Sydney Roosters vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Friday night – Sydney Cricket Ground
This is the third meeting between our foundation clubs in 2019, which is unusual. It's also unusual that the Roosters haven't beaten the Bunnies this season, because they usually beat them at least once. The last meeting was only a few days ago, so it's a handy enough guide, although the Bunnies had more to play for and there's been some roster changes for this match. The Chooks welcome back Keary, Taukeiaho, Aubusson and Morris. The Bunnies have two Burgess brothers returning (Tom and George) but Sam is out suspended. James Roberts also returns from suspension and will slot in to replace the injured Gagai. Cameron Murray could be the form player of the NRL right now, and he's become part of a very dynamic attacking combination with Cook, Walker and Reynolds. If the Bunnies win they are the four that get them there, but I'm with the Chooks who are bringing back plenty of big match players and what looks like a slight edge in the forwards.
Verdict – Roosters by 4
Result – Roosters 30 defeated Rabbitohs 6
Melbourne Storm vs Canberra Raiders – Saturday night – AAMI Park
While a loss doesn't mean the season is over for either side, you cannot underestimate the importance of winning a game like this – particularly for the Storm who can potentially make a grand final without having to leave Melbourne. Croft misses out for the returning Munster, who spent the week off retrieving his shoulder which was found several kilometres away from the point of impact. Neither side was super impressive last weekend against lesser opponents but at least the Storm won. That said, the Raiders bring back a whole bunch of proper first graders this weekend in Nicoll-Klokstad, Soliola, Bateman, Rapana and Leilua. The Green Machine will be heading to Melbourne free of fear, after running the Storm down in Melbourne earlier this season. I think they can do it again.
Verdict – Raiders by 2
Result – Raiders 12 defeated Storm 10
Manly Sea Eagles vs Cronulla Sharks – Saturday night – Lottoland (probably)
In the 1993 film Jurassic Park, a team of genetic scientists create a wildlife park of dinosaurs on the island of Isla Nublar. Des Hasler, not afraid to think outside the box, has jetted over and brought back the T-Rex in his over-sized baggage. It's unusual, and potentially just a complete distraction, but Des has always been one to play his own tune. Speaking of dinosaurs, we're likely to have a current Prime Minister (No 1. Sharks fan Morrison) and a former Prime Minister (No. 1 Sea Eagles fan Abbott) in the crowd on Saturday night. Hopefully they don't start throwing asbestos at each other. At full strength the Sea Eagles would be a warm favourite here, but a string of injuries and a likely suspension for Taupau leaves Manly short of proper footballers.
Verdict – Sharks by 14
Result – Sea Eagles 28 defeated Sharks 16
Parramatta Eels vs Brisbane Broncos – Sunday afternoon – Bankwest Stadium
The Broncos have made the eight even though they lost more games than they won this season. Their points differential is 107 points worse than the team in seventh, and 388 points worse than the minor premiers. It doesn't read well, and their efforts in Sydney this season read even worse. They've won just one game in Sydney this season, by 2 points over the Sharks. In every game they lost they were flogged, including last week against the Bulldogs and in round 14 against this opponent at this venue. Yuck!
Verdict – Eels by 8
Result – Eels 58 defeated Broncos 0
Wally Lewis - week one finals selections (in bold)
Note: tips from Wally will be published on Wednesday night or Thursday morning
- ROOSTERS vs Rabbitohs
- STORM vs Raiders
- Sea Eagles vs SHARKS
- EELS vs Broncos
Comments
Submitted by Steel Panther on
Not shaping up to be a good night for your Broncos Mark. The least you expect from your team is they turn up and make a contest of it but sadly this isn't happening.
Submitted by christine on
voyeur I will give you that one at least we understand each other better now besides that I have never had a problem with you before I may say that out of frustration at times I have a lot to deal with apart from being sick with the ms which is now going to start to knock me around again now we are getting warmer weather I have other issues to also deal with on the family side of things but I am never far away from the website what about if we call the former anonymous that now wants to be called the green machine greenie wonder if that means he supports raiders ???
Submitted by Steel Panther on
Mark....do you think a scoreline like that would have happened if Bennett was still in charge?
Submitted by Anonymous on
Why did the chickens cross the road? Cause Gladys hadn’t torn down the SCC quite yet.
How did Joey Lellua rate the win over the Storm? Better than a poke in th ,... well maybe not.
Manly on fire. Could be asbestos they’ve played all season.
Broncos making into the finals - a pointless exercise, although admittedly last year they scored a couple.
Submitted by a on
Broncos just suffered their biggest ever lost
Submitted by Anonymous on
2 seconds away from the silverware in 2015, and 2 light years away 4 Earth years on.
Submitted by Dragons-fanboy on
106-18 the scoreline of the last two Broncos finals games. And they were both elimination finals games. Geez Louise I think that the Broncos are better off not making the finals next year.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Steel
That was the most embarrassing capitulation I've ever seen by a finals team. They were hopeless, inept and completely lacking in attack options. Would Bennett have made a difference, I don't know.
The Eels were on fire and the score showed that. Can't blame the refs as I thought it was a fairly refed game. Eels had 70% of possession but that was Broncos fault. Bennett's rabbits got flogged by the roosters on Friday night so who knows. I must admit I never thought the Broncs would make the finals this year.
Submitted by The Thinker on
It would have been far less embarrassing for the Broncos if they finished 9th and missed the finals.
To think I thought I they were going to win the comp this season (and I had plenty of company).
Submitted by mark ashford on
Dragons Fan Boy
Yes it's embarrassing but where exactly did your Dragons finish this year
Submitted by mark ashford on
Anonymous
Until you tell us who you support, I can't take your team criticism seriously.
Submitted by The Thinker on
Some of the stats out of this game today are mind-boggling
Metres gained - Eels 2054 to Broncos 808
Kick return metres - Eels 285 to Broncos 97
Post contact metres - Eels 583 to Broncos 233
The Eels were very good today, but those numbers read like one team didn't turn up today.
Submitted by Anonymous on
Mark
I’m Eugene
And I love my Panthers
Submitted by tigerholic on
Evening Folks
It looks like I have missed a few comments that have caused some angst between some of us. May I say this, we are all apart of this site because we love our footy, everyone is entitled to have an opinion and sometimes we need ton be a bit more durable and non-reactive.
Well done Parra, love seeing the Bronco's fall/
Tiger
Submitted by Mary S on
Hi Baggy,
You should have all your fingernails in-tacked as you didn't have a nail- biter of a match.
Certainly not what anyone expected - the size of the score blowout that Eels achieved tonight. Congratulations to you & other Eels fans, in your continued belief in your team, and the strides they have made this season to get where they are.
Did the girls enjoy the game, or were you too ecstatic to notice?????
Cheers
Mary
Submitted by mark ashford on
Eugene
If this is fair dinkum I welcome you to the site and look forward to your posts during the final series. Your Panthers failed this season as have my Broncos. Perhaps next year we can have some good banter about our teams. Will look forward to that, and welcome again.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Sorry, been forcing the wife and girls to watch the highlights. So stoked, but still got to beat both the Storm and Roosters to make the big dance. It's an ask, but afterwards the score we achieved today we are in a good frame of mind.
My only worry was Anthony's press conference where he couldn't even say next season and changed it to the future. Not sure on his style as a coach, but when the team doesn't get off the bus, is it really the coaches fault. Does anyone have the inside line of if he will make it to 9am Monday morning?
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Tackles was the other big one thinker 328-182 according to fox. No the girls were at home watching a movie afterwards a really long day. But it was fantastic. Bring on the Storm.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Baggy
What can I say except congratulations. your Eels were unbelievable and my broncs were hopeless. Hope you go all the way mate.
Submitted by Anonymous on
Not sure how 70% possession was Broncos fault. Surely Eels doing.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Sorry Mark, Thinker, Ryan, I know how hard it is when your team doesn't even get off the bus. Best wishes for next season.
Submitted by christine on
Tiger well said I agree with you on that & voyeur the thinker's stats that he just gave I don't have a problem with it didn't take 400+ comments & even if it did it is his website & while I am at it baggy congratulations on your teams win & mark sorry champ for your loss ...
Submitted by christine on
anonymous
I still want to call you greenie it's shorter ...
Submitted by a on
Anonymous you are Coach aren’t you yeah I knew it and welcome back by the way
Submitted by a on
Yeah Eels were way to good for the Broncos today they will trouble Storm next week
Submitted by newbie from perth on
Just thought I’d jump on tonight in a blatant act of self-indulgence to let everyone know my beloved Fremantle Roosters won their 3rd Grand Final in a row yesterday. It’s sorta special as they won 26-6. Why is that so special? Because those be my birthday numbers y'all. The 26th June was indeed a great day alright 😁
If anyone’s interested, here’s the youtube link for the game.
https://youtu.be/hgradluQw0E
Bear in mind the audio and video quality is nowhere near what you see on Ch.9 so apologies for that. Because it was streamed live on YT, just fast forward to the 10:30 mark for the start of the game. Anyways, I’m off to make some chicken, prawn and bacon stir-fry. Cheers.
P.S. You still floating up near the ceiling Baggy? Well done bro’ 💪
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Hopefully I won't come down to hard next week. But if we can beat the Storm, which we can, we have to play your BBB and that's a few massive games in a row.
Submitted by Dragons-fanboy on
Hey Mark,
Mate I'm really sorry if I set you off with my comment. That wasn't my intention. My excitement of the Broncos losing and some influence from Facebook comments on the result plus me wanting to comment someting on here about the result caused me to comment what I did. Hopefully for your sake that the Broncos will do better next season and do better in the finals if they make it. Those number of youngsters in your team's side have had some finals experience now which will benefit them next time the Broncos make the finals plus some big signings will definitely help as well when it comes to that stage. Sorry for your boy's loss today and best of luck next season. My boys didn't do much better than yours obviously as we finished second last whereas your boys made the finals. We were horrible. But we'll see what happens next season ay?
Cheers!!!
Submitted by Dragons-fanboy on
Baggy,
Congrats on your boy's win today. They were absolutely amazing today. Best of luck next week against the Storm!!
Cheers!!!
Submitted by Dragons-fanboy on
Or should I say, your BOYS!!!
Cheers!!!
Submitted by christine on
I bet johnny awesome won't surface until next week ...
Submitted by Esra Star on
Someone forgot to tell the Broncos there was a game of footy on yesterday.
Submitted by Anonymous on
Mark
6:58pm looks like fake mail.
That wasn’t Eugene. Not me anyway and not right.
Submitted by Anonymous on
Only kidding it was me Eugene from Penrith I need to apologise to the original person using anonymous as I need to come up with my own name what a dick I am
You probably worked out who I am anyway
Whichever one of you is Eugene
You forgot your brain
Submitted by Mary S on
Mr Thinker,
You might check your results for the last game this round - I'm sure Eels would love that result next week!!!!!!
Cheers,
Mary
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Dragon, yes it is always BOYS afternoon the way all player seem to pause and put emphasis on it in interviews. But what a weekend of football all round.
Submitted by a on
Yeah I’m sure Eels would love to beat the Storm to
Submitted by a on
Yep Anonymous we all know who you are so might as well log into your old account again and jump back on board with us
Submitted by The Thinker on
Greetings finals fans
I have updated the tipping comp after week one of the finals series. BigPeteBx joins Footy Chick at the top of the ladder, with Jack Starky on their heels. That looks like our top three this season but the finishing order is up for grabs.
Congrats to Islander and Teraflare who got four from four this weekend. Outstanding work there.
The week two page will be up and running soon, and I'll have my previews and tips published on Wednesday.
All the best
The Thinker
Submitted by The Thinker on
Thank you Mary S, I have fixed that now
Wouldn't that be a result to shake the rugby league universe?
Submitted by Anonymous on
So many excuses that they didn’t turn up to play the semi-final. So arrogant and discourteous to the Eels. They were outplayed outmuscled beaten battled and bamboozled, and of Moses had parted the posts a few more times it would have been a fairer score heading towards 70.
Submitted by Anonymous on
*Spelling not so good today in Dee Why sorry
Submitted by The Thinker on
I haven't eaten any carbs today so I'll bite.
@Anonymous
The Broncos and Eels played each other 16 days earlier.
In that game the Broncos were missing Ofahengaue and Turpin, so the Broncos on Sunday were a stronger seventeen than they were in round 24.
On Sunday the Eels were missing Kane Evans and David Gower, so the Eels were a weaker seventeen on Sunday than they were in round 24.
In round 24 the Broncos won 17-16. From that result to a 58-0 loss is a massive turnaround.
The Eels were great, and if they shift the ball across the paddock like they did on Sunday they could test the Storm, but it's obvious to everyone that the Broncos had a bad day at the office.
Almost everyone anyway.
Submitted by Steel Panther on
....and imagine if Bennett took the Bunnies to the GF this year....
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Greetings Anon - may have got close to the best that Manly played all season and mind you, they were minus quite a number of talented players.
If you happen to come from Dee Why, its a wonder yr not on the bandwagon with me, like the former Fortress Eagle and Eagle Rocks, when currently posting, along with another (Eagle) who left this site and I've noticed having a few words on occasions at another site.
Whatever and whoever, you elect to go under in name, enjoy it here, we have great followers of their beloved clubs, but being a Panthers supporter (whom I have a soft spot for), swings me to other ways of thinking, especially if attacks are on Manly, like The Nepean Spud, quite often did to me.
Cheers and keep well - Big Pete
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Good Monday to you Baggy G.
I was over at Kurri Kurri on Saturday night and watched the game from the motel. I'm just glad that Sharks never came back at us. We were on for more points, but not as many as you guys rattled up. That ball was a hot potato (not u know who), the way it was tossed around at BankWest. Good luck as we venture on mate.
Big Pete
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Hello Mary S - twas fun watching and hoping we could get more. Nothing like Baggy G's did, in setting a new Finals record.
Never know what comes to being from here, especially with Des and team selections. I'll be watchful on that, throughout the week.
Thanks Mary and was nice for me to read Baggy's comment, as not many Parra supporters, have much time for Manly. There isn't that many here on site either, but we love being underdogs or disliked.
The H word being omitted here, because sport is sport and all must love playing and watching it.
Cheers and keep well - Big Pete
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Hello Steely - it would be interesting with the media and general comments made. BUT - firstly it will be close, or a runaway and Manly aren't done yet. 1pt difference in the past two matches played, between Souths and Manly.
Cheers and keep well - Big Pete
Submitted by Dragons-fanboy on
Baggy,
You're definitely right. What a weekend of footy!! There were plenty of surprising results that's for sure!
Submitted by Steel Panther on
Evening Big Pete
You had a double dose of that winning feeling on the weekend with both Manly & Manchester Utd delivering you victories!! And to cap it all off you rejoined Footy Chick at the top of the leader board. Good luck for the next few weeks. I think it's going to go down to the wire!!
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