Round twenty two selections

North Queensland Cowboys vs Brisbane Broncos – Thursday night – 1300SMILES Stadium

If the NRL had a reliable time machine they would go back to the start of the season and schedule this match for round 25 – this game looks a much more suitable finale for Jonathan Thurston. Sadly, funds were diverted away from the time machine project to build the bunker, so here we are. To be fair, few would have expected the Cowboys to miss the top eight this season, let alone be in a fight to avoid the wooden spoon. What a disappointing season it has been. The Broncos are all over the shop in 2018, which is unusual for a team that prides itself on the consistency of its performances. Sam Thaiday joins the elite '300 club' on Thursday night – he's member number 33 and one of just 15 to reach the milestone with one club. Any team would be a better team for having Thaiday in their squad...congratulations to you sir. Recent contests between these sides have been some of the best NRL games you could wish to see. Let's hope both sides lift their standards and give us a game to remember. I'm tipping the Broncos – they've had some extra time to prepare and we all saw how well they bounced back after their dismal showing against the Warriors.

Verdict – Broncos by 4

Result – Cowboys 34 defeated Broncos 30

New Zealand Warriors vs Newcastle Knights – Friday night – Mt Smart Stadium

The Knights find themselves in that dead zone on the ladder – they can't make the finals and they won't be winning the wooden spoon. Given the results in recent seasons, avoiding the wooden spoon would be quite the relief. This is the first of three successive away games after a long run of games at home. My instincts tell me they won't be as competitive playing away from their ever-faithful fans in Newcastle. Mind you, the Warriors are getting all inconsistent again just as the competition gets serious. They were flogged by the Panthers, then they flogged the Broncos. After that they competed with the Storm, and then they were flogged by the Titans. To borrow from Forrest Gump – they're like a box of chocolates. Unless they are the quince log on Friday night they should be tasty enough to win this.

Verdict – Warriors by 14

Result – Warriors 20 defeated Knights 4

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Sydney Roosters – Friday night – ANZ Stadium

I don't have to tell any of you this is the game of the round. After a couple of flat performances from the Bunnies they pulled out all stops against the table-topping Storm, and in doing so moved into the top spot on the ladder (funnily enough, that was the only change the NRL ladder after round 21...first and second swapping places). The most remarkable thing about the Rabbitohs performance was that they were down 16-6. We've seen plenty of comebacks in the NRL this season, but the Storm are the best in business at defending a lead. That Bunnies left edge is a joy to watch, and they'll be adding Greg Inglis to that left edge in the weeks ahead. I'm tipping them here even though I'm an old chook myself. The Bunnies beat the Chooks convincingly in round 6, and while the Roosters have improved since then they're an easier team to defend without Luke Keary in the halves. What a game. Get there.

Verdict – Rabbitohs by 4

Result – Roosters 18 defeated Rabbitohs 14

Gold Coast Titans vs Penrith Panthers – Saturday afternoon – Cbus Super Stadium

Didn't this game get a whole lot more interesting all of a sudden? Thanks Gus. Cameron Ciraldo takes the reins at Penrith (for now) and we should get a real feel for just how much the Panthers players didn't like what the coach was doing. There's a part of me that hopes the Titans win by 40, and if they did I could just sit and watch Gus throughout. It's not likely though.

Verdict – Panthers by 16

Result – Panthers 17 defeated Titans 16

Manly Sea Eagles vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Saturday night – McGrath Foundation Stadium

Last week we were reminded that no-one wants a wooden spoon. Teams currently in 13th, 14th and 16th all won, and the team running 15th competed against the current premiership favourite. Two of those teams play each other here, and the team that wins all but guarantees that the wooden spoon has been dodged. Manly have (proudly) never won a spoon. The Dogs have surprised me with their recent performances, but Manly just look like the better team and I'll tip them at home.

Verdict – Sea Eagles by 2

Result – Sea Eagles 18 defeated Bulldogs 6

Parramatta Eels vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Saturday night – ANZ Stadium

The Dragons have won just one from their last five outings, against the Cowboys in round 19. Their last win prior to that was over the Eels, and they only just got there. I'm tipping them regardless, as I feel their losses against the Chooks and the Warriors were (at least) competitive. Am I confident? Not remotely.

Verdict – Dragons by 1

Result – Eels 40 defeated Dragons 4

Canberra Raiders vs Wests Tigers – Sunday afternoon – GIO Stadium

Many teams have struggled to break through the Tigers defence this season, but the Raiders aren't one of them. In round 15 the green machine was firing on all cylinders, racking up 9 tries and falling just short of the half century. Daytime conditions, and the return to Canberra, leave me thinking they'll be putting on another big show. An upset of sorts, but:

Verdict – Raiders by 8

Result – Tigers 24 defeated Raiders 22

Melbourne Storm vs Cronulla Sharks – Sunday afternoon – AAMI Park

It's a niggly Sunday afternoon, with both sides coming off losses and desperate to atone. Keep an eye out for late team changes – if the Storm rest Cameron Smith just about everyone will be tipping the Sharks. As I tend to do I'll stick with the purple machine for now. That loss to the Rabbitohs was a high quality game, while the Sharks loss to the Sea Eagles was pretty crappy. The Sharks beat the Storm earlier this season, but (assuming Smith plays) not this time.

Verdict – Storm by 1

Result – Sharks 17 defeated Storm 14

Wally Lewis - round twenty-two selections (in bold)

Note: tips from Wally will be published on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.

  • COWBOYS vs Broncos
  • WARRIORS vs Knights
  • Rabbitohs vs ROOSTERS
  • Titans vs PANTHERS
  • SEA EAGLES vs Bulldogs
  • Eels vs DRAGONS
  • RAIDERS vs Tigers
  • STORM vs Sharks

Comments

a's picture

Penrith are good at coming back

mark ashford's picture

Christine. Cleary (dad) said in his media conference this am he is staying with the tiges. Cleary (son) is locked into the panthers. Not sure how long his contract is for. The problem here is Phil Gould.
For whatever reason he seems to think he is MR RUGBY LEAGUE.
He was an average player and an average coach but that didn't stop his ego growing to huge heights. His time on #9 no doubt added to this.
The board at Penrith needs to look at this before he destroys the club.

mark ashford's picture

Baggy
Didn't watch the game but another escape by the Panthers by only a point must be a worry.

mark ashford's picture

Baggy you're up 22 nil at half time. Did you see this coming?
St George seem completely lost and devoid of what to do.
Ben Hunt on a mill a season better give some money back.
Don't care how good J Hayne has been I still don't like him.

Baggy_Gee's picture

The try the Dragons scored was while the 'box was off as i did children's bed time. I turn it back on just as Gutho crashes over for another try. I did think that we were lucky to run into the Dragons while they were 1/5 across their last 5 games. Worrying as usual until the final whistle.

Baggy_Gee's picture

Yes with the Titan's game it was listening for a bit, stopped for some shopping, got back in the car and the Panthers came back and won from 16-6 down.

Baggy_Gee's picture

Sorry Boss, ARGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! Where has that been all year????????????? As Chris Hendy would say, GO YOU GOOD THING!!!!!!!!

mark ashford's picture

Baggy
Your team played like champions, congratulations.

Baggy_Gee's picture

Thanks Mark. I can unclench now. But so so so so so so so so so so stoked. Best game we have played this season.

NuL1F3's picture

Oh wow.. Tough loss for the Dragons fans. Well done Eels! Absolutely dominated tonight!

a's picture

Cowboys are last now

Mary S's picture

Ditto to your comments Mark & NuLiF3 re the game tonight.

Baggy -You probably wish they had got it together early, but promising signs for the 2019 season.

Baggy_Gee's picture

Yes, but the end of last year was promising for 2018. We should be OK, but we need to fix the mental side of our game and not fall apart at the first sign of trouble. So excited for the fact that we are not holding the spoon for at least the next week and the Cowboys play. Roll on the good times.

The Thinker's picture

Cowboys won and moved to last place. It's a funny time of year.

Baggy_Gee's picture

I'll have to let up on the stirring for a bit since I have lost my utensil.

Dragons-fanboy's picture

Pathetic performance from the boys last night. We seriously need to change something whether it's a new coach or new CEO but something isn't right and has been for the past 6 years. Bennett comes in to coach us, we win the premiership, I reckon we just need the right coach and unfortunately we don't have the right coach. Plus, our players seriously need to put the team first rather than themselves this is where the team culture comes in, it's usually clicking at the start of the year than it just goes away as the season progresses. The boys didn't even look like they wanted to be on the field last night. The injury of Widdop didn't help either. Another poor round for the better part of most of us this week the upsets sure are killing us in terms of our tipping - great to see the Sharks upset the Storm as well even though I tipped the Storm same with the Cowboys glad they defeated the Broncs although I did tip the Broncos. Interesting race on the top, middle and bottom of the table.
P.s as a Dragons fan, we didn't do you Cowboys fans a favour, now you guys are coming last, sorry about that.

Cheers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Steel Panther's picture

Evening Manyana....well I was doing nicely with the first 5 games correct then I bombed the next 3!!

Hope you had a good weekend!!!!

mark ashford's picture

Dragons-fanboy, another interesting round with lots of favourites going down. Had this happened earlier or even mid season I'm sure we would see a different make up of the top 8.
Not looking good for my Broncs with Rabbits at home, Roosters away and Manly at home.
May be time for Wayne to get that tap on the shoulder and a bye bye from the board. The money spent on Milford and others has not achieved the result.

NRL FAN's picture

Righto, open to opinions.....
Bennett as GM of Football at at the Titans (connections with Paul Broughton for many,many years - Back to Brothers Day's).
Anthony Sieibold as Bronco's Coach (Rockhampton connection's with Paul White).
Kevin Walters as assistant Coach at Bronco's. Whether Alf stay's or goes (probably stays because he lives on the Sunshine Coast). Corey Parker to return as part of the coaching team.
Trent Barrett to the Panthers (Gus will never leave and needs a puppet).
Ivan Cleary will stay at the Tigers, Nathan Cleary will move to the Tigers when his contract ends.
Russell Crowe will poach Steve Hanson (All Blacks Coach) to take over the Rabbits. (I am looking forward to those comments)........Oh, and Manly to relocate to Perth with the Dollars of Andrew (Twiggy) Forrest.

manyana's picture

Hi Steel Panther, you did well with the first 5. Better than I did.
Don't stress, it's only a bit of fun, & makes the competition more interesting.
Keep on keeping on.
Cheers, Manyana.

manyana's picture

I feel almost as sorry for the Dragons fans as I do for the Broncos fans (of which I am one) also Storm fans, These teams seem to have lost their way at the pointy end of the season. Ah well, that's footy.
Congratulations to the fans of the winning teams, especially the ones that upset the favourites.
Good tipping for next week.
Cheers, Manyana.

manyana's picture

Very unusual, Thinker.

manyana's picture

I have a spare one that I don't use Baggy Gee!!! lol.

manyana's picture

Here I am, sitting, playing on the computer when I have cushions to finish!!! I suppose I'd better get the sewing machine out & finish them.
Can't say I'm too keen.

mark ashford's picture

@ NRL FAN
Interesting predictions my friend all of which could come true.
Questions are, Bennett has always been a coach so would he accept or be suitable for an admin role. I think he will stay coaching or retire.
I would love to see Seibold take over the reigns at the Broncs along with the support staff you mentioned.
Gus has publicly stated Ciraldo will take the Panthers to seasons end and if he does well will get the top job next year (if you can believe Gus)
Interesting timing with Barrett putting Manly on notice, he could be a Panther next year but what are his coaching credentials.
Cleary & Cleary will be as you have stated. Interesting comment from Ivan "when the Panthers contacted me I didn't know it was about the head coaching job" well goodness me Ivan what did you think it was about.
As for Crowe and the All Blacks coach I'll leave that to others as I have no idea.
If you move Manly to Perth then that leaves the entire North Shore unrepresented, can't see it happening.
Which of the other Sydney clubs lose the most money and underperform. I can think of a few take your pick from them.
Perth & Adelaide are AFL cities. They've both had RL teams before and it didn't work. Relocation or expansion either way a headache for the NRL.

mark ashford's picture

Manyana
I told you how to finish those cushions, you may get a nice surprise.

Baggy_Gee's picture

Doesn't Manly meet that criteria Mark, loses money and under performes? Found my big stirring implement made out of a vertical carbon filter. I still think that you are best served to create a new team from scratch than shoe horn a fan base across. If it has no past then it's owned by the locals, not like balmain and Wests, there is too much individual history there and it's only because they are from a similar area that it works.

mark ashford's picture

Baggy, Manly have won 8 premierships that's more than most clubs in recent years so they haven't underperformed. As to their financial status I have no idea. Thought I read somewhere a multi million revamp of Brooky was planned but I could be wrong.
If Thinkers $$ stats are correct then maybe Penrith should go and take Gus with them.
IMO moving a club any club would be a mistake. If your Eels were moved would you suddenly become a Penrith supporter or be happy to support the Eels on the other side of the country.
A new club in Perth would need to build a fan base and sponsors from scratch. It didn't work before and would take years and lots of NRL money to get a club competitive. Our friend Newbie could be the #1 supporter.
I'm not smart enough to know the answer.

Baggy_Gee's picture

Your right Mark, but I was more thinking of the local supporter base. You would grow the game more that way than transplanting 25000 odd members across country. But it does bring up Joey's idea from earlier this season, cut the comp to 12, use the remaining teams to create a second division with lower costs and expand that way, then do the EPL thing of promotion and relegation.

manyana's picture

Hi Mark, I'm on the home stretch with the cushions. Can see light at the end of the tunnel. Don't think I'll get a nice surprise. lol
Have Mobile phone sorted with TELSTRA. I obviously had an idiot moment when I went to them. My daughter said "Mum you hate Telstra"
VERY true!!! Well deserved!!!

Dragons-fanboy's picture

For sure Mark, I can see either Dragons or Broncos to drop out of the 8 with the Tigers sneaking in, Warriors to just stay in the top 8.

Cheers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

manyana's picture

Hi thinker, please accept my apologies for mentioning a Telco by name. I'd already hit the send button before I realized that I was on an open forum. Please feel free to delete my comments. Cheers, manyana.

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