Round 17 started with a Thursday night match with the Eels at home to South Sydney and as expected Souths were too strong for the Eels 32-12. Moses had a point to prove, but I thought he was very poor, yet he was still selected for Origin. Hard to figure that one out.
The first Friday night game saw the Titans put up some resistance against the Bulldogs getting into the game at the 50-minute mark when it was 12-6 but then fading out to the Bulldogs 30-12. They just have to be more consistent. The second game on Friday night saw the Broncos play the Roosters. It is a case of must win for the Broncos, and they gave themselves some chances but, in the end, they topped the error count in an error riddled game. Interestingly, with 8 minutes to go, they chose to take 2 when they were 8 behind. Strange. The Roosters were too good 24-18. The Broncos for me are now going to go from premiers to missing out on the 8.
Saturday had three games, with the first one seeing the in-form Dolphins taking on the Warriors. The Dolphins won an excellent game with the lead changing a number of times. A 77th minute try to Cobbo and a booming sideline conversion to Issako saw the Dolphins home 26-24. Both sides are in contention, and the Dolphins are starting to look like genuine contenders. It was an excellent game, especially for Redcliffe. The Cowboys were at home to the Panthers in the second match but given their form they were impossible to select. Yet, in their first play of the match they scored through Taulagi and they held their nerve. A much better performance from the very inconsistent Cowboys beating the Panthers 26-12. The final Saturday night game had the Sea Eagles at home to the Storm who were very poor and got flogged 30-4. Foran certainly has Manly playing an open fast brand of footy, and the Storm certainly missed Hughes. Manly usually plays well at home and they certainly repaid their supporters faith in this game.
There were two Sunday games: the first one saw the Raiders run out victors over the Dragons 24-16 in a fairly ordinary game which I don’t think really boosts the Raiders’ chances. Finally, the Knights were at home to the West Tigers and ran out winners 12-6 in a dour match. The high point of the game is well worth a watch when Bradman Best finishes off a 110 meter try for the Knights in the 74th minute. It broke the back of a gallant Wests’ side in poor conditions.
Round 18, which is Origin-affected starts on Friday night with the Panthers playing the Rabbitohs. Obviously, the Panthers are affected more than the Rabbits and given the way they played last week it will be interesting to see how they perform. Souths are on a bit of a roll and Souths need to win if they are going to make the 4. Penrith can afford to drop this game, but To’o is back and with a point to prove. Souths for me.
The first Saturday game has the Tigers against the Dragons, and the Tigers were a little unlucky last week and should cover the improving Dragons. If last week was desperate for the Broncos, it is now life support. They have some players back, origin players out and desperation. The Sharks should be too strong as they are almost at full strength and also need to win to shore up their spot in the 8.
On Sunday the Eels are at home to Manly and given last week this game should be one way traffic back to the Northern Beaches. Finally, the most interesting game of the round has the Knights at home to the Dolphins. The Dolphins have passed every test so far this year and last week’s win was especially good but the Knights at home will be tough. I think the Knights at home.
I know this will disappoint many but there is no music this week. I have been busy but last week’s embedded music clue was T. See if you can find this week’s clue.
Small Country Town Rugby League 13
1 Matt Bowen Hopevale 2 Selwyn Cobbo Cherbourg 3 Adrian Vowles Cunnamulla 4 Steve Renouf Cherbourg 5 Wendell Sailor Sarina 6 Darren Lockyer Wandoan 7 Ben Hunt Dingo 8 Dave Taylor Bluff 9 Jason Hetherington Baralaba 10 John Wittenberg Theodore 11 Kurt Capewell Charleville 12 Gary Larsen Miriam Vale 13 Rueben Cotter Sarina 14 P J Marsh Blackwater 15 Thomas Flegler Tully
Funny that – for the second time in 3 weeks I couldn’t find a NSW player.
Round 18 Tips
Souths Titans Roosters Dolphins Panthers Storm Raiders Knights
I beat the Prop Tipping Comp Leaderboard
A poor 5 last week and further sliding down the ladder.
1 Timmoie (87) 2 Bimbi Bob (82) Gerry (81) Banksy, Gladstone, RITV (74) The Uncle (78) Flying Mattress Dolphin (77).
The top ESPN score at the end of Rd 16 is 97 which 1 tipster has and is still 2 clear.
My Pre Season Top Eight
1 Penrith 4 Roosters 7 Souths 8 Sharks 9 Cowboys 10 Bulldogs 12 Storm 13 Broncos
Odd Fact
In 1986 and 1996 NSW won each series 3 nil. In 2006 and 2016 Qld won 2-1, winning Game 3 in 2006 through the famous Lockyer try and NSW winning Game 3 in 2016 to prevent a clean sweep. Not sure what that means but I say go Queensland!
Rugby League is no longer on Vacation- It is a Quest!
You gotta love footy.
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Who’s a cheeky boy, Prop? No Blue in your country-based Origin side? Perhaps I should challenge you to come up with a ‘consolation’ NSW side made up of country-based players – now that would be a quest!
Maybe a NSW reader can come up with there team
Make that their team!