Sydney Roosters vs Melbourne Storm – Friday night – Allianz Stadium
The Storm have played, and beaten, three genuine contenders in the last four rounds. In those wins over the Broncos, Cowboys and Sharks they have conceded just 16 points - and two of those wins were away from home. There is absolutely nothing wrong with their form heading into their finals campaign. Sadly for them, they're taking on the only team in better form. Coach Potato speaks of the importance of streaks and the current Roosters streak stretches to 12 wins in a row. They've lost one game since Anzac Day, and providing they can avoid the Sharks it's hard to see who might stop a team in such a rich vein of form. These sides met back in round 12 on a cold Monday night, where the chooks dominated in a 24-2 display. They had Waerea-Hargreaves and Pearce that night, but those asked to slot into the Roosters seventeen are doing so seamlessly. Ironcially enough, it reminds me of the Storm when they were at the peak of their powers. In their tremendous round 24 victory over the Broncos, the Roosters proved they can win a tough grinding game without the ball. It wouldn't surprise me if this game is a similar contest. It sounds like Cameron Smith picked up the Brisbane flu last weekend. He's unlikely to sit the game out, but if it's the same strain we battled in the Thinker household he's not going to be 100%. It's not the game of the weekend, but it would have been on almost any other weekend.
FUN FACT: Roosters coach Trent Robinson speaks French.
Verdict – Roosters by 4
Result - Storm 20 defeated Roosters 18
Canterbury Bulldogs vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Saturday afternoon – ANZ Stadium
In the last fortnight the Bulldogs have scraped home against the team that ran last and scraped home against the team that ran fourth last. During the same period the Dragons have lost to the team that ran third last and beaten the team that ran second last in extra time. It doesn't look like great form going into the finals, so it may be a good thing that they're playing each other. These sides met twice during the regular season - the Dragons won easily in round six and the Bulldogs turned the tables in round 13. Note that the Dogs in round six were without Brett Morris, Klemmer, Graham and Kasiano. This time around the Dragons are without Gareth Widdop - he may not be the most dynamic playmaker in the NRL, but he is a composed and clever footballer, and Marshall is a more potent force with Widdop by his side. Many thought the Dragons would be contesting the spoon in 2015 so they've done very well to be here, but on weights and measures the Dogs should prevail.
FUN FACT: Dragons coach Paul 'Mary' McGregor was the first captain of the merged St George Illawarra club.
Verdict – Bulldogs by 8
Result - Bulldogs 11 defeated Dragons 10
Brisbane Broncos vs North Queensland Cowboys – Saturday night – Suncorp Stadium
Near enough to 50,000 will roll through the turnstiles on Saturday night...and why wouldn't they? Two of the most consistent teams this season at the best football stadium in the country. Morgan comes back under an injury cloud and all of a sudden we know about a groin issue that Thurston has been carrying for months. Is this clever mind games from coach Paul Green? Is it too clever? No-one pulls the wool over the eyes of Wayne Bennett easily. Ray Thompson has been named on an extended bench as back-up - let's see if he makes the seventeen. Much like the earlier game on Saturday these sides met twice during the regular season, with each side winning convincingly on their home turf. The Broncos win (44-22) was way back in round three, and I think they're a better side now than they were then. Boyd didn't play in that game and he's found his mojo at the back, and the more Hunt and Milford play together the more they blossom. Of course, the Morgan/Thurston pairing is the strongest in the NRL...but are they fit? And let's not forget the anti-Cowboys conspiracy when it comes to finals football. It may or may not be true, but even if it isn't it can still affect the result. When Thurston gets frustrated he overplays his hand, and the cracks emerge. All I ask is that a referring error doesn't determine the outcome. I'm genuinely excited about this contest. The stage is set...let the show begin.
FUN FACT: Broncos coach Wayne Bennett is 29 years older than the youngest coach in the finals race (Robinson - 36). Despite that, he still ran past my house on Monday morning...twice
Verdict – Broncos by 4
Result - Broncos 16 defeated Cowboys 12
Cronulla Sharks vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Sunday afternoon – Allianz Stadium
Perhaps foolishly, I suggested the Rabbits would miss the eight this season. They didn't, but they're on the ropes and asking someone to knock them out. The Sharks will knock them out. Greg Inglis is back and he's a match winner. But how fit is he, and how many opportunities is he going to get behind a forward pack that can't possibly win that battle? George Burgess threw his bottle out of the cot last week and won't be there, Issac Luke is sitting in the cot with him and Kyle Turner has been thrown to the wolves in the back row. To make matters worse the Fifita brothers are back for the Sharks this week - they'll be fired up after an extended period in the cage. With Ben Barba also returning there's plenty of fast and furious little men to turn this game into a potential carve-up. And with all that I can get $1.80 for the Sharks. Excuse me sir, can I have some more?
FUN FACT: Rabbitohs coach Michael 'Madge' Maguire played at fullback for the Adelaide Rams in their first ever game. They lost to the Cowboys 24-16.
Verdict – Sharks by 20
Result - Sharks 28 defeated Rabbitohs 12
Wally Lewis - finals week one selections (in bold)
Note: tips from Wally will be published on Thursday night or early Friday morning.
- ROOSTERS vs Storm
- BULLDOGS vs Dragons
- BRONCOS vs Cowboys
- SHARKS vs Rabbitohs
Finals tipping competition - all are welcome
Throughout the finals we shall run a tipping competition for a bit of fun. I'll check under the couch cushions and see if I can scrounge together a modest first prize. I'm keeping this as simple as I can. Place your winning tips and a winning margin for each game in the comments section on this page (four games this week - first grade finals only). The person with the highest total after the grand final wins. In the likely event of a tie for first, those margin selections will come into play. A clumsy attempt to explain how the margins are scored is below:
Tip: Roosters by 4
If the Roosters win by 10 you get 1 point and a margin tally of 6 (i.e. 10 - 4 = 6). If the Roosters win by 4 you get a point and a margin tally of 0 (4 - 4 = 0). If the Storm win by 2 you get 0 points for the selection plus a margin tally of 6 (i.e. 2 + 4 = 6). If there is a tie (and there probably will be) the person with the lowest margin tally is declared the winner.
I'm happy to answer any questions. Participation is voluntary and anyone can enter, not just those in the official tipping competition. Note that the official tipping competition is still running. If you're in that competition try to remember to tip in both. The judges decision is final, and I am the judge. Coach Potato has kindly offered to help out, and will be my back-up should I fall down a well or get locked in a box by Ms Thinker. I'm meant to go to a team drinks session on Thursday night so the latter is a distinct possibility.
Comments
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Sorry Jazzy your score should read 2- 19
Submitted by Coach Potato on
If Souths win tomorrow, it'll be AJ vs the rest.
If Cronulla win, there will be 21 players here separated just by margins
Submitted by Johnny Ray on
All I've got to say is congratulations AJ and up up Cronulla ... ;-D
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Sorry, its been a long night
Jazzy should be 2- 22,
Newbie 2- 35
Captain 2- 38
parra 2- 23
1. AJ.(3-17) MEL 4 BUL 14 BRI 6 SOU 2
2. Thinker. (2- 13) ROO 4 BUL 8. BRI 4. CRO 20
3. Nik. (2- 15) ROO 1 BUL 12 BRI 3 CRO 5
4. Islander. (2- 17) ROO 10 BUL 4 BRI 2 CRO 16
4. Engineer Pete. (2- 17) ROO 4 BUL 11 BRI 3. CRO 15
6. Johnny Ray (2- 19) MEL 2 BUL 10 COW 6.CRO 4.
6. Mark Ashford. (2- 19) ROO 4 BUL 12 BRI 6 CRO 14
8. christine. (2- 21) ROO 10 BUL 8 BRI 6 CRO 7
8. Guru Craig. (2- 21) ROO 7 BUL 13 BRI 4 CRO 4
8. Chooks. (2- 21) ROO 10 BUL 10 BRI 4 CRO 8
11. Jazzy. (2- 22) ROO 6 BUL 12 BRI 7 CRO 6
11. tonibet. (2- 22) MEL 4 BUL 16 COW 1 SOU 10
13. parrakeet_ . (2- 23) ROO 7 BUL 12 BRI 7 CRO 12
13. Tligerholic. (2- 23) ROO 7 BUL 13 BRI 6 CRO 6
15. HeadHi. (2- 26) ROO 12 BUL 10 BRI 1 CRO 8
16. JasonW (2- 27) ROO 8 BUL 14 BRI 8 CRO 6
17. Shanghai (2- 29) ROO 14 BUL 8 BRI 10 CRO 13
18. Coach Potato (2- 30) MEL 7 DRA 6. BRI 22. CRO 14
19. Steel Panther. (2- 31) MEL 8 BUL 16 COW 6 SOU 10
20. Baggy Gee (2- 32) ROO 15 BUL 7. BRI 13. CRO 3
21. Newbie from Perth. (2- 35) ROO 12 BUL 10. BRI 16. CRO 6
21. Lazy Lad (2- 35) ROO 8 BUL 22. BRI 8. CRO 12
23. Captain Boozehag (2- 38) ROO 16 BUL 18 BRI 7 CRO 20
24. Footy Chick (1- 18) ROO 7 BUL 4 COW 2 CRO 4
25. Tailspin (1- 25) ROO 10 BUL 8 COW 2 CRO 6
26. Raiderpete (1- 37) ROO 14 BUL 2 COW 16 CRO 22
27. a - (1- 39) ROO 12 BUL 16 COW 6 CRO 2
28. Rick (0- 26) ROO 7 DRA 8 COW 4 CRO 12
29. Johnny Boney (0- 30) ROO 14 DRA 1 COW 8 CRO 10
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Cowboys U20s (2nd)are going to have to travel to Suncorp to play their prelim, and Panthers U20s (1st) are going to have to travel to Melbourne to play theirs.
Submitted by The Thinker on
well.....I don't know about anyone else but I've had too much to drink.
my seat was right next to the Broncos bench....literally right there. The person to my left was Corey Parker or Sam Thaiday or whoever was having a breather.
To my right....Gordon Tallis and Darren Lockyer.
What a night. It was great to be next to them all during that last five minutes when the game was on the line. Alfie running around like the Eveready Bunny.
Yay.....thinker is drunk....thinker must sleep now. Drinkle responsibly.
Submitted by a on
Cowboys either ply Sharks or Rabbitohs next week
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Kasiano should get suspended, Prichard too. But the most serious was Eastwood on Marshall. He's notorious for going into tackles to mame. Trapping legs and twisting is his thing. He caused Michael to be out for Penrith for months, and umpteen others, too many to take note of. He needs to be punished. He's a dog so he plays for the right team. If he wasn't a Kiwi, I'd rather he play for Qld.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
* Michael Gordon I meant
Submitted by a on
Hopefully Cowboys will win next week
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Ok. My attempt at getting this thing a bit interactive.
Coach Trivia.
Who am I?
This is my footy career ...Western Suburbs 1990-93; North Sydney 1994-99; Northern Eagles 2000; Parramatta 2001
Submitted by Coach Potato on
How sad the feelings of Australians about other Australians.
Please read ...
http://www.sportal.com.au/afl/news/adam-goodes-saga-ignites-fremantle-fa...
Submitted by The Thinker on
Afternoon Coach,
That's coach trivia on two levels - the coach you speak of happens to share a birthday with yours truly (although he's a year older than I am).
Submitted by a on
Booing Adam Goodes is racist
Submitted by Coach Potato on
So you were only 3 watching the Roosters of "75?
Submitted by a on
Any way we have not talk about Jayrred Hayne yet I think he is going to do well in the NFL
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Unfortunately, a, people are the way they are. There's really no changing that. Just sad to know that it's true.
Submitted by The Thinker on
Coach,
Three I was....and I've (mostly) stuck with them.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
He is doing better than anyone before him. Previous Aussies have only done the last tackle punt kick. If you didn't know, a whole new team comes on the field when it's time to punt, so if you're the kicker - that's all you do. After that play, you go back off the field.
Hayne is a lot more involved than this.
Here is a little rules guide to anyone that wants to start following the game more closely .....
Beginner's Guide to Football
One 11-man team has possession of the football. It is called the offense and it tries to advance the ball down the field-by running with the ball or throwing it - and score points by crossing the goal line and getting into an area called the end zone.
The other team (also with 11 players) is called the defense. It tries to stop the offensive team and make it give up possession of the ball. If the team with the ball does score or is forced to give up possession, the offensive and defensive teams switch roles (the offensive team goes on defense and the defensive team goes on offense). And so on, back and forth, until all four quarters of the game have been played.
In order to make it easier to coordinate the information in this digest, the topics discussed generally follow the order of the rule book.
THE FIELD
The field measures 100 yards long and 53 yards wide. Little white markings on the field called yard markers help the players, officials, and the fans keep track of the ball. Probably the most important part of the field is the end zone. It's an additional 10 yards on each end of the field. This is where the points add up! When the offense - the team with possession of the ball-gets the ball into the opponent's end zone, they score points.
TIMING
Games are divided into four 15-minute quarters, separated by a 12-minute break at halftime. There are also 2-minute breaks at the end of the first and third quarters as teams change ends of the field after every 15 minutes of play. At the end of the first and third quarters, the team with the ball retains possession heading into the following quarter. That is not the case before halftime. The second half starts with a kickoff in the same way as the game began in the first quarter.
Each offensive team has 40 seconds from the end of a given play until they must snap of the ball for the start of the next play, otherwise they will be penalized.
The clock stops at the end of incomplete passing plays, when a player goes out of bounds, or when a penalty is called. The clock starts again when the ball is re-spotted by an official.
If a game is tied at the end of regulation, a 15-minute overtime period will be played. In the NFL, this is sudden death and the first team to score wins. Possession is determined before the period begins by a coin toss.
THE PLAYERS
Each team has 3 separate units: the offense (see section below), those players who are on the field when the team has possession of the ball; the defense (see section below), players who line up to stop the other team's offense; and special teams that only come in on kicking situations (punts, field goals, and kickoffs). Only 11 players are on the field from one team at any one time.
To see how the players line up click here
THE KICKOFF
A game starts with the kickoff. The ball is placed on a kicking tee at the defense's 30-yard line, and a special kicker (a "placekicker") kicks the ball to the offense A kick return man from the offense will try to catch the ball and advance it by running. Where he is stopped is the point from which the offense will begin its drive, or series of offensive plays. When a kickoff is caught in the offense's own end zone, the kick returner can either run the ball out of the end zone, or kneel in the end zone to signal a touchback - a sign to stop the play. The ball is then placed on the 20-yard line, where the offense begins play.
FIRST DOWN
All progress in a football game is measured in yards. The offensive team tries to get as much "yardage" as it can to try and move closer to the opponent's end zone. Each time the offense gets the ball, it has four downs, or chances, in which to gain 10 yards. If the offensive team successfully moves the ball 10 or more yards, it earns a first down, and another set of four downs. If the offense fails to gain 10 yards, it loses possession of the ball. The defense tries to prevent the offense not only from scoring, but also from gaining the 10 yards needed for a first down. If the offense reaches fourth down, it usually punts the ball (kicks it away). This forces the other team to begin its drive further down the field.
MOVING THE BALL - The Run and the Pass
A play begins with the snap. At the line of scrimmage (the position on the field where the play begins), the quarterback loudly calls out a play in code and the player in front of him, the center, passes, or snaps the ball under his legs to the quarterback. From there, the quarterback can either throw the ball, hand it off, or run with it.
THE RUN
There are two main ways for the offense to advance the ball. The first is called a run. This occurs when the quarterback hands the ball off to a running back, who then tries to gain as many yards as possible by eluding defensive players. The quarterback is also allowed to run with the ball.
THE PASS
The other alternative to running the ball is to throw it. Or as they say in football, pass it! Usually, the quarterback does the passing, though there are times when another player may pass the ball to confuse the defense. Actually, anyone on the offensive team is allowed to pass the ball as long as the pass is thrown from behind the line of scrimmage. A pass is complete if the ball is caught by another offensive player, usually the "wide receiver" or "tight end." If the ball hits the ground before someone catches it, it is called an incomplete pass.
THE TACKLE
The defense prevents the offense from advancing the ball by bringing the ball carrier to the ground. A player is tackled when one or both of his knees touch the ground. The play is then over. A play also ends when a player runs out of bounds.
SCORING
The object of the game is to score the most points. There are four ways to score points in football.
TOUCHDOWN = 6 POINTS
A touchdown is the biggest single score in a football game. It is worth six points, and it allows the scoring team an opportunity to attempt to get an extra point. To score a touchdown, the ball must be carried across the goal line into the end zone, caught in the end zone, or a fumble recovered in the end zone, or an untouched kickoff recovered in the end zone by the kicking team.
EXTRA POINT and the TWO-POINT CONVERSION = 1 or 2 POINTS
Immediately following a touchdown, the ball is placed at the opponent's two-yard line, where the offense has two options. Usually the offense will kick an extra point, also called the point after touchdown, conversion, or PAT. If the offense successfully kicks the ball through the goal posts, it earns one point. The offense can also score two points by running or throwing the ball into the end zone in the same manner as you would score a touchdown. Since going for two points is more difficult than kicking an extra point, the offense generally chooses to kick the extra point.
FIELD GOAL = 3 POINTS
If the offense cannot score a touchdown, it may try to kick a field goal. Field goals are worth three points and often are the deciding plays in the last seconds of close games. They can be attempted from anywhere on the field on any down, but generally are kicked from inside the defense's 45-yard line on fourth down. For a field goal to be "good", the placekicker (or field goal kicker) must kick the ball through the goal-post uprights and over the crossbar. The defense tries to block the kick and stop the ball from reaching the goal post.
SAFETY = 2 POINTS
The safety is worth two points. A safety occurs when the offensive ball carrier is tackled behind his own goal line.
TURNOVERS
While trying to advance the football to the end zone, the offense may accidentally turn the ball over to the defense in one of two ways:
THE FUMBLE
When the ball carrier or passer drops the ball, that's a fumble. Any player on the field can recover the ball by diving on it or he can run with it. The team that recovers a fumble either gets-or retains-possession of the ball.
THE INTERCEPTION
An aggressive defense can regain possession of the ball by catching (intercepting) passes meant for players on the other team. Both fumble recoveries and interceptions can be run back into the end zone for touchdowns.
THE TWO SIDES OF THE BALL
THE OFFENSE
Whichever team has possession of the ball is the offense. While only the quarterback, the wide receivers and tight ends, and the running backs can legally handle the ball, it is the quarterback who is the leader of the team and the playmaker. In fact, he's a man of many talents - he not only throws the ball, he outlines each play to his team.
THE OFFENSIVE PLAYERS
The quarterback ("QB") passes or hands off the ball.
The center snaps the ball to the QB and blocks the defense.
2 guards and 2 tackles keep the defense at bay.
2/4 wide receivers catch the ball thrown by the QB.
1 or 2 running backs take the ball and run with it.
1 or 2 tight ends block the defense and can also catches passes.
THE DEFENSE
The job of the defense is to stop the offense. The 11 men on the defensive team all work together to keep the offense from advancing toward the defense's end zone.
THE DEFENSIVE PLAYERS
Linebackers defend against the pass, and push forward to stop the run or tackle the QB.
The defensive line (ends and tackles) battles head-to-head against the offensive line.
Cornerbacks and safeties defend against the pass from the QB to the wide receiver and help to stop the run.
Submitted by a on
Yeah no one can change the booing he might as well just retire that is the best solution to it because that just the way it is
Submitted by a on
Jayrrd Hayne is going to do very well at the NFL
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Interesting that the kick-off is the 30yard line. Imagine the effort put into kickoffs if NRL players were made to do the same.
I think kicking off from your own 40 would be great.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Things are still panning out towards that complex Grand Final for you Thinker.
Submitted by The Thinker on
It is Coach.
Although I backed the Broncos at the start of the season, and again after they got flogged by the Bunnies in round one....so I'm torn in three ways this season.
Submitted by a on
Cowboys could still be in the grand final
Submitted by Coach Potato on
No complaints about what the streak theory says then
Submitted by a on
Cowboys are the best no matter whaT
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Clear eye gouge. Its just obvious you can't get sent off in a semi final. Your seasons over plus a chunk of next year Keary
Submitted by AJ on
Thanks johnny ray and couch potato ..... sitting here a tad nervous this arvy but! ! How good was cowboys/broncs game .... sorry 'a' and 'tailspin ' tipped brisbane but devoed for JT and the boys :(( reckon they'll have a cracker win next week for sure! Johnny ray I'm on your side for the mighty warriors. ... peow peow!
Submitted by a on
Oh shit Cowboys may be playing Sharks next week
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Interesting approach from coach Maguire at half time. Talking with hands behind back. Not animated. No rev up. Interesting because footballers need the rev up to get the energy. Energy comes from the coach and into the players, and then comes out on the field. Interesting that Maguire is choosing not to pass on any energy. Interestingly bad for Souths fans.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Why Oh Shit? Strange comment from the one that says they will beat anyone?
Submitted by AJ on
Maguire looking tad stressed up in the box :/ c'mon rabbits!
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Knocked that on 3 times Valentine
Submitted by Coach Potato on
You saw Reynolds just yell ' that's fuckin bullshit' right in the refs ear. Referee's do you have selective deafness. Would Thurston get away with that? Would Graham get away with that?
Submitted by AJ on
What a run by keary! But oh what a waste :(
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Geez you can't knock on in a semi either ??
Submitted by Coach Potato on
One of the last runs he'll make on a football field anytime soon.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
I wonder if "Souths Sydney Forever" fans will last the game out? I doubt it.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
You're a dog Inglis. Stay with Qld buddy
Submitted by Coach Potato on
What footy have you selected for yourself Thinker
Submitted by a on
The Sharks vs Rabbitohs game was bloody awful I rather eat poo than watch that game
Submitted by Coach Potato on
1. Thinker. (3- 17) ROO 4 BUL 8. BRI 4. CRO 20
1. Islander. (3- 17) ROO 10 BUL 4 BRI 2 CRO 16
3. Engineer Pete. (3- 18) ROO 4 BUL 11 BRI 3. CRO 15
4. Mark Ashford. (3- 21) ROO 4 BUL 12 BRI 6 CRO 14
5. Nik. (3- 26) ROO 1 BUL 12 BRI 3 CRO 5
6. parrakeet_ . (3- 27) ROO 7 BUL 12 BRI 7 CRO 12
7. Chooks. (3- 29) ROO 10 BUL 10 BRI 4 CRO 8
8. christine. (3- 30) ROO 10 BUL 8 BRI 6 CRO 7
9. Johnny Ray (3- 31) MEL 2 BUL 10 COW 6.CRO 4
10. Jazzy. (3- 32) ROO 6 BUL 12 BRI 7 CRO 6
10. Shanghai (3- 32) ROO 14 BUL 8 BRI 10 CRO 13
10. Coach Potato (3- 32) MEL 7 DRA 6. BRI 22. CRO 14
13. Guru Craig. (3- 33) ROO 7 BUL 13 BRI 4 CRO 4
13. Tigerholic. (3- 33) ROO 7 BUL 13 BRI 6 CRO 6
15. HeadHi. (3- 34) ROO 12 BUL 10 BRI 1 CRO 8
16. AJ.(3- 35) MEL 4 BUL 14 BRI 6 SOU 2
17. JasonW (3- 37) ROO 8 BUL 14 BRI 8 CRO 6
18.Lazy Lad (3- 39) ROO 8 BUL 22. BRI 8. CRO 12
19. Captain Boozehag (3- 42) ROO 16 BUL 18 BRI 7 CRO 20
20. Baggy Gee (3- 45) ROO 15 BUL 7. BRI 13. CRO 3
21. Newbie from Perth. (3- 45) ROO 12 BUL 10. BRI 16. CRO 6
22. Footy Chick (2- 30) ROO 7 BUL 4 COW 2 CRO 4
23. Tailspin (2- 35) ROO 10 BUL 8 COW 2 CRO 6
24. Raiderpete (2- 43) ROO 14 BUL 2 COW 16 CRO 22
25. tonibet. (2- 48) MEL 4 BUL 16 COW 1 SOU 10
26. a - (2- 53) ROO 12 BUL 16 COW 6 CRO 2
27. Steel Panther. (2- 57) MEL 8 BUL 16 COW 6 SOU 10
28. Rick (1- 30) ROO 7 DRA 8 COW 4 CRO 12
29. Johnny Boney (1- 36) ROO 14 DRA 1 COW 8 CRO 10
Submitted by Coach Potato on
21 players separated by the margin. I sit back, arms crossed, and say what a great finals comp this is.
AJ, the difference a game makes 1st to 16th. Don't worry though, it can work the other way too.
Submitted by a on
Cowboys will beat Sharks for sure next week unless if the refs go aganist them again like they usually do in the finals
Submitted by Coach Potato on
In the same way Miniachello, Finch, Pearce, Waerea-Hargreaves get to play on inexplicably in previous years semis for damnable offences and coincidentally play for a certain club, so too that certain club that almost runs the game with their influene, will make sure Prichard and Kasiano are suspended for next week.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Latest William Hill odds
Week 2..
Roosters 1.40 Bulldogs 3.00
Cowboys 1.42 Sharks 2.90
Premiership...
Broncos $3.50
Roosters $3.75
Storm $4
Cowboys $5.50
Bulldogs $11
Sharks $13
Submitted by Johnny Ray on
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WmcWZ2Bzoho Sharkies !!! ;-D
Submitted by The Thinker on
Interesting little tidbit for you all - both preliminary finals (i.e. the games to determine who plays in the grand final) will be played outside of Sydney this season.
First time ever.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
As far as I can work out, (there's rubbish zero schedule info on Holden Cup anywhere including NRL.com), next week should be Broncos v Warriors, no doubt in Townsville and Manly v Tigers, no doubt in Sydney.
It really is still crap that Sharks were made to win away this week, and lose their home ground advantage because of some bullshit about more people requiring to see the game. Better move next week's game away from Townsville then. You'd get 50,000 at ANZ wouldn't you? 1300 Smiles only holds 26,500.
Pages