North Queensland Cowboys vs Brisbane Broncos – Friday night – 1300SMILES Stadium
It would be presumptious to assume this weekend will give us the best weekend of football we'll see this season, but it may also be true. The last four games between these two sides have given us some of the best rugby league you are ever likely to see. These sides met in round four where the Broncos prevailed in Brisbane by a point. Then they met again in round 11 where the Cowboys prevailed in Townsville by a point. That round 11 game was game number 250 for Jonathan Thurston, and his effort to lift his side over the line in the final ten minutes sums up everything about the man as a player and a competitor. The Cowboys are short favourites on Friday...a little too short if you ask me. The Broncos were clinical in their disposal of the Storm in Melbourne in round 25, while the Cowboys struggled to get any sort of attack going throughout their loss to the purple machine last weekend. I'm hardly confident – we don't know what's happening with Jimmy the Jet (I'm assuming he won't be there) and that's a concern, but my biggest concern is goal-kicking. In what is likely to be a close game that could be the difference between winning and losing. I have more faith in Thurston handling the goal-kicking pressure over whoever puts their hand up for the Broncos (Kahu...probably). Note that when the Cowboys won by a point in round 11, the Broncos kicked just 1 of 3 conversions, while Thurston didn't miss a thing. They aren't meeting in a grand final again, but I'm glad we get to see these two sides one more time this season. The Broncos are $2.75 for a reason. Perhaps I'm mis-reading the formlines badly, but I'm with the visitors.
Verdict – Broncos by 2
Result - Cowboys 26 defeated Broncos 20
Canberra Raiders vs Penrith Panthers – Saturday night – GIO Stadium
The two best backlines square off in what should be a points frenzy on Saturday night. Those named in jerseys 1 through 7 have scored 75 tries for the Raiders and 62 tries for the Panthers this season. On face value that looks like the Raiders have an edge in attack, but if you dig deeper you'll notice an important change that has taken place with the Panthers this season. At the start of the year I was critical of the Panthers in attack. In the first nine rounds of the year they were scoring virtually the same total every game - it didn't seem to matter who they were playing, they were stuck in a range between 12 and 23, and I pointed out (quite rightly) that it wasn't enough. If the Panthers wanted to make the top eight their attack needed to improve. It has. Things started to click when Coach Griffin made some key changes in key positions. Wallace got shifted out of the halves and into the number 9 jersey, Jamie Soward got shifted to London and James Segeyaro got shifted to Leeds. This current Panthers spine (Wallace, Cartwright, Cleary and Moylan) works, and the Panthers backline is singing on the back of it. They've scored 199 points in their last six outings and they're playing with a confidence that is both infectious and entertaining. The Raiders attack has been much the same, but while things changed for the better for the visitors, things have changed for the worse with the Raiders. Josh Hodgson is their best player and he's probably one of the five best in the NRL this season. He's been named, but I doubt he'll be there, and it would be even worse if they risked him and he pulled up after ten minutes. Blake Austin is a more likely inclusion, but he has been out of action for a while. So the Raiders face their most important game of the season thus far with line-up changes in key positions. Against most opponents you could back them to carry on, but not this opponent. This opponent is one of the few that can match the Raiders for points. The Raiders are a warm favourite and deserve to be at home, but it's the Black Cats I say. They are purring.
Verdict – Panthers by 8
Result - Raiders 22 defeated Panthers 12
Wally Lewis - finals week two (in bold)
Note: tips from Wally will be published on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.
- COWBOYS vs Broncos
- RAIDERS vs Panthers
Comments
Submitted by nola on
HEY footy chick please put your tips up earlier due to you im kicking butt hubby & the rest of the crew
Submitted by christine on
My tips for finals week 2 are
cowboys
raiders
have a good weekend everyone ...
Submitted by FlexDataBase on
Cowboys 13+
Panthers 1-12
Submitted by Coach Potato on
I've decide I'm making a statement (of sorts).
I've decided the entries for The Dancer And The Prancer are now closed.
A whole week to pick your own ticket in a free lottery and nearly half the possibilities still remain. Lots of them involve Penrith making the Grand Final. So I got to thinking, if people aren't picking because they don't think much of the Panthers, then you can all go stick it up your jumpers. If it turns out there's no winner, then I'll just have to say, it is what it is.
3.(MEL) - CRO
4.MEL - (CRO) - Johnny Ray
5.(MEL)- COW - GaryChesterUK
6.MEL - (COW)- christine
7.(MEL) - BRI - Johnny Awesome
8.MEL - (BRI) - Mark Ashford
15.(CAN) - CRO - Baggy_Gee
16.CAN - (CRO) - Islander
17.(CAN) - COW - Rick
18.CAN - (COW)- 'a'
19.(CAN) - BRI
20.CAN - (BRI)
31.(CRO) - PAN
32.CRO - (PAN)
39.(COW) - PAN - The Thinker
40.COW - (PAN)
45.(BRI) - PAN - Rocket Ryan
46.BRI - (PAN)
Submitted by Coach Potato on
JR , you're late with your preview telling everyone that Penrith don't have any points in them.
Submitted by fortresseagle on
Good day everyone this is the fortresses tips for round 2 of the finals:
Broncos:...........these two sides met in last years decider with the cows winning a thriller , they were very good last week despite losing, and many would think home ground advantage would get them over the line .
The broncos started the year on fire, but than hit a wall But slowly but surely they are starting to click, yes the refs were bad last week in there win over the titans but I saw enough to make me think they are on the rise
They will have to step it up a notch to win it here but I believe they will , the cowboys have a champion in thurston if he runs rampant than a cows win is very possible , but I feel the broncos may contain him enough,
Would love to call this a draw it's so close but I feel the broncos want to revenge and they will win a high scoring thriller ..........the broncos by 4
The panthers..........the question here is do the raiders play key injured players and if they do run the risk of a panthers all out assault on them .
The raiders have had a great year they were great last week and are at home which gives them a chance.
The panthers were just magic last week all the passess stuck and they ran the dogs ragged , they attacked at will and at times made the dogs look second rate.
The belief is there but they can't just go and turn up they must keep up there attack for the full 80 minutes , if they do than I think they will progress to the prelim final the raiders have key injuries not a good thing in such an important match.................the panthers by 14
That's my tips for round 2 of the finals good luck to your teams and a very good evening .
The fortress eagles tips bought to by the always mighty sea eagles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Think back to teams that had that take on all comers attitude, and style of play you thought Dynamo the magician had something to do with it.
I can think of Parramatta 2009.
Hayne played the part of Dynamo the Magician.
7 out of their last 8 regular season games, then marched on to the big one. They didn't win but what a great season they had.
Wests Tigers of 2005.
Dynamo the Magician played so well by Benji Marshall.
6 out of their last 8 regular season before marching on to the big one.
Masterful to the end and didn't disappoint in the GF.
What a season they had.
It's so hard to think outside my own body, but seriously, I think Panthers 2016 have the same style about them. Maybe more.
7 out of their last 8 regular season games.
Time tells if they march on to the big one.
Marching was too slow for them first game.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Who plays Dynamo? I think Bryce Cartwright gets the nod.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
So today was D-day right?
Today was going to be the day when Austin decided if he thought he could play or not. So what happened? Why haven't we heard.
It could only mean one thing.
The hand didn't hold up.
The Raiders don't have the ticker to fess up.
They will leave the withdrawal ammouncement as late as possible but tne team must now plan without him, not o mention Hodgson. He wasn't a snowballs chance to start with.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Cowboys have won 7 of the last 8 meetings played outside of Brisbane.
Brisbane have won the last 5 meetings at Suncorp.
I wonder if that's what you're overlooking Thinker ?
Submitted by Coach Potato on
2 out of 16, Thinker.
The JET just ran out of fuel.
Submitted by Rocket Ryan on
Coach why have rules if you invent change to suit yourself first you said no changing which was then allowed now the no time limit which you have again altered where is the integrity of the comp now.
Submitted by Rocket Ryan on
Never mind cartwright hook and gus are the ones that are trying to pull a rabbit out of the hat.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Who'd have thought we'd be talking about Penrith at all this stage of the comp. Not you I bet.
Submitted by Johnny Ray on
Awesome . Week two of the NRL Finals. Let's get on with this week picks !
Broncos - I only got one of four right last week which is just typically me. Seriously if they ever did a movie of my life it would be two hours of some guy waiting at bus stop and still somehow managing to miss the bus. So again I could be wrong about this one but I'm going with Broncos in this one as they have way more to play for in this than the Cowboys. Broncos by four points in a golden point try for the ages.
Raiders - Talking about missing the bus I really got left out in the cold with Raiders last week as I thought along with Storm, Canberra were certainties to win last week. Saying that though I still think Panthers impressive win last week against Canterbury had more to do with how crap Bulldogs are now as a team than how clutch Panthers have become in last couple of seasons first under Clearly and then Griffith. That's why I expect them to be found out here as I think the size and experience of Canberra pack will get them home here against Penrith. Raiders by fourteen points.
Awesome. Thanks again Thinker. Thanks again everybody ! Good luck with all your picks ! Laters laters ! ;-D
Submitted by Coach Potato on
My game I'll do what I damn well like.
Besides you got a pick, so either you'll win or you won't.
What are you worried about?
How bout you put forward some prizes and that might stop me from telling you to shut ya friggin trap.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
What experience in the Canberra pack are you speaking of, exactly JR?
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Moylan Mansour and Watene-Zelezniak have played together beating the minor premiers 2014 and then in the Prelim.
Peter Wallace h as played in 4 finals series with the Broncos also including a Prelim.
What finals experience in the Canberra side is there to boast about? Twp semis for Papali in 2012. What else?
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Yes nothing to take out of the Dogs win was there.
I mean there must be 14 other clubs who's players have the speed and skill to have done exactly the same. I'm not really sure why the Dogs didn't get the wooden spoon right everyone? A top4 team for most of the year, but how they were is anyone's guess. They are such a bad team right? Beating them meant nothing to anyone.
What an absolute laugh the things that people conjure up inside their heads.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
We should all go and buy this DVD to help get through the Final Season Mid-Week Syndrome.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RKlfbguNOmo
Submitted by Coach Potato on
How funny. Who would have thought the Broncos were as desperate as to try the old vibrating bed trick ? I hardly thought getting in the mood was the key to winning the title.
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/nrl-finals-2016-brisbane-...
Submitted by Tailspin on
Hey everyone, hope you are all ready for a cracker of a weekend of the "refs win the game for" ??????????
Well I hope not anyway. All home games for me, it will be the X factor here.
Cowboys to win by 10, sorry thinker.
Raiders in a close one by 2.
Good luck ya all.
Submitted by christine on
Coach why did you give us another comp to go in if we are only allowed to pick one team penrith , don't we get to decide which team we pick ? were is the sense in that ?
Submitted by Footy chick on
My tips for nola.
N-O-L-A
nola
Cowboys and Panthers
Good luck nola. Kick that hubby butt. xxx
Submitted by nola on
thanks heaps im 60yrs young you remind me of me anyway good luck to both of us love my footy
hubby loves the fact that he is pat deaf
Submitted by a on
Here are my tips
Cowboys by 4 I think Cowboys will bounce back here and win
Raiders by 2 Well I guess I had to tip them if my grand final prediction is Raiders vs Cowboys
Submitted by The Thinker on
Call me a sentimental old fool...but I love this:
https://twitter.com/nthqldcowboys/status/776262337175048192
Submitted by mark ashford on
Hi all.
Back from Fraser Island and a disaster of a fishing trip.
Water was inundated with a thing called "snot weed" horrible name and horrible stuff. Cast out your line and you can't pull it in from the weight of weed on your line. Oh well always next year.
Quick flick through the comments last week and this and pleased to see the fire is still burning.
The Broncos to just pip the Cowboys and the Raiders to end the Panthers run (and hopefully the run of dribble from Coach)
Submitted by St.George Illawarra Dragonsfan4ever on
Hello everyone, my tips for this week are:
Broncos by 8- Cowboys have too many injuries. And I know that James Roberts is going to be out suspended, but with the Cowboys having too many injuries, I think that the Broncos will get their revenge on the Cowboys after what happened last year.
And finally... the Raiders by 4- The Raiders in a tight one. The Viking Clap is just something real special and the Viking Clap will lift the Raiders. Though, the Raiders have had injury disruptions and the Panthers are in magnificent. But, I still think that the Raiders will just beat the Panthers here.
Awesome. That's done. Good luck with everyone's tips and out of the four teams playing, whoever goes for those teams, good luck with your teams for this week. Cheers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by St.George Illawarra Dragonsfan4ever on
sorry I said the Panthers are in magnificent. What I meant was that they're in magnificent form. Cheers!!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by Coach Potato on
How sad that people would rather see Penrith lose then see more of their fantastic play. In a yearful of stench, the Panthers are the breathe of fresh air that Rugby League was craving.
Isn't it also the biggest irony that they are, and will continue to be, leaders in the way this game is played. Teams will follow and have success on the back of it.
Remember when your mum and dad sat you down and told you it's not who wins, its how you play the game? Well this is what they were talking about.
Seems plenty didn't care too much for their mum and dad's advice.
Poor them.
Submitted by Johnny Ray on
@ The Thinker. That tweet was awesome ! How excited were they knowing they're getting go to the game ? Me ? I'm just exceedingly jealous that she had someone to take because with the way NZ Warriors have been playing all year I've had to rely on this : https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DMi86xNrPpU Sucks to be me. :-(
Submitted by Rocket Ryan on
Obviously beating bottom and out of form teams had not impressed the punters coach we will know more this week maybe raiders have injuries that will bring them back to the field.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Coach I think your Mom & Dad should have knocked you on the head at birth.
Perhaps you should show a little admiration for other teams (Broncos, Eels, Manly etc) then your Panthers worship may be taken seriously.
Submitted by tigerholic on
Welcome back Mark
I think that weed was up on the top of the island when I was there. It stuck to your line every cast and you had to keep clearing it other wise it would damage the eyelets of the rod.
Did you catch any tall;or or not, Coach has been through a couple of keyboards since you left, he wore out the "P.A.N.T.H.E.R.S keys.
Sorry to say but the Cowboys should edge home in front of the Broncs and the Raiders to end there chocolate soldiers year in Canberra .
Have a good week folks, off to Airlie Beach tomorrow, back next week.
Cheers
Submitted by newbie from perth on
Hi everyone,
NRL Finals Week 2 is upon us with just the two games to keep us satisfied. I’ll be watching Friday night’s game with a small amount of salivation dripping from the left corner of my mouth but will have to tape Saturday night’s game as I’ll be catching up with mates to get drunk and watch the Sydney v Adelaide Crows match from the SCG. Unfortunately starts the same time as the Canberra/Panthers game. D’oh! No worries though, I’ll watch it on Sunday as I stretch out on the lounge recuperating from my hangover. Awesome! Let’s get into it …
Cowboys v Broncos
Last year’s “epic” GF (the best I’ve ever seen I must say) won’t have any bearing whatsoever on my thoughts on Friday night’s encounter. Well, in Newbie’s opinion that is. Yes, there's been some close encounters between these two sides of late but maybe not so close this week. While the Broncos did score 44 last week, they also let in 28. The Cowboys on the other hand only got done by 6 by the Minor Premiers and in Melbourne too. Yes Boss, it’s all about formlines. Formlines and it’s at 1300SMILES. Newbie will be giving the thumbs up to the Cows this week.
Raiders v Panthers
The Raiders lost a close one last week to the Sharks who I assumed had lost a bit of their former sparkle. Nothing to get too worried about if I was a Raiders fan. I would be a little worried however, as to how they’re going to cover the absence of Hodgson if indeed he’s left out. Time will tell. I finally got to witness the “Viking Clap” thing I’ve been reading about and well, what can I say? It’s different I’ll grant you. Another 10 years and a bit more enthusiasm and co-ordination and we might have something (ha-ha). I don’t mind the Panthers and have been pretty impressed with the footy they’ve been playing lately. Watched them last week and it was a joy to see them throwing that ball around and taking chances. Beautiful football! They’ll fancy themselves in this one and rightly so. While the Panthers were very good last week knocking off the Bulldogs, Newbie has a few niggling doubts. Besides the fact that the Doggies were clearly no match for them, it seems the Panthers have only won 4 of their last 8 games against top 8 opposition. I may be reading into that all wrong, especially the form they’ve been in lately but I’m not “feeling the love” in this one. Even though I’ve given the Panthers a big wrap here, some of you may think it strange that I’m picking the Raiders Saturday night. But hey, if Coach’s mob win, kudos to them and well done. Should be a cracker!
Another short(-ish) post tonight and here’s hoping we get 2 great games this week. OK kids, good luck with your tipping and if your team’s playing this week, may they win by 40 points!
P.S. If nobody buys a ticket to a movie, do they still show it? Hmmm…
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Two clubs who cheated the cap, one proven and the other taken to the grave, and another team who s players could be jailed for fraud?
I think your mum and dad must have clipped you over the ear once too often.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
31 - 12 not impressive enough ?
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Newbie,
All who think they know what they type are judging Panthers season including the period when Nathan Cleary was not their halfback.
This kid is a star, and although he played a fairly backseat role last week,it was intentional. It gave the Dogs nothing to close down, and the pass he delivered to DWZ was simply impossible to stop.
Granted, the Storm were too good in his debut at AAMI but the team has not looked back since.
Do people really believe in their bones that Penrith are somehow undeserving of where they sit in regard to still being a title chance?
Seeing as they still are that, shouldn't credit be given for that? This team was a game away from the spoon last year and Knights are still sitting 16th.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Only last week the media offered..
"Canberra Raiders five-eighth Blake Austin might be taking part in team training sessions, but halves partner Aidan Sezer says "his hand will fall off" if he plays in the sold-out final against the Cronulla Sharks at Canberra Stadium on Saturday.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart didn't name Austin on Tuesday, with Sezer to partner Sam Williams in the playmaking roles against the Sharks.
Canberra Raiders five-eighth Blake Austin trains with his hand bandaged.
Canberra Raiders five-eighth Blake Austin trains with his hand bandaged. Photo: Michael Gosman
Austin is yet to take part in contact training, but has started to do ball work despite the left hand he broke during training two weeks ago still being heavily bandaged.
The 25-year-old is at least a week away from returning, although signs are good that he's on the mend.
The Raiders have been bolstered by the return of prop Junior Paulo from back and rib injuries to give them an almost full complement of first-team players.
"I think his hand will fall off if he does [play against the Sharks] so we'll see what happens," Sezer said on Wednesday.
"It's good to have your regular first-graders on the field at this time of the year. But I guess we've still got Blake out, no doubt he's a few weeks away.
***Earth to Aidan. Come in Aidan. Season 2016 is finished in a few weeks.***
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Lsst year Farah was in the same broken hand predicament before Origin 3. He was somehow hoping to play just10 days after the injury
Ultimately he was no good, and dicdnt play.
He didn't play Origin nor did he play thhat weekend. He didn't play the next or the next or the next, or the next . 5 more weekends before it was ok. No doubting putting the hand under constant test caused setbacks. He would show to run back out on the field Day 33 after his injury.
Blake if he runs out, will be trying for Day 24.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Austin is not just weighing up his Clubs season , but the possibility of a hand infection and death.
http://www.aafp.org/afp/2003/1201/p2167.html
Submitted by Coach Potato on
When the Broncos go down Kicking and Screaming, they should get James Roberts to be Kicker, and Rocket & Mark can be the Screamers.
Submitted by christine on
Coach it's sad you can't let people make up their own mind who they take ,before you even say it coach go back over every comment you have posted in the past few days since you pulled the plug on your dancer and prancer comp and tell me you aren't doing exactly that ...
Submitted by The Thinker on
I've been waiting quite a while to see Kalyn Ponga make his first grade debut. This is quite a game for a debut.
Submitted by a on
Cowboys will win tonight
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
I hope that he doesn't cost them the game. Massive guilt to deal with, look at how Ben Hunt started the season. Cowboys, Broncos, doesn't matter week 3 hopfully will see the end of QLD in the finals.
Submitted by Islander on
Two great battles to look forward to this weekend, and me thinks...
Cowboys by 2
Raiders by 8
Have fun everyone!!
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Not sure if you fully get it christine.
The comp still runs.
If you have a pick (and you have) your pick still stands as it always did.
I closed off tips after a week to be fair to people like you.
What if there are spare spots still after this weeks games, and someone just jumps in without having to put any thought into their pick. Didn't sound very fair on the ones who picked from the start.
I hope this explains how I haven't wronged the world.
Submitted by Rocket Ryan on
Talk about fighting fire with fire how else would you miserable blues get rid of the Queenslanders in the finals Baggy!!
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