Almanac Footy: Prop By The Sea – Round 15 – You Gotta Love Footy!

 

 

 

 

Round 15 started off with a match between South Sydney and the Broncos. It was expected to be a reasonably close game, however South Sydney were way too strong for a very disappointing Broncos outfit. It is difficult to see where the Broncos’ next win will come from. They were poor in many aspects of the game, and Souths belted them 48-6. There was a very fitting recognition of Jai Arrow to start the game. 

 

On Friday, Redcliffe gave the Roosters a similar lesson. Since narrowly losing to Penrith 6 or 7 weeks ago, the Dolphins have shored up their defence. The Roosters had no answer to the waves of attack they faced, and both sides were affected by Origin. It was an ominous warning to the competition that the Dolphins mean business. 48-10.

 

There were 2 games on Saturday, with the first seeing the Warriors go down at home to the Sharks. In a highly entertaining game, the Sharks were able to win away after a penalty goal from a shot clock incident. Warriors’ Coach Webster was not happy but really only had his team to blame for the indiscretion. The Sharks have been inconsistent but have an 8-5 record and sit 5th on the ladder. The Warriors, on the other hand, will rue the loss because all the bye teams moved 2 closer. In the second game, a gallant Eels put away a very ordinary Raider’s effort. Last year’s Minor Premiers sit in 13th place, alongside Premiers Brisbane in 14th but only one coach seems to have the blowtorch on him. Parramatta deserved the win 15-12 and are slowly looking like they are on the improve. 

 

Finally on Sunday a Luai-inspired Tigers ran over the top of a typical Titans performance that had elements of the good, the bad and the ugly. Leichhardt Oval, resplendent in Black and Orange, proved again to be the home of the Tigers in its last hosting until 2028. Maybe the Tigers will be a force by then as they have a crop of strong young players. Likewise, the Titans have some quality youngsters, yet they gave away points early, then raced away to a match winning lead before squandering it to Luai’s three try hall. Full time 36-28.

 

Round 16 has seven matches, with the first game being played on Friday night. Obviously, there will be a number of Origin players having to back up, which will impact the round. Friday night’s game has the Knights at home for the Dragons. Even though Ponga will have played on Wednesday night, you would think the Dragons won’t be strong enough, especially in front of a partisan crowd and with their tenuous grip on the 8. 

 

Saturday has three games where the Tigers will get the chance to push for the 8 when they host the Dolphins. It is difficult to know the Redcliffe line up, but after last week they should account for the Tigers. It is a critical game the Dolphins must win as they then play the Warriors, Knights, Sharks and Cowboys. 3 wins from those 5 games almost puts them into the finals. The Titans are at home to the Panthers in the second game, and Coach Cleary has the luxury of being able to rest his Origin players. I am going to the match courtesy of a friend and feel as though the Titans’ best hope is to catch the Panthers on the Origin hop. The third Saturday matchup has the Bulldogs at home to Manly. Who could have predicted that this would be 3rd v 12th with Manly in 3rd at the start of the season! Manly for me.

 

Sunday has three games as well, with the first game seeing the Warriors at home to the Cowboys. The Warriors certainly want to win this match after last week, but the Cowboys are desperate to string some wins together. The Warriors have been good at home this year, and it will be a tough ask for the Cowboys, especially with their key players out for Origin. The second match has the Storm at home to the Raiders. The Storm are affected more by Origin than the Raiders and must keep winning as they play Manly, then a bye followed by the Titans, Roosters and Rabbits. The Raiders season is all but over. The final game of the round has the Roosters at home to the Sharks. In last week’s round, it was hard to go past the Sharks, but both sides are unpredictable. Again, the fortunes of the Roosters most probably ride alongside their Origin players who back up.

 

Last week’s embedded music clue was by Smokie who were an English band from Bradford. We can only assume they were good Rugby League men, and they had a string of hits in the 70’s and 80’s. Smokie are still touring and celebrating 50 years this year. Quite an achievement. They toured Australia last year as part of their celebrations. Their most famous song is Living Next Door to Alice which was an Australian song released by Brisbane Band New World in 1972 whose biggest hit was Tom-Tom Turnaround! written by the Chinn Chapman collaboration. It was a much bigger hit for Smokie releasing it in 1976. Sorry about the lack of songs but I was too busy with Origin. Oh, Carol! See if you can find this week’s clue and it is not Ennio Morricome, but that is close.

 

The Living Next Door to Alice 13

1  AJ Brimson
2 Latrell Mitchell
3 Isaiah Iongi
4 Campbell Graham
5 Enari Tuala
6 Ashton Ward
7 Lachlan Galvin
8 Isaiah Papali’i
9 Cory Paix
10 Ethan Bullemoor
11 Wiremu Greig
12 Tallis Duncan
13 Felise Kaufusi
14 Isiah Katoa
15 Stephen Crichton
16 Adin Fonua-Blake
17 Leo Thompson
18 Isaah Yeo
19 Christian Tuipulotu
20 Euan Atkin

The boys from Bradford would do OK with that side.

 

Round 16 Tips

Knights Dolphins Panthers Manly Warriors Storm Roosters Queensland 

 

 

I beat the Prop Tipping Comp Leaderboard

A poor 2 last week 

1 Timmoie (75) 2 Banksy, Bimbi Bob, The Uncle, Gerry (70), Gladstone, RITV (69) Flying Mattress (68). 

 

The top ESPN score at the end of Rd 14 is 86 which 1 tipster has and is now 2 clear.

 

My Pre Season Top Eight 

1 Penrith 5 Cronulla 6 Roosters 8 Souths 9 Cowboys 11 Storm 12 Bulldogs 14 Broncos 

 

Odd Fact

Congratulations to John and the team at the All Nations Hotel for a great lunch before Origin. I have posted my Pre Mortem of Queensland’s Origin win last night. How did I go? 

 

Rugby League is no longer on Vacation – It is a Quest!

 

You gotta love footy.

 

 

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