And it is 7 days since the NRL had a salary cap scandal. But the Storm still dominate the back pages and surely in weeks to come as more dodgy deals arise from the stygian depths to be cleansed by the light. A shame as the game showed some rude health last weekend. Melbourne fans got emotional with their team and provided some great support. A big crowd turned up for the Anzac Day game and how good was it is see a packed CUA Stadium last Saturday? As Richard Hinds wrote in today’s SMH, league is very hard to kill.
Onwards ever boldly to the tips.
Brisbane v Newcastle, Friday 7:35pm, Suncorp Stadium
Izzy gonna stay or go? The word is that he turning from Mormon to Mammon and likely will accept a big offer from union to play for the new Melbourne side. Which is strange not for the fact that he will get huge amounts of money to simply touch the ball once or twice a game but that one intention, if my memory serves me correct, of moving to Brisbane was to be close to family. Hence the move back to Melbourne. Broncos over what should be an improved but still not quite enough effort by the Knights.
Parramatta v Canterbury Bankstown, Friday 7:35pm, ANZ Stadium
ANZ was packed the last time these two teams play and while the crowd won’t be as big it will be a healthy one. Both teams started off slow but have picked up some momentum over the past few weeks. But that momentum will stop for one of them and it is likely to be the Bulldogs given their injury woes. The big clash will be Tahu v Idris. I’ll wager the old dog has a few tricks to teach the young pup.
New Zealand v Canberra, Saturday 1:00pm, Mt Smart Stadium
It may be best to discard the Mexican wave of emotion that swept the Warriors aside last week. But the signs for a few weeks haven’t been good. Then again, they come up against a side that seems to think you get points for leading at half time. There is no confidence in picking the Warriors but I have the same lack of faith in the Raiders on the road. Toss a coin.
Gold Coast v Panthers, Saturday 5:30pm, Skilled Stadium
If Penrith want to win this game then they better be prepared to fight for the full 80 minutes. Which they have been doing over the past few weeks. But let their guard down and the Titans will take the chance. As much as Penrith deserve kudos for the efforts of the past few weeks, the Titans at home are hard to beat and Monday’s amazing escape from Brookvale will give them confidence. Should be a beauty of a game.
North Queensland v Melbourne, Saturday 7:30pm, Dairy Farmers Stadium
If you need to consolidate your position on the tipping comp then the Storm is attractive. But this game will be a come down for them after the riding the emotion of last week and the enormity of issue starts to sink in. So if you want a sneaky upset them go for the Cowboys like I am. A combination of a bit of a feeling and a smidgen of ripping desperation. Oh, and I must say as wrong as I was about Big Willie his form deserves praise.
St George Illawarra V Cronulla, Saturday 7:30pm, WIN Stadium
So what would be the reaction to a revelation that the Sharks has also been cheating the salary cap? Hysterical laughter and the Sharks board removed for incompetence (in not cheating properly) would be my bet. The Sharks did score a win last week and they do rise against their neighbours but I can’t see them getting over in this game. The Dragons will really need to lose the plot or have some dirty deeds uncovered to not get the points here.
Wests v Easts, Sunday 2:00pm, Campbelltown Stadium
Both teams have juggled their side around to accommodate missing half backs. Carney will be interesting at half but I’m never convinced by Farah in the halves. But the Roosters will miss Pearce more as the Tigers seem to be doing ok without a decent half back. The Roosters need to stand up against the favoured teams in the comp. They have a chance against the Tigers but the home side should be stronger in the end.
South Sydney v Manly, Sunday 3:00pm, ANZ Stadium
Dez was almost in tears after Manly’s capitulation last week and the Bun Buns stage a remarkable second half effort themselves. So on form, Manly to lead at half time but Souths to win the game. Souths do have a habit of disappointing me when I tip them but they are in this game and worth the punt.
The Sure Thing: The Dragons
The Roughy: Panthers though they aren’t much of a roughy.
12 responses so far ↓
Bismark O'Measles // Apr 30, 2010 at 12:10 am
Same as yours Shaun – but I might go the Raiders just to be different.
12:00 tomorrow?
Shaun // Apr 30, 2010 at 12:12 am
Yes, indeedy.
Mountain Boy // Apr 30, 2010 at 12:12 am
A sniff of some shrewd hedge-tipping of late there, S? Not sure which 5 of the home teams might win? – so tip them all. Of course, it will usually pay off, but more fun to have a proper go at the 8.
Newcastle. A little distraction going on at the Broncos this week , no Wallace, and Newcastle whilst inconsistent, can take advantage of the inch they’ve been given.
Canterbury. No Roberts is a great thing for this team. He has been their bringing down of late. His predictability the main culprit, his inept 5th play options the other. Barba to be thrown in there at some stage to cause Parra a problem or two.
New Zealand – Canberra seem to have forgotten how they did it in Parra. Or were they just playing out of their socks that night?, and so now find that form hard to reproduce.
Penrith – The similarity with 2003 is that people continue to write this team off as a mere aberration. The difference with 2003 is that this team is more complete than the 2003 version.
North Queensland. I think the Cowboys are brewing a little ambush. A bit of resolve shown after a few ordinary performances, and Thurston desperate to show Origin selectors he has it over Cronk.
St George. I recall as good as the Dragons were going this time last year, and as bad as the Sharks were going – the corresponding game last year was very tight and surprisingly low-scoring. They are the sure thing – but is that a good thing or a bad thing?
Easts – See last weeks Gold Coast tip for the “Wes” (Pattern)
Souths – The way Souths can finish a game compared to the way Manly can finish a game… Its a game that could easily send a good team like Manly to the funny farm if they dont bounce back here.
Shaun // Apr 30, 2010 at 12:16 am
Dunno if my tipping is shrewd of late. I think I’ve yet to record anything better than 6 games this season.
To be honest (and you can trust me, I’ve never been CEO of the Melbourne Storm) I only realised I’d tipped all home games when I entered the tips for the footy comp.
Mountain Boy // Apr 30, 2010 at 12:26 am
22 out of the last 24 might shock you then!
Senexx // Apr 30, 2010 at 12:11 pm
Broncos
Eels
Warriors
Titans
Storm
Dragons
Tigers
Sea Eagles
Shaun // May 1, 2010 at 12:34 am
Idris won the battle against Tahu but the Eels won were it counted.
Hindmarsh was brilliant and so was KK. The Hayne Train is starting to wind up. Mateo is looking the goods again. And a great defensive effort by the Eels with the Dogs only scoring two opportunistic tries. Almost a bit disappointed that the Eels have the bye next week.
As for the Broncos game, I only saw the first half but Brisbane were on fire at one stage. I have no idea how the Knights won from there. This season is throwing up some really weird games.
Mountain Boy // May 1, 2010 at 9:30 am
Time will tell if Parra has a 20 week finishing burst in them this year – they only had a 10 week finishing burst last year.
Mountain Boy // May 1, 2010 at 11:27 am
.. I spose at least they had one.
Mountain Boy // May 1, 2010 at 11:55 am
The amount of 12…14… 16 point turnarounds in games is starting to play with teams minds.
Being in front these days can be more mentally draining than being behind. Believe me or not, this uses energy. Mental fatigue will eventually cross over into the physical side with mistakes / missed tackles / bad decisions the proof. Games are being run like mini-Melbourne Cups – the idea being not to hit the lead too early. Not to panic if you are behind. (Possibly even hold back from playing your best poker hand until later in the game!!)
This being the case, bookies are offering some crazy prices on-the-run. Gold Coast blew out to $8 last week late in the game when only 8 points down. I wasn’t anywhere I could get on, but I think I was, I might have had a little specky at that price.
Shaun // May 1, 2010 at 1:05 pm
MB, the idea this year is not for the Eels to need a big run home. If they keep winning and only drop the odd game they will be sweet.
But the turnarounds are interesting. A few weeks ago I would have out it down to match fitness but teams should be over that by now.
If teams get to 16-18 point buffer then they should go on with it. It could be a matter of how much you trust your defense. If there are doubts then that could play on the teams minds. Some teams seem t0 panic easily when defending.
Mountain Boy // May 2, 2010 at 6:01 pm
Oh no. Not the pattern. Looks like Penrith are in big trouble against the Sharks after the bye. ;(