You Gotta love Footy – Round 20
Origin First
As a Queenslander, I thought this series was nothing short of spectacular, and being the Prop by the Sea the waves of excitement crashed all over me especially in Game 3 where I was surrounded by a sky blue tide.
The Queensland Maroons and New South Wales Blues battled it out in a thrilling three-game series with NSW taking an early lead, riding the crest of their powerful forwards and dynamic backs that everyone predicted would steamroll Quensland. The Blues victory was too easy, especially at Lang Park!
Game 2 was a different story, as Queensland surged back with a dominant first half before the relentless NSW attack almost overwhelmed the Maroons, but poor kicking evened the series, setting the stage for an epic decider.
The final game was a Maroons’ dream. The NSW home crowd of 80000 sky blue fans was subdued by Queensland’s determination and points including a 20-0 lead at half time. Even having to drink some awful beer in a plastic cup created a spectacle that I will remember for years to come as blue jerseys were leaving early! In the end, Queensland emerged victorious, claiming the series and leaving their fans riding high on a wave of triumph.
Series Stats (plus more in my facts)
Games Q 2-1, Points Q 56-54, Tries NSW 10-9, Goals (penalties and conversions) Q 10-7, Winning Halves NSW 4-2,
Thank God NSW would not have got a kick in a stampede in Game 2!
**
The Courier Mail Bronco headline was back in full force after their victory over the Titans Broncos Rolling with the byline that their 5th win keeps their top 4 hopes alive! Enough said.
Round 19 games went very much to script with the first game of the round on Friday night having the Sharks up against the Dolphins and without the Hammer it was always going to be a big ask for the Dolphins. The Sharks played some good football but they will need a great deal of improvement if they are to force their way back into the eight.
There were three games on the Saturday with the Storm predictably beating the Knights who started well but couldn’t go with the Storm when the pressure was applied. The Roosters got up over the Dragons in a fairly scrappy affair but again seemed always to be in control. The Bulldogs got up over the Cowboys in a game that went to the wire but it does start to raise questions about the Bulldogs as they were not overly impressive. At this part of the season the Cowboys are in tatters.
There were three games on Sunday with the Warriors running out much too strong for the Tigers, the Panthers likewise too good for the Eels although the Eels went with them until the 65th minute. Their errors must rile their coach! Finally, the Broncos although very clunky in places, too good for the Titans who now along with the Rabbits and the Tigers look destined to fight out the wooden spoon.
Round 20 begins with a game on Thursday night where the Dolphins are up against the Cowboys. This is a very important game for both sides, more so the Cowboys who desperately need a win and were considered a top 4 side at the start of the season. The Dolphins are one win ahead of the Cowboys and winning here could get them into the 8. It will be a very close game and you have to think the Dolphins at home might just be too strong.
The first of the two Friday night games has the Sharks up against the Roosters. The Roosters are coming off a win and are really starting to look like they are headed to the final series. The Sharks on the other hand finally had a win but they’re just not playing well enough at the moment and don’t look like the side that has been in the Top 4 for the last couple of years. The second game has the Panthers up against the Rabbits and you would have to say Penrith will cause the Rabbits a fair bit more trouble than Elma Fudd. The Panthers will be too strong and like the Roosters they really look like they’re warming into the season.
Saturday has three games with the first match seeing the table topping Raiders against the Eels. Again, it is very difficult to see the Eels challenging the Raiders at home and the Raiders should just be too strong. The second game is interesting one. The Bulldogs should win this game but their form seems to have fallen off a bit. Crichton back is a very big in, and they should win. The final game has the Storm up against Manly with the Storm at home. This game has often been seen as a grudge match although Manly are in no position to add grudge to the game. The Storm at home will be very hard to beat and I don’t think Manly are playing well enough at this point of the season.
The final game’s on Sunday has the Wests Tigers up against the Titans and the only role it will be playing will be helping out to pick who wins the wooden spoon this year! Finally, the Knights are at home to the Warriors. There has been disturbance in the Knights camp this week but they are getting back to almost full strength. Obviously, Ponga is gone for the year but all their other players are back and they may just trouble the Warriors at home, especially if the Knights get behind their coach!
Top Eight (in order)
2 Melbourne 5 Broncos 6 Panthers 7 Manly 8 Roosters 9 Cronullaargh 12 Cowboys
16 Rabbitohs
Fact / Stat for the day – I have been going over Origin stats this week – the usuals- possession, completion rate, run metres, errors, line breaks, kick return metres, etc. In Origin games, they are always close, but Origin is a slightly different beast and maybe there is something in the idealism of the Queensland spirit. Over the last decade the series score is 6 to 4 in favour of Queensland. However, during that period there have been 13 matches decided by 6 or less points and Queensland have won 10! And since 2020 there have been 6 matches decided by 6 or less and Queensland have won them all. Interesting stat!
Tipping Stats – 7 out of 7 last week took me up 25000 places into the 65000’s-nothing to be proud of there but compared to those in my subgroup I’m still pretty safe! I am now 3 ahead of Smithy _65 on 82. Matress-ide is on 81, Souffs is on 80 with Dolph Fin, The Councillor and It’s the Putters Fault on 79, Rusty Mattress Springs and Crabman on 74, Matresses Mum on 73, Grubby Half Back 68 and RITV on 67. That does make me feel a little better!
I’m off to the finals of the ASSRL 18 Years Championships at Coffs for the rest of the week and might just time the trip so that I can fit the time-honoured Ramornie Handicap in.
You gotta love footy!
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Nice analysis Prop. And the pride bursts off the screen.
Another great report prop, Over a week since origin and the pain has not diminished as you continue to wax lyrical on the QLD win. Please note that when I say this I am not referring to the vast number of my QLD compatriots who have played and support our game, but regardless of who is coaching the Blues next year I think they should bring the team to Queensland and subject them to taunts from the numpties in their Best and Less supporters gear who care little for the great game of rugby league but who for three games a year suddenly find that “Queensland spirit” when they manage to win a series. It would ensure that NSW motivation was off the charts.
I hope you enjoy your time in the Jacaranda City Prop and manage to back a winner in the July racing carnival. Think of me as you cross the mighty Clarence River and enter the home of the Grafton Ghosts (who are the moral enemies of the Lower Clarence Magpies). Have a Toohey’s Old for me.
Oh and I like what you did saying the Parramatta coach would be riled.
When I saw that little piece of Scotland that we no longer drive through I thought of the bagpipe playing Smiiths of Maclean! Maybe you could start a campaign to bring 3 times a year rabid QLD supporters in close contact with the Blues although I think that is called Caxton St!
what a great maroon world it is at present, Prop!
more to celebrate in Coffs Harbour!
QUEENSLANDER !!