Round 9 started off with a match between the Bulldogs at home to the Cowboys on Friday night. The Cowboys ran out comprehensive winners of this match, and many Bulldogs supporters must be ruing the decision of the club to let Mahoney go. He was a constant thorn in the side of Canterbury, pulling off some excellent tackles and giving the Bulldogs the old I’ll Remember routine. Suddenly, the Cowboys looked like a much better side and a possible contender. The second Friday night game saw the Dolphins running out comprehensive winners over the hapless Storm Frozen at the bottom of the ladder. It seems impossible to think that last year’s beaten grand finalists, who have such a proud record, are languishing at the bottom of the table and seemingly see no way out. The Dolphins were particularly good, Farnsworth was dangerous and the forward pack was solid. The early injury to Wishart did not help the Storm’s cause, and they needed improvement all over the field.
The first Saturday game saw a disappointing Titans allow the Raiders to skip away to an 18-point early lead. Unfortunately, this is a pattern of play that has been with the Titans for way too long and they still look Miles Away from the top sides. Even the under-strength Raiders, once they got their heads in front, were able to control the game. Some big-name players at the Titans need to perform soon or Hannay will be left with little choice but to make changes. The second game was a comprehensive victory for the Warriors over the Eels. The Eels scored an early try through Volkman, but then it was all one-way traffic. It reestablishes the Warriors into the top 4, but I still don’t think they have the muscle to go with the top teams when the Spotlight goes on them. The final Saturday night game saw the Roosters race to a massive 30-nil lead over the Broncos early in the second half, before the Broncos got their share of the ball. They came back strongly in the match to get within 6 points with 15 to go. Strangely, Radley was at the centre of three indiscretions in a row and can thank his Lucky Star he wasn’t binned, but 3 minutes later Stagg committed one of the dumbest things you’d ever say on a rugby league field, possibly out of frustration, and got 10 minutes in the bin, ruining any chance the Broncos had of winning the game. The Broncos injury list continues to grow, and this must be a concern for their coaching staff. Further, Staggs’ deserved suspension hurts even more. Radley received no charge??
There were three games on the Sunday and the first saw the Knights have a win over the Rabbitohs in a highly entertaining match, where the Knights got out to a big 22-point lead by the 20-minute mark. The Rabbitohs had the chance to steal the match late but opted to play to Latrell where the Knights had heavily numbered up as opposed to shifting the ball back to the right side where there were gaps galore. It was an especially important win for the Knights, who can Take a Bow for their performance. The Sharks absolutely mauled the Tigers, and if we stick by the 50-point rule that is Bye Bye Baby for the Tigers aspirations to be premiers. The Tigers just could not go with the Sharks in this match and clearly missed the three players who are out injured or suspended. The final game was Manly’s first test against a top side since Foran took over, and what a test it was. The Panthers really put it on Manly, and the Sea Eagles were able to hold up. They may be a side that could come out of the pack under Foran’s coaching and they certainly looked good even though they went down 18-16. With a little time to go, they had One More Chance when their new half back Walsh had a chance for a 2-point field goal, but it just fell short. It very nearly could have been a Manly win which would have really set tongues wagging around the Sea Eagles, who have now climbed into the top 8.
Round 10 starts on Thursday night, with the Bulldogs visiting Lang Park to meet the Dolphins. The Dolphins at home certainly pose a threat to Canterbury, and if they can Keep It Together, they will trouble the Dogs, who are out of sorts at the moment. I am looking for a big display from the Dolphins, so much so that I think I will attend the match.
Friday has two games, with the first one having the Roosters at home against the Titans. The Roosters should win this comfortably, but it will be interesting to see how the young halfback Harrison from the Titans goes on debut. He may provide a Ray of Light for the Titans future. The Roosters have scored 30 points a game for the last six weeks and I just cannot see the Titans stopping that procession. The second game has the Cowboys at home against the Eels. A game where Big JT beats Little JT’s record for the greatest number of games for the Cowboys. They should win this game fairly comfortably.
Saturday has three games. The first one sees the Dragons at home to the Knights. The Dragons have a really tough run after this, so they desperately need to win against the Knights, but I cannot see this game having a Bedtime Story ending for the Dragons. It is the Knights for me. The second game has the Rabbitohs up against the Sharks. Souths lost last weekend and the Sharks had a big win, so it will be a Borderline match for both sides. I expect Souths to be much better this week, and to kick back and beat the Sharks. Finally, the Sea Eagles play the Broncos at Brooky, and this will be a very tough game for the Broncos to win. The vocal Manly crowd will be at Fever pitch.
The Prospector’s Pickaxe found a Random Souths Guy at the Athabascan Glacier in Canada this morning!
There are two games on the Sunday, with the Storm at home to the Tigers at AAMI Park. The Storm was not good last week, but nor were the Tigers. Maybe this will be the game in which the Storm can kick-start their season as they go Deeper and Deeper into a season point of no return. Finally, the Raiders are at home to the Panthers. They have a few players coming back this weekend, however they would need to be Causing a Commotion to trouble the Panthers. The Warriors have the bye.
Finally, the Queensland Women’s Origin team put in a robust performance but unfortunately there was no Celebration as they were on the back foot for most of the game. In an error riddled match, NSW won 11-6 after a 62nd minute field goal to Jessica Southwell and a late try. Queensland hung in, but could not get the lead. Playing an Origin as the first game of the season for the players must be looked at but we cannot get Hung Up on that. Game 2 is on May 14 at Suncorp.
Last week’s embedded music clue was from Madonna. Given it was the Women’s SOO, I thought I would pay tribute to the Material Girls with a shout-out to a music icon who has a genuine list of hits (not that I am really a fan). I used Into the Groove when referring to the Cowboys’ victory over the Sharks, and they certainly stayed in the groove for Round 9. Into the Groove was off the Like a Virgin album and was part of the score for the 1985 hit movie Desperately Seeking Susan. It was not released as a single in the US but was a chart topper in both the UK and Australia. See if you can find this week’s clue.
The Help Melbourne 13
Melbourne Storm is clearly in a spot of bother at the moment so I thought I would pick a team of one-gamers for them.
1 Scott Drinkwater 2 John Wilshire 3 Ricky Luetele 4 Josh Graham 5 Smith Samau 6 Dane Chislom 7 Daniel Atkinson 8 Anthony Bonus 9 Cameron Smith (as at the 14/2/2002) 10 Sinbad Kali 11 Dane Morgan 12 Michael Greenfield 13 Tom Learoyd – Lahrs
Congratulations to former Bundaberg Brothers prop Anthony Bonus for making his second team of the week after making the ABBA 13.
Round 10 Tips
Dolphins Roosters Cowboys Knights Souths Manly Wests-Tigers Panthers
I beat the Prop Tipping Comp Leaderboard
1 Banksy, Gladstone (The Ox) (44) 2 Gerry, RITV, Flying Mattress (43). Mattresses Mum has moved into the top 25 and has advised me she is zoning in on me. As a mad Eels fan who refuses to tip against them I’m not too worried!
The top ESPN score at the end of Round 9 is 54 which 4 tipsters have which shows someone sure knows something.
My Pre-season Top Eight
1 Penrith 3 Roosters 4 Rabbitohs 6 Cowboys 8 Cronulla 9 Brisbane 12 Bulldogs 16 Melbourne
Odd Fact
In Queensland’s Community Rugby League this weekend, Ben Munro, of the famous Brisbane Brothers Juniors Munro family, will play his 500th game for the club against Brisbane Natives. Ben started as a five-year-old and has played for Brothers ever since. The Cub is recognising this achievement on Saturday afternoon at their Gibson Park headquarters after the game. I am looking forward to catching up with old friends on the day.
Rugby League is no longer on Vacation – It is a Quest!
You gotta love footy.
To read our library of rugby league stories click HERE.
To return to our Footy Almanac home page click HERE.
To see the full 2026 season draw for the NRL click HERE.
To see the full 2026 season draw for the NRLW click HERE.
To see the details for State of Origin in 2026 click HERE.
Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.
Do you enjoy the Almanac concept?
And want to ensure it continues in its current form, and better? To help things keep ticking over please consider making your own contribution.
Become an Almanac (annual) member – CLICK HERE.
the Random Souths Guy in Canada … he could have helped the Bunnies’ “defence” in both halves on Sunday, but particularly during the first half!
As the Prospector himself said recently “I fear Souths will continue to be inconsistent”
Sadly, this is very accurate