Round 19: Well you’ve gotta give it to Redcliffe after their victory over the Rabbitohs on the first game of Round 19. It looked as though they thought they could just turn up and beat the Dolphins, however the Dolphins had a different story. The young halfback Katoa certainly has great game control but, even so, the Rabbits had their chances. None more than two critical mistakes in the second half where Milne went for a double movement after not passing to an unmarked Johnson (the number 2 try scorer in history). A very poor play, and then Wighton took an awful kick for touch which didn’t go out. That really burned! The goalkicking was also substandard for an NRL team. Six tries apiece but a well-deserved win by Redcliffe who are now looking like they will fall into the eight.
Cronulla took on the Tiger on Friday night and, of course, I have heart palpitations whenever the Sharks take the field. Just before half-time, the Tigers had a long period of ball which they couldn’t convert to points before an intercept by Ramien led to a try for Katoa and, from that point, the game was gone. The Tigers tried hard but were unable to match the speed of the Sharks who ended up putting a cricket score on them. I don’t know that that will give any confidence for Cronulla but thank god they have the Bye! The Tigers have got a long way to go before they are a force again and the wooden spoon is stirring at them.
The second Saturday night game had the Titans up against the absolutely hapless Eels. Talk about showing the new coach your wares! It was Old Mother Hubbard stuff. Whilst the Eels had some chances, they are looking way too slow to be anything but potential wooden spooners and I await their clash with the West Tigers. The Titans on the other hand showed some real spirit, especially in defence, and just maybe are building towards something brighter in ‘25.
The Broncos also looked very poor in their loss to the Dragons. It looked like they just turned up and thought they would win. The Dragons are getting nearer the eight but, again, I don’t think they’ll trouble too many sides. Round 20 is do or die for the Broncos. In the final game, the Sea Eagles were way too strong for the Knights, as I had predicted. Young Hopoate again looks like some player and Turbo back at fullback made a significant difference. So, the end of a short round that was tricky to pick the winners.
This week’s Round 20 will clearly be affected by players who are backing up from Origin duty. Friday night’s game has very little Origin impact where the Raiders take on the Warriors at home. Both sides are very difficult to predict although, given the closeness of their positions on the ladder and the home advantage, the Raiders should be too strong. Fogarty back is a big plus and if the Warriors are to give the competition any type of shake it has to be now. Likewise for the Raiders. Saturday has the Rabbits up against the Tigers and I can’t see where the Tigers are going to win, especially if Koroisau is out. The Rabbitohs are really only affected by the loss of Murray and he should be able to back up in this game so I would expect that they will win. The Broncos will be desperate in the second game and it looks as though Walters is going to rest his Origin players. I doubt that he has that luxury and it would seem folly to me as they desperately need to win all the games coming up. Similarly, depending how Ponga pulls up will determine the Knights chances. I think you have to go with the Broncos.
In the game of the round and, most probably, one of the games of the season, the Storm take on the Roosters. Team one versus team three and, clearly, they’re both sides that think they can win the competition. It should be a tremendous game and neither side is overly affected by Origin duty, which is quite interesting. Collins and Crichton in the middle of the field for Easts will have an impact and the Storm really only have Harry Grant backing up. It should be a cracker of a game. I am going with the Storm at home The Panthers and the Dolphins are the first Sunday match and Cleary plays his former understudy Katoa who has been in outstanding form. Much as I like the way the Dolphins are playing this year, they won’t be a match for the Panthers. Brookvale Oval on Sunday has the Sea Eagles up against the Titans. Whilst the Titans have been good for the last couple of weeks, I think the Sea Eagles will be too strong in this one. The Turbo is looking like he’s back on the job. His brother is back from Origin duty, as is DCE, and they should be too strong. The final game has the Cowboys up against the Bulldogs. I’ve been death riding the Bulldogs all year as I just don’t think they’re big enough upfront but, by the same token, the Cowboys haven’t been great. It will be interesting to see what the Cowboys’ coach does with his returning Origin players and who plays and who doesn’t. That is the guess work that sits around the Round 20 games.
So, my selections are Raiders, Rabbits, Broncos Storm, Panthers, Sea Eagles and Cowboys.
My season prediction positions after Round 12: Penrith 2nd, Broncos 13th, Melbourne 1st, Souths 15th, Roosters 3rd, Cowboys 8th, Newcastle 10th and St George 9th.
Origin
Well, what can I say other than Queensland will win! How else could a family celebrate their birthday without such a victory? As I write this, our fluid Origin birthday party is about to start with discussion on league, steak, beer and the world at large, zeroing in at 8 pm for the make or break! I was lucky enough yesterday to take the Crabman with me to the FOGS luncheon. Billy, in whom we trust, reassured us that the team was fit, fine and raring to go and the poor performance of Game 2 was behind us. Wayne Bennett, Mal Meninga and Wally Lewis were part of the panel and they gave an excellent insight into State of Origin rugby league. Bennett’s retelling of how he got Alfie to come back and play for Queensland was worth the entry fee alone. The Axe also spoke at the luncheon and he was clear as well on who would win and why. The FOGS do a great job and this luncheon is always one to look forward to. It is pure Queensland territory where we all left with a sense of purpose that it was great to know that with the Queensland support behind them at Lang Park, our boys would be too strong. Unfortunately, I listened to the radio on Wednesday morning with the team from the Big Breakfast rabbiting on about how New South Wales were going to win. They just don’t get it.
Odd Rugby League wooden spoon facts
I was asked the other day about the origin of the Wooden Spoon. Like many traditions in the rugby world, it started at Cambridge University where the lowest mark in the Mathematics Tripos (exam) received the wooden spoon. The practice was stopped in 1909 but has survived in sport. From there it morphed into a term with a colloquial meaning of last. So, some odd facts about the Rugby League Spoon.
After the Storm were stripped of points in 2010, betting agencies stopped betting on Spoon winners and instead bet on the team with the lowest wins. (The Storm came last with 14 wins and would have been 5th on the ladder.)
Canberra, Melbourne and Brisbane have all won it once (although Melbourne can be excused – see above.)
Manly, the Warriors, St George Illawarra (the Steelers and Dragons each won it 3 times) and, of course, Redcliffe have never won it. (Redcliffe also never won a BRL or State league spoon.)
The Roosters have won 5 as an original club compared to Souths’ 8.
Of the current clubs, Parramatta are Number 1 with 14, winning the kitchen utensil in their first year and are a chance again this year.
Wests have won the most Wooden Spoons with 18.
PS – Queensland U/18 Schoolboys did not make the national final won by NSW Catholic Colleges but our Girls team won 16-0 over CHS.
PPS – thanks for all the birthday wishes!
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Re the wooden spoon – shout out to my good mate Patrick O’Hanlon, proud recipient of the spoon in 2012 with the mighty eels.
Thanks for reminding Pat about that Theo and I guess winning the spoon with Parramatta as I have shown above is easier to do than with any other modern club.