Can someone please explain to me me 5 of the top 8 teams can lose in one single round of footy? It might have been 6 but the Knights had a bye. Amazing stuff. And a hoot to boot! Somehow, amid the carnage, I still jagged 5/8, so desert me not, dear followers.
Based on Round 12, are there really only two genuine contenders at this stage – the Panthers and the Roosters? Last weekend’s performances by those two teams must have sent shivers through the rest of the comp. Panthers 42, Sharks 0; Roosters 44, Raiders 16. Meanwhile, the Storm lose to Manly (9th); the Broncos lose to the Titans (14th); the Dolphins lose to the Warriors (13th). Crazy stuff. Magnificent, in fact. Thank goodness I don’t go the punt. But, hey, the Rabbitohs won! I can’t wait to see what RITV has to say.
And now, just to throw an extra multi-grip spanner into the works, we go into the Origin period when just about anything can happen. Lord help the poor tipster.
Round 13 gets underway tonight with the Eels hosting the Sharks. Ten days ago this was one way traffic. Tonight the Eels have both Gutho and Moses back while the Sharks, fresh from last week’s mauling, have a couple away on Origin duty. Parra, here’s the moment! Win this one and you might be on the comeback trail. Likewise for you, Sharks. Lose this one and you’re in a bit of strife. I can’t see the Sharks playing so poorly again, even without Hynes, so Ill go with the Shire.
Tomorrow night the Knights play the Bulldogs in Newcastle. Not much in this one, although form favours the home side. A big opportunity here for Toby Sexton to cement a starting spot for the Dogs and another situation where The Foxx might show the Origin selectors what they’ve missed. Saifiti (D) returns for the Knights – handy, eh?), while David Armstrong is emerging as one of the form players in the comp. I’ll stick with the Knights.
On Saturday it’s the Panthers against the Dragons. No Hunt, no Lomax, no Dragons. The Panthers are missing 5 but have the depth to cover it adequately. Watch their pack go to work to create space for their more than capable backs. Panthers for me. In the later game, the Dolphins host the Raiders at the boutique Redcliffe Oval. No Hammer but bring back Trai! Dolphins too strong up front, methinks, especially with the Raiders’ Hudson Young away on Origin duty.
On Sunday, the red hot Roosters will lasso, corral, break and defeat the very undermanned Cowboys by a very large margin. End of story.
The rest have the bye.
State of Origin
Two games next week in the 2024 iteration of Origin footy. In the women’s clash, the Maroons will be looking to keep their series alive after losing Game 1 in Brisbane a fortnight night ago. Let’s wait until we see the final squads before we say too much.
The announcements of the two men’s squads has certainly caused a lot of comment regarding both inclusions and exclusions. NSW has gone for major changes with the non-election of Tedesco and Mitchell the main talking points. Likewise for there maroons with the talk centring around the absence of Fifita. All grist for the mill.
What strikes me most is the attacking nature of the players in both squads. The first game of a new series is usually a grim, gritty affair that opens up only in the last few minutes. That may well change this year if those selected play their natural games. Let’s see more of that!
We’ll have a full preview next Wednesday and then a detailed review on Thursday morning. Stay tuned.
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About Ian Hauser
A former teacher with a (very) modest sporting CV enjoying his retirement years. A Queenslander through and through, especially when it comes to cricket and rugby league. Enjoys travel, coffee and cake, reading, McWilliam's Cream Apera and a glass or three of wine. Footy Almanac's Thursday online editor who moonlights as a hobby editor.
Ian, I think the answer to your first sentence is a straightforward NO! Given origin is about to start they were all games higher placed sides had to win. The broncos and Cronulla summed up the malaise of that round!