NRL Round 11: The Dolphins are Magic!

 

 

The Dolphins must be getting close to being everyone’s second favourite team as they continue to defy the odds in their inaugural season. You can’t help but smile. In spite of key absentees (Bromwich, O’Sullivan and Nicholls) and up against the highly rated Sharks, the Redcliffe-based boys put on thirty points in impressive fashion, almost keeping up with the clock. Wayne Bennett couldn’t have scripted a better 900th match as an NRL coach. Amazing! With a bye in hand, the Phins are looking good.

 

Round 10 wrap

The other main point to come out of Magic Round was South Sydney’s impressive win over the Storm, reinforcing their credentials as genuine premiership contenders. With Walker and Mitchell showcasing a generous bag of tricks and AJ finishing them off out wide, they look the real deal. Tom, what’s with the chrome dome?

 

Penrith also looked good in their gutsy win over the very willing Warriors. The Panthers are not going to relinquish their crown without a huge fight. The Warriors lost no fans in pushing the defending premiers all the way. The Broncos stayed top with an impressive first half against a bedraggled Manly before it all descended into a turgid second half grind. Manly are struggling badly. Even when in control for most of the second half, they didn’t look they would score. But does anyone set a better captain’s example than DCE who never gave up, tried every trick in his bag, topped the tackle count and forlornly chased Cobbo the length of the field when the game was long gone?

 

Elsewhere, the Raiders continued their revival against the Bulldogs with neither side giving us any strong indication that they will be serious contenders come September. Wests Tigers made it two on the trot against an inept Dragons side that really should have won this game. The Cowboys got down and dirty in the slush to keep their season alive and the rest of us wondering about the Roosters. Are they in a bit of a slump or are they not as good as we think? The Titans also have us guessing about their potential after their good win over the Eels. There’s so much happening in the lower end of the ladder.

 

And, for the second time this season, all four Queensland teams posted wins.

 

Round 11

I’ll be in the air heading for Paris (via Singapore and Helsinki) when the Storm host the Broncos tonight, a potentially telling match for both teams. The Storm are a hoodoo side for Brisbane and so that will weigh on their mind. Melbourne need to regroup after a disappointing game last week. But Brisbane aren’t top for no reason and Melbourne aren’t as daunting as they used to be. I think this will go down to the last five minutes before Reynolds settles it for Brisbane.

 

The Bulldogs take on the Warriors tomorrow evening with the Dogs badly in need of a win to stay in touch with the top eight. The Warriors have the fight in them to maintain their solid season and I expect they’ll have enough firepower to come away with the win. Warriors.

 

The Panthers host the Roosters in the late game. Form suggests the Panthers but the Roosters need this one more. They just don’t seem to be able to get that last play sorted out in spite of the gifted players they have on the park. I think the speed and won’t-give-in style of the Panthers will get them home and compound the issues at Bondi.

 

Wests Tigers are up against the Rabbitohs on Saturday afternoon with hopes of three wins in a row. Not bloody likely! Souths in a picnic.

 

Then the rejuvenated Cowboys are at home to the Dragons. Let’s see if the northerners have turned the corner. They couldn’t ask for a better opportunity against a St George/Illawarra side that is going nowhere. The Cowboys in a canter.

 

The Raiders and Eels are both struggling for consistency with the former looking the more promising of late. If Moses is out, then the task becomes all the harder for Parramatta. In fact, I’d say it becomes impossible. Canberra to win in the end.

 

On Sunday the struggling Knights host the improving Titans. Newcastle are in danger of dropping out of finals contention and I can’t see them halting that slide this weekend. By comparison, the Gold Coast will look to consolidate their place in the eight. Titans for me.

 

Finally, the Sea Eagles play the Sharks after both sides lost badly in Brisbane. I think the Sharks just had an off day whereas Manly are simply not going well. Is Turbo struggling with fitness issues or is he unable to stretch out due to injury? After being bitten last week, I think the Sharks will maul the Sea Eagles.

 

The Dolphins have the bye.

 

So my winners this week are the Broncos, Warriors, Panthers, Rabbitohs, Cowboys, Raiders, Titans and Sharks. (I got 4/8 last week.)

 

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