Tabloid newspapers thrive on controversy to drive sales. And not just on the front page. A good old fashioned beat up on the back page is a bonus. As was the case this week with the Daily Telecrap in Sydney spending most of the week talking about a rift between Jarryd Hayne and Eels coach Daniel Anderson. It was was an utterly ridiculous story that revealed a distinct lack of integrity driven by arrogance.
The story started with the Telecrap distorting comments, and very fair comments at that, Anderson made about Hayne’s game on the weekend. Hayne’s manager, Wayne Beavis, was more of a Butthead by reading the Telecrap’s beatup and deciding to call a crisis meeting with Anderson and Paul Osbourne which the Telecrap gleefully reported. Sanity prevailed when Beavis did talk to Osbourne and Anderson instead of going off half cocked on the flimsy basis of shoddy sports journalism. Things seemed to quiet down until this morning when it was revealed that Hayne is ready to walk out of the club. When one actually reads the story, the only source is Terry Hill and even then, it is taken out of context. Hayne himself had to make a comment today confirming the obvious that there is issue between him and Anderson.
Yes Parra aren’t playing well and that is news just as their magical run to the Grand Final last year was news. But in analyzing why Parra is having trouble doesn’t excuse the pathetic attempts by the Telecrap to create division where there is none. It reflects poorly in the ability and integrity of the bottom feeding scum who cover rugby league for the Daily Telecrap.
Now on to the tips.
Brisbane v Wests, Friday 7:35pm, Suncorp Stadium
Brisbane have handled this year’s Origin well but given they have only had to release a handful of players it is no suprise. On the other hand, a few of the Tigers players must be wondering what they need to do to get a run for NSW. Expect a few of the outcasts to lift this game, reminding the idiots that run NSWRL what they are missing out on.
Cronulla v Canterbury, Saturday 7:30pm, Bluetongue Stadium
Only one game and Gosford gets another run. And being just down the road I shall venture forth into the bitter winter’s eve to partake in the game from the stands. The Bulldog clicked last week and while that have lost Ennis, they keep their team intact. With Gallen, Barrett and Snowden on Origin duty the Sharks lack teeth. The Bulldogs to string two and a row and inflict hope onto their fans.
Canberra v Easts, Sunday 2:00pm, Canberra Stadium
Usually this time of year Canberra would be in their element with the frosty conditions. But they haven’t really put it together at home this year. The Roosters aren’t exactly consistent themselves and they will miss Pearce for this game. A toss of the coin but it is chilly and Raiders should be better then they are.
New Zealand v Parramatta, Sunday 4:00pm, Mt Smart Stadium
Daniel Anderson is going to hypnotise his team into believing the Warriors are alleged journos named Phil or Dean. Then he will say to the Eels “Smash ‘em!” It won’t be pretty.
St George Illawarra v Penrith, Monday 7:00pm, WIN Jubilee Stadium
Top of the table clashed robbed by Origin duties more so for Penrith. The game could also see the return of Money Bag$ Gaz. Back in the fold after realising what most told him before he left Australia that while there is money in playing rugby, the game doesn’t satisfy the soul. A premiership might do hence the return. At full strength, Penrith would be worth a tip but I’m afraid the Dragons win this by being the slightly lesser team to pick from for Origin.
The Sure Thing: The Bulldogs
The Roughy: Why not the Panthers? It would be a great upset and the heart is in it.
16 responses so far ↓
Mountain Boy // Jul 1, 2010 at 11:18 pm
Wests Tigers.
Tigers went ok last week against the Dragons in patches. Those patches only need to get a little bigger and the baby Broncos are in trouble.
Canterbury Bulldogs.
The last thing the Sharks need now is a player getting picked for origin, let alone three. A rejuvenated Bulldogs is the double whammy.
Canberra Raiders.
Most pundits did their cash on the Raiders at home Monday night. A quick turnaround here for them but no travelling involved again, so that might lead to a swing of 100% in the tipping polls.
New Zealand Warriors.
Tough for a team to regroup with so much going on. Tough when the only way out of the hole is to have a win. Best thing for Parra, to me, is strart Hayne on the interchange bench. Other teams would have to deal with him as an impact player, and his own team would have to have other players stand up for periods of the game.
Penrith Panthers.
Saints seem to be doing a lot of chest beating about this one. From what I remember though, their previous efforts in origin weeks have been a football lesson courtesy of the 11th placed Raiders (at WIN), and a tight and controversial win over the 12th placed Sharks. Walsh is out for the Panthers but watch for Graham to put on his own show. The winner of this game all set to take the minor premiership. Stakes actually couldn’t be higher.
Mountain Boy // Jul 2, 2010 at 10:57 pm
Take heart if your team is vying for a top8 spot. A review of how things panned out over the last ten games over the last ten years shows this:
1999: after Round 16 8th=20pts … after Round 26 8th=32pts
2000: after Round 16 8th=16pts … after Round 26 8th=26pts
2001: after Round 16 8th=16pts … after Round 26 8th=26pts
2002: after Round 16 8th=16pts … after Round 26 8th=25pts
2003: after Round 16 8th=18pts … after Round 26 8th=28pts
2004: after Round 16 8th=16pts … after Round 26 8th=26pts
2005: after Round 16 8th=18pts … after Round 26 8th=28pts
2006: after Round 16 8th=18pts … after Round 26 8th=28pts
2007: after Round 16 8th=16pts … after Round 26 8th=24pts
2008: after Round 16 8th=18pts … after Round 26 8th=30pts
2009: after Round 16 8th=18pts … after Round 26 8th=29pts
2010: after Round 16 8th=16pts …
So what is the analysis?
It’s very clear to me that where after 16 rounds, if 8th spot equals 16 points, then the points required to make the finals has only been 26, 25, or 24. 8th spot this year is right on that mark. Historical data is showing that teams will only need 24 to 26 points this year. Lower than the experts will have you believe. Dragons 26 (and maybe Panthers 24) may have already qualified ten weeks out.
The reverse analysis you will see is that where after 16 rounds 8th spot is more than 16 points, the finals then requires 28 points or more.
Mountain Boy // Jul 2, 2010 at 11:01 pm
Shaun maybe you can liquid paper the Year 2000 stat .. should read “Round 26 8th=26pts”
Mountain Boy // Jul 3, 2010 at 7:58 am
Woops! must have been looking at an old table – 8th is currently 18 points so team8, I predict will need 28+. The experts are right. Sorry for the state of confusion.
Tigers were lucky to get the points. If they had gone upstairs they may have picked up a real sloppy play the ball.
Shaun // Jul 3, 2010 at 9:03 am
Fixed MB.
Yep, the Tigers were really lucky but I tweeted late first half that as bad as the Tigers were playing, had the feeling they would win.
Senexx // Jul 3, 2010 at 5:30 pm
Tigers played poorly but no rub of the green went their way when it should have done. A lucky one with the skill level they played and the very poor refereeing.
Shaun // Jul 3, 2010 at 6:17 pm
Be thankful that Brisbane did not play as equally bad as the Tigers. If that was the case then the game would have rivalled the Knights v Eels games of a few weeks back in awfulness.
About to put the thermals on and head out to Bluetongue to see the Sharks and Doggies. Don’t really care who wins. I ust want to see some good footy.
Shaun // Jul 4, 2010 at 4:12 pm
So, at the the game last night the cold conditions didn’t help bring a big crowd. Neither did the fact that the Sharkies don’t have a big fan base. Plenty of Doggies supporters out and they were far more noisy than the Sharks.
A great first half at almost a point a minute. Barba’s first try was just brilliant. But the second half was dull. Even the Doggies supporter sitting next to me fell asleep. He was a bit drunk but still, after the first half the second stanza was a letdown.
There was a Sharkie supporter behind me and if looks could kill, not a Sharks’ player would have survived the carnage.
Bringing Barba into the side has worked for the Doggies but as to whether they are on the way up is a question that needs tougher opposition to answer.
And the Central Coast Leagues Club is a scary place on a Saturday night. Also, I could not believe the young things (both genders) dressed as if the height of summer. Felt like telling to go back home a get a coat. It was freezing out last night.
Shaun // Jul 4, 2010 at 9:54 pm
Surveying the wreckage some Eels fans have asked “What do we do now?”
The answer. Have dinner. Watch some TV. Read a story to the Little One. Get ready for work tomorrow and go to bed. Basically whatever you usually do on a Sunday night.
Tis a very strange question.
Mountain Boy // Jul 4, 2010 at 10:49 pm
Know that knives arent out here – just trying to make sense of it all.
I still find it hard to believe that a team that plays so differently to the last half of last year has nothing to do with the coach.
More believable to me is that the coach has tried to impose more orthodox playing structures, with the players that play more off-the-cuff – namely Hayne, Inu, and Mateo not so keen on the idea, so much so that playing for another ad-lib style team seems far more attractive – some going all the way and signing elsewhere, others threatening to follow.
In most any organisation, where there is seen to be conflict, no matter who’s fault it is, the usual answer to get rid of the problem is to relieve both parties of their duties. Alternatively, if the fans, or the board, were to make a clear choice between Anderson or Hayne, as the root cause of the problem, then surely the vote would be for a new coach over a new star player.
Shaun // Jul 5, 2010 at 10:28 pm
Well done Panthers. Their defence was brilliant tonight. They lived dangerously with Kingston passing very flat at times but it worked and they just had better go forward that the Dragons. And I acknowledge it was done with some of their best players away on Origin duty.
Very fast game at times considering the conditions. A bit too fast for one Dragon with the number 20 on his back it seems. The years on the continent may have hardened his bank balance but seemed to have softened his skills.
They come back because they understand there is no tougher competition in the world. Something money can’t buy.
Mountain Boy // Jul 5, 2010 at 10:29 pm
Some crazy decisions get made in this game, rarely though ones that go against the Dragons. They definitely have reason to be blowing up here, but Penrith have reason to blow up nearly every week they play, even when they win. They never win the penalty count, and noone wins the penalty count against the Dragons, so this game was always going to be a double whammy.
The Dragons have ridden a wave of 50-50′s for far too long. Nothing like a change.
Might have to buy some fish n’ chips tomorrow.
Shaun // Jul 5, 2010 at 10:34 pm
Something I forgot to point out MB was that is you didn’t know the score and had to guess the game solely from stats (possession, line breaks, missed tackles etc) you would have picked the Dragons. Better almost everywhere else except on the scoreboard.
Makes it an impressive win.
Mountain Boy // Jul 5, 2010 at 10:55 pm
Anyone will tell you possession wins matches, well it’s meant to anyway. Ref’s know it, penalty-pulling players (ie. cheats) know it, baying one-eyed crowds know it. Ahhh, yes. Will sleep well tonight…
interrupted by Holland v Uruguay
Mountain Boy // Jul 5, 2010 at 10:57 pm
Oh goodie. Soccer not til Wednesday morning
gilmae // Jul 5, 2010 at 11:48 pm
Yeah, possession wins matches; but apparently forward passes lose them.
Shaun, young things get around in nothing all the time. Being old is when you stop thinking of it as a hot skirt and start wondering who let her out wearing only a belt.