sidelined

It all started on March 13th. And now the final preview and tip for the season.

After 26 rounds of regular season and three weeks of final footy, we have ended up with a rematch of last year’s Grand Final. Fitting really as both teams have played most of their footy a gear or two above the other clubs.
The Sharks will be very disappointed with their meek exit from the finals. [...]

Just three games of footy left in the season. But what a bounty of great games there has been so far this finals series. One of the best in many a season. So lets look at the two games that will decide who plays in the grand final.
Cronulla Sharks v Melbourne Storm, Friday 7:45pm [...]

The NRL had no choice but the find Cameron Smith guilty of a grapple tackle. Smith will miss out on the Grand Final providing Melbourne make it which is a hard punishment.
It sure will generate controversy but it is better that a finding of “not guilty.” That would have opened the game up to [...]

There is no amazing secret behind the Warriors invigorating run through the finals. They are playing for each other and for Reuben Wiki. A few other teams would do well to remember this. No one player is bigger than the team but sometimes one player can personify the team. The Warriors are feeling no pain [...]

At a time when the NRL should be proud to showcase the best teams of the season, off field player stupidity once again diverts attention away from the game. I have my views but I’ll save that for another post. I’m just going to turn my gaze onto the field for now. The winners and [...]

The Warriors have blown the premiership wide open with their stunning win over Melbourne. Their reward is a home finals against the Roosters this Friday. The short turnaround could be a worry but they won’t care. The Warriors have been growing in confidence over the past month or so and now they will have [...]

And so it begins. Eight teams enter. Only six leave. Doesn’t really have that ominous ring to it unless your are a fan of the two teams that get knocked out. And history suggests that this will the teams that have finished seventh and eighth. The money is on the Storm to repeat their winning [...]

With the finals series almost upon us, yours truly and regular Sidelined commentor, Bismarck O’Measles are heading to the footy. Not sure which match yet but one of the games at ANZ or the Sydney Football Stadium before the Grand Final.
If you’d like to come along and join us in talking crap imparting footy [...]

The excitement of the new season doesn’t seem that distant really. The season has flown by and here we are with one round to go. There are plenty of games this weekend that will decided final positions in the eight. And lets not forget the nervous waiting over the weekend in the footy tipping comps. [...]