We pass the halfway mark of the regular season. The Dragons are the trend setters sitting very comfortably at the top of the table. Premierships aren’t won in June but you can sure set yourself up for one. The Panthers are next much to the surprise of their fans methinks. There seems some expectation that it is all too good to be true but maybe good things for the mountain me this year. Manly take third but there is some fragility about the side at the moment. They could start a slide back down the ladder. The Tigers are fourth and while also a little up and down, when they apply themselves they can beat anyone. I’m still not sure about the Titans. My feeling is that their place on the ladder is a little generous to the team’s performances of late.
The Bunnies are the big improvers this year. Consistency in the halves and the big name forward pack living up to their reputation. The Broncos are hanging in around seventh spot and may still make the finals but I’m not sure. As for the Eels, it is up the them if they want to shake this comp up.
Outside the eight, the Roosters bright start is really fading. The Raiders have had their moments but still have issues hanging onto leads. The Warriors statistically have a glimmer of hope to resurrect their season but it would take an almighty form reversal. The Knights have the potency but rarely seem to be able to put it together. Again, they could still make the eight but will require an 2009 Eels like run home to get there.
The Sharks are just happy to be off the bottom of the table. As for the Doggies, age is wearying Kimmorely and that is affecting the team. And the Cowboys are just hapless at the moment. I suggest that Thurston’s dominance is hurting the side. A few good forwards and another half decent player maker would help the Cowboys.
And finally the Storm, for good and well documented reasons, are last.
As for this week…
Gold Coast v Manly, Friday 7:35pm, Skilled Park
The Titans are a conundrum. Very good roster that just can’t seem to put it all together. And they are leaking points. Meanwhile Manly is suffering a plague of injuries that could see a slide down the ladder. One that will start up on the Gold Coast.
North Queensland v Canberra, Saturday 7:30pm, Dairy Farmer Stadium
There was a time that you wouldn’t tips the Cowboys without Thurston. But things are turning sour up North and you can hardly pick the Cowboys even with Thurston. The Raiders have had their moments this year and they can still make the finals with a stirring run home. They’ll win this one but whether it is the start of something remains to be seen.
Newcastle v New Zealand, Sunday 2:00pm Energy Australia Stadium
Bloody hell. When will the curse end? You all know what happens next.
Brisbane v South Sydney, Sunday 3:00pm, Suncorp Stadium
What a game this would have been if both sides were at full strength? But the Bunnies have lost pretty much their forward back through injury or representative footy (Burgess is back in Ol’ Blimey for a test) and the Broncos lose their key players to Origin. The Bunnies success have been built off the back of their forwards. Sutton and Sandow will find it a lot harder without the platform they have been accustomed too. The Broncos can get this.
Melbourne v Easts, Monday 7:00pm, AAMI Park
The Roosters may find a match in a weakened Storm. The Storm second stringers aren’t bad. Not all of the Storm’s success was built around dodgy contracts. The Roosters can be appalling at times and shouldn’t think take this game lightly. I’m sure Smithy won’t but the players could be a different proposition especially if they decided to ‘relax.’
The Sure Thing: Canberra
The Roughy: Manly
13 responses so far ↓
Mountain Boy // Jun 10, 2010 at 11:26 pm
Manly. I think the last meeting is still a sore point and much will be done to square the ledger.
Cowboys. Not sure how they pulled the rug from the Roosters at SFS a month. Was without Thurston. Shaun could be right in that JT feels he needs to overplay his hand and its just not working. Who knows, may even be some disharmony there, and they may feel more like a team without him ??
Newcastle. Sorry Shaun. No I didn’t wait to see what you tipped, but yes, I gained confidence by seeing the Warriors tip. Has Mr Guiness been contacted to see if you can be in his book of records?
Brisbane. Would have been a great game to see where things are at for these two but not to be. Still super important for both teams to get the win. I think either Sandow and/or Sutton to have an obligatory shocker here and the QLD fans to let them know all about it.
Melbourne. The only reason this team has to play this year is because they truly love playing footy. Wouldn’t you love that to be your team.
Mountain Boy // Jun 10, 2010 at 11:34 pm
..The Melbourne Rectangular Stadium ?!!? No wonder they found a sponsor to rename it.
Bismark O'Measles // Jun 10, 2010 at 11:57 pm
Tits
Rads
Nits
Boncs
Roos
Mountain Boy // Jun 11, 2010 at 8:09 pm
..forgot NSW for Origin II, … and then III.
The socceroos to cause an upset of sorts by coming away with a well-earned draw against Germany. (1-1)
Shaun // Jun 11, 2010 at 10:51 pm
As much as we love our NRL, should we have a World Cup thread so we can talk about the world game? I’m in a tipping comp at work so have an interest now.
Let me know what yas think.
Bismark O'Measles // Jun 12, 2010 at 5:14 pm
I too have started a World Cup comp at work – sweep unfortunately – and have a minor interest now so I vote yes.
BTW : I’d pay good money to know what Joey said to Timana – or has Mr Tahu just seen the writing on the wall & wants out?!?
Mountain Boy // Jun 12, 2010 at 11:34 pm
Did anyone see T.T’s outburst on the Footy Show when Robbo was just joking around with some players during a meal? I immediately thought, this guy is a bit short in the fuse department. When I heard the news, I figured it may have not been much powder that set off the cannon once more. From a distance, I see one troubled soul who’s issues have nothing to do with football.
Happy to just follow the trials and tribulations of the Australian team – and if they may drop out – of course interested in how the finals pan out.
Shaun // Jun 12, 2010 at 11:42 pm
What has irked me about the Tahu incident is those that have called him soft (especially in the NRL forums). Rubbish. What he did required tremendous courage and conviction.
Sometimes you have to say enough is enough.
Shaun // Jun 12, 2010 at 11:54 pm
OK, you want World Cup discussion? You got it!
Shaun // Jun 13, 2010 at 5:11 pm
Wait a minute. The Warriors won! Does this mean the cure has been lifted? We’ll see next week.
Mountain Boy // Jun 13, 2010 at 9:14 pm
I have heard talk that the racial slur was a cover-up for a player that didn’t like camp and just wanted out? I’m happy not to make a judgement either way until the dust has settled in a few weeks time.
Well done Shaun, the curse has been lifted. Mr Guinness had thought he was on a winner for a while there.
Shaun // Jun 13, 2010 at 9:30 pm
The Knights v Warriors was exciting but lack of defense is becoming an issue in for some teams. Sure there were some great tries but poor defense created the opportunities.
And yes the Broncos scored 50 points but they also let in 22. That same thing is happening in the NYC as well.
If you are going to flog a side then you do it with great attack and good defense.
gilmae // Jun 15, 2010 at 9:27 am
I also saw some bright spark query why it is racist to call some one of Aboriginal descent “black”. Plenty of atavists to go.