Sydney Roosters vs Canberra Raiders – Friday night – Sydney Cricket Ground
Four teams lost in week one of the finals, and of those losing teams the Roosters scored the most points and conceded the least points. They started well and they finished strong, scoring the first two tries and the last three tries, but the game was won and lost during a 15 minute period in the first half when the Panthers grew wings and Nathan Cleary scored 18 points. It was an impressive bounce back by the Chooks after the showing against the Bunnies the week prior. That 15 minute period when Cleary put on a show however, reminded me of their showing against the Bunnies the week prior. Fix that, and they are a finals force again. If they can't fix that, the Raiders have the firepower to put on a show like Cleary. Jake Friend and Sonny Bill Williams return, and both should improve the Chooks in defence. The Raiders did enough to win against the Sharks last week, but their 12 point victory was less impressive than their 10 point victory against the same side a week earlier when they rested most of their first grade side. The Raiders had a fairly soft run into the finals, and their last outing against a genuine top eight side was in round seventeen against the Roosters. That night saw the return of SBW to the NRL, and the Chooks prevailed 18-6 in Canberra. The team lists that night were almost identical to our team lists for this game - the only additions on Friday night are Jake Friend for the Chooks and Iosia Soliola for the Raiders. That wasn't the first time the 2019 grand finalists played each other this season. They met back in round ten at this venue, when the Raiders surprised most with a 24-20 victory on a five day turnaround. If they won on Friday night it would be less surprising, but I'm convinced a 1 point loss to the Panthers at Penrith is better form than a 10 point over the Sharks in Canberra. A tremendous game beckons...whatever the outcome.
Verdict – Roosters by 4
Result – Raiders 22 defeated Roosters 18
Parramatta Eels vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Saturday night – Bankwest Stadium
For some time I have felt the Rabbitohs were the team outside the top four that could win the premiership, and in the last two weeks they have well and truly delivered. This is an attack that is firing on all cylinders, taking on a team that has spluttered through the second half of the season. To their credit, the Eels performance against the Storm was much improved, and a repeat of that effort puts them in this game. That said, I doubt they have enough points in them to keep up with the Bunnies, particularly now they have lost their best finisher in Sivo and a huge cloud hangs over Ferguson as he tries to get his leg functioning prior to kick-off. No such problems for the Bunnies who have named the same seventeen that have scored against 106 points in two weeks against top eight sides. And it's hard to forget when these sides met in round 16, where the Rabbitohs won 38-0. The Eels are better than that, but I don't think they're good enough to win.
Verdict – Rabbitohs by 19
Result – Rabbitohs 38 defeated Eels 24
Wally Lewis - finals week two selections (in bold)
Note: tips from Wally will be published on Wednesday night or Thursday morning
- ROOSTERS vs Raiders
- Eels s RABBITOHS
Comments
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
I found out at 4pm before the game. It is a worry, and yes gutted as his performance this season made me think that he might be a good role model/coach for our younger backs who seem to have an issue with staying out and marking their man. Maybe no coaching/mentoring in Mennings future now. Very happy with the performance and the decision to kick for goal was the right one, just bad bounce. The joke was, according to the commentary on FOX, no Eels player for the deflection, but when you look at who made the cover tackle on the sideline it was RCG so they were set up for a 20M drop out if Moses missed. I think we did a lot better this year having that tough loss against the Storm, instead of beating a lower side in a canter, and D. Brown will be a far better player for suffering those last 20 minutes where he tried a little to hard, and wasn't as accurate in his play choice as he was in the first 60. Next year is going to be a lifetime to wait for redemption though.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Coach
In my absence (I haven't read all the comments) but it seems you have carried on in your merry way upsetting most here. Must admit I didn't see too much that was to be taking exception at.
How do you see your Panthers taking on the ready Rabbits? I really have no idea. I thought the Roosters may end your run but they are gone.
Good luck next weekend Coach and hey a bit of humility would be appreciated by all.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Hi Mary S
Looks like my old nemesis coach has been at it again. When we all have a bit of fun here I find it hard to understand him when he could just join in, support his team, and stop being a complete bully.
To be honest I would be happy to see the Panthers get beaten by the Rabbits if only to see the end of Coach.
Submitted by Steel Panther on
Baggy,
I thought your BOYS were gallant in defeat last night. 10 minutes of magic where you scored three great tries but sadly you couldn't push on. Gutherson was out of this world. You can't fault him for his committment and 100% effort. Even my mate Nathan is much improved in the latter part of the season where he's concentrated on playing footy and leaving the silly stuff out of his game. As Mark said, not the ideal preparation losing three frontline players but you can take heart from how your BOYS played. Next year is another year......
Submitted by Mary S on
Hi Mark,
In regard to my comments to Coach earlier today, I would honestly say that it is a culmination of his continued slights on others, since he reappeared this season.
I would therefore agree with your last last comment in regard to outcome of the Panthers/Rabbitohs match next weekend!
Cheers,
Mary
Submitted by The Butcher on
I went to the doctors on Friday as I was feeling unwell after reading.
The doctor asked me what are your symptoms?
Well Doc While I was reading I felt a little agitated, feeling hot under the collar and finding it hard to swallow but as I read on I started getting a headache and wanted to punch someone.
He said I don’t want to alarm you but I’ve seen this before. Is it COVID, is it cancer put me out of my misery doc?
He said alright I think you can handle what I’m going to tell you but you’ll need to sit down.
You have the potato virus also known as Nepean river fever or as us doctors say the dreaded potati fungi .
It’s not going to be easy. You must avoid reading his comments for 14 days, take 2 aspirin and stay away from your supermarket you don’t want to relapse near the root vegetables.
Submitted by Rocket Ryan on
Butcher are you on the panther bandwagon.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
People say what they want to me - all fine. I come back with something in reply - not fine.
Nothings changed, apart from the world now upside-down. Broncos and Cowboys carving out their dynasty down at the bottom and Panthers of all teams, up the top.
Submitted by Christine on
Last time souths beat panthers you went silent & disappeared when i told you reynolds spends his whole trainibg seasion practising his kicking coach don't get so cocky thats what people don't like ,year after year tou turn up just to upset people & no it is not banter you make it personal coach ...
Submitted by Christine on
That was training seasion...
Submitted by mark ashford on
Coach
Overall you are not such a bad fella. Don't take comments so personally after all it's just banter. In the words of our friend the Spartan warrior
" Ye can only reap what ye sow" or something like that.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Sew only what you can gather?
Submitted by mark ashford on
Now Baggy
You can shave only what you can lather or you can love only your mother or you can just love this site and be nice.
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Evenin Mark - Baggy was just the same after a terrible finish to his NRL campaign. Ours ended weeks ago.
He did say sew as in sewing, like stitching things up, but you were referring to sow, as in planting the seed. Like an old adage I run by and taught many in sport - "Look before you Leap".
As for Coach - we were once used to his thesis and methods.
He thrived on stats and is similar to a few I once worked with - sharp, smart and to the point. Much like John Wayne was - rough and tough and took shit from no-one.
Its just the manner of how it is expressed in text here, that we are offended. I know a few of Panthers members here in Bx and one has his son playing lower grade, but not too low at that. Father himself, is a former Parramatta Eel.
I wish Panther Black Cats well, because like night follows day, they haven't been the Souths or St George of ARL/NRL with a hive of premiership victories to skite about. This team is as good as any and they play constructive footy. Good luck Panthers and Coachy!
Big Pete in Bx (vroom vroom)
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Yes Pete, it was using wording for sewing, in the same metaphor as sowing. Tricky of me, but you could also put it down to loosing my mind after a weird season where we burnt out at the end. Trying to show my daughters the art of word play.
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