it may be the Knights undoing. Robbed of their strength they will find Hayne and Hindmarsh too much for them.
I can dream can’t I?
Mountain Boy // Jun 5, 2009 at 10:37 pm
Hey Sterlo and Rabbs how much did you lose tonight ? Everytime there was a 50/50 call, you were adamant it should go the Tigers way. Your influence on these decisions are a joke than yourselves. Keep your money in your pocket and just call the game you dopes. You might stay in front for once.
Shaun // Jun 5, 2009 at 11:05 pm
Due to parenting duties I missed the second half but handling in the first half was woeful. I assume that Penrith had the better completion rate in the end.
But that could be the Tigers’ season. They will be 6 points adrift of the eight now.
Mountain Boy // Jun 7, 2009 at 6:03 pm
Probably the only sure thing about next week is that the Tigers will bear the weight of Shaun’s Sure Thing
I think you should make it Manly though. Hint.Hint.
Shaun // Jun 7, 2009 at 7:03 pm
FMD. I wasn’t expecting that.
Shaun // Jun 7, 2009 at 10:09 pm
It’s starting to sink in. What a game. So many great moments but Hindy’s brilliant cover tackle on Gidley was the best. That was game breaker.
But a great team effort by the Eels. Good on ya boys. A massive game next week against the Tigers.
Bismark O'Measles // Jun 8, 2009 at 12:17 am
… I smell a bet coming on!
Bismark O'Measles // Jun 8, 2009 at 10:32 pm
Blimey.
Not sure why I flippin’ well bother Shaun.
I mean… I care about who wins. I barrack for all sorts of teams we’ve spent years hating and what do they do for me? Bloody lose.
Anyhow, The Bears won (quite convincingly) so I suppose I should be happy for small mercy’s.
BOM(bed in the tipping this week.)
Shaun // Jun 9, 2009 at 9:47 am
Yes, your sense are attuned Bismark. I await to hear the terms for the wager. And to give you a chance, I’ll will make the Eels the Sure Thing for the coming weekend.
Mountain Boy // Jun 9, 2009 at 3:00 pm
I think the “Sure Thing” is fast becoming the “Kiss of Death”.
Shaun // Jun 9, 2009 at 3:40 pm
In the interests of the Sure Thing, here is the record so far.
Round 1 – The Storm – won
Round 2 – Cowboys – won
Round 3 – Sea Eagles – lost
Round 4 – The Storm – lost
Round 5 – Sea Eagles – won
Round 6 – Titans- won
Round 7 – Broncos – won
Round 8 – Raiders – lost
Round 9 – Broncos- lost
Round 10 – Penrith – won
Round 11 – Dragons – won
Round 12 – Souths – lost
Round 13 – Knights lost
7 wins. 6 losses. The record is admittedly uneven but I expect to be back on track this week.
Mountain Boy // Jun 11, 2009 at 8:33 am
Parra purchase two front rowers and a half – all off contract this year. Is this just a very strange coincidence – or are some important people in this sport reading what I have to say ??
Shaun // Jun 11, 2009 at 1:23 pm
MB,
The story is that when Anderson arrived at the club, he was astonished at the numbers that the Eels were paying some players (many of us suspect Todd Lowrie is on overs) and the lack of proper recruiting over the past few years.
I blame Hagan and Fitzgerald (who was always moaning about the cap). Obviously if you are paying overs for your squad then sure, the cap will be tight.
With Fitzgerald gone and Anderson in charge of recruiting, the deficiencies in recruiting have been rectified. Eels fans have been agitating this year for strengthening the forwards which we have done. I’m very happy with the signing.
Not sure if we really want Wing, as fine a player as he is, because Keating/Mortimer deserve a season to show their stuff. Also, the Eels rate highly Albert Kelly though the rumour is that he will go to Melbourne.
With regards to the cap, Finch moving on has given us some room and a few off contract players will likely move on as well and that will help.
Mountain Boy // Jun 11, 2009 at 5:03 pm
Just looking at who fits into the starting 17 is one thing – it’s also important to have depth, so having a rep. utility player is not the worst thing in the world to have in your back pocket.
Interesting to know how the current foward line will react considering they seem out of a job after this year. Will there minds be on the job ? I just don’t know. The flow on effect could be some frantic negotiation from those now on “death-row” to try and secure the next year or so of their career. It may even effect the mindset of young Mortimer who has not yet established himself in the 1st grade.
Very much the right idea in regard to spending, but a little impatient in my books from the Parra hierarchy. They could have easily waited a couple of months and still picked up some good players for next year.
Shaun // Jun 11, 2009 at 5:16 pm
I think the forwards will be ok. If some do decide to slack off, there will be others wanting to put their hands up.
Next year, the back row will be Shackleton, Mateo and Hindmarsh. Fui Fui, Cayless, Poore and Latimoore will likely be the four props. That leaves a bench spot and I reckon Joe Galuvao deserves to rewarded for a good season (so far).
Matt Keating as the starting hooker though Kingston is challenging for that role (supposedly a nothing buy but is proving a great find).
That is not a bad forward pack.
Mortimer will be fine. He was resigned and Anderson does think he and Keating will be the halves.
I’m starting to think the Wing to Eels story is a typical News Ltd beat up.
Mountain Boy // Jun 11, 2009 at 5:20 pm
.. Just clarifying…I know my round 12 comments read “Parra buy now” but I was referring to buying players who could immediately fit into the ’09 team (similar to Finch going to the Storm). Out with the old and in with the new.
Buying mid-season for the following year always means that some important players to the team at the moment now have a short time to find a job for next year and that will, at minimum, play on their minds.
Shaun // Jun 11, 2009 at 5:38 pm
It would have been hard to find anyone who wanted an immediate start and fit them under the 2009 cap. As mentioned, some baggage will be let go at the end of the season and that has cleared the way for Poore and Shackleton.
Hagan ruined a decent legacy that Brian Smith had left. Anderson is rebuilding it and I’d say the positive results will be very much evident next year (though the Eels could have a decent second half even if they don’t make the finals).