Almanac Rugby League – NRL 2022 Round 8: We needed that!
The odd upset is always helpful; a couple in one round is a bonus. The competition may still be lopsided at the top but at least your average supporter of middle and lower ranked teams regains a bit of hope in the short term. The Tigers and Dragons added spice to the mix while the Rabbitohs and Roosters, their respective ‘victims’, have a lot to do to regain any top four aspirations.
I predicted a cricket score but it came in the wrong game! Have the Warriors become the worriers? What do you make of a 70-10 scoreline? A freak result or, of more concern, an indication of the gap between the upper echelon and the also rans?
My other observation from Round 7 has to do with the evenness of refereeing decisions. Do higher ranked teams get the rub of the green in 50-50 calls or even in more blatant situations? The Daniel Tupou incident is the glaring example from last weekend. (I’m writing this before I hear what, if any, subsequent penalty will be imposed.) The Panthers got a favourable decision in a supposed raking incident that was a clear knock-on to everyone bar the Bunker. Why?
Let’s look to Round 8. The Broncos took 60 minutes to hit the ‘Go’ button last week and then galloped past the Bulldogs. They’ll have to get moving a lot earlier this week if they want to keep up with the Sharks who attack and maul from go to whoa. Not enough from the Brisbane boys yet to convince me that they can win this one.
On Friday, the Titans, embarrassingly awful against the Cowboys, will be pure fodder for the Panthers. Will it be this week’s cricket score? Later on, both the Sea Eagles and the Rabbitohs will be playing for credibility after last round losses. On neutral territory at Gosford, this is anyone’s guess. I’m not sure why but I’ll go with the Bunnies.
On Saturday afternoon, the Warriors and the Raiders meet in Redcliffe in a game that I fear will be of little consequence. Both will want to bounce back from drubbings last time out. I can’t see the Warriors recovering so much in one week so I’ll go with the Raiders. I pity the Bulldogs who will feel the wrath of the Roosters after the latter’s below par performance on Anzac Day. No contest here! The Eels v Cowboys is the match of the round if ladder positions are anything to go by. I think the Eels are genuine top four while the Cowboys are top eight at best. The Eels comfortably.
On Sunday you can’t help but feel that the Knights are in for more pain in front of their home crowd. Where is the form they showed in the first two games? By contrast, the Storm are in devastating form. This could get ugly. A week ago we would have said that the Dragons v Tigers game would be the ‘who cares?’ game of the round. All of a sudden it’s the second best clash of the weekend! I liked what I saw from the St George lads (who also got the raw end of the whistle IMHO) and I expect them to relegate the improving Tigers to their usual role – coming second in a two horse race.
So my winners this week are the Sharks, Panthers, Rabbitohs, Raiders, Roosters, Eels, Storm and Dragons.
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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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