Prop by the Sea
The Courier Mail’s sports headline on Monday was all about Penrith – Cleary Curse – as if it is black magic that caused the Broncos loss but not to be left out inside the back page Crash Craddock cried ‘Broncos disappearing act a cause of concern.’ But more on the Broncos later.
Round 9 or Magic Round started with the women’s game on Thursday night. I was fortunate enough to attend the game and unfortunately NSW were just too good. They completely dominated the game especially, in the critical ruck area, to run away comprehensive winners. The atmosphere at the ground was almost tremendous and it is amazing how far the women’s game has come.
The first of the Magic Round games saw the Sharks beat the Eels 28 points to 18. It was a display where the Sharks were expected to win and did. Hynes had one of his better games for the Sharks and that assisted greatly in winning the match. The Eels certainly played better than they did earlier in the year and Moses has been a massive in. The second match saw the Roosters beat the Dolphins 36 – 26. The score tended to flatter the Dolphins as they scored the bulk of their points in the back ends of each half. The Roosters are certainly a team on the rise and some of the key players are running into terrific form. Tedesco was especially good at fullback and Toia the young Queensland centre also showed that he is a player of the future. Their forward pack also dominated the Dolphins who were lacking Kaufusi and Plath.
On Saturday, the first of three games saw the Knights put in their best display of the season to beat the Rabbits. Souths are clearly undermanned and the Knights played much better with Fletcher Sharpe scoring three tries in an excellent game by him. Second up saw the Warriors hang on to beat the Cowboys. The Cowboys played well but the Warriors were able to match them in most departments and a critical intercept by the Warriors just before half time was a significant turning point in the match. I thought Capewell possibly gave Queensland selectors a reminder that he still has good footy in him. The final Saturday game had the Tigers running out winners over the Dragons. Most notable for this game was the bombed try by Sua where Bula picked up the ball, ran 105 metres and scored up the other end. You must feel for Sua who did all the work but bumped the ball out of his hands with his own knee in what may have cost the Dragons.
I was fortunate enough on Sunday to be at Suncorp Stadium for the three games and it was certainly a cracking afternoon of rugby league. The Titans were disappointing against the Bulldogs as has been their manner this season and I am not sure where they go from here. The Bulldogs are maintaining their top spot on the ladder but pressure will start to build when they have to play the competition heavyweights. The Broncos promised so much prior to running on but did not deliver. Like the Roosters, Penrith look like a side that are going to win a lot of games this year and they certainly showed their hand on Sunday. Cleary was at his best and the Panthers forwards were able to completely out muscle the Broncos again. I thought Cobbo was close to the best for the Broncos. The Bronco’s coaching department has to give us more than that they are still learning about each other! The final game of Magic Round was an absolute cracker. If you did not get to see the game make sure you look at the highlights as you will see some of the best tries ever seen in Rugby League. Melbourne got away to a 12 nil lead before the Raiders clawed back. The game went all the way to the wire before in extra time the Raiders got a penalty from a high tackle to win the game. Interesting to listen to Bellamy’s post-match press conference where he did not slag off the officials but said his own players had cost him the game. What a different series of events it would have been if Melbourne had won the game. I am not sure that Stuart would have shown the same composure. All in all, a terrific weekend of Rugby League.
I will be taking in Round 10 on a road trip through southwest Queensland that takes in the Quilpie Diggers Cup race meeting. In Charleville I’ll watch Thursday’s game with the Eels at home against the Dolphins. Both the sides will be desperate for a win and the Dolphins will welcome back Kaufusi but I think the Eels might just have what is required to win this one.
Friday night in Quilpie I will view two games with the Knights up against the Titans first up. On last week’s form you would have to think the Knights will win this game but as we know the Titans are completely unpredictable and anything could happen. They were a rabble last week and will need to improve by a huge margin if they are to challenge the Knights at home. Big Tino has been the only consistent shining light for the Titans. In a very interesting clash, the Rabbits play the Broncos. The Rabbits welcome back Mitchell and he certainly will make a difference but the Broncos have to perform better than last week. Unless the Broncos can dominate the middle they will be in trouble. Let’s hope Madge ‘has learned a bit more about his players’ for this weekend.
On Saturday I should catch the last of three games back in Charleville with the first game matching the impressive Raiders up against the Bulldogs. The Raiders have been in great form and have shown a never say die attitude over last month whilst the Bulldogs have been going about their winning way. The Bulldogs back five are particularly good but the Raiders forwards have not given an inch to any pack this year. I think the Raiders will be too strong. The Dragons are up against the Warriors and this is a game that the Warriors should win but again they can be unpredictable. If we take the form line from last week you would think the Warriors would be too good in this game. The final Saturday game has the Panthers up against the Cowboys. If the Panthers are back, then they win this game in Townsville but if they are not the Cowboys could beat them. I just think the Panthers showed enough against the Broncos last week to announce they are back in this competition.
Sunday should have me settled in Bell to see the Storm up against the West Tigers in the early match and this should be one way traffic. Even though the West Tigers have been playing well and have themselves in the 8 the Storm will be a test that will be a little bit too stern for them at this stage of their development. The final game for the round has the Sea Eagles up against the Sharks with the Sea Eagles coming off the bye. Manly at home should be too good for the Sharks and both sides are sitting on 10 points on the ladder, so it is a very important match up.
I am happy for any Tipsters to send me a winner in any of the Quilpie Diggers Races including the Newmarket over 1100 with 15 starters and the Cup over 1586m with 9 starters.
Top Eight (in order)
3 Melbourne 5 Brisbane 6 Cronullaargh 7 Manly 9 Cowboys 11 Roosters 13 Souths15 Penrith
Fact / Stat for the day- After Round 9 the Broncos have won 5 games and have a points differential of 54 and are in fifth place. In 2024 after Round 9 the Broncos had won 5 games and had a points differential of 42 were in seventh place. It would be interesting to hear from the Broncos hierarchy if that is a satisfactory first third of the competition.
Tippin Stats – A solid 6 last week has put me back near the top sitting 1 point behind first and in the top 6000 (10%) in the big comp. I actually went up 14000 places where the leader is on 53 (that is sensational tipping considering I am on 45!) Mattress-ide dropped off and Smithy65 is making ground. Crabman is clawing on to 4th followed by souffs, Rusty Mattress Springs, Mattresses Mum, the Councillor and of course GHB who could not call a double sided coin! But credit to GHB. He is like Monty Pythons Black Knight – he still sees victory just around the corner.
You gotta love footy!
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I watched a couple of games over the weekend and agree with your comments re the ladies origin NSW were good I think Qld need to move their young 5/8 to 7 so she can direct the show and use her speed to capitalise on the half breaks made by the forwards and also to our fullback into play more often. The Roosyfar to good for the Dolphins and Penrith way to good for the Broncos who are running out of one liners to explain their misfortunes,Cobbo is in his right he was the player the Broncos had by far.
Broncos one liner seems to be the coach is learning about his players. Cobbo was very good last week and looks like a fullback to me- I think the roosters and panthers are about to move up the ladder
Blow the siren for the weekend’s tipping now, MOH. I’m one from one after the Dolphins’ win. For the first time in weeks, I’ve picked the Thursday night winner. And they were the underdogs! Perhaps footy tipping is easier the further you are away from it physically. Tally ho from Old London Town.
Disaster round 2/8 ouch!