Almanac Rugby League – 2022 NRL Round 24 and NRLW Round 2: Scoreboard blowouts but the fight for finals places tightens
If you had a beer for every try scored in Round 23 of the NRL you might be just about sober by now. What a round of high-scoring matches! More importantly, the fight for finals places got even tighter with fourth and eighth places still up for grabs. Meanwhile in the NRLW, the short minor round season means that Round 1 losers are already under pressure.
Round 24 of the NRL kicks off with the shaky Broncos hosting the enigmatic Eels. Based on last week, you’d pick the Eels – as I am today. Brisbane are not completely safe in eighth place unless they conjure a win this week or next or if the Raiders drop a game. The Eels still have a chance to finish fourth so they’ll be focussed. I just think that the Broncos are off the pace and won’t match it with a Parra side enjoying the return of Moses.
There’s not much to say about the Panthers v Warriors game apart from, ‘how far the Panthers’? Another blowout in prospect. Then the match of the round sees the Storm at home to the surging Roosters. This could be the match of the year so far. While the bookies have Melbourne as favourites, I’m not so sure. I’m not convinced about Melbourne from 1-5, especially when you match them up against their Roosters opponents. It should be a belter and I’ll go with the Roosters.
On Saturday afternoon the slow starting Raiders will try to stay alive against the imploding Sea Eagles. Manly just can’t get it together while the Raiders have the likes of Wighton, Tapine and the underestimated Elliott to drive them forward. That outside chance of 8th spot should also enthuse them – but let’s hope they get interested before halftime!
The Sharks should make a meal of the Bulldogs in the early evening game, especially driven by the last home appearance of Andrew Fifita. (I’ll leave it to others to offer a full assessment of Fifita; my own estimation is one of unrealised possibilities.) The Doggies just don’t have the guns to go with Cronulla.
The Rabbitohs v Cowboys game is the other highlight of the weekend. Souths beat themselves last weekend with a lack of patience and respect for the ball in the second half. Against another top four side this week the Bunnies have to build their game rather than go for the glory plays that involve too many risks. The Cowboys will be without Dearden but have the capable Drinkwater at No. 6. Without too much confidence I’ll go with Souths at home.
Sunday’s games are a bit of a yawn to be honest. The bumbling Tigers host the underwhelming Dragons. I’ll go with the visitors. Then the underperforming Titans play the disappointing Knights. I’ll go with the Titans.
So my NRL winners this week are the Eels, Panthers, Roosters, Raiders, Sharks, Rabbitohs, Dragons and Titans.
In the NRLW, the Roosters look like they have taken up where last season ended and they are already title favourites. This week they take on the Broncos who were a bit off the pace last week and now find themselves under pressure. Another loss and their season is in the balance. The loss of Upton and Boyle seems to have left a big hole in their armoury. I can’t see them matching it with the Roosters this week either.
The Eels were disappointing last week while the Dragons were hardly on fire so their clash this weekend will tell us more about both teams. I think that the Dragons have more potential for improvement in them as well as greater experience so I’ll tip them to win again. The Eels will be in the same boat as the Broncos.
The Titans were also short of their best last week and the younger players will need to match the efforts of the evergreen veteran Hancock if they want to be competitive against the born again Knights who showed some real sparkle last weekend. The Knights have recruited well and the move of Teitzel into the forwards looks a good thing. I’ll back them to maintain their winning ways.
So my NRLW winners this week are the Roosters, Dragons and Knights.
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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.
Andrew Fifita is an interesting case. After playing in the Sharks’ breakthrough premiership in 2016, he was also a hero to some after playing a blinder in State of Origin game 1 in 2017. But he tapered off as the 2017 Origin series progressed (as the Maroons heavily marked him), and he never seemed to have the same impact again. It was somewhat similar with Willie Mason after his man of the match display in Origin game 1 of 2006.