Brisbane Broncos vs Penrith Panthers – Friday night – Suncorp Stadium
If nothing else it will be nice to see finals football in front of a big crowd. The Broncos have won 10 from 13 at Suncorp this season – their only losses were at the hands of the Cowboys in round two and a pair of comprehensive floggings from the Storm and the Eels. All those losses were to top eight sides, and the floggings were against top four sides. The Panthers have beaten just three teams away from Sydney this year – Canberra, Newcastle and the Warriors. Not one of those teams made the top eight this year. Griffin has quite the record against the coach that replaced him at the Broncos, but that meant little the last time these sides met. Earlier this year the Broncos were convincing 32-18 winners at Suncorp, and note that the score was 28-0 up until the 65th minute – the Panthers scored three late tries when the game was over as a contest. On that occassion it was Matt Moylan who sparked their attack late in the game, and he won't be there on Friday night. My hunch is that Darius Boyd will play, with Marshall on the bench just in case Boyd goes down again. Wayne Bennett has all the time in the world for Benji Marshall, but his performance against the Roosters is an indication that the best of Benji is behind him. Ben Hunt didn't play the last time these sides met either, and his inclusion gives the home side another attacking option. The Broncos were far from their best last weekend, and they still went within a whisker of beating the Roosters in Sydney. Any improvement on that effort, and improvement is likely, should see them staying alive in season 2017 for another week. An extra day to prepare for this game can't hurt either.
Verdict – Broncos by 8
Result – Broncos by 7
Parramatta Eels vs North Queensland Cowboys – Saturday night – ANZ Stadium
I assume the Cowboys went home after the extra-time victory over the Sharks last weekend. The way the draw has fallen means that they could stay in Sydney all the way to the grand final if they wanted to...providing they keep the fairytale alive. They won just one game in Sydney during the regular season, and to win a premiership they'll need to win four games in succession in Sydney against top eight sides. It seems unlikely, and I did call it a fairytale. At full strength I'd back them in, but as we all know this side is a long way from full strength. This is the third time these sides will meet this season, but their first meeting in Sydney. In round 9 they met in Townsville where the injury-depleted Cowboys were comprehensively beaten 26-6. In round 14 they met in Darwin and it was the Cowboys at their best with a 32-6 win. What made that game different (apart from the location) was a masterclass from Jonathan Thurston, who turned up in time to show the Queensland selectors he was ready to play State of Origin football. Sadly there will be no heroics from Thurston on Saturday night. Less sadly we get at least one more week of Semi Radradra before he jumps on the next plane to France. Will we ever see him in the NRL again? I suspect we will not.
Verdict – Eels by 10
Result – Cowboys by 8
Wally Lewis - finals week two (in bold)
Note: tips from Wally will be published on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.
- BRONCOS vs Panthers
- EELS vs Cowboys
Comments
Submitted by christine on
Thinker Nice joke i'll pay that one well done ...
Submitted by a on
Yeah good joke Thinker
Submitted by mark ashford on
Congrats to all Cowboys fans, was a terrific game.
Baggy commiserations, your boys did you proud this year.
Only 3 games to go this season. I really hate it when we get to this stage. 6 months to wait until we go again.
I'm not a cricket fan so the summer is a bit boring sport wise.
Better go and make sure the fishing gear is right to go.
Submitted by The Annoying Devil on
Newcastle are signing Jacob Lillyman they have bought well and will be tough to beat at home next year
Submitted by mark ashford on
TAD
Lillyman has been outstanding for the Maroons over the years.
Not so sure how he has gone at the Warriors this year.
He must be getting near the end of his career but I'm sure will add some starch to the Knights defense.
The Newcastle boys will be a threat next year.
Just not sure why they let Gagai go?
Submitted by The Annoying Devil on
Mark
Gagai was becoming expensive as he's a star at all levels and thinking of the future they pick up ponga Watson SKD and moga which is an elusive backline
Submitted by newbie from perth on
Hi Y’all,
Now I’m not one who usually believes in “omens” but…
It turns out our WARL Grand Final was staged yesterday and was between two SOR (south of the river) teams, namely the (Mighty) Fremantle Roosters and the Rockingham Sharks. Glad to report the Freo Chooks won a tense encounter. We led 12-6 at halftime and eventually ran out “deserved” winners 28-22. “Big Ups” to everyone concerned on bringin’ it home!
Is there an “omen” thing happening here? Can my BBB replicate what Freo did? Fingers crossed. Oh, BTW our girls won the Womens Tag Grand Final too. Begurk! Begurk!
@ Big Pete – Your North Beach Sea Eagles ended up winning the U18s GF mate. Hope that eases the pain my friend. If you’d like, check out the WARL Facebook page link below and take a gander at what strip they wear. Cheers.
https://www.facebook.com/warugbyleague/
Submitted by christine on
Didn't knights also get ese ese or am I wrong about that ?
Submitted by christine on
Don't answer that last ? of mine ese ese has been signed by Newcastle on a three year deal starting next year ...
Submitted by The Annoying Devil on
Ese ese and Aiden guerra
Submitted by christine on
Annoying devil Hep I know but ese ese wasn't mentioned so I did mention it & as you & mark said knights are building well they will be a challenge next season , are we talking premiership material too soon to say it would depend on how they all gel as a team but they will certainly be giving other teams a hard time ...
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
They did Mark, after 9 years without threatening the top eight, we made it and for the last few years I have been aiming to get to the top eight as my yearly goal. We made it, and now the goal for next year as a minimum is to make the eight again. After we prove that we are contenders then we can aim higher for that premiership. But we did do well, and I am proud to be a Eels supporter.
Submitted by Tailspin on
Hey Thinker, only put me down for 1 point as I was late getting my tips in. Cheers, go the Cowboys.
Submitted by The Annoying Devil on
Unfortunatly the eels missed the boat
Losing to the storm put them on the easier side of the draw and could of made the grand final on their home ground
As far as i know they have only bought kane evans who is a good player but is pretty undisaplined with brown and edwards their thats alot of penalties to concede
Its a worry in attack as they lose 20 tries a season as semis gone the halves are good and gutho returning is the only positive light but to see him get thru a season unscathed the way he plays is unlikely
Cant see them doing that well next year
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
We have u20 players we need to develop instead of letting other teams get them. Bevan outside a good center is dangerous, and he can defend, made several good one in one tackles in a game even forcing a mistake. The problem is people look at wow the knights brought well, parra didn't. But internal talent needs to be nurtured not supplanted by the latest superstar that is on the open market.
Submitted by The Annoying Devil on
I'm not looking at what the knights bought I'm looking at what parra has got to offer next season I for one would love to see them do well but the gap from u20s to 1sts is bigger than when we had reserve grade
This was just their best chance in 8 years you should have at least 1 premiership out of 01,09,17
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Indeed, but as I always talk about the mental game, we made the top four after spending 9 years out. That is a big step up from building into the top eight and dealing with the expectation of a supporter base, naturally we expected better from them with the finish. But like the Cowboys we were thrust into the top four by the Sharks incopetence, the big difference is that the Cowboys have been in the last 7 years of finals football and this was our first time with only Tim being there before. We will be better for the run next year and we should be aiming top 5 as the bare minimum goal because we proved that we can do it. Semi, while a loss can be replaced.
Submitted by a on
Well I think the Eels played their grand final last week
Submitted by The Annoying Devil on
I don't think you can replace such an amazing player that easy
If you put randrandra hightlights together it would be some semi trailer
Submitted by Mary S on
I agree with you TAD, that you can not easily replace an amazing player, because they have skills and instinct for plays that seems another level to others.
However, it seems to me, that other players are given opportunities to develop and shine if they come out from the shadow of exceptional players. Michael Morgan and Jason Taumalolo seem to be good examples of this.
Maybe there is another like Semi waiting to shine!!
Submitted by The Annoying Devil on
I agree Mary but more likely in a rugby comp in Suva than the eels u20s
Submitted by mark ashford on
If we're talking about the Eels let me say one player doesn't a team make. Yes they will miss Semi and his explosive runs but someone else will step up to fill the void.
Corey Norman has developed into a top half and is being considered for the Maroons next year.
If you think the loss of one super player consigns the team to the spoon then look at the Cowboys, no Thurston, no Scott and other injuries and look where they are.
No the Eels will feature again next year. After a taste of finals they will be back.
Submitted by The Annoying Devil on
If you read the post it doesn't say one man makes a team I'm just saying this was their best chance as next year without semi it will be harder
Cowboys are a different scenario they had big shoes to fill but had players already in their team as Morgan has proved he's a match winner with Thurston on the field and tamalolo makes up for Scott's yardage plus more so their roles were filled with experience but parra don't have a try scorer like semi to replace him
He can create something out of nothing
I can think of 8 other teams next year that can finish above them that's all
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
OK name them.
Submitted by The Annoying Devil on
Storm
Roosters
Cowboys
Sharks
Broncos
Manly
Panthers
Dragons
I'll even throw in the knights
And bulldogs
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
So the other fifteen teams then? That's nonsense. Where are the bulldogs points coming from? The Morris boys? This is the issue, there is still a five month off season, plenty of time to grow a winger into the system, and if there is internal promotion then there is better team cohesion as they are all from the same system. Get your head out of the tight dark place it is in and let your brain get some vital O2
Submitted by mark ashford on
OK TAD
I think you are a bit off the mark here.
Sure Semi scored plenty of tries but how many were scored by other Eels players? I don't know but I'm sure it was enough to get them to the top 4.
You could say that list of teams will beat anyone next year.
Silly really, as who is staying and who is going.
Storm may just collapse with ageing players and Cronk gone.
Sharks will be a basket case next year.
Panthers & Dragons performed well below the Eels
The Knights will take a year or so to come together.
But surely who knows what 2018 will bring.
Only thing I'm sure of QLD teams and maybe Storm will dominate.
Submitted by The Annoying Devil on
God guys it's only an opinion
All I was doing was getting to this prediction game I had in mind how you predict the outcomes at the beginning of the season and see who's the most accurate at the end with prizes etc
But with baggy response I'll keep that idea to myself
Submitted by ESRA STAR on
Yep,,they got over Hayne leaving pretty well.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
The Titans are still to get over hayne coming back.
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Hello Christine - your of Saturday afternoon.
Please for one minute, dont think that I was inferring to you, as a fence sitter. I know that you don't follow any team, too close.
Thanks also for the heads up on TAD, as he didn't seem to want to reply to my ask of him and his "location" or other.
It will be interesting to see how Souths go next season, especially when appointing an in-house coach, to the head honcho's role.
Cheers - Big Pete
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Yr not wrong there Baggy.
Commiserations to The Slipperies mate. They played well and continued on in the march. Like soldiers, in not surrendering.
@Cowboys followers here - your boys certainly aren't letting anything or anyone, stand in their way. Will be rather interesting to see how they handle a fresh Chooks side. Finals are close games and lately the Roosters haven't been winning by big margins. I'm sure they'll be switched one and sniff out a field goal or a couple.
But the downside in having a week off, is lack of match practice and refining those little mistakes.
Cheers and good luck Cobbers - Big Pete
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Correct Baggy in nurturing the younger players within a club.
It's a case of junior development and trying to hold onto the talent you have and try not let it go. They are the building blocks that first grade is made of. If the juniors are any good, the salary cap will eventually stuff it for them, but at least the club gets a few good years out of them, before that time nears.
Finals will be here and gone in no time. Sandown 500 is done and now it is 16 days before V8's start revving in heaven, here in Gods Country.
Cheers mate - Big Pete
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Mark - you can always get on board with A-League & EPL football (soccer). Give Pompey (Portsmouth) a bit of vocal support, or your Gunners, I think it was, that you follow in the top grade.
Check to see that Rex is ready and then the fishing gear.
Cheers and a beer - Big Pete
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Thanks Newbie, they come up good.
Top jersey!
I saw a name of Ross Strudwick, on that Facebook page, as I was scrolling down and around.
Seem to recall a similar name from St George of past era/days.
Manly have Under 20's doing battle with Dragons this weekend.
They are going ok, having come 8th and knocked Sharks (who were minor premiers) out of finals, last weekend.
Cheers mate and keep well over there in WA.
Big Pete
Submitted by The Annoying Devil on
Hello Thinker
I registered with your site as I love league and like to hear other opinions
I decided yesterday as it was quiet on here to express my disappointment of the eels as they should of gone on with the job and how will the go without semi
People have the right to their opinions and yeah attack their words but not the person
I can see why people with strong views in the past have left . It would make sense if people read and understand the post before their personal attacks
I was also working up to say if you allowed it we could have a comp where you pick your top 8 and premiers top try scorer etc before the comp and at the end of round 26 give a prize (my donation) to the most accurate but now I'm not sure
Anyway life goes on
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