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 Rocket Ryan on
Tonight will see the cowboys exit and what a year they have had as Wayne said and Melbourne showed there is a predictability about the cowboys broncos will have the answers.
Submitted by Rocket Ryan on
Hey Coach you old hillbilly I see the raiders have named a couple of players you were hoping they would not !!
And why can't Christine pick what side she wants.
Submitted by Rocket Ryan on
Mark you should not of told Tigerholic that weed was useless he thought he had actually caught something, Maybe he can dry and smoke it, might make the Tigers look better next year.
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Evenin all.
Mine for Week 2 of Finals are:
Cowboys and Panthers.
But just remember folks - players coming in off injuries don't always last the distance and there is a full heavy second half to play in finals, anytime for that matter.
Good luck all and have a great weekend.
Big Pete
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Kalyn Ponga. Looks like a star.
A bit like Tom Trbojevic in that he's still growing into his adult frame.
Will be of interest to see how he develops.
Lots of footwork can mean ankle problems later on.
- That's not anything to worry about yet though.
Will see how he goes.
4 1/2 months younger than Cleary but the latter has already been playing top grade for 3 1/2 months, so Ponga wins in the debut race by a mere month.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
She's already got the pick she wanted.
She even changed her pick and I let her.
(Ya bloody half-wit)
Get your facts right.
Apologies accepted.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Coach you keep going on about cap and fraud cheats.
Nothing proven mate so pull your head in.
Next year your Panthers are going to be full of "superstars" so I'd shut my mouth about cap cheats as you may well be there.
Your Panthers will exit this weekend. What will you say then?
Submitted by Coach Potato on
In regard to the game though, I wish you Rocket and Mark and your team well. Whether my team wins or not, I have no doubt I will show as the better sport, with the more class.
Also good luck to 'a', and Tailspin. May as well be Grand Final again . Aint no second prize.
I do question Bennett coming out and labelling Cowboys play predictable though. Doesn't that kind of thing invariably fire up the opposition to prove big mouths wrong? Doesn't that mean the Cowboys will now be as unpredictable as they've ever been? Isn't that the kind of attack that Broncos dread defending? Seems like the worst thing he could have said. He obviously did it in the hope it will be a more open game, conceding defeat if it's a forwards battle. Not sure if they want to be chasing Ponga in broken field play though.
Submitted by GaryChesterUK on
Hi Guys, looking forward to these two games, my pics are as follows:
Cowboys by 10 - been super impressed with them over the last month or so.
Panthers by 2 - Very tough game, I think the panthers will come on strong towards the end and nick a win.
Betting wise i have had a double cowboys -6 & Panthers +2 (2nd half handicap).
Good luck all!
Submitted by a on
Corey Parker will pay his last game tonight
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Love that early tactic Broncos.
Give Cowboys possession on your line.
I never 'predicted' that.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Nice try McCullough.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Better to hang on to it than kick hey.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Maguire must have been unsighted with that ball coming towards him
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Loved watching Sam Fryday running out putting him glue coated hands on his shirt and getting them stuck. Yet he will still drop the ball twice. Annoyed about that pass just before Adam Blair got hit high.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Cowboys are gone the way of Manly tonight. Maaaaaaaaad.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
How do you spell catch up penalty.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Another BS obstruction call. Shame players can't accept that they were beaten fair and square by good fast foot work.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
They're playing their Grand Finals - both of these teams. Throwing all their punches, and there might be nothing left in the tank for either next week.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
That's OK, it's not like either side has a hope of winning the lot. The ponies look flat and lifeless.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
It's a murder on the dance..floorr
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Lovely bombed try. The first thing the wife said about the football was asking why Durius was wearing girls boots.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Coote you're a shocker
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
That was a horrible bounce, I challenge any person in the game to clean that up without blowing it.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Broncos half time Grand Final score - 14.
Let's see if they finish with more than 16 this time.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
My money is on ref assistance to hit golden point.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
How crap was that. How did they not score from that set?
Submitted by Coach Potato on
If it's a blowout the winner has some chance next week.
If it's close both teams will be gassed.
It's why Panthers have such a huge advantage this week.
They got to cruise the last 20.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
That's a very good point. Given that the NRL likes tight games between these teams. Sharks have an easier game next week.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
How did Maguire intercept that unsighted?
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Coote sorry you can't join Tamou and come back to 'Penrith.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Coote sorry you can't join Tamou and come back to 'Penrith.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
More murder on he dance..floor
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
I'd be OK getting hold of that Hess and the kid in 18. They both have potential.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Send Blair off, 2 in 2 tackles
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Obstruction, he out stepped the defender. Can't have that.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Ahhh Oates.
Game winner. Game loser.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Obviously we have hit the KFC minimum requirement for the telecast. Let's call them quick.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Broncos second half score after 22?
Umm not much need for the abacus.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
And Boyd, didn't even make an effort. What a @#$%ing waste of a player.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
My god. If a try can be scored that easily, boh these sides are gassed.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
That was a well set up play, proper football, ran at the gap with purpose and skill.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
The sharks get to play the equivalent of the local under 8's team.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Not the 'Bronco Boot!!!
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
I was going to call BS on that call until I saw the replay. Worth 3 weeks starting round 1 next year.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Ahhh can I call them or can I call them.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
QUEENSLAND.
Gassed.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Ponga, great debut with out making a mistake so far. Good young player.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
BRONCOS!!!!!!
...gassed.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
At least the ponies have 5.5 minutes to reply, far better for the game.
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