Magic Round
If there is a better food than fresh, locally caught Central Queensland mud crab, I’m not sure where it comes from. I had the good fortune of visiting my mate ’The Crabman’ outside Yeppoon last weekend for my brother’s 60th birthday. Arriving just in time for lunch on Thursday, we embarked on a 48-hour crab fest. Multiple indulgence in meals based around mud crab: cold crab, hot crab, chilli mud crab, crab bisque, mud crab lasagne, crab omelette and, of course, crab sandwiches. So, you may ask what has that got to do with footy? The answer is that I was so invested in eating crab that I forgot to put my tips in and so I missed out on my selection of Redcliffe. Only when the Crabman congratulated me at the end of the match for that selection did I realise that I forgot to put my tips in. What a disappointment that was, although you must give it to Redcliffe and the way that they played.
Interestingly, as they go into Magic Round, they sit on 16 points and fourth place on the ladder. By my calculation, with one bye still to come, they only need to win four games to be in the eight (26 points), and that will be some achievement. They hang on, defend for dear life and, even with some ridiculous decisions against them, they were able to win. The Bromwich ‘slap on the face’ bunker decision on Turbo against Redcliffe, and the ignoring of the knee in the nose on Plath, had me thinking that Turbo would be marched for dangerous contact on the cameraman’s legs.
The Bulldogs offered some resistance but weren’t in Penrith’s class. Penrith were too clinical, as expected, but the loss of Cleary again is a concern. The Eels showed a bit but, like the earlier match, the Broncos were too strong. Simonson showed genuine pace chasing Walsh in the 16th minute. Mam and Cobbo were both outstanding and Haas looked better this week as he regains match fitness. The Eels coach seems to have avoided major criticism this week but the pressure is really on.
West Tigers looked like they would score early in torrential rain in Tamworth but a damaged hamstring cost them a try early on. They then scored the first try but the Knights really took control, especially after Bula’s silly sin binning. The Knights again impressed me and have now won 3 in a row and could make it 4 against the depleted Titans on Saturday.
The Dragons, as expected, were too strong for the hapless Bunnies and exposed the Rabbits shortcomings in the middle. Latrell was back and I think he has to go into the three-quarter line but, given the players they have out, that may not be possible. The game of the round was the Storm and Cronulla, and the Sharks proved too strong. Without Hynes, I thought Melbourne would be right, however, at the Yeppoon Golf Club 60th Birthday party for my brother, the hometown hero Harry Grant -upporting crowd let out a loud cry of displeasure with his critical sin binning. Maybe a penalty at best from my view. We will get another indication on Cronulla when they front the Roosters in Magic Round.
The Rooster’s put away a defensively inept Warriors and, a bit like the Cowboys, they have been disappointing whilst the crowing Roosters continue to build. Whilst Walker was in Reserve Grade this time last year, it has certainly benefitted him given the form he is in at the moment. Strangely, the Warriors coaching performance may soon be getting questioned, which seems hard to believe. It is a fickle industry, the coaching game! Speaking of Coaches, the Sheriffs looking after the Cowboys must be wondering about what’s going on down in the cattleyards.
In the Queensland Derby, the Titans got out to a 20-0 lead against the Cowboys. The Titans at home showed plenty of grit given the injuries they had. At the Rockhampton Leagues Club, where I was enjoying a cold ale, every eye was on the last 4 minutes of the match. There is no doubt around the Titans ability to conjure up a close finish and they delivered again. The good news was at least they were on the right side of the ledger! The Cowboys needed to show a lot more than they did in this outing and their season is on life support.
So, we move on to Magic Round. It is a tremendous exhibition of rugby league and has been since it started in 2019. The first game sees the Raiders versus the Bulldogs. I think the Raiders will have too much for the Bulldogs, even though the Bulldogs have been playing well recently. The main Friday night match between the Broncos and Manly sees Manly hilariously at home at Lang Park in front of what is a very partisan Broncos crowd. What a coup for Brisbane to have an away game at Lang Park! I wonder if Arko would have swallowed that piece! Manly and Brisbane have played 49 times with a 25-24 record whilst, at Brookvale, the record is Manly 10- Brisbane 5! Strange logic to play a glamour club at their venue and call it a home game. Brisbane have too much speed and, with Haas getting back into full steam, too much power upfront for Manly to be able to contain the Broncos. Their speed and strength when on song is almost unstoppable. Manly’s loss last weekend to the Dolphins raises questions about their ability to put games away. It should be a massive night in Brisbane with people coming from all over the country to be part of this excellent initiative.
The Titans versus the Knights is another clash that has plenty of interest. Unfortunately for the Titans, they will be using three hookers (although surely Weaver must play) in their run-on side and that is almost unheard of at this level. But such is the injury crisis they are faced with. As I have been saying, the Knights have impressed me over the last five weeks and they certainly have shown greater resolve than I thought they would.
In what is most probably the biggest game of the Magic Round, the Roosters play the Sharks. This is another acid test for the Sharks. The Roosters have certainly got their shop in order and Walker as halfback has been combining well with Keary and, as I mentioned earlier, playing the football Robinson wants to see from him. They have footballers right across the three-quarter line and their forward pack does not take a backward step. Cronulla, on the other hand, have shown some great attacking play and if they can get good control of the football, they may be able to complete another heavyweight victory. A Cronulla win would be an upset for mine, so it’s the Roosters in this match. If the Sharks win, I will be reassessing their form line.
The final Saturday night match sees the Rabbits up against the Cowboys. This is a contest of disappointment for the supporters of both of these clubs. Seasons that promised so much are either completely in tatters, in the case of the Rabbitohs, or just about in tatters, in the case of the Cowboys. It is a match that the Cowboys must win, however Souths are unbeaten in Magic Round. That is the only stat I can find that would give you any confidence to tip the Rabbitohs.
That brings us to Sunday of the Magic Round with the remaining three games. Clearly, the Panthers will be way too strong for the Warriors. I can’t see them getting out of first gear in this match and I think they should win comfortably. The Storm also should be too strong for the Eels. Whilst they were beaten last week, it was a tough physical game and I think the Storm will have too much for Parramatta.
In the final game, the Dolphins play the Tigers. The Dolphins need to win these games if they are to stay in the top part of the competition, and I think they will. Redcliffe are playing a tough brand of rugby league at the moment which keeps them in their contests and they play within their limits. The Bennett coaching style is clear to see. Minimise mistakes and play football in your opponent’s end of the field- otherwise just put the nose to the grindstone. With the Hammer back, they will be more potent in attack and should be too strong for the West Tigers in this match. Spare a thought for Trai Fuller who has been outstanding at the back for Redcliffe in the Hammer’s absence.
So, my selections are Raiders, Brisbane, Knights, Roosters, Cowboys, Penrith, Storm, Dolphins, and St George have the bye. Of course, I take Queensland in the women’s fixture tonight.
This weekend also sees the Queensland Secondary Schools Boys Under 15 and 18 Championships at Burleigh and Cbus, so I am looking forward to enjoying watching some great footy. Comp starts Saturday and finishes with finals at Cbus on Tuesday.
My season prediction positions after Round Four: Penrith 2nd, Broncos 6th, Melbourne 3rd, Souths 17th, Roosters 5th, Cowboys 12th, Newcastle 10th and St George 13th.
Odd Rugby League fact: Manly play Brisbane in Magic Round each year as a home game for Manly where clearly Brisbane has a massive Friday night advantage. Manly have won once, in 2022, when they flogged the Broncos. South Sydney have won all their Magic Round games!
PS All crabs were legal and within bag limits as Crabman believes in sustainable fishing at his top-secret crab location.
PPS Fortunately I don’t suffer from gout!
You gotta love footy!
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MOH, perhaps you might share some recipes for those crab dishes. Or should we wait for the publication of your cook book?
I’ll see if I can find (and reprise) that old piece of yours about the mandatory stop in Miriam Vale for their crab sandwiches.
Trai Fuller is the unluckiest bloke in the NRL this week.
Maybe I could add some recipes but the star of the show is ‘the Crabman” rabid roosters supporter which is a fault but genuine seafood carving expert! I’ll send you a couple of photos
Followers of the prop’s tips, have at best been moving in a sideways direction in their tipping comps much like the crabs that he has been feasting on. However, another entertaining read.
Great read Matta???
Great read as usual Matt your prediction s are on the mark except for the Origin tonight the Queensland side is not playing well. I can just imagine you giving those crab dishes a workout. The Dolphins are going well I can see them being in the eight this year and giving some team a fright if they are at full strength at that time of year.
Tommy – at least I tip better than the”great minds” on sky- although that isn’t saying much and Geoff – you know my dear old Dad would roll in his grave if he heard I tipped NSW! Given you spent 20 years over the border I accept you are not fully Queenslandised just yet!