North Queensland Cowboys vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Thursday night – 1300SMILES Stadium
While being a Sydney-based team is not without its challenges, it also comes with a few advantages. Take the Bulldogs for example - here we are in Round 20 and they've played just three games all season outside of Sydney. One of those games they moved by choice - taking a home game to New Zealand (and picking up a cheque for their troubles). Ten of their seventeen games this season have been at ANZ Stadium, plus another game at Belmore. They lost two of their three games away from Sydney, but they did beat the Storm in Melbourne. They'll need to find that level again to succeed on Thursday. While the Bulldogs have left Sydney just three times the Cowboys have left Townsville nine times, but it's when they play at home they shine. Eight games at home without loss, and there's been some big wins too. Their last home game was a four point win over the Sea Eagles, but that was backing up from Origin duty. They should be nice and fresh on Thursday night, and the timely return of Michael Morgan means this side can start focussing all it's energy on defending their title. That's Everest, but I'm confident they can scale Mt Bulldog on Thursday night.
Verdict – Cowboys by 8
Result - Cowboys 36 defeated Bulldogs 0
Brisbane Broncos vs Penrith Panthers – Friday night – Suncorp Stadium
Back in round three these sides squared off in Penrith, where the Broncos racked up four tries in the first half and stopped. The Panthers responded with 17 points of their own, including a field goal in the 77th minute (off the back of a Ben Hunt fumble - Déjà vu) to claim the win. It's difficult to know whether the Broncos fell asleep or the Panthers woke up - perhaps the truth lies somewhere in the middle. Last week the Eels targeted Bryce Cartwright with their big men but he eventually came out the other side. He's not a complete footballer yet, and you can see why Laurie Daley kept him out of the Blues squad for now, but he's close. He's very close. The Panthers as a team are much like Cartwright as an individual. Plenty of talent but very young. I doubt them this year but this group of players look set to create a nice little dynasty in the years ahead. Still, I'm here to talk about Friday night. The Broncos have struggled through their difficult period and while the win over the Rabbitohs wasn't perfect there was enough positives for me to believe they're heading in the right direction.
Verdict – Broncos by 4
Result - Panthers 31 defeated Broncos 12
Canberra Raiders vs New Zealand Warriors – Saturday afternoon – GIO Stadium
The Warriors travelled all the way to Perth, played in atrocious conditions, played extra time and flew all the way home. Less than a week later and they're heading back to Canberra. Through all of that, the Raiders had a bye. While the forecast looks okay for Saturday it's raining in Canberra today with more to come on Friday. Those Warriors legs will be working mighty hard to get through the going this weekend. The Raiders forward pack is under-rated by most and I'd back them to match the Warriors anyway, but given the circumstances this game has all the makings of a good old-fashioned carve-up. I'm not sure how often the Raiders look at the NRL ladder but a win on Saturday gives them a spot in the top four. Actually I'm hoping they don't realise, that's just the sort of expectation that usually brings them undone.
Verdict – Raiders by 20
Result - Raiders 26 defeated Warriors 22
Gold Coast Titans vs Parramatta Eels – Saturday night – Cbus Super Stadium
Greg Bird shored up his title as the most suspended player in NRL history with another suspension last round - he'll be back next week to face his former team-mates at the Sharks. Despite having a busier casualty ward than most clubs the Titans have managed to pull together a strong seventeen. Their dominant victory over the Dragons was an almost flawless performance - a repeat of that and they win again. Just about everyone is waiting for the Eels to drop their bundle but it hasn't happened yet. This week the government had to step in and kick the Parramatta Board to the kerb - surely that's about as low as you can go. I stand and applaud the players that are still there and the coach doing all he can to hold this team together. If they keep this up until the end of the season I will stand and applaud some more. For the sake of their fans I hope they do, but a weekend on the Gold Coast is a risky proposition.
Verdict – Titans by 8
Result - Titans 34 defeated Eels 14
Melbourne Storm vs Sydney Roosters – Saturday night – AAMI Park
I'll keep this brief - these sides played in Sydney in round 14. Tohu Harris played in the halves, and the Storm won 46-0.
Verdict – Storm by 19
Result - Storm 26 defeated Roosters 10
Cronulla Sharks vs Newcastle Knights – Sunday afternoon – Southern Cross Group Stadium
You have to feel for the Knights. Last week they faced a top two side and were gallant in defeat. This week they face the other top two side. I'm not sure how much gallantry they have left in the tank.
Verdict – Sharks by 34
Result - Sharks 36 defeated Knights 4
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Wests Tigers – Sunday afternoon – ANZ Stadium
While the late withdrawal of Benji Marshall last week probably cost me a perfect round (grrrr!) this is the perfect game for a milestone. A milestone it may be but I'm not convinced he'll get the result he would be hoping for. The Tigers are fresh from a bye and they welcome back their trio of Origin stars. On a wet track I'd give the Dragons a chance but that doesn't look likely at the minute. Dry conditions and a daytime schedule lend itself to the Tigers dynamic style. I can't see enough points in the Dragons to stay in the contest. A win for the Tigers and they're on the cusp of a finals berth. Sorry Benji.
Verdict – Tigers by 10
Result - Tigers 35 defeated Dragons 12
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Manly Sea Eagles – Monday night – Allianz Stadium
I was surprised when the Bunnies didn't challenge the Greg Inglis suspension, and then it dawned on me - perhaps they've given up. I think they need to win the last seven games of the season to get inside the top eight. That means beating the Sharks, the Bulldogs, the Warriors in Auckland and the Storm in Melbourne. Perhaps they've given up. The Sea Eagles clearly haven't. They'll take plenty of positives out of that extra time victory over the Warriors in Perth, and I expect them to carry that momentum through Monday night. Right now you can get $1.75 about Manly on Monday night. I'm tempted (gamble responsibly).
Verdict – Sea Eagles by 8
Result - Sea Eagles 20 defeated Rabbitohs 12
Wally Lewis - round twenty selections (in bold)
Note: tips from Wally will be published on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.
- COWBOYS vs Bulldogs
- BRONCOS vs Panthers
- RAIDERS vs Warriors
- TITANS vs Eels
- STORM vs Roosters
- SHARKS vs Knights
- Dragons vs TIGERS
- Rabbitohs vs SEA EAGLES
Comments
Submitted by a on
Hopefully they sack Brad Fitter
Submitted by Steel Panther on
And to think that Nathan Cleary could have been a Warrior if his Dad stayed at the club. Have said it many times on this site that Ivan achieved more at his time with the Warriors than all the other coaches put together and not to forget what he gave as a player too.
My team pipped again in golden point. Deserved to win I think with what looked like a fair try taken off them early in the first half. Oh well...
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Here you go Thinkster. You're spared.
Have a listen to Bennett and Parker.
Not one word complimentary about Penrith.
Only want to talk about themselvds and trying to piece together where they went wrong.
So Thinker you actually outshone them and the rest of Qld by a mile with your four words - 'Penrith were good tonight'. So I should really apologise. You've been more than fair in comparison.
http://www.nrl.com/rd-20-press-conference-broncos/tabid/10959/contentid/...
Submitted by mark ashford on
Coach yourPanthers certainly out played the Broncs last night.
The Broncs were woeful, seemed devoid of ideas in attack and poor in defence. The halves went missing and your lot got the "rub of the green" from the refs.
I've read or listened to RL commentary all day and all the "experts" say they have never seen the Broncs play so badly.
I think you need to swallow a couple of "calm down" pills and try being a gracious winner.
There's a long way to go and anything can happen.
Must agree Cleary is a superstar in the making, has all the skills for such a young man.
AND seriously how often do losing teams heap praise on the winners?
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Penrith were penalised last week for using five players in the scrum.
Problem. Is, that's not against the rules.
The rules state that a team can form a scrum with 'up to' six players.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/ben-cummins-awards-scrum...
In the old days of scrums, the days of pushing, you would only use less than six if you were insane because you would lose every single scrum. It has never been though, illegal to form a scrum with less than 6.
It was a ploy some decades ago, if a team felt they had no chance of winning the scrum to pack with 5 and have an extra defender in the line.
There's also nothing in the rules against giving a facial to the tackled player. Eye gouging a different story, but no actual rule that says a tackler must not touch the face of the player getting up to play the ball. What's the big deal? Noone gets hurt. Not going to give you a concussion. Just a statement that says 'you're tackled buddy'.
Examples of what a mess the game is in when refs start to create rules for themselves.
Noone blinks when they see these things blown because they've never read the rules themselves and they completely trust that the refs have. The refs are also not to be questioned so they are doubly safe. What new rules will the refs create next. Can't wait.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
You got 8 penalties to 5 Mark. Should I have a whinge ?
Submitted by Tailspin on
Coach, your bloody team shits me to tears, they play a side like the broncos and have an awesome game, twice, needless to say I didn't back them, and then they play a side where as you we think they should shit it in and they lose. WTF, they are that hot and cold their heads should be spinning off. They are a tippers bloody nightmare. By the way, you are still a marshmellow :)
Submitted by Tailspin on
P.S. bring back the old scrums and the cauliflower ears
Submitted by fortresseagle on
The panthers were the better team on the night simple.
The refs have always been bad from day dot and they will never get better till we throw this lot of tripe out and get refs that are upti nrl standards.
But the panthers were brilliant, young side going places.
The broncos will be back long long way to go not over till the fat lady sings.
God is brad filter on the hash I like filter was a great player. But his commentating is boring and lacking interest.
Good evening to all ..............
Fortress the mighty eagle !!!!!!!!!
Submitted by mark ashford on
Coach do you like to see a player getting a facial when he is held down by 3 opposition players, trying to hang on to the ball and can't defend himself?
I think it's called Not in the spirit of the game and the refs have every right to award penalties when they think a player is being unnecessarily worked over.
Gallen does it in almost every tackle and has paid the price over the years.
I want to watch football not MMA.
About the 5 man scrum thing I wouldn't have a clue. Scrums are a joke anyway only serving to take some players out of the defensive line.
If someone has an alternative that works then fine.
Otherwise bring back the push, feed the ball into the centre and let the hookers do their job.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Anonymous, this is just a Panthers Broncos thing and I'm making the most of it.
Broncos fans are struggling I know, and I'm lovin it.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Titans had a good win tonight. They are a team on the rise.
Bit sad to see that's the end of the Eels season.
With all that they have had to contend with this club has shown real ticker.
Brad Arthur take a bow!
Submitted by mark ashford on
Coach how do you think your Panthers will go against the Warriors next week.
Gotta feel for Warriors fans losing in golden point two weeks in a row.
Over in NZ it ain't so easy. Will watch with real interest.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Coach you got awarded two very dubious tries...should I have a whinge?
Submitted by Coach Potato on
By the rules of the game, both were tries.
Yeah sure you can whinge your ass off.
If we can beat Broncos @ Suncorp on a Friday night, why not Warriors @ Mt Smart ?
Sorry but it was the Panthers who knocked the Eels out of the comp last week.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
I still think the Coach of a team, the one who makes the final call on buying players must know where his salary cap is at.
Arthur is not the victim in all this, he is the wolf in sheep's clothing.
Submitted by a on
I think Panthers have got a good chance aganist the Warriors next week alought Warriors did you good to score 3 tires in the final 10 minutes only to lose in goldern point
Submitted by mark ashford on
Coach the Fox crew said tonight that the Titans game was their last chance. Maybe on for and against or other results going their way but tonight was it.
Do you know something the Fox commentators don't.
Most people on this site are just lovers of RL and of course support their teams.
Whereas you seem to have another agenda.
Constantly putting down the Broncos, Eels and Sea Eagles.
What's it all about Coach?
You even attack our host The Thinker.
Your beloved Jamie Coward is now playing for the London Broncos does that stick in your craw Coach?
Or are you just an unhappy person with nothing nice to say?
Submitted by Coach Potato on
# After Panthers beat the Eels, the best they could get to was 26 points. Tell me the last time you saw a team make the semis on 26?
If that makes FoxSports commentators look like a bunch of hacks so be it. You want to blinbly be!ieve Fox, , you're your own person
#I am a lover of Rugby League and my own team
# I freely participate in Rugby League banter, tell me something g that has not been part of that?
# You insult me Mark.
I pride myself on not making any comment on the character of any individual contributor. Talk about other teams, coaches, NRL/ refs is banter. Asking Thinker for his assessment of Friday night's game I thought was fair. Eg If you may be a reader that missed the game, on the other side of the world perhaps, and all you saw was Penrith was good tonight, I don't think you would ever know what an outstanding performance it was.
#Sorry but I feel you are wrong on every count.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
I did call Fortress's bully, but calling people names, putting people down was crossing the line (I believed)
Submitted by a on
Well back in 2007 Broncos made it to the finals with 24 points
Submitted by christine on
I'm not going to touch that comment mark don't make me loose my immunity , please be nice to each other guys enough is enough .
Submitted by Coach Potato on
That was an exceptional year 'a', not forgetting teams only got one bye that year.
It's fine christine, as they say winners are grinners, losers can please themselves.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Just to confirm again from Friday
Brisbane did not lose the game.
They were beaten, and resoundingly so.
Submitted by a on
Yeah Panthers just played well
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
No the only coaches that I would say are in the know are CDO (alphabetical) coaches who are control freaks, Or Geoff Toovey (accountant). Most coaches would draw up a list, send it to recruitment and the board and ask for those players. If the Board is corrupt then no matter how many misgivings a coach might have, all the reassurance's for his bosses would be it's OK. A coach isn't there to count the beans, he's not even there as the best possible player in every position, he is there because he has the plan to get the best out of his players and staff. Look at Craig Bellamy, played centre, lock and 5/8, has a great understanding where all the other positions fit into the whole that is a NRL team. But he strikes me as humble enough to get other specialist staff to look after the others. Where his strengths lies is getting a group of 25 talented players and forging them into a group that has one goal and one purpose. So, NO Brad wouldn't have been up to his neck in the salary cap nonsense that happened, he would have just chased players that he thought/knew would fit into the group he was forming.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Is Ricky Stuart that way inclined.
He drew up a list of keeps, maybes, and go's didn't he?
How did he do that without any knowledge of what it meant in cap terms.
Not here to argue the point. You think he wasn't in on it. I think he was all over it.
Submitted by parrafan on
Coach take your panthers off the pedestal.
The most inconsistent team in the comp.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
They are not on any pedestal. When have I ever said they are the best, like others have of their teams ?
Submitted by Coach Potato on
...Although if you want to question their consistency, they have been in the match up until the end all season apart from two recent games v Sharks and Tigers.
So name another team thats been in it for 80 minutes 16 of their 18 matches so far, then have a good think about your questioning of consistency.
At least what I say is based on fact, not made up rubbish.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Easy one Coach...Sharks, Storm and Cowboys and you'd have to say a depleted Eels have been in it up to their necks.
And I must agree with Baggy and Parrafan, Coaches have far too much on their plates to get involved with the dollars.
If Brad Arthur was complicit in the rorting then surely he would have been called to account along with the others.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Coach seeing as you like stats so much how about this.
Broncos/Panthers have met 49 times.
Broncos 30
Panthers 18
Draw 1
So who really has the bragging rights?
Gladdens my heart that you think everything you say is based on fact whereas the rest of us just talk "rubbish"
It's not the Panthers you put on a pedestal it's yourself.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
In relation to Ricky, he is one of the CDO coaches that would have their finger in every aspect of the club, I think that is why he failed so badly with the Eels and the Sharks. 2 boards who weren't interested in letting power slip from their fingers, he seems to have the freedom to be himself at the Raiders and is really doing a good job. Others like him are Des, Wayne, and Bellamy.
On the question of a team in every game until the whistle, the Eels have pushed a lot of teams with a injury/not playing list longer than my ............... ahhh .......... arm. (yes that's what I meant.) They have pushed the Cowboys twice, the Broncos once, (hoping for twice in a few weeks), should have beaten the Panthers, we've had a good season all things considered.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Couldn't agree more Baggy.
The eels have had a season from hell.
Not the coach or players fault. Yet they have excelled.
To suggest the coach or players are part of a rort is ridiculous.
A League club is a business and your employment contract is a private matter between you and the club
Management and no one else is to blame.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Another good win from the Sharkies.
Who will beat them?
Don't think my Broncs will be there. Maybe Storm or the Cows.
Would be happy to see them lift the Trophy.
Submitted by fortresseagle on
Can someone at channel nine please step in and sack both phil Gould and brad filter. Goulds commentery tonite was tripe , boring and dribble for god sake get someone with talent and please rabs warren don't retire.
Fortress of the mighty eagles!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by christine on
Tigers won I still have immunity .
Submitted by a on
Actually sack all 3 if you ask me
Submitted by Coach Potato on
#Mark, when your team first formed, they had the State of Origin squad for several years. A sign of how Panthers have caught up, is since 2010 the score is Panthers 6, Broncos 3. Panthers winning twice away in the last 7 seasons, to Broncos zippo. Guess what, we've been kicking your ass for some time now. Your still cut to the core over Friday night. Don't worry bud, there's only about 8 long months til they meet again .
#and nice compliment Mark. You put Panthers alongside Storm, Sharks,. and Cowboys for consistency. Nice pick up.
#It was parrafan I mentioned talking rubbish, not everyone. Geez you claimed to be an ace at English. They must have been easy markers back then. Either that, or your comprehension skills need an urgent refresh.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Actually, no you don't christine.
I explained that the immunity only lasts a week win, lose, or draw.
It gets you to the next week.
It's not a lifeline thing.
Turns out you were safe without the immunity, but it didn't hurt being safe pre-game did it?
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Didn't put Broncos in the consistent bracket I forgot to mention.
I guess they would be straight in if we were talking about consistent losers.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Coach we are still two spots above you on the ladder with the Broncs having a +80 for and against and the Panthers -13.
Never mentioned the Panthers being included in the consistency thing.
How did you get that so wrong?
Beware the wounded Broncos Coach. Don't think it will be 8 months until we meet again providing you make the 8.
Can I say to all on this site that I don't dislike Coach!
I was one of the first to welcome him back.
I enjoy enormously our rivalry and admire his Panthers passion.
Keep it coming Coach it's great fun as I'm sure you'll agree.
By the way you're not Jamie Soward are you?
Submitted by mark ashford on
OK Coach so your Panthers are improving and about time.
Gould's five year plan started how long ago?
How do you explain Broncos appearance (a losing one by 1 point admittedly) in last years grand final?
Oh and by the way where did your Panthers finish?
Submitted by mark ashford on
Good win tonight by the Tigers but comes with a bit of sadness.
Have we seen the last of great players like Benji Marshall and Robbie Farrar after this season.
When Benji was at the Tiges I loved his no look passes, his running to the line with the ball held out in one hand. No one knew what he was intending.
If he hadn't declared himself as a Kiwi he would have played origin for QLD
AND Robbie's service to the Tigers and NSW can't fault him. Maybe a bit too outspoken for JT to handle.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Gould's plan was five years, ten years ago.
Submitted by christine on
coach & mark give it a break guys it's getting personal .
Submitted by EagleROCKS on
hey fortress the footy commentry is pathetic. Totally agree with you mate.
And go the mighty eagles, finals here we come come on boys.
Submitted by christine on
I want to start a petition to make rabs back flip on leaving even if you want him to leave " a ".
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Yes agree. I don't dislike anyone on this page. That includes Fortress , BigPete Bs ( sorry I meant Bx !) and the great Thinker himself.
Strange that when people see something written about their team that they either don't like or agree with, somehow they've got it in their head that that is a personal attack. It's not the case at all. It's footy banter. People can absolutely say what they want about Penrith. I couldn't care less. I will either agree or not agree with what's said (eg tell someone they're talking rubbish), but I will never take it personally (unless personal comments are made).
Gould took over as General Manager part way into 2011.
If you take it straight date to date, the 5 years passed a couple of months ago, although 2016 will show as the 5th full season since he made his prediction. I don't think he is any Nostradamus, but if it's not 5 years to lift the trophy, it may not be far off the mark. I've heard stuff about him needing to fall on his own sword because he said 5 years and still no trophy. I think he's been a success all things considered. His vision far different to the team song which talks about not coming last, Gould set targets not unlike the Broncos.
Of course noone could predict the young stars that would come through. Moylan, Watene-Zelezniak, Mansour, Cartwright, now Cleary, Martin, Latu .. the list goes on. They have the squad right now.
So here's my prediction. Panthers will lift the trophy either this year or next. That's what I say. 2016 or 2017. If it is this year, then the 5 year plan will be spot on.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
30 years and counting.
What's Parra's plan Baggy ?
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