Sydney Roosters vs Brisbane Broncos – Friday night – Allianz Stadium
Second plays third and this will be the third time these sides meet this season. Back in round 6 the Broncos were convincing winners at home (32-8). Dominant the Broncos were, but they had quite a bit to deal with that night – Corey Oates withdrew before kick-off, Ben Hunt went off injured just after half time, Korbin Sims went off injured with 20 to go and Josh McGuire played much of the game with one good arm. Despite all that, the Broncos were simply too good. Later in the season these sides met at this very venue and it was the Chooks who prevailed in a tighter contest (18-16). That game was played during the Origin period and both teams had playmakers unavailable (Milford and Pearce). Note that Benji Marshall played in the halves in that game, as he will on Friday night. The big difference in this game compared to that last encounter is the Brisbane spine, with Boyd and McCullough unavailable. Nikorima slips into the all-important number one jersey. It's a big ask, but note that this Broncos spine played for 40 minutes against the Cowboys last week. The Cowboys, with everything to play for, couldn't get through the Broncos defence until the 80th minute. The Roosters have shown all year that they can win the tight games. They've been in 11 games where the margin was 4 points or less this season, and they won 9 of them. The Broncos by comparison, have lost 4 of the 7 games they played where the margin was 4 or less. The Chooks are a warm favourite but I'm willing to take them on here. We should have a dry track in Sydney on Friday night and that will, in my opinion, favour the visitors. Last weekend Phil Gould suggested that the Broncos were no hope of beating the Roosters this weekend. One of us is going to be wrong.
Verdict – Broncos by 10
Result – Roosters by 2
Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels – Saturday afternoon – AAMI Park
To give the Eels fans a glimmer of hope they were the last team to beat the Storm – way back in round 18, and that was played in Melbourne too. Here's where I take that glimmer of hope and rudely stamp on it in my size 11 steelcaps – in round 18 the Storm didn't have Smith, Slater, Cronk, Munster, Chambers and Glasby. While I don't think this game is as good as over, I simply can't ip the Eels to win. It really is that simple.
Verdict – Storm by 13
Result – Storm by 2
Manly Sea Eagles vs Penrith Panthers – Saturday night – Allianz Stadium
How much can change in a week? These sides faced off just seven days ago and the Sea Eagles led 26-0 until the 75th minute. The Panthers scored a few late tries to make the final score less awful but if was a pretty convincing display by the Eagles against a genuinely disappointing opponent. The team line-ups are much the same unless Dylan Edwards is a late call-up for the Panthers at fullback...but that's unlikely. The big difference between this game and the round 26 game is the venue. Manly fans are notoriously poor travellers so the Panthers will probably end up with the lions share of support in the stands. Is that enough to turn the result from seven days ago? Possibly, but I doubt it.
Verdict – Sea Eagles by 7
Result – Panthers by 12
Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys – Sunday afternoon – Allianz Stadium
If the Cowboys run out of room in their casualty ward the Sharks could probably help them out. The Sharks might not be in the form they were in last season but their best seventeen (or close enough to it) are fit and available on Sunday. The Sharks prevailed in the two previous encounters between these sides this season and they are a red-hot favourite on Sunday. I give the Sharks next to no hope of a repeat premiership and I'm barely convinced they will win this, but I think they can scrape home. And I mean scrape. The Cowboys have had a few extra days to prepare for this and they'll need that time just to strap up their troops. The Sharks will no doubt benefit from some dubious decision at some point and Cowboys fans will collectively shake their heads and say 'here we go again'. I can't tell you much I hope I'm wrong.
Verdict – Sharks by 2
Result – Cowboys by 1
Wally Lewis - round twenty six selections (in bold)
Note: tips from Wally will be published on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.
- ROOSTERS vs Broncos
- STORM vs Eels
- SEA EAGLES vs Panthers
- SHARKS vs Cowboys
Comments
Submitted by The Annoying Devil on
I noticed names like fortress and pabdul being asked where are they
I went back to near the start and read their comments. The site was dominated by a coach potato who I found bit of a know all. Fortress is full on manly but took things personal and pabdul was witty I noticed he predicted manly to finished at best 6th and dragons to miss the finals after a few weeks in. I'd like to hear his prediction for this years winner
Submitted by a on
Yes your right their Annoying Devil but dont forget we dont have a problem with anyone on the site just as longer as they behave them selves
Submitted by christine on
"a" Your right about that & annoying devil pabdul would be saying it's going to come down to a storm / roosters grand final because he loves his roosters & you haven't heard us say co'mon "a" bring back johnny ray because we just love johnny ray , so johnny ray if your reading any of this please come back bro it's not the same without you ...
Submitted by a on
Yeah Johnny Ray was good I hope he comes back and yes Fortress as Christine say we dont have a problem with you on the site no one kicked you off same thing with you to Coach
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
That crap from Chambers taking 30 seconds was pure gamesmanship bullshit. Who ever the refs boss is should hang their head in shame that was piss poor.
Submitted by a on
The Eels lost cause of the refs
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Nah we still didn't do enough to win, I can live with losing, but to lose so much game time from useless time wasting in the name of "game management" is the part I can't deal with. It's the frigging letter of the law vs the spirit of the game.
Submitted by Steel Panther on
Baggy it could have been a cricket score with the amount of near misses the Storm had but you only play as well as the other team lets you. A gallant effort indeed by the Eels!!
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
The effort from the BOYS was great, and yes, it could have been bloody as the Storm got a roll on in the start of the second half, and we kept dropping the ball. But nothing against the players, yes we can bitch about the tackler laying on the tackled guy, giving up penalties, and that stupid Chambers crap, but you have to play the game in front of you. We just didn't get to the end.
Submitted by Steel Panther on
The two points difference ended up being that silly penalty Manu gave away. That's a coach killer. Mind you, you could have won by two with the 1st Storm try coming off a forward pass.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
True true, but in the last five minutes I counted at least 6 "flat/forward" passes from both teams. The refs have no stones or spine to call play as the rule book intends. Rugby union gets the better balance between spirit and law.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Baggy a great effort by your boys, nearly got there.
However your boys were "laying over" "high shots" " never behind the ten" all game. Munsters send off was a joke and what about the high shot from Semi? mate your team played hard to win but dirty.
glad to see the Storm win over a dirty eels outfit.
Submitted by The Annoying Devil on
Wow mr Ashford we were obviously looking at different games how wrong you are the storm we're no better
You will most likely be playing the storm to get into the grand final
I'll ask you how clean the storm were after they play the broncos
Submitted by mark ashford on
TAD
I saw the game as I saw it. Eels never on side trying to choke the Storm attack. As I've said before every team 'lays on" it's part of the game now
Lots of high shots and choking by Eels all let go by the refs.
Exactly why was Munster sent off? was he off side? did he interfere in the play the ball? Eels took a quick play the ball and suddenly Munster is sent off??? as Pauline said "please explain"
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Look Mark all I'm having a whinge about is the gamesmanship of the last 5-10 minutes that all teams do. I just hate that it has come to that.
Submitted by The Annoying Devil on
Interfering with a player(Mitchell Moses) while making no attempt to return to an on side position
Munster was offside and tried to slow the play down to give his team an advantage in defence
This is a professional foul which warrants a sin bin for a 10 minute period
Submitted by mark ashford on
You're kidding me
Submitted by The Annoying Devil on
Ok I'll simplify it
Parra get awarded penalty
Moses takes quick tap
Munster tackles Moses without retreating the required 10 metres
(Are you still following)
This is a second penalty
It is deemed the only reason to do this is to slow the play down
Bye bye 10 minutes
It's as plain as the nose on your face
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Not sure about the Peachy try but they should have stopped Cartwright, he just wanted it more.
Submitted by Anonymous on
Doin the eagles lost
Doin the eagles lost
Submitted by christine on
To all the manly supporters on this site sorry for your loss tonight ...
Submitted by Mary S on
After the way Manly played last week, the result tonight was a shock. Commiserations to all fans who visit this site, as your hopes for a definite finals place would have been high over the last few months.
Submitted by EagleROCKS on
First of all before I talk about tonight's farce, that poster anonymous you are a disgusting coward and thinker should delete your comments. We don't need a spineless no name lizard like you on this site enough said your a waste of breath. (I wonder if its a former poster!!!!!!!!!!)
Well what we saw tonight was a farce, a sub standard bunker who destroyed a better more talented football team, both the try's through kicks have been given all year long and the Peachy's try was a knock on, for your life, my god its just so bad no words to describe the duding today.
The Bronco's will thrash Penrith next week. No doubts, and us Manly supporters, will wait for the get back. The Eels were also done no favours by the ref's, though not as bad as the Manly game. Some of the decisions did effect the outcome of the game , and I agree with Baggy on the Chambers incident. Remember the Storm are owed a comp, for rorting the salary cap, what a joke .
On behalf of myself and all of the Mighty Eagles supporters, we will be back Bigger, Stronger even Better, and that's Scary in 2018. Wishing all of you the best of luck in the remaining finals.
As I leave with my last post for the year. Let me wish our boys all the best in the off season, and here's hoping 2018, brings us the title. A very young, talented, gutsy team. No one had us in the 8 this year, just think what we can do next year. I'm sure we will bolster our depth and the premiership not far off.
Bidding you all a great end of year, may you all have great health and keep up the fight and spirit. We will always be doing the Eagle Rock. So Mighty Eagles heads up, be proud, you have done us proud .
Rock on for ever and up the Mighty Eagles!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by GaryChesterUK on
What I will say is if you were Manly fan you would be a little upset at how quickly the bunkerr scrubbed off the 'offside' try, I think that needed at least another angle! And I'm sure for the try on 70 mins it was knocked on by Penrith? in fairness to the bunker though you probably couldn't see that conclusively enough to overturn the live decision.
Coach will be happy!
Submitted by The Anti Eagle on
Hey Eagle sooks
It's always a farce when manly lose
Cop it on the chin like a man
Der der der. Another one bites the dust
Karma brother
Submitted by The Thinker on
I for one think Manly were close to robbed last night...and I thought Trent Barrett handled himself very well after the match. To add some balance, Wally Lewis and Andrew johns couldn't agree on what was the right decision with the peaches try...and they had plenty oF time to watch it and think about it.
And while it hurts for Manly now there is an argument that these things even out in the long run.... and here's a reminder
http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-14/controversy-reigns-as-manly-cru...
Submitted by The Annoying Devil on
You know what you just got deal with it
It's happened in the past and it'll happen again this season
I don't think Penrith have a problem with it
Unfortunately it was sent up as a try and if two greats can't decide how can the bunker
Barrett can say what he likes but history won't change
Submitted by Steel Panther on
While I feel for any team that gets a rough deal at the hands of the refs I go back to Manly's game earlier this season v Newcastle. They won by 4 but Uate was given a try that clearly wasn't. Like the Thinker said...these things do seem to even themselves out...Manly have had a great season exceeding a lot of punters expectations. While the loss hurts they should be proud of their achievements.
Submitted by a on
Yeah that Uate try on round 14 was not a try don't forget about Krien Foran in the finals against Cowboys
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Dammit, even if you take the Form try off manly the cowboys didn't do enough to get over the line back then. The Peachy try was a odd one but my initial call was knock on and I still think he got a hand/arm to the ball. But the push back in goal from the kick off was great, but manly had shot their bolt and the panthers were coming home to strong. That Cartwright try proves that the panthers weren't going to roll over, lay down and they wanted it more on the night.
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Hello Christine, "a", Mary S, Baggy, Eagle Rocks, TAD and onlookers.
Before I really got to know Pabdul - I well recall him making the "fearless" prediction, that Manly wouldn't finished any higher than 6th.
The old fella was right.
To all my kind communicants and the Manly haters, that we have here. I am in limbo over the loss, but raise my head that Penrith made sure of the little stuff. Manly had two tries go against them and both Penrith and Manly had other touchy calls for/against. A tight game that came down to pressure mistakes, in the last 10 minutes. I thought it might go to pot shots as I had a 3 pt margin going in Manly's favour.
Not to be!!!
This is a global post to all and I hope you all keep going well, as the finals progress. To the Manly "haters", who are few to me - we love you, without the kisses. We'll keep coming back and stronger, never deny us that, because we are good at it.
As NSW held Local Govt Elections yesterday, it was a long day over all. I had my daughter standing for Bathurst Regional Council and as a young 22 year old, she's a gem for putting her hand up. She was No.5 on a ticket, with a former Bathurst Mayor, who mentored the three girls on the ticket and did an excellent job in doing it. Her expertise in events mgt and public relations, has also assisted them in their studies at Uni and their future endeavours and aspirations. I'm sure from your kind hearts, many of you will agree, or know the exact same feeling.
Kind regards and keep well/happy. We'll chat again.
Big Pete
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Thanks Steely - u r a good bloke, who takes wins and losses, as they come. The even ups in sport, certainly even out, even if one doesn't expect it, or realise it, they will.
Cheers - Big Pete
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Best of luck to your daughter Pete, we need the younger generations than you and Mark to step up to the plate. Don't let people talk down to you because of your youth.
Submitted by mark ashford on
TAD
Munster's actions deserved probably another penalty not a send off
He didn't lay all over Moses preventing him from scoring a try
these things happen every week with no send offs
just thought Storm were hard done by
Submitted by mark ashford on
Baggy
I was a bit hard on your Eels the other night
they played extremely good, hard football and only just missed out on a major upset
good luck with the remaining games
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
It's all good mark I heard what you were saying. Everyone lays in the tackle so it's a bit rich to pick on the Storm. Both side played well but it was just that last five minutes that stuck in my craw. I was really proud that we played well enough to stick with the Storm all game.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Big Pete, Eagle Rocks, Fortress and any other Manly fans.
It was a hard night for you with no help from the refs or bunker
2 tries disallowed one wasn't one was
Peachey's try from a knock on was no try
The result is what it is and I wish you well in 2018
To all you pissant Manly haters coming on with your pathetic little posts just p**s off unless you have something constructive to say.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Miracle of miracles two send off for professional fouls in one week end of football. It is the end of life as we know it.
Submitted by christine on
Mark Well said I agree with you & if someone hasn't got some thing nice to say they don't need to say it at all ...
Submitted by Steel Panther on
What Chambers did is what all players do when their team is leading with two to go. How do you stamp this out in our game today?
I have more of an issue with players only going on report when 10 in the bin is more worthy a punishment especially if the boy you hit goes off for an HIA or on a medi-cab.
Submitted by Steel Panther on
Big Pete thanks for your kind words & best of luck to your daughter. You must be very proud!!
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
If you hit someone into a medicab/failed HIA 10 in the bin is the minimum that should happen. Sent off is better but allow the team who had the player sent off to keep going with 13 on field but only 3 on the bench.
Submitted by Steel Panther on
Baggy send offs don't exist in the game any more...lol
Extra time in the last game this weekend. Awesome game so far. I hope for all you Cowboys fans they come home for you!!! Momentous effort!!
Submitted by Steel Panther on
Cowboys 15 Sharks 14....2nd 5 minute period of extra time kicks off...
Submitted by Mary S on
The cows won, won, won - what an amazing, nail biting last 20 mins of this match.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Missed most of the second half, how did the Cowboys go while James was in the bin?
Submitted by Steel Panther on
What a brilliant game. Cows win by 1. Mary S, a, Tailspin, Hardyards your team was absolutely awesome!!! Jason T was super human. Well done!!
Submitted by Steel Panther on
Cows got 1 try Baggy.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
OK so he cost his side the win in the scheme of things.
Submitted by mark ashford on
"a", Tailspin, Mary S and other Cows supporters congratulations on your team's win.
What a great effort after just sneaking into the finals and then defeating the defending premiers.
Best moment for me was Gallen dropping the ball on the next to last play. Your team played with incredible grit despite your injuries.
Michael Morgan a superstar in the making.
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