My Game 3 Origin premortem turned out to be an almost perfect description, if you substituted NSW for QLD. It was a very disappointing loss and whilst NSW were the better side on the night (that hurts me to type!), we never really had any luck but as they say you do make your own. The biggest difference I could see was the performance of Young and Martin, who really dictated terms to our players. Oh well – bring on 2027!
Round 19 started with the Warriors way too strong for the Tigers and you would have to think that with the issues around Luai the Tigers 26 season may be over. The Warriors, on the other hand, are contenders but I am not sure if they can win. They need real consistency from her on in, if they are to show they are genuine contenders.
On Saturday, there were three games. What a disaster for the Dolphins. They were pathetic and now join the over 50’s can’t-win-the-comp club. The Sharks were in a feeding frenzy, including 11 from 11 by Hynes to really rub salt into the gaping hole in the Dolphin’s defence. Enough said! The second game saw the Bulldogs capitulating at home to the Raiders, being behind 22-0 at half time and leading 40-4 before two late Raiders tries. The Bulldogs’ inconsistency is still the major feature of the club, especially after their last game, which made many think they were back on track. Not to be. Finally, on Saturday night, the Roosters ran amok with Tupou playing his 300th game and scoring 3 tries against the hapless Eels. The Eels showed plenty of grit in the first half holding the Roosters to 4-0 but couldn’t go the distance in the second half. Roosters winning the Jack Gibson Cup 28-12.
Sunday started with the Rabbitohs at home to the Knights and it was a cracking game where the Rabbits led 20-6 at halftime before the Knights scored 3 tries in the last 10 minutes to really liven up the game. The highlight reel is worth watching for some excellent team tries. Well done to Souths for their tribute to Jai Arrow. A very important win to the Rabbits. The second Sunday game has the Sea Eagles at home to the Cowboys and another excellent game saw the Cowboys home in Golden Point 19-18. Interestingly, both sides scored 4 tries and could only manage 1 goal before Drinkwater slotted the golden point. The Sea Eagles had their first loss at home under the Fosball regime and now have 2 losses in a row. Well alright, they have had a fair run. The Cowboys have got themselves into the 8 and need to springboard from here. Finally, the Storm got home over the Titans, however I feel (as their coach did) that they didn’t get a lot of luck. The Storm won 22-18 after leading 12-6 at half time. A good performance from the Titans, but not good enough.
Origin is over, so now we run to the finals, with the first game seeing the Broncos at home to the Panthers. We have been told there can be no more excuses for the Broncos, but it is very hard to see them winning this match against the Panthers. If they do, there will be the slightest glimmer of hope, but I can’t see it.
There are two games on Friday night, the first has the marauding Sharks home against the Knights. After last week you would think the Sharks should really kick on now, but the Knights were unlucky to lose that match and they may trouble the Sharks. I think maybe the Sharks. The second Friday night game has the Roosters at home to the Storm, who have to win. The Roosters showed enough last week to say that they can be a contender and it will be interesting to see how the Storm recover from last week’s unconvincing win against Titans.
There are three games on Saturday, with the first one having the Raiders at home to the Rabbits, who were good last week and desperately need to win this game to put themselves in with a chance to work to the top 4. Meanwhile the Raiders showed their best form of the season last week and will be keen to try and salvage something from the season. The second game has the Warriors at home to the Dragons and that should be one way traffic over in New Zealand. The Warriors for me. Finally, the Bulldogs are at home to the West Tigers and both clubs at the moment are in the doldrums. The Bulldogs still can’t seem to find their way and the West Tigers have had to deal with the Luai dispute all week.
Two games on Sunday finish the round with the Titans at home to Manly. The Titans are expected to put on a good show at home and their crowds have been growing slightly. Meanwhile, Foran has to get his Sea Eagles back in the groove, otherwise their season will rapidly slip away. The final game of the round is at Suncorp, where the Dolphins are at home to the Cowboys. What can the Dolphins do to remove the disastrous result from last week? They do have all their Origin players back and that will make a big difference, but are still missing their young halfback. Likewise, the Cowboys had a very good win last week and are still missing their half back Tom Dearden, although he has been named on extended bench and you would think he would play if available. Very tough game to call, as these teams sit 7th and 8th on the ladder and maybe the Dolphins can bounce back.
Last week’s music clue was for the seminal English post punk band The Smiths. Their music resonates still today, and they were not afraid to write songs about topical issues. Well worth a listen if you are not familiar with their work. Their strong guitar work is very good and if you listen to Some Girls are Bigger Than Others you will hear some of the silliest lyrics possibly ever, although Toto still holds that reign for me with Africa! Can you find the clue this week?
NSW best Origin Tries 13 (I was forced to do this -losing bet)
1 Jarrad Hayne 2 Andrew Ettingshausen 3 Mark McGaw 4 Bradman Best 5 Michael O’Connor 6 Brett Kenny 7 Nathan Cleary 8 Steve Hanson 9 Benny Elias10 Glenn Lazarus 11 Steve Menzies12 Craig Fitzgibbon 13 Greg Bird
I have the Games and tries but I’m not entering them as that was not specified!
7 NSW players this week.
Round 19 Tips
Panthers Knights Roosters Souths Warriors Bulldogs Titans Dolphins.
Brisbane, Dragons, and Panthers all have a bye
I beat the Prop Tipping Comp Leaderboard
4 last week has my slide down the ladder continuing.
1 Timmoie (92) 2 Gerry (88) Bimbi Bob (87) Banksy, Gladstone (86) RITV The Uncle Souffs (84) Flying Mattress (83).
The top ESPN score at the end of Rd 19 is 102 and Panfers has hit the lead by 1 point.
My Pre Season Top Eight
1 Penrith 3 Roosters 4 Sharks 6 Souths 8 Cowboys 10 Storm 11Bulldogs 14 Broncos
Odd Fact
In season 2026 Away teams are winning at a rate not seen before in the NRL. The home ground advantage in rugby league seems to be disappearing. Historically Home teams win at 56.5% and Away teams at 42,5%. This year Away teams are running at just over 45%. Last week saw a record 7 Away wins plus NSW winning at Lang Park. So much for taking the Home side in the big games!
Vale
On a sad note, former Brisbane Brothers, Queensland, Australia, North Sydney and Bundaberg Brothers second rower Noel ‘Cav’ Cavanagh passed away last week. Cav was a true gentlemen and friend to all. He played in the 67 Brothers premiership team kicking 3 goals in Brothers 6-2 win over Norths in the Brisbane Grand Final. He held most positions at Bundy Brothers from Coach to President. A great friend to many including me and my family. To Shirley and family my thoughts are with you.
Rugby League is no longer on Vacation- It is a Quest
You gotta love footy.
If the PD is at all relevant the top 8 would seem to allow for only one change from its current standing. Manly would have to be favoured to finish ahead of Nth Qld.
CHEERS
Benny Elias??