Prop by the (Irish) Sea: Finals Round 1
I am pleased to report that Prop has successfully exited the Middle East and is now in the Emerald Isle. See the photos below.
Prop takes time out to point out some of the finer points of “The Greatest game of all” to enthusiastic local Hurling fans.
The Giants Causeway in County Antrim, partially obscured by a giant head.
No prizes for guessing who the focus in the Courier Mail was this week. ‘Reece Walsh doubles down on toilet water controversy amid concerns from Broncos bosses’. ‘Crash’ Craddock wrote a feature article comparing Reece Walsh to Shane Warne?! Curiously, the only thing that could knock Reece off the back page was ‘Bus Gate’. The Broncos have concerns about their players walking seventy-five metres from the bus to the dressing room, presumably because they fear their players may be accosted by a drunken Clerk from the ATO.
Round 27 was the first time in the NRL era that the top three teams lost in the final round of the regular season. I would be surprised if Reece Walsh is a reader of Prop by the Sea but you would swear he had a copy of last week’s article pinned to his locker as he produced one of his finest performances to humble the Storm. The Broncos are on a high heading into the big games. The Storm were poor again and Bellamy must be concerned about their form, especially with the injuries and suspensions they sustained in this game.
Manly farewelled DCE with a win although the final score, 27 to 26, flattered the Warriors who seem to be just making up the numbers in the finals. The Roosters were too strong for the Bunnies with Nawaqanitawase again to the forefront. Penrith were too good for the fading Dragons and look dangerous heading into the finals.
The Titans executed their game plan to perfection against the Tigers. Bad. Good. Bad, very good. Full time. Just enough to avoid the dreaded Wooden Spoon, as it transpired. The Bulldogs did not rest players and were still beaten by the Sharks. Their form must be a concern for Ciraldo. The Sharks, on the other hand, were exceptionally good and they head to a home semifinal next week.
Sunday provided 162 points across 2 games as fans watched a T20 version of NRL. Defence was optional as the points added up. The Dolphins downed Canberra, 62 to 24, with the Hammer looking a chance to run down Mark Nawaqanitawase for the leading try-scorer gong before suffering an injury in the second half. In the final game of the regular season, Parramatta finished their promising season with a comprehensive 66 to 10 drubbing of the Knights. Moses showed what a loss he had been for key parts of the season with 3 tries in another dominant display.
Prop top 8: Melbourne 2, Broncos 4, Cronullargh 5, Penrith 7, Roosters 8, Manly 10, Tom Dearden 12, Souths 14.
Odd fact/Stat: Only 4 teams that have finished eighth have won in the first week of finals. The first two were under the Mcintyre System where 1 played 8. In 2008, the Warriors downed the Storm 18 to 15 (remember the Michael Witt try). In 2009, Parramatta downed the Dragons 25 to 12 (remember Jarryd Hayne).
More recently in 5v8 battles, in 2017 the Cowboys downed the Sharks 15 to 14 (Thurston injured, Morgan stepped up). Finally in 2022, the Raiders beat the Storm 28 to 20. The winning percentage of each placed team in week one of the finals is:
Week 1 Preview: Despite the percentages listed above, it does look tough to pick the winners. According to the Bookies, the closest of the games should be the Sharks v Roosters, with the Panthers and the Storm at the shortest quotes. I am 14 out of 16 for the last 2 rounds, with my only misses being the Storm in Rd26 and Rd 27. I will stick with them one last time, mainly because the Bulldogs are also struggling for form.
It would be a surprise if the Warriors beat Penrith, even though they are at home. Penrith should win relatively comfortably. The Sharks are at home to the Roosters, which is a plus for them, and they are coming off a good win over the Bulldogs. The Roosters, however, are just playing too well at present, and I think they will win this one.
The big Sunday clash is the minor premiers, Canberra, up against the 4th placed Brisbane. Maybe the Raiders are having a season like Penrith in 2003 where they just kept proving the doubters wrong. Maybe they were lucky enough to avoid serious injuries throughout the season and benefitted from a soft draw. Maybe they have used up all their luck. Will Reece put on another virtuoso performance or will he be the error prone scatterbrain that sometimes appears? I do not know what will play out but will go with the Raiders, but without any real confidence.
It is interesting how many times Reece Walsh seems to suffer potential game ending/ season ending/ life threating injuries during a match. ‘The Man from Bremer River’, a respected Rugby League pundit, pointed out to me that there is a correlation between the number of errors Reece makes and the number of apparent injuries he suffers. Something for the readers to keep an eye on as the finals progress.
‘Crabman’ has been kind enough to send me some information about the tipping competition. Current placings. Flying Mattress 9, Councillor 11, Crabman 27, Grubby halfback 32.
You gotta love footy!
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I’m with you on your tips, Prospector, if not with the greatest of confidence. There may well yet be a few surprises before we know who takes the ultimate prize.
Good to see Prop spreading the good news of rugby league to the Irish.
I’ve just got home from one of my favourite
Pubs in the world as I know it – the Brazen Head- in Dublin- where 4 people- me and my boys were discussing RL . I’m thinking Melbourne Brisbane roosters and Penrith as winners- thank you to prospector as I think he writes better than the prop!
Finals footy doesn’t care about stats – The proven formula is, come into the finals full of running, be injury free and hope the Footy Gods are smiling upon you.
Storm and Dogs are limping, Roosters/Sharks don’t have the class and are making up numbers.
Sure Penrith should account for the Warriors this week, but seriously they would need more divine intervention than JC and Lazarus combined to claim the flag.
As for Raiders v Broncos – that’s not a footy match, that’s two demolition trucks heading for the same intersection. Whoever crawls out of the wreckage will win the flag.
How Good Is the Radio?
Driving home from work on Sunday, I tuned in to the Broncos v Canberra major semi-final and was reminded just how good radio can be. The ABC commentary team delivered an epic broadcast — blow-by-blow descriptions that had me hanging on every call, painting the game so vividly I felt like I was there.
I haven’t been this excited listening to a sports broadcast since Kieran Perkins stormed home from lucky lane 8 at Atlanta in ’96. It was a perfect reminder that, even in the age of streaming and instant highlights, nothing matches the drama and immediacy of a great live radio call.
Well said hammer. I dont mind having the cricket on during the summer while you are doing your chores. I used to love it when “Skull” was on. No doubt you were happy with the result yeaterday?
Unlucky Prospector, the Roosters let you down, but like many you must have been shaking your head how your tip Canberra lost their game. Rugby League, of course, is always the winner!?!
yes, Noel, i have an admission to make. I do not punt professionally on Rugby League. In fact, as you know, i find life much more enjoyable not being in any tipping comp. The game never ceases to surprise which is good for old blokes like yourself. Ah, and myself.