Prop by the Sea has decided to do a Penrith by taking a strategic rest before returning for the final few games of the NRL season. Today, Prop reviews last week’s Round 25 before The Prospector takes over with his preview of this week’s Round 26.
The Courier Mail Bronco headline on Monday was all celebration – ‘And That’s Finals’ – as the Broncos enter the final eight for sure. What position that they finish in we don’t know but the Courier warns on the inside back page – ‘Derby upset can stop Broncos top four tilt’. Clearly the journos are worried about the poor performing Cowboys and, to be honest, if the Broncs don’t beat them well they are no chance anyway! By the way, last week wasn’t the Broncos’ greatest performance but, in the end, they ran amok over the hapless Newcastle Knights.
Round 25 started off with a match between the Rabbits and the Dragons which I actually watched, and the Rabbits were way too good for the Dragons who were still suffering from the concussions of last week. To be honest, I did not see a lot of football on Friday or Saturday as I was a guest of the Councillor and the Principal at Gympie High’s Paddock 2 Plate dinner and then the Nolan Brothers at the Gympie Nolan’s Muster race day. Two fantastic events that highlight the value of schools and raceclubs to community as local businesses like the Nolans that really support their communities! I watched the highlights, and the fantastic last minute of the Raiders and Panthers was enough to show how good that game was and, likewise, the Storm once again were just too good for the Bulldogs. I must say the Councillor’s paddock to plate dinner with a menu prepared by Chef Golinski and washed down with a few Noosa Heads Lagers was also outstanding.
I stayed with the Councillor on Friday night and awoke to the news that he was the proud father of a new little colt foaled by his old mare. The next Cup winner he predicted. Being a full-on city boy and given how little I know about animals, when the Councillor started talking about Volvos – or something like that – I assumed the horse was Swedish. I just thought it was best that I switched off and concentrated on the form guide! The football on Saturday saw the Sea Eagles run out comfortable winners over the Dolphins, the Titans were disappointing against a large Warriors away crowd, and the Roosters, who lost Walker early on, fell to a much better Eels side. An afternoon of punting and eating Nolans’ beef washed down by XXXX was hard to beat.
Finally, on Sunday I got to watch the last two games. The Broncos were way too good for the Knights as expected and then, unfortunately, the Tigers, who showed so much in the game, faded badly in the last 10 minutes to let the Cowboys get up. When we talk about the top players in the competition, the argument certainly can’t go too far past the contribution of Dearden to the Cowboys!
Speaking of teams for the next few weeks, you’re going to be in the hands of The Prospector as I take my touring team (see below) on a holiday to Ireland. Here we are ready to go and kitted out by Grubby Half Back and the team at Struddys! When you read this, I will be Prop by the Red Sea staying with my old Brisbane Brothers mate David Hackett in Dubai!
Over to you, Prospector!
Round 26 begins on Thursday night with the theoretical blockbuster clash between the Dogs and Panthers. Unfortunately, coach Cleary has run up the white flag for this one so a thumping win for the Dogs should be on the cards. The early Friday night clash should be interesting. The Warriors are strong favourites, but I don’t think anyone is relishing the prospect of taking on the Eels under the guidance of Mitch Moses, who is in career best form. The team from the ‘shaky isles’ has looked somewhat shaky since Metcalf went down with an ACL. Parra in an upset for me. The ins and outs are a big focus for the Storm v Roosters game in Melbourne. Melbourne is resting several stars and skipper Grant is suspended but the Roosters are without Sam Walker who has been the catalyst driving the team lately and was sorely missed last week after being concussed. The Roosters also have a poor record in Melbourne and against the Storm in general, so there is a lot to consider. It is always risky tipping against the Storm at home, so I will stick with them.
Saturday starts with the Raiders at home to the Tigers. I don’t think Ricky will take his foot off the pedal and the Raiders should win. The bookies have the middle game as a toss of the coin job. Big last start losers versus big last start winners but Manly were at home and it was DCE’s 350th game. Away to the Dragons will be a tougher proposition than a home game against the beaten-up Dolphins. Manly, just, for me. The first of the two Queensland derbies finishes the action on Saturday night. Anything less than a convincing victory by the Broncos would raise more question marks about their final’s prospects. Broncos to win.
Sunday afternoon has the Sharks up against the Knights. Newcastle is looking towards Mad Monday and should be no match for the Sharks. The Sharks by plenty. The last game of the weekend is another Queensland derby between the spoon leading Titans and the injury ravaged Dolphins. The Titans could spring a surprise here, but I would not put my hard earned on it. If you are in a tipping comp, you would have to go for the Dolphins.
Top Eight (in order)
2 Melbourne 5 Broncos 6 Cronullaargh 7 Panthers 8 Roosters 10 Manly 12 Cowboys 14 Rabbitohs
Fact / Stat for the day – I was sent a podcast from Rod Reddy last week. I’m not a big fan of podcasts but this one is well worth listening to. It’s in a series called ‘Get the Edge’ by trainer Hayden Knowles. He interviews the Rockhampton Rocket on his career coming from Rocky Brothers as a 17-year-old and playing in Sydney representing NSW, Queensland and Australia during his career. It is interesting to listen to if you’ve got the time as Rocket tells his story and the people that influenced him, from his primary school teachers to international coaches and players. Reddy was the prototype of the modern player – strong, fast, athletic and, of course, tough. I had the great (mis)fortune of playing against Rod in the 1987 Foley Shield final where he captain/coached Townsville to victory over the Cairns side I was in. (No smirking, anyone who knows what happened).
Tipping Stats – Given the reluctance of the leaders to tip too far away from the favorites, the leaderboard stayed much the same. Our Rabbits fans are moving slowly but it is too late!
You gotta love footy!
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