Bradapple
I'm with you mate, can't remember so many head knocks, hammies and other injuries. Saw on the NRL site the other day over 50% of NRL players are Islanders and usually big dudes. Maybe the new rules were brought in to give the smaller players a go but it ain't working.
Nothing against the Islander boys as the new rules just make then faster.

Hi "a"
Haven't heard much from you lately hope you are well.
Like my Broncos your Cowboys are struggling but mate it's early days and things can change. Can you update me on Michael Morgan? Talk has it that his career is over. A great blow for the Cowboys and QLD SoO.

Hey Mary S
Thanks for that link, from what I've heard Michael may be finished with the Cows and QLD. I just hope he gets that payout to set him up after football. A great player and a great bloke.

Morgan hasn't done a lot since Thurston retired Cowboys wanted him to be the next main man he doesn't seem to be able to do it.

Mr Ashford, I think you might have trouble with that link brother. It might have problems loading. The Bunnings website has a reputation (for me anyway) of playing funny buggers from time to time. Instead, why not just Google "SCALEX HEAVY DUTY HOME DESCALER" and see what you get. Cheers hombre...

Here’s an update if anyone is interested

https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/www.nrl.com/news/2021/04/06/big-decision...

I think the 6 again rule that seems to be being used very often has a lot to do with the mounting injuries. As much as i like it that it speeds the game up,i think they will have to get rid of it.

RIP Tommy raudonikis

To all here offering RIP'S to Tommy Raudonikis I'd like to add mine.
He was probably the most passionate Blue ever and as such wasn't one of my favourites. No one can deny what he brought to the game and scenes of him yelling "cattledog" or slapping teammates faces to fire them will never be forgotten.
RIP Tommy, I'll bet you're playing in the halves in Heaven right now.

Well said Mark
Jake was the true competitor that always gave 100%.
But it’s never over as Tommy is about to find out. In the after life they have these state of eternity matches where the Blue Angels take on the Maroon Devils.

Hello everyone, my tips for this week are:

Rabbitohs by 30
Warriors by 12
Panthers by 2
Titans by 8
Storm by 40
Roosters by 10
Tigers by 26
Dragons by 4 (just cannot my against my team! I was tempted too since it's Parra but they are due for a loss after all? Just a thought! We upsetted them last year hopefully a repeat. We are travelling well ourselves so it wouldn't come as a massive surprise if we beat the Eels but still if we do i would find that as a massive achievement this season and another huge step on our way up. C'mon the Red V!)

Awesome. Good luck with everyone's team and tips for this week. We are likely to get another round with some big margins once again i reckon. Cheers and enjoy the rest of your week everyone!!!!!!!

I was just reading the last 2 comments
Unloyal Tiger Loyal Dragon.
I think I saw that movie?

Okay my tips for the weekend are

Rabbitohs by 34
Warriors by 18
Panthers by 4
Titans by 10
Storm by 44
Roosters by 14
Tigers by 8
Eels by 2

I need to try that as well

Sa-wat-dee krup,

Random Thoughts:

1. After the Cowboys’ effort against the Titans 2 weeks ago, I thought they’d be embarrassed enough and would come out firing against the Sharks (that’s why I took a punt and tipped ‘em) but how wrong I was. No disrespect intended to the Cowboys’ faithful but the Cowboys are a basket case at the moment. I will not be tipping them again until they win and even then they’d have to impress in that win, whenever that happens.

2. I thought the Knights’ attack was just too predictable and one dimensional if that makes any sense. Why they persisted with it for the whole match confused me. I didn’t think what they were doing was ever gonna win them the game against the Dragons last week.

3. Is it just me or is Latrell Mitchell starting to look fat?

4. Vale Tommy Raudonikis 😢. Didn’t get to see Tommy play as there was no NRL on TV like there is today. I should really go off and see if I can watch some highlights videos on YT.

On paper you’d think the winners this week are all clear cut. Everyone should get 8/8 but then again, you never know eh? Sorry for the "marathon" ahead. OK, let’s get into it…

Rabbitohs vs. Broncos 65-35 @ Stadium Australia
Ladder Position = Rabbitohs
Bookies Favourite = Rabbitohs

Rabbitohs
OK, the Rabbitohs, as we all expected, beat the Bulldogs last week to the tune of 38-0 but they were made to work for that win. The Bulldogs really took it up to the Bunnies in the first half and made them aware they were in a contest. The Rabbitohs finally got their act together in the second half and picked up the pace towards the end scoring 4 tries in the last 25 minutes putting this one to bed. They were more deliberate with their attack in the second 40 and had too much talent in their halves and backs for the Bulldogs to counter. Impressed with the game from Cook. At stages he was simply carving the Bulldogs’ defence to pieces. Some stats possibly worth a mention:

Possession - 51%
Completion Rate - 78% (38/49)
Kicking Metres - 431
Forced Drop Outs - 1
Missed Tackles - 17
Ineffective Tackles - 11
Errors - 13
Penalties Conceded - 3
Ruck Infringements - 3

Broncos
Quite impressed with how the Broncos started last week against the Storm. Coates’ try in the 5th minute took me (and many others no doubt) by surprise. Why Addo-Carr chose to try and ankle tap instead of running Coates down was bizarre to say the least 😱. The Broncos had definitely taken it up to the Storm and you could see the Storm were rattled. Unfortunately for the Broncos, Papenhuyzen decided to explode in a one man freak show, scored 4 tries himself and the Broncos headed into the sheds 24-6 down. The Broncos’ chances took a nose dive after that and the ordeal finally ended with a disappointing 40-6 loss. Some may beg to differ but I thought Milford’s game was good. So too were the efforts from Turpin and Haas. Some stats possibly worth a mention:

Possession - 42%
Completion Rate - 77% (27/35)
Post Contact Metres - 175
Line Breaks - 1
Kick Return Metres - 80
Missed Tackles - 33
Ineffective Tackles - 29
Errors – 8

Verdict: Rabbitohs

Warriors vs. Manly 60-40 @ Central Coast
Ladder Position = Warriors
Bookies Favourite = Warriors

Warriors
The Warriors started well and were leading 6-0 after just 8 minutes. They were still in front 12-4 up until the 25 minute mark but the Roosters scored a couple and they went into the break 16-12 down. Unfortunately for the Warriors there were no more points for them in the second half and they were beaten 32-12 in the end. While they were beaten comfortably, the Warriors had some opportunities, especially in the second half, but they didn’t take advantage of them. They wasted quite a number of attacking sets near the Roosters’ line and couldn’t turn them into points. As usual, RTS had a good game as did Harris, Pompey and Afoa. Some stats possibly worth a mention:

Possession - 52%
Completion Rate - 73% (27/37)
Post Contact Metres - 620
Line Breaks - 1
Kick Defusal - 57%
Missed Tackles - 30
Ineffective Tackles - 14
Errors - 10

Manly
After 25 minutes Manly were 22-0 down and it was starting to look ugly. Manly managed to gain some momentum and confidence in the last 10 minutes of the half and when Cade Cust scored 7 minutes before the break, there was a glimmer of hope. All that came crashing down when the Panthers scored 24 unchallenged points in the second 40. Manly's defensive effort was woefully inadequate, especially their right side defence. The 46-6 loss was Manly’s biggest ever losing margin at home 😢. Best for me were Aloiai, Trbojevic, Cust and Keppie. Some stats possibly worth a mention:

Possession - 46%
Completion Rate - 78% (29/37)
Line Breaks - 1
Forced Drop Outs - 3
Kick Defusal - 38%
Missed Tackles - 38
Ineffective Tackles - 20
Errors - 10

Verdict: Warriors

Panthers vs. Raiders 60-40 @ Panthers Stadium
Ladder Position = Panthers
Bookies Favourite = Panthers

Panthers
The Panthers led 22-6 at half-time last week against Manly and put on 24 unanswered points in the second half to run away with it 46-6. The Panthers absolutely blitzed Manly early on and had 4 tries on the board after just 23 minutes. They stepped it up a gear in the second half and were simply too classy on the night. It must get tiresome repeating this over and over again but Nathan Cleary was simply outstanding. To be able to sum up the state of play and act instinctively with choices bordering on brilliant is mind boggling. The Panthers were ably supported by Luai, Kikau and To’o. Just an allround dominant display. Barring serious injuries, these fellas will take some stopping this year. Some stats possibly worth a mention:

Possession - 54%
Completion Rate - 85% (34/40)
Line Breaks - 9
Dummy Passes - 41
Forced Drop Outs - 0
Kick Defusal - 58%
Missed Tackles - 23
Ineffective Tackles - 12
Errors - 8

Raiders
The Raiders had a pretty even contest against the Titans up until half-time and went into the break leading 8-4. The Titans put them under a lot of pressure in the second half but their outstanding defensive effort was striking and they ran out comfortable 20-4 winners in the end. Although they spent most of the half defending their line, the Raiders were classy enough to add an extra 2 tries of their own and keep the Titans scoreless. A great effort against quality opposition. Some stats possibly worth a mention:

Possession - 47%
Completion Rate - 77% (33/43)
Offloads - 6
Forced Drop Outs - 0
Missed Tackles - 39
Ineffective Tackles - 22
Errors - 12
Penalties Conceded - 3

Verdict: Panthers

Titans vs. Knights 65-35 @ CBUS
Ladder Position = Titans
Bookies Favourite = Titans

Titans
The Titans should have really done a little better last week against the Raiders considering they had more possession, more offloads, more forced drop outs, less missed tackles and half as many ineffective tackles as their opposition. They were only 8-4 down at half-time but couldn’t manage any points in the second half at all and finally went down 20-4. The Titans really had a red hot crack in the second half but the Raiders’ defence weren’t letting them through. In the end the Titans seemed to run out of gas and the battle was lost. All in all a good effort and their numbers were promising. Some stats possibly worth a mention:

Possession - 53%
Completion Rate - 68% (30/44)
Offloads - 14
Forced Drop Outs - 2
Missed Tackles - 26
Ineffective Tackles - 11
Errors - 14
Penalties Conceded - 6

Knights
It was a tight affair in the first half last week against the Dragons and the Knights held the slenderest of leads (7-6) heading into the break. Surprisingly, given their conventional attack strategy, they managed to score a try in the 46th minute and edge out to a 13-6 lead. Yeah, the Knights were struck down by injuries (losing Pearce, Hoy and Mann) but I feel they could have been further in front if it wasn’t for their unimaginative attack. If they were (further in front) they might’ve been able to defend their way to a win. In the end, the Knights injury toll was the telling factor and they went down in a physical encounter 22-13. I was impressed with how they toughed it out though and never stopped trying. That to me shows character. Not that it mattered, but that forward pass ruling against Barnett (to Hunt) in the 74th minute was absolute garbage. Touchie needs to go back to referee school and/or grow some anatomy. Sheesh! Some stats possibly worth a mention:

Possession - 54%
Completion Rate - 83% (39/47)
Forced Drop Outs - 2
Kick Defusal - 60%
Missed Tackles - 14
Ineffective Tackles - 19
Errors - 7
Penalties Conceded - 5

Verdict: Titans

Bulldogs vs. Storm 20-80 @ Stadium Australia
Ladder Position = Storm
Bookies Favourite = Storm

Bulldogs
I thought the Bulldogs didn’t play as bad last week against the Rabbitohs as the final score might suggest. Pretty even contest up to half-time even though the Bulldogs were 14-0 down. Their attack was sometimes ordinary and they made some errors (still had less than the Bunnies) but I’m sure they can take something away in how they acquitted themselves against a top tier side like the Rabbitohs, especially their spirited first half effort. They outperformed the Bunnies with completion and kicking metres. Maybe that and their overall effort could be some sort of platform they can work from. Yeah they ended up losing 38-0 but all in all, not a bad effort. Some stats possibly worth a mention:

Possession - 49%
Completion Rate - 81% (34/42)
Kicking Metres - 628
Forced Drop Outs - 4
Missed Tackles - 23
Ineffective Tackles - 17
Errors - 11
Penalties Conceded - 6
Ruck Infringements - 7

Storm
The Storm were basically garbage in the first 20 minutes last week against the Broncos. They were struggling for consistency and were making so many errors their completion rate was sitting at a woeful 54%. Enter the “freak show” aka Ryan Papenhuyzen. Score a try yourself and then convert said try. Rinse and repeat another 3 times (all 4 tries in just 11 minutes) and then head into the sheds for a break. That first half effort from Papenhuyzen must be hands down the best individual effort I have ever witnessed 💪 💥. He ran for 298 metres, had 10 tackle breaks and scored 26 points. A much better effort in the second half saw the Storm run out (very) comfortable winners 40-6. The Storm simply showed too much control when push came to shove and they were just too classy in the end. Some stats possibly worth a mention:

Possession - 58%
Completion Rate - 80% (35/44)
Post Contact Metres - 284
Line Breaks - 6
Kick Return Metres - 339
Missed Tackles - 17
Ineffective Tackles - 19
Errors - 10

Verdict: Storm

Roosters vs. Sharks 65-35 @ SCG
Ladder Position = Roosters
Bookies Favourite = Roosters

Roosters
The Roosters were behind 12-4 after 23 minutes but bounced back scoring another 2 tries to head into the sheds leading 16-12. The Roosters (sorta) ran away with it in the second half, scoring another 16 points while keeping the Warriors scoreless. In the end it was a relieving 32-12 victory for the Roosters. I wasn’t sure how they’d go without Keary but young Sam Walker filled in admirably. Great efforts from Tedesco (as usual), Brett Morris and Angus Chrichton I thought. Besides their missed tackles and errors (same old problem) they were solid enough. Well, except for their kick defusal rate that is 😱. Some stats possibly worth a mention:

Possession - 48%
Completion Rate - 77% (33/43)
Post Contact Metres - 801
Line Breaks - 6
Kick Defusal - 25%
Missed Tackles - 29
Ineffective Tackles - 7
Errors - 12

Sharks
Fairly even start last week against the Cowboys and it was 6-6 after 9 minutes. The Sharks then ran amok from 14 minute mark and scored another 5 converted tries to head into the sheds with an insurmountable 36-6 lead. Second half was just a matter of settling down and cruising towards an impressive 48-10 victory. Not sure if I underestimated the Sharks or overestimated the Cowboys. The Sharks were just too skilled and methodical for the Cowboys and their first half effort is what set them up for the win. Good to see Chad Townsend had his kicking boots on (8/8). Good efforts from Wilton and Tracey. Some stats possibly worth a mention:

Possession - 57%
Completion Rate - 84% (42/50)
Line Breaks - 5
Kicking Metres - 711
Forced Drop Outs - 3
Tackles Made - 273
Missed Tackles - 21
Ineffective Tackles - 21
Errors - 9
Penalties Conceded - 1

Verdict: Roosters. Begurk! 🐔 Begurk! 🐔

Tigers vs. Cowboys 70-30 @ Leichardt
Ladder Position = Tigers
Bookies Favourite = Tigers

Tigers
I actually thought the Tigers played pretty well last week against the Eels. Some may argue they may have been a little unlucky to lose that one and they wouldn’t be far off. But hey, just as in life, you make your own luck sometimes. The Tigers got outplayed in the first quarter and were 16-0 down after just 25 minutes. They seemed to be lacking some urgency in that opening 25 minute period which wouldn’t have helped. They did get themselves back into it however and at half-time they were behind 20-10. They had a good second half and with 8 minutes to go they were only 2 points adrift. A couple of fortuitous tries from the Eels and the Tigers were done, finally going down 36-22. A great kicking game from Doueihi nearly got the Tigers home. Good efforts from Liddle and Leilua as well. I thought Tamou did well in the short stints he had. Some stats possibly worth a mention:

Possession - 52%
Completion Rate - 83% (33/40)
Offloads - 23
Missed Tackles - 31
Ineffective Tackles - 13
Errors - 8
Ruck Infringements - 2

Cowboys
The Cowboys were not too flash at all in the first half last week against the Sharks. They were travelling OK at 6-6 after 9 minutes but then somehow they “switched off” and the Sharks put on 5 converted tries and all of a sudden they were heading into the sheds 36-6. Yikes! They started the second half a bit better but it didn’t last too long and in the end they crashed to a disappointing 48-10 loss. It might’ve been worse had the Sharks not gone into “cruise control” and Val Holmes not scored that consolation try with 4 minutes to go. Unfortunately it must be said they were directionless in attack and slightly passive in defence. Where to from here? Some stats possibly worth a mention:

Possession - 43%
Completion Rate - 69% (25/36)
Line Breaks - 2
Kicking Metres - 496
Forced Drop Outs - 0
Tackles Made - 387
Missed Tackles - 28
Ineffective Tackles - 20
Errors - 13
Penalties Conceded - 4

Verdict: Tigers

Eels vs. Dragons 65-35 @ Bankwest
Ladder Position = Eels
Bookies Favourite = Eels

Eels
The Eels got off to a flyer last week against the Tigers. They raced to a 16-0 lead after just 25 minutes. They had some breaks come their way but like all good teams do, they made the most of them and reaped the benefits. The score line will show they won 36-22 in the end but they were made to work for it. Clint Gutherson's try in the 77th minute took a lucky deflection off a Tiger’s leg and most certainly got the Eels home. Then on the last play, the Tigers threw caution to the wind when the clock had ticked past the 80 minute mark and it was somewhat fortunate that the ball was there for Ferguson to grab and race away for another try. But hey, you gotta take those moments as they only make up for the times when the shoe is on the other foot so to speak. It all balances out in the end 👍. Having said that though, it doesn’t detract from their (mostly) dominant first half display. And let’s not forget they are still undefeated. Good games from Gutherson, Mahoney and Papali’I for mine. Some stats possibly worth a mention:

Possession - 48%
Completion Rate - 76% (31/41)
Offloads - 9
Missed Tackles - 25
Ineffective Tackles - 26
Errors - 11
Ruck Infringements - 5

Dragons
The Dragons were playing slightly better in the first half last week against the Knights but found themselves heading into the sheds 7-6 down. A better second half saw them score 3 tries to 1 and they ran out deserved winners 22-13. Those 2 tries from Tariq Sims were absolute gems. Big forwards running onto a nice pass at near full steam and the “not used enough” charge down. Classic stuff right there and beautiful to watch. The Knights had a bit of a crack in the second half but the Dragons’ defence stood firm and on the back of 16 unanswered points, they defended their way to the win. Looks to me like the Dragons are on the up. Very impressive. Some stats possibly worth a mention:

Possession - 46%
Completion Rate - 78% (32/41)
Forced Drop Outs - 0
Kick Defusal - 77%
Missed Tackles - 28
Ineffective Tackles - 14
Errors - 16
Penalties Conceded - 1
Ruck Infringements - 4

Verdict: Eels

Let’s finish off with another “Song of the Week”. OMG, she was sooo cute back in the day. I would’ve married her if only she had asked me 💖. Oooh, that smile 😍.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFX3gQHIroU

OK kids, good luck with your tipping and may your team win by 40 points! Until next week people. Cheers 🐔 🐔 🐔

Ah Rocket, that made me laugh mate. Just what I needed to start off my day. What I didn’t need was the coffee spurting out my gob onto my desk 😂. Good one mate. Cheers 👍

So many injuries this year. It's a fair point.

My last minute tips
Rabbitohs
Panthers
Titans
Storm
Roosters
Tiggers
Eels

Happy tipping

Hi Baggy,

Are you putting in a team for the 3 strike comp?

Cheers,
Mary

Dammit forgot again Mary!!!!! Thank you for the reminders but only just got home. 'A' i'll just scrub your comp this year, sorry just seem to be over extended at the moment. Thank you for running it as well.

Thanks. Good read.