I can only start with one of two headlines, either ‘In Rugby League that is a knock on’ or ‘If you are asleep before you hit the deck, it’s most probably a head high tackle!’
Firstly, the knock on. Whilst I was happy (extremely) to see DCE win his 310th game, the punters at the Stranglers Arms Hotel in Southport unanimously agreed that in our game that is a knock on. I can’t argue. Likewise, it was very difficult to understand how Coach Robinson could try and defend the shot by his winger Young. Almost foolish in my mind. Admittedly Young lost no admirers when his jersey was half ripped off!
The Round 5 opener between the Broncos and Storm was a tremendous match. The tries and the score might affect the purists’ view but, in terms of entertainment, it was outstanding. I felt the Broncs showed character that belies their 2 out of 5 situation. Bellamy’s records are terrible hurdles to try and jump.
The Warriors under Coach Webster, on the other hand, are starting to look like a team that may be able to compete in September.
But enough of that. Round 6 provides another patchwork of matches that you know are going to cause Tiposteritis.
Thursday night has the Knights v Roosters. One would think this has to be a Roosters win. On Friday the Storm will deal with the Berries comfortably as the Berries win last week against the Roosters was out of character, aided by knock outs, send offs and sin bins!
The Friday night staple, Brisbane, are playing their downtown rivals Redcliffe. You have to give it to Mr Bennett. He extracts the best out of his players. A full house at Lang Park augers well for a new classic in a recent rivalry. As I said earlier, the Broncs ,at 2 out of 5, have to win. I thought Sailor may have been put in the halves but Madden got the gig. Walsh back is a major plus. The Analyst sent me the following in relation to this game:
After an uncharacteristic performance, particularly from a Bennett-coached team, in Round 1, the Dolphins have proved to be one of the hottest teams in the NRL through the first 5 weeks. I put it down to an all-time Rugby League DNA splice. Bennett has cultivated a team built on the ages old foundations of tough, hard-nosed footy with an infusion of the sheer brilliant. ‘Hammer’ is one of the most exciting players we have seen in this generation. High praise given the talent of his contemporaries. Whilst buoyed by the dominance of an aggressive, pull-no-punches forward pack, I think the Dolphins go as Hammer goes. If he is on song and they can stay healthy, a top 6 finish certainly isn’t being overly ambitious.
Side note: Don’t sleep on the Tigers under Benji’s stewardship. This isn’t your grand-pappy’s Wests Tigers. Them boys are buttoned up this year.
Thanks again, Analyst.
The Warriors and Manly is an interesting match-up. It will be interesting to see if the Schuster debacle has any effect. I think not as I also think the Warriors will be too strong. The Cowboys v Eels match-up is interesting. Former NQ (pre-94) halfback Tim Robinson told me during the week that the keys to the Cowboy engine need to be taken off Townsend and given to Dearden. He is their future and I think Foley Shield star Robinson may well be right. He actually said , “Let Townsend be some sort of assistant coach and get James Maloney in the 7 shirt.” Not sure about that happening, Robbo, but who knows!
At the same time, another person has contacted me referring to himself as The Oracle and he said the following about a young Parra player called Ethan Saunders.
He should be picked this week. He has shown ability to steer both age teams and NSW Cup sides around the field like a seasoned pro. Question mark he had was where he fits into the Eels team moving forward. His ability to play both sides of the ruck is strong although he is predominantly a left sided player – as is Dylan Brown. The depth of the Eels right now is being tested and it seems to be the young kids they have on their books need to step up and deliver above their pay grade to get the Eels back to a premiership threat.
Nice work, Oracle, but he wasn’t picked and I’m not sure about the Eels. I will pay due deference when he is, however.
The Raiders should be way too strong for what has been a very disappointing Titans outfit. It is not good enough to come back from a big score each week and just be beaten as they seem to be. The Raiders play a simple game and have so far been successful.
The Rabbits are really at the crossroads. If reports are correct the Coach is gone. Latest reports are that Big Mal maybe the man to take over. My interest is in former Queensland schoolboy Jai Gray being named as their fullback. He is a brilliant young player but very small. South’s season is a train wreck at this point. Big Mal just might be the man.
Emotion will be high at Campbelltown as the Tigers will be black arm banded for the great Keith Barnes. He lost three Grand Finals to the Dragons so, hopefully, his beloved Tigers can get up for him. Sadly, the last time a West Tigers legend was acknowledged was the great Tommy Raudonikis and the team performance was anything but Raudonikisesque!
So, my selections are Roosters, Storms, Brisbane, Warriors, Cowboys, Cronulla, Dragons and the Raiders. Penrith will enjoy their week off with the bye.
My pre-season prediction positions after Round 6: Penrith 8th, Broncos 11th, Melbourne 3rd, Souths 17th, Roosters 10th, Cowboys 2nd, Newcastle 12th and St George 15th.
Odd fact! The ‘6 again’ rule has made a real difference to the game. Strangely, or I should say oddly, it escapes the attention of the media.
You gotta love footy!
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Great Commentry and Insight Matty – keep up the great work????
Matt, you seem pretty definite about the Roosters over the Knights. What do you know that the bookies don’t? Or is this the combined distillation of The Analyst, The Oracle, The Prop and The (yet to make an appearance) Prognosticator?
Collins and JWH back together is a big plus and last week was a forgettable match for the Roosters on many fronts. Both teams have only one 2 from 5 and Newcastle’s win last week in the squelch was poor I thought. When the Roosters settled after the send off they won 26-4 with 12 and then 11 men. I think 6/4 in a two-horse race is way over the odds, especially given Manu maybe a better option at fullbacks.