Almanac Rugby League – NRL 2022 Round 11: And the BOG award goes to…the Suncorp Stadium ground staff!
For a while last week it looked like the annual Magic Round in Brisbane might become Mudgic Round after the rain bucketed down for several days. Thankfully, Suncorp Stadium avoided the worst of it but 8 matches in 48 hours is enough to test any modern playing surface in any conditions. Full marks to the grounds staff at the Stadium for preparing and maintaining a sound surface throughout the weekend!
And what a weekend of footy we saw! Penrith asserted its right to premiership favouritism with a clinical, convincing win, albeit over a Storm side missing 40% of its spine in Hughes and Papenhuyzen. The Roosters jumped a ragged Eels side early on, the latter perhaps drained by their huge effort against Penrith last weekend, before an enthusiastic comeback by Parra almost stole it at the end. The Broncos continued their recent form surge with a whitewash over an out of sorts Sea Eagles outfit while the Cowboys maintained their momentum with a convincing win over the hapless Wests Tigers. The Sharks have lost the plot a bit, going down to a rejuvenated Raiders side while the Titans were unlikely, last gasp winners over the patchy Dragons. The Bulldogs are officially the worst team after yet another loss, this time to the Knights who won for the first time in ages. Exit coach Barrett!
As far as individual players are concerned, Adam Reynolds was the weekend’s standout with an immaculate and sometimes audacious masterclass which helped Selwyn Cobbo to a hat-trick of tries and Corey Oates to a double. Sam Walker’s vision and precocious talent were on display for the Roosters while Reece Walsh almost conjured a miracle comeback for the Warriors. Cody Walker was back to his best for the Rabbitohs and Kalyn Ponga did his Origin claims no harm with a classy effort for the Knights.
Looking ahead to Round 11, the Knights host the Broncos in Newcastle tonight. You’d have to favour the Broncos on recent form but Newcastle have remembered how to win again, while the inclusion of Anthony Milford against his old side will add a bit of spice to the occasion. This could be closer than 7th v 14th might suggest, especially with the Knights having home ground advantage. I’ll stick with Brisbane because of the Reynolds factor as well as their much-improved defence.
Friday evening starts with the ‘Battle for the Bottom’ between the Wests Tigers and the Bulldogs at Leichhardt Oval. It’s hard to be enthusiastic about this one. With absolutely no confidence whatsoever and for no clear reason I’ll go with the Wests Tigers. Will Brent Naden play for the Tigers against his team from last weekend, the Bulldogs? Later on, the Eels v Sea Eagles match is the first of several major contests this weekend. Parra will be keen to make amends for their loss last time out and re-establish themselves as a force; the Sea Eagles will want to put the disaster of Brisbane behind them and regain some impetus. I think the Eels have a better all-round squad and, with a better start, should consign the northern beaches lads to more misery.
Saturday starts with the Dragons v Warriors match, a must win for both sides if they are to have any credibility as a solid, mid-table outfit. The Dragons will be seething after their loss to the lowly Titans while the Warriors will want to pick up where they left off against the Bunnies. I expect this to be evenly fought and it won’t surprise me if the Warriors get up. It might depend on who rolls up for the Dragons to support Ben Hunt who has had to play too many lone hands of late. Then the Cowboys host the Storm in Townsville. This will tell us a lot about the Cowboys if Melbourne are closer to full strength. Hughes is back but big Nelson is missing this week. The Cows are a bit irresistible at the moment but the Storm are such a machine and don’t often lose two on the trot. I expect that the Cowboys will meet their match and go down in an entertaining game.
The Roosters v Penrith match-up comes at exactly the right time. Penrith are flying while the Roosters have finally regained some of their flair. What a struggle this will be – a pity it’s not a free-to-air game! The SCG will rumble as the packs collide and then burst into excitement as Keary, Walker and Tedesco strut their stuff against Cleary, Luai and Crichton. Or will it be a grim battle of the defences? This is the type of match in which Victor Radley would thrive but, unfortunately for the Chooks, they’ll be without his services for some time due to his ankle issues. Either way, it should be the match of the year to date. I’ll go with Penrith because I think they can rattle the Roosters both up front and in the razzle dazzle.
Come Sunday, the Rabbitohs and Raiders meet with both teams displaying good, if a tad irregular, signs. The Rabbitohs have rediscovered their attacking prowess but need to stiffen their defence; the Raiders have rediscovered their defence and may just have worked out where the stripe is to garner points. The key may well be Cody Walker – the free flowing, positive Cody was on show in the first half last week and what a treat that was. But an early Raiders offensive may bring out ‘Grumpy Cody’ which will disrupt his side’s equilibrium. I’ll be positive and say that we’ll see ‘Creative Cody’ and he’ll lead the Bunnies to a win in Dubbo.
The round wraps up with the Titans hosting the Sharks on the Gold Coast. Was their win against the Dragons a fluke or have the Titans found something at last? Can the Sharks bounce back from an inept performance against the Raiders to make a genuine claim as finals contenders? Glen Dwyer from the Newtown Jets is keen for you to know that Lachie Miller, the former Olympic rugby 7s star, will line up at fullback for the Sharks after repatriating himself in rugby league via ‘the coolest rugby league club on the planet’, the Newtown Jets. With Nicho Hynes back in the No 7, I think the men from the Shire will make a statement and get back on the list of winners.
So my winners this week are the Broncos, Tigers, Eels, Warriors, Storm, Panthers, Rabbitohs and Sharks.
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About Ian Hauser
A relaxed, Noosa-based retiree with a (very) modest sporting CV. A loyal Queenslander, especially when it comes to cricket and rugby league. Enjoys travel, coffee and cake, reading, and has been known to appreciate a glass or three of wine. One of Footy Almanac's online editors who enjoys the occasional editing opportunity to assist aspiring writers.
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