“This Is My House!” screamed the headline in this week’s Courier. Kotoni Staggs, even though he has not played this year, wants to be a Bronco for life and win premierships, but more on the Broncos later.
Round 4 started with what only can be described as a shock win to the Rabbitohs. You have to give it to Bennett. He pulled a rabbit out of a hat, so to speak, when he hatched a plan to get Reggie the Rabbit to create an issue to divert attention away from his side. It worked a treat! Poor old Reggie was scrutinised all week. Clearly, the master coach will take any steps to win a game. The Rabbits also played very well and are showing a commitment that has been missing for the last couple of years. Gray was particularly good again and Penrith are just missing too many players at the moment.
The first of the two Friday night games saw the Titans too strong for the Roosters. Just like Souths, the Titans have shown in the last two weeks that maybe this year they are a more powerful side than they have been. They certainly looked sharp although, to be fair, the Roosters bombed at least four tries in the first half. The second match saw the Broncos come out too strong for the Dolphins who certainly tried hard. However, the Paix try was an example of moments in a game when you simply cannot turn off. It was an extremely poor attempt at tackling by the Redcliffe outfit who were punished for it.
Saturday saw three games with another complete boilover with the Dragons running out 14 points to 8 winners over the Storm. Whilst I am a big fan of Wishart, he did not have his happiest night and, certainly, the Storm missed the service they get from Hughes. I do not think Bellamy would be too worried about the Storm at this point, but it certainly gave the Dragons supporters some hope. Likewise, the second game saw a poor Raiders performance against the Cowboys who ran out 30 points to 20 winners. Given how the Cowboys have played recently, few of us saw that one coming. Papali’i made a blunder and was lucky to get away with a fine. The final game had the Sharks up against the Bulldogs and the Sharks were disappointing, to say the least. The Bulldogs certainly out-played Cronulla and, whilst they are a small pack, they were busy and the Sharks had no answer for the intensity that the Bulldogs showed in defence. More pleasing for Canterbury supporters was that they won without Burton and Kikau. Mahoney has to change some of the nonsense in his game as it is hard to believe that he was not suspended for his cheap shot. Completely unnecessary.
Given the first six games had been a tipster’s bloodbath, it was great that the Sea Eagles proved too strong for the Eels. It was a shame to see Turbo limp off and there was certainly no ill feeling from the crowd towards DCE. He had a particularly good game, directed his team around the park and the Eels just do not know where their next win is going to come from. The final game saw the unlucky Wests Tigers get beaten by the Warriors in a game that went to the wire. Both sides made far too many mistakes but it was an entertaining game, especially given the closeness of the scores. The West Tigers certainly had an opportunity to win the game in the second half but after two disallowed tries, the Warriors were able to get one back through some very flimsy defence and hang on to win 26 points to 24.
Round 5, which may well be the ‘Over Correction Sin Bin’ round, starts off on Thursday with the Sharks up against the Raiders. The Green Machine will be at home and that normally is an advantage for them. The Sharks’ attack has been clunky with Hynes underperforming and that has a big impact on the side. Ricky should be a bit happier come Thursday night – unless of course four Raiders go in the bin for high shots!
Friday night sees the Panthers up against the Cowboys. The Panthers will be at home, but a much better Cowboys side will be travelling down to meet them. Certainly they showed a lot more last week, but you would think with Cleary back that will definitely change their performance. The Panthers should get over the line in this one. The second game has the high performing Rabbits up against the Roosters. There should be a great crowd in for this one as it is always a tremendous clash when these two teams meet. Mitchell back in the three-quarter line is a massive boost for them and his replacement – who last week would be working in the canteen – has been doing an outstanding job. The Roosters are making too many mistakes at the moment and the continual loss of Victor Radley must be a concern.
Saturday has three games, the first of which has the Eels against the Dragons. I think it will be difficult for the Eels to win this game as the Dragons will be too strong. The Lomax/Gutherson swap situation adds interest. Again, I just do not know where the Eels’ next win will come from. The clash between the Titans and the Dolphins is the second match on Saturday night and it is a game that the Titans must win. Most importantly, the Titans have to show that they can string a number of wins together if they are to be a threat in the competition and they certainly cannot afford to lose to the Dolphins. It is a shame for the Dolphins who are trying hard but their first win, I think, is still a while away. The final game on Saturday night has the Broncos playing the West Tigers. I think without Luai the Broncos will be far too slick for the Tigers and, again, if the Broncos are going to win the competition this year they must win on Saturday.
The early Sunday game has a great deal of interest with Manly at home at Brookvale again up against the Melbourne Storm. Interestingly, Hughes has been named on an extended bench but whether he plays three weeks after breaking his hand will be interesting. If he plays that makes a massive difference to Melbourne. Last week Manly were good in patches and Melbourne were a bit clunky. It is going to be a very tight game but Melbourne have not made a habit over the last few years of losing multiple games in a row. The final game on Sunday afternoon sees the Bulldogs against the Knights. It is hard to believe that Mahoney was not suspended for his cheap shot last weekend and he certainly is a big ‘in’ for the Dogs because he gives them a lot of go forward, especially in their defensive line. Newcastle is coming off the bye and they are almost at full strength but I just cannot see how they will beat the Bulldogs. At the end of Sunday afternoon, the Bulldogs will be on top of the table and undefeated!
Top Eight (in order)
2 Manly 3 Brisbane 4 Melbourne 7 Souths 10 Cronullaargh 13 Penrith 14 Cowboys 15 Roosters
Fact Stat for the day – If you were a gambler and took $1 on the longest priced team in every game in the first 4 rounds, your investment of $32 would have returned $42.90. Just over a 30% return! The biggest result was the Roosters over Penrith at 7/1 (and my clothes) and 4 results over 3/1.
Tippin Stats – after a poor 3 in a tough round, I have slipped down to second along with 5 others in the Almanac comp, and moved down 3000 places last week to drop into the 16000s in the big comp. The Councillor has joined late and assures me the skill he applied across the paddocks of Cairns, Central Burnett and Gympie are similar to his tipping aptitude. Well, Councillor, I am watching your progress.
You gotta love footy!
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Quit complaining, Prop, you did 50% better than me last week! I expect that the Councillor will overtake me pretty soon, in spite of his late entry. Maybe the return of the likes of Cleary and Mitchell will help restore a bit of sanity this week.
YOU blokes reckon you’re struggling. I’ve got every 50-50 game wrong THIS SEASON. IJH, what’s your tipping alias?
In the tipping competition I’m Dolf Fin but, given my form to date, I should probably be called Clueless!
Of course I’m Flying Mattress and I have people out there who respect me!
Grubby half back marker 8.5/10 for a great footy only column, bring back some old footy stories or go on a tour prop to jazz things up prop, maybe we should have an Almanac race and or footy day soon, my 60th is soon. The results are great for the comp and I truly believe any of 6 teams can win the comp. Have a great weekend prop and what a punting day today and how can u jump off Iownamerc at $34 going for 3 straight.
I’ll take your comments on board GHB- I did have a centrefold 2 weeks ago. And a tour last season but will work on a lunch day- or an old story! looking forward to your 60th no doubt! I’ll put the merc in my tri alongside encap- linebacker and just folk! That should pay for lunch!at least you are 1 ahead of the councillor from Gympie and he started 2 weeks behind you!