It’s about this time of year (post-June 30) that clubs check their sums on what they can spend for the next year and scouting season begins. Of course, scouting happens all year round – but only into the new financial year does a club normally get serious about opening purse-strings. Its not just scouting for players off-contract either.

Contracted players for 2010 can either invoke their ‘out-clause’ if they have one, or hope to negotiate an early release from their club, if they are happier with another offer.

I reckon the players undoubtly know that scouting season has begun.

And anyway, Lowrie and Robson will not play over a fit Mateo and Keating. Not sure about the other teams but Parra’s recent form is mainly result of DA tweaking offensive and defensive structures and getting few other things right that Hagan neglected.

It’s the time of year when players start getting nervous about their contracts. You will see under-achieving teams start to achieve. I think teams like Penrith, Parra, Tigers, and Souths already have that mind-set (a full two months out!), and so they all have a chance of making the 8. (Wouldn’t sidelined be popular if that happened)

I tip at least a couple of these teams to make it in, and a couple of the better teams currently higher up, to crumble.

That was one of the best defensive efforts by the Eels for a few seasons. Hindy was great up the middle and Hayne was outstanding. And Inu is starting to find his way again. His pass to Lowrie for the third try was brilliant. Even Robson, one of the more unfashionable halfbacks in the comp, is playing out of his skin.

The Eels have left their run a little too late for this season. And they have the Bulldogs next week which will be a tough game.

However, with Mateo and Keating back on deck and Poore and Shackleton to join next season, 2010 could bring happy times back to Parra.

The best Pixi Frou Frou comment was in response to her dad, who called out to the cheerleaders “Hello girls. Can I have your phone numbers?” To which Pixie yelled out “Don’t listen to him. He’s married!”

There was much merriment in Bay 4 of the concourse after that.

The infamous Pixi Frou Frou made some classic comments which I’m sure Shaun will share with you.

The real winner on the day? Beer drinkers. it was cold (very) and didn’t run out at half time although we did have to switch to VB yellow for the final round of the day. Lucky UTS still had plenty in the pumps!

Thanks Shaun, Al, Pixi and Gnasher for a great afternoon.

BOM

Note to all ref’s knocked down in the field of play… Keep head well an truly tucked under until the forwards have run over you.

Apart from that.. what a game for the Bunnies. I’ve been a fan too long to say this is a different team and get my hopes up but, for once, they looked unflustered, professional and played as a unit – even Sandow calmed it down long enough to play a constructive role..

Any more of this and I can see them ending up 9th or something…..

Hairy Plopper was good this arvo – he gets to snog Ginny – Woo Hoo !

BOM

And poor Tony De Las Heras. If it wasn’t enough that a Bunnies player pushed him over, copping Tonie Carroll’s knee.

The second person in 3 days to find themselves having a impromptu sleep on the Suncorp turf.