Prop in the Canefields
The Courier Mail Bronco headline on the back page of Monday’s edition was a little odd I thought. ‘Beware the Bunnies. Broncos Braced for Classic Bennett Ambush’. It doesn’t really make sense. We have one team that thinks they are grand final bound playing the team running last in the competition. Now that is weird, even by the Courier Mail’s standards!
Round 21 began with the game between the Storm and the Roosters. It was a highly entertaining match with the Storm running out victors late in the game. Harry Grant delivered a masterclass and really was the standout on the field. There were some controversial decisions, however the Roosters could not really complain as one of their tries was scored from an offside position.
The first of two Friday night games saw the Cowboys up against the Dragons. The game never reached any real heights with the Cowboys running out winners. It was a disappointing performance by the Cowboys and, once again, Dearden put on a masterclass and was the difference between the two sides. The second Friday night game, which I was able to attend courtesy of the FOGS, had a great crowd of almost 40,000 fans who left dejected. The Broncos were defeated by the Eels, 22 points to 20, and played without enough enthusiasm. The Broncos were very poor in this match which they really should have won. The Eels, with Moses back in charge, played with much more enthusiasm and he certainly outplayed the pin up boy.
There were three games on Saturday and, as is their way, the Titans proved to be a danger side to anyone who underestimates them. It was Coach Hasler’s 500th game and the Titans were able to worry the Warriors out of winning the match 24 to 16. The second Saturday game saw that Panthers completely dominate the Tigers and fire a fair warning off to every other club that they are not intending to surrender their trophy in season ‘25. The final game on Saturday night saw a gallant Rabbitohs fall to the Sharks14 points to 12. The Rabbits tried extremely hard but they are just too down on troops, and their season has become a complete disaster. Coach Bennett is staring down another wooden spoon (see below).
There were two games on Sunday. The Raiders and the Knights were 18-all at half-time in what looked like a keenly contested match, but in the second half the Raiders dominated completely running out comfortable winners. It seems strange that Gagai would be unwanted by the Knights as he was clearly their best. In the final game, the Sea Eagles capitulated to the Bulldogs who ran out convincing winners and certainly are well deserving of their place in the top 4. For Manly, after 3 wins on the trot and a spot in the 8 staring them in the face, their performance was completely substandard.
Round 22 begins tonight with the Eels up against the Storm. The Eels will find the Storm a much more complex opponent than what the Broncos served up last week. I expect the Storm, with Munster and Papenhuyzen back, to be too strong. They are missing Hughes, but they are a club that certainly proves that the next man up will do the job.
On Friday night there are two games. Interestingly, the Warriors must win this match against the Dolphins, as their season slips away. But, at the same time, it gives the Dolphins an opportunity to cement their position in the top 8. It is a well-deserved reward for the Dolphins if they can beat the Warriors, and I think they are a good chance of that. They also welcome back Nikorima and Kaufusi whilst the Warriors are missing Fisher-Harris. The Broncos are at home to the Rabbitohs and one would have to think that the Broncos will surely be too strong, regardless of the worries that have come forward from the Courier Mail headline. Good to see Cobbo back and strange that, after a loss, both wingers got the chop!
Saturday has three games. First up, the Titans play Penrith at the Gold Coast, and you would think the Panthers are not going to make mistakes and trip up now that they are on their roll. They have also really organised their defensive line over the last 6-8 weeks. I’m going out to watch this game and hope the Titans put up a good show. The Dragons are at home with the Raiders and again, the Dragons should not be able to trouble the Raiders as they push forward to the big games at the end of the year. The third game on Saturday is most probably the most crucial game in the round. If the Roosters are to lose this game, they will drop out of contention. Likewise, if the Sea Eagles lose, they will be joined by the Roosters on the same points in the struggle to make the 8. Manly have a lot at stake.
Finally, on Sunday there are two games. The first has the Tigers up against the Bulldogs and the Bulldogs should be way too strong. For the Tigers, the interest will be how Galvin performs against the club he left during the season. Finally, the Sharks are at home to the Cowboys, and it looks like the Sharks have got a bit of a winning way back. They desperately need to put the Cowboys away otherwise they also run the risk of potentially falling out of the 8.
Top Eight (in order)
3 Melbourne 5 Panthers 6 Broncos 7 Cronullaargh 9 Manly10 Roosters 11 Cowboys 17 Rabbitohs
Fact / Stat for the day – All the talk about Wayne Bennett winning his first wooden spoon would not worry the old master coach as he has been there before. In 1981, as coach of Brisbane Brothers, he collected 1 of only 3 wooden spoons the grand club won until the end of the BRL as a major competition in 1987.
Tipping Stats – I took 3 risks, and they all failed. Say no more!
The School Sport Australia U/12 Schoolboys have been on this week at the South Pine Sports Complex, and I have enjoyed watching the games. The final is on Friday, and the standard of the games has been of high quality. Queensland should win and boast a massive forward pack for Under 12!
You gotta love footy!
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Prop, you’re a bit cagey about the Bulldogs. I’m waiting for you to make a frank call on their prospects (which seem to me to have dimmed a bit in recent times). Are they genuine flag prospects, or are they still one good player (probably an impact forward) away from real contenders?
I think they lack another forward and can’t see them winning – I think it is Penrith and Melbourne again