The Almanac Rugby League Crew
A cautionary mini rave
Let’s acknowledge and praise the Socceroos for their first up win at the World Cup, 2-0 over Türkiye, courtesy of two very well-taken chances. The old rugby league adage of ‘defence wins matches’ certainly shone through as the men in green and gold, with less than 30% of possession, stoically held their line (and their nerve) to frustrate their opponents out of the game. A job well done indeed. But I caution against getting too carried away just yet. At this level, can such a miserly possession rate take you far? Hopefully the Socceroos can jag another Group win, or a couple draws, in their remaining matches to advance to the next round. Should they get that far, a whole lot more, and I mean a whole lot more, will be necessary to go any further. But before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s just deal with the USA tomorrow. Go Socceroos!
Round 15
Coach Bennett gave a rare smile after the Rabbitohs put the Broncos away comprehensively by 48-6. Brisbane just avoided the dreaded 50 point barrier to kill their season completely. Perhaps it’s just a temporary reprieve given their truly awful form and apparent inability to do much about it. Madge may be publicly positive but surely even he knows they’re gone. The question is: just how soon does he start to rearrange the furniture with 2027 in mind? The Dolphins were in sparkling touch again and that win will do their self belief a lot of good. But with a dozen Origin players missing from the game, I don’t read too much into it at this stage. I still think that the boys from Bondi are the dark horse of the comp. Isn’t Brayden Trindall in scintillating form? And when he’s good, the Sharks can be irresistible. But what happens if he loses form or confidence? What happens when Hynes is fit to return – can the magic continue or will they get in each other’s way? For now, full marks to the Sharks for coming back from NZ with a win – 2 huge competition points that I doubt they banked on. How the Raiders have fallen away from their 2025 form! It’s a bit sad to watch. The Eels got away with it, deservedly, but probably should have won by more, so they’re fooling themselves if they read too much into that one. The Wests Tigers need to be swabbed! Smashed 68-0 last week, somehow they come back and score 36 points this week with Luai the star. Emotion over the last game at Leichhardt? Maybe, but the Titans folded when the big moments came. Wasn’t it good to see the place rocking with old Balmain jerseys everywhere?
Round 16
We start on Friday night with the Knights at home to the Dragons. Form says the Knights but the Dragons have found some fire lately. Can it travel up the highway to singe the locals? I doubt it, so I’ll stick with the Knights who might be about to start a bit of a run.
Saturday features three games, starting with the yo-yo Wests Tigers up against the flamboyant Dolphins. How many of the Dolphins’ Origin players will back up? This may be an opportunity for the home team to spring a surprise, especially if they can find more of their better qualities. If the Dolphins contain Luai, then Redcliffe win. I think they found a bit of player depth last week and should be able to put the locals away. Dolphins. Then it’s the Titans at home to the Panthers, and the only question is how far? No need to even discuss it – Panthers. Later on the Bulldogs take on the Sea Eagles. It’s getting close to now or never for the Bulldogs who are, along with the Broncos and the Raiders, the disappointments of the season. Manly are a bit of a week to week proposition but are probably chugging along a bit better at this stage, so go with the Sea Eagles.
Sunday also has three games. The Warriors host the Cowboys, an intriguing match-up. The Warriors are still probably kicking themselves for last week’s loss and should be up for a redeeming performance. The Cowboys have been a bit of a mixture and I fear they won’t handle the trip away too well. I’ll be on the Warriors. The Storm are in Melbourne to take on the Raiders. While Melbourne haven’t been their usual self this season, Canberra has been worse! It’s hard to see an upset here so I’ll stick with the Storm. The round closes out with the match of the weekend – the Roosters versus the Sharks. The Sharks surprised me last weekend with their gutsy away win over the ditch; the Roosters are loitering with intent. Can their Origin stars back up? Both teams are a bit of a tease at the moment but, in the end, you have to make a choice – Roosters.
The Broncos, Eels and Rabbitohs have the bye.
Tipping
No real progress with a modest 3/5, the most common score of the week. But I’m only 2 behind Prop by the Sea. That T-shirt might not be out of reach yet!
The Round
For the who, when and where of Round 16 click here.
State of Origin
It seems that the standard line is that the Ponga tackle decided Game 1 – the Maroons were almost in cruise mode with a healthy lead and only got run down because they had to play over a quarter of the match with only 12 men. NSW were hopeless for 57 minutes and that can’t be papered over. Well, there may be some merit in that appraisal but this is Origin where ‘interesting’ things happen. Can you imagine NSW playing that poorly for so long again? Were the Maroons so dominant or did it just look like that because NSW were so bad?
This is a new ballgame with changes galore on both sides, some forced, others by choice. I’m not sure I understand them all so I don’t know where to go with this one. The Maroons have a shabby record in Melbourne but maybe that’s just the challenge they need to get up and do it all again. They’ll miss Carrigan, one of the game’s premier forwards. NSW have a rare chance to take advantage of their lucky Game 1 escape to ice the series here and now. So, in spite of the presence of JTH, Prop and RITV urging them the Maroons on, I think the Blues will do enough to wrap up the series.
How I’d love to be wrong with the series going to a decider at Lang Park!
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A former teacher with a (very) modest sporting CV enjoying his retirement years. A Queenslander through and through, especially when it comes to cricket and rugby league. Enjoys travel, coffee and cake, reading, McWilliam’s Cream Apera and a glass or three of wine. Footy Almanac’s Thursday online editor who moonlights as a hobby editor.
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