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 Coach Potato on
The fact Penrith are in the position they are in tonight is, win or lose, an embarrassment and egg on the face to all the people out there and on this page who constantly put the Panthers down.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
He might be able to play, but pain killers dull the nerves, and nerves are the activators of muscles. Walking running will occur, but he won't have the control of the season.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
The clap has never looked so good.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
They really should ban players watching the broncos start the game. Almost a carbon copy.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Good line speed from the panthers. But the big boys are running hard and straight.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
That was a rough call. Slap first from Wallace.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Not sure about the 10 there. Stupid deliberate penalties.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Hmmmm that's a did call. Love the instructions at the scrum. Pointless, an uncontested scrum. And that was a ref try.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Did t get the feed. Felt like something was brewing
Submitted by mark ashford on
Coach the only embarrassment is you
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Apparently Nathan clearly is a target in the defensive line. He's holding his own ATM.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
That was BS. Bad play the ball should be panthers ball
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Bad call. Bloody phone.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
2 man strip, where is the penalty
Submitted by Coach Potato on
When Raiders can drop it on the ground to play the ball, you'll need to be good Penrith
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Ah karma.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
And Austin confirms why you leave busted players at home.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Wasnt that 6 to go?
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Here it is the ref says ( on a platter)
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Penalty, why waste our time.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Oh Sutton and KFC need screen time.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Why is that. Big penalty Joey - it's illegal
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Ka pow. That was nice
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Shouldn't be a penalty in Canberra
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Yeah not on report that s the way
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
About time. They have been doing that all day. Stop the BS refs
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Hang on Panthers.
Second half has been your go for 10 weeks
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
If the Raiders don't get more points in a hurry last week will come back to haunt them.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Finally someone called for laying there and being painful.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Again a 2 man strip. BS again.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Damn it
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
I do like how Jarrod Crocker, has lead the league for points in the last 2 seasons and they still crap on about Smith and Thurston. Beat the closest this year by 91 points.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Panthers need half time to regroup. Get their heads in the game.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
BS when is held held. FFS.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
What a bonehead Sterlo saying Canberra 94 have had the longest wait for a title ? What about the Sharks? What about 86 you idiot?
Submitted by Coach Potato on
If anything I like 12-0 better than 6-0.
Means now the Panthers have no choice but to play the excitement card. Play the card Panthers.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
I know you're only 18, but still that means your not a kid anymore.
Show them the man.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
There for all to see what home ground advantage brings.
Smaller clubs deserve home ground in future whenever they've earnt it. Cut the BS with needing to fill the city stadium .
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Knock on first I thought
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Cut it out.
Thats enough.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
I thought you got the sack Sutton ?
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Dropped ball no try. At least my dancer prancer is still in the hunt.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Sutton is bullet proof coach. Bullet proof incompetence.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Good call on a forward pass
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Good break, horribly blatant forward pass. So obvious.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Forget about Melbourne getting away with the ruck. Raiders can lie where they want tonight.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Remember who taught them that.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
He never lost contact.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Forward pass you. Heating pricks
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Refs are scared of getting the Viking clap.
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