NRL 2007 Season Thread

[marcello]

here are my tips. broncos, west tigers, cowboys, rabbitohs, storm, bulldogs, roosters and the Knights.

 

[Downward Spiral]

Thanks to the guys that put their tips in. The first match is starting soon so the tips have closed. I have also been informed that Link-73 is out of the comp, so it looks like last place has moved on out.

Tonight: Broncos vs Panthers. Should be a good game and with Locky back, it should give Brisbane their first win against this Panthers side that is known to struggle away from home. Good luck with everyone's tips, and go Broncos!!

 

[Downward Spiral]

----Club ---------P --------PTS
1 Cowboys ------- 2 ---------4
2 Sea Eagles -----2 ---------4
2 Rabbitohs ------2 ---------4
4 Warriors -------2 ---------4
5 Storm ---------2 ---------4
6 Knights --------2 ---------4
7 Sharks --------2 ----------2
8 Panthers ------2 ----------2
9 Titans --------2 ----------2
10 Dragons -----2 ----------2
11 Wests Tigers-2 ----------0
12 Broncos -----2 ----------0
13 Bulldogs ---- 2 ----------0
14 Eels ---------2 ----------0
15 Raiders ------2 --------- 0
16 Roosters ----2 ----------0

 

[Downward Spiral]

Eels def Tigers 22-20 in Golden Point
Panthers def Broncos 29-28 in Golden Point

Two thrilling games to kick off round 3 and very dissapointing for the Tigers and the Broncos. Rhys Wesser is any Broncos fan's mortal enemy and with good reason. Two unbelievable games, and tough for both teams and I am sure there are some disheartened Tigers and Broncos fans. Very unfortunate to lose in Golden Point in the way they did but that's league. Got one tip for the games so I'm happy, but the losers remain on 0 points whereas the Panthers and Eels keep on climbing. Great football, and a little pathetic at times from the Broncos to let them back like that, but good games nonetheless.

 

[Final Form Snyper.]

The Broncos need to get rid of Darius Boyd he sucks at defending look how bad he got carved up versing the Warriors

 

[Link-73]

Eels didnt deserve to win, they just got there tries of their errors

 

[Downward Spiral]

Here are this weekends results, and there were a lot of games that had comebacks and throwaways and were generally great games to watch. This is a close competition and not much separates the top sides from the rest of the ladder in form (except for the Roosters, who are the worst side in the competition.)

Panthers def Broncos 29-28 (ET)
Eels def Tigers 22-20 (ET)
Cowboys def Dragons 22-18
Rabbitohs def Sharks 26-16
Storm def Warriors 30-12
Bulldogs def Titans 22-6
Manly def Roosters 30-8
Raiders def Knights 48-18

 

[Downward Spiral]

Round 3:

Downward Spiral - Broncos, Eels, Cowboys, Rabbitohs, Storm, Bulldogs, Manly, Knights

Marcello - Broncos, Tigers, Cowboys, Rabbitohs, Storm, Bulldogs, Roosters, Knights

AussieHobo - Broncos, Eels, Cowboys, Rabbitohs, Warriors, Titans, Manly, Knights.

Fazza - Broncos, Tigers, Cowboys, Sharks, Warriors, Bulldogs, Roosters, Knights

Exiled - Broncos, Eels, Cowboys, Rabbitohs, Storm, Titans, Manly, Knights

Snyper - Broncos, Tigers, Cowboys, Rabbitohs, Warriors, Titans, Manly, Newcastle

Thompson - Panthers, Tigers, Cowboys, Rabbitohs, Warriors, Titans, Manly, Newcastle (Away Teams)

Wet23q - Panthers, Tigers, Cowboys, Rabbitohs, Warriors, Titans, Manly, Newcastle (Away Teams)

 

[Downward Spiral]

Here are this weeks games:

Rabbitohs vs Bulldogs,
Roosters vs Broncos
Knights vs Storm
Cowboys vs Tigers
Eels vs Raiders
Sea Eagles vs Warriors
Panthers vs Titans
Sharks vs Dragons

 

[Downward Spiral]

Let's get a move on with those tips guys! I'll start with mine:

Rabbitohs vs Bulldogs: RABBITOHS
Roosters vs Broncos: BRONCOS
Knights vs Storm: STORM
Cowboys vs Tigers: COWBOYS
Eels vs Raiders: EELS
Sea Eagles vs Warriors: MANLY
Panthers vs Titans: PANTHERS
Sharks vs Dragons: SHARKS

 

[Downward Spiral]

Here is the list for everyones tips to go on for Round 4:

Downward Spiral - Rabbitohs, Broncos, Storm, Cowboys, Eels, Manly, Panthers, Sharks

Marcello - Souths, Roosters, Storm, Cowboys, Eels, Manly, Panthers, Dragons

AussieHobo - Rabbitohs, Broncos, Storm, Cowboys, Raiders, Sea Eagles, Titans, Sharks

Fazza - Bulldogs, Broncos, Storm, Tigers, Raiders, Warriors, Titans, Dragons (Away Teams.)

Exiled - Rabbitohs, Broncos, Storm, Cowboys, Raiders, Sea Eagles, Panthers, Sharks

Snyper - Rabbitohs, Broncos, Storm, Cowboys, Raiders, Sea Eagles, Titans, Sharks

Thompson - Bulldogs, Broncos, Storm, Tigers, Raiders, Warriors, Titans, Dragons (Away Teams.)

Wet23q - Bulldogs, Broncos, Storm, Tigers, Raiders, Warriors, Titans, Dragons (Away Teams.)

 

[Downward Spiral]

Round 3

Downward Spiral - 6/8
Marcello - 4/8
AussieHobo - 4/8
Fazza - 2/8
Exiled - 5/8
Snyper - 3/8
Thompson - 4/8
Wet23q - 4/8


1st Place:
Downward Spiral - 17/24

2nd Place
Marcello - 14/24
AussieHobo - 14/24

3rd Place:
Exiled - 13/24

4th Place:
Snyper - 11/24


Last Place:
Fazza - 10/24
Thompson - 10/24
Wet23q - 10/24

 

[Final Form Snyper.]

Rabbits, Broncos, Storm, Cowboys, Raiders, Sea Eagles, Titans and the Sharks

 

[Exiled]

Rabbitohs vs Bulldogs - Rabbitohs
Roosters vs Broncos - Broncos
Knights vs Storm - Storm
Cowboys vs Tigers - Cowboys
Eels vs Raiders - Raiders
Sea Eagles vs Warriors - Sea Eagles
Panthers vs Titans - Panthers
Sharks vs Dragons - Sharks

 

[marcello]

here are my tips for this weekend games

souths
roosters
storm
cowboys
eels
manly
panthers
dragons

and by the way, this weeks tipping was very hard, lot of tough matches!

 

[Downward Spiral]

Bulldogs def Rabbitohs: 34-10
Broncos def Roosters: 32-10
Storm def Knights: 22-12
Cowboys def Tigers: 25-24
Eels def Raiders: 38-6
Sea Eagles def Warriors: 13-10
Titans def Panthers: 24-22
Sharks def Dragons: 40-4

 

[Downward Spiral]

Round 4

Downward Spiral - 6/8
Marcello - 4/8
AussieHobo - 6/8
Fazza - 4/8
Exiled - 5/8
Snyper - 6/8
Thompson - 4/8
Wet23q - 4/8

 

[Downward Spiral]

Here are this week's games.

Panthers vs Eels
Titans vs Broncos
Dragons vs Storm
Bulldogs vs Sea Eagles
Warriors vs Cowboys
Rabbitohs vs Knights
Tigers vs Sharks
Raiders vs Roosters

 

[Downward Spiral]

Leaderboard:

Downward Spiral -
1: 5/8,
2: 6/8,
3: 6/8,
4: 6/8.
TOTAL: 23/32

Marcello -
1: 5/8,
2: 5/8
3: 4/8
4: 4/8
TOTAL: 18/32

AussieHobo -
1: 4/8,
2: 6/8,
3: 4/8,
4: 6/8
TOTAL: 20/32

Fazza -
1: 5/8,
2: 3/8,
3: 2/8
4: 4/8
TOTAL: 14/32

Exiled -
1: 4/8,
2: 4/8
3: 5/8
4: 5/8
TOTAL: 18/32

Snyper -
1: 3/8,
2: 5/8,
3: 3/8
4: 6/8
TOTAL: 17/32

Thompson -
1: 3/8,
2: 3/8,
3: 4/8
4: 4/8
TOTAL: 14/32

Wet23q -
1: 3/8,
2: 3/8,
3: 4/8
4: 4/8
TOTAL: 14/32

 

[Downward Spiral]

1st Place:
Downward Spiral - 23/32

2nd Place
AussieHobo - 20/32

3rd Place:
Exiled - 18/32
Marcello - 18/32

4th Place:
Snyper - 17/32

Last Place:
Fazza - 14/32
Thompson - 14/32
Wet23q - 14/32

 

[Downward Spiral]

Andrew Johns has officially announced his immediate retirement. Wow. The Queenslander in me wants to say Boo Hoo, but there is no denying he is one of the best players in recent memory and it is a sad day for Rugby League. I'm sure there will be speculation down the track about a return but it's a terrible way for him to go out. A neck injury at training after years of those problems, and his last game was that thrashing by Canberra. I don't know how the Knights are going to cope but I guess it had to happen sooner or later. They should be held in good stead by Kurt Gidley and the other young halfbacks they have but there's no replacing Johns.

Source=nrl.com

Andrew Johns announced his shock retirement from rugby league on Tuesday after being told he risked a "catastrophic" spinal injury by playing on.

The former NSW and Australian captain - regarded as one of the greatest players of all time - said the risks associated with continuing his remarkable 15-year career were just too great.

Johns made his decision following a CAT scan on his injured neck and hours of consultation with Knights club doctor Neil Halpin and spinal specialist Professor John Yeo.

Dr Halpin said the scans revealed a previously undetected disc injury which, while free of painful symptoms, posed serious risk for the Newcastle captain.

"Talking to Neil and the professor I realised how lucky I am that I haven't had a serious neck injury or a serious accident and be in a wheelchair," Johns said.

"Because it only had to be one knock and it was a fairly simple knock that I got at training and I was in agony, so I would hate to think if a full blown hit in the field, what it could've done."

Dr Halpin said the injury was not related to the bulging disc in his neck which forced Johns to miss the last five matches of the 2003 season.

Johns initially hurt his neck in last Monday's 48-18 loss to Canberra, the game which will now go down as the last of his illustrious career.

He aggravated the injury at Knights training last Thursday following a collision with teammates Daniel Abraham and Adam Woolnough.

"It was obvious on Thursday night that he had done some serious damage to his neck - the extent of that was entirely unclear," Dr Halpin said.

"His immediate problem is a facet joint injury in the neck, which is something quite painful but in itself not serious.

"The scanning does confirm a facet joint - but it also shows a disc injury which is not causing any symptoms at all at the moment but is nonetheless quite serious and potentially a cause of a serious neck injury.

"The problem he has is that while his pain at the moment is not a great problem ... he's at serious risk of a serious spinal, or catastrophic, spinal injury if he plays on.

"On that basis we've advised him to retire from football forthwith."

Johns admitted he was shaken by his sudden retirement.

"I'm still in shock," said Johns.

"I was in shock when it happened, just totally numb.

"It was really tough telling my family.

"I made an emotional call to my brother Matthew and it was even tougher talking to the players this afternoon.

"I think the time's right."

Johns labelled his two premierships won with the Knights in 1997 and 2001 as the standout moments of his career, which began with his NRL debut against Gold Coast at Seagulls Stadium in 1993.

He played 23 State of Origin games for NSW and represented Australia in 21 Test matches during a 10-year representative career, including the 1995 World Cup and the 2001 Kangaroo tour.

Johns collected three Dally M awards and two Golden Boots as international player of the year.

Johns ends his career as the greatest point scorer in NRL history with 2176 points from 249 first grade games with the Knights.

 

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Tributes:

NRL Chief Executive, Mr David Gallop, has today paid tribute to Knights captain Andrew Johns who retired today.

“For 15 years he has been a colossal figure in our game,” Mr Gallop said.

“Whether it was for the Knights the Blues or the Kangaroos he commanded an unrivalled level of admiration for his brilliant skills in attack and defence and for his competitiveness.

“Players wanted to play in rep teams with him and if he was in the opposition, players knew they were up against one of the best ever

“That’s why players and fans of all clubs will miss him.

“Certainly kids wanted to play like him and his loyalty to his hometown of Newcastle has been as inspiring as what he did on the field.

“I wish him good luck for his future – I’m sure he will be part of the game for many years to come.”



Andrew Johns leaves rugby league destined to be an Immortal after doctors advised him to end his decorated career or risk a "catastrophic" spinal injury.

The former NSW and Australian Test captain - regarded as one of the greatest players of all time - said the risks associated with continuing his remarkable 15-year career were just too great.

Johns made his decision following a CAT scan on his injured neck and hours of consultation with Knights club doctor Neil Halpin and spinal specialist Professor John Yeo. Dr Halpin said the scans revealed a previously undetected disc injury which, while free of painful symptoms, posed serious risk for the Newcastle captain.

"Talking to Neil and the professor I realised how lucky I am that I haven't had a serious neck injury or a serious accident and be in a wheelchair," Johns said.

"Because it only had to be one knock and it was a fairly simple knock that I got at training and I was in agony, so I would hate to think if a full blown hit in the field, what it could've done."

He exits with a legacy befitting one of the best players of any era, Johns set to join Clive Churchill, Graeme Langlands, Johnny Raper, Reg Gasnier, Bob Fulton, Wally Lewis and Arthur Beetson as an Immortal of the game. The Immortals are selected by past and present editors of Rugby League Week, the last inductee being Beetson in 2004. Current Rugby League Week editor Martin Lenehan said Johns would be a leading candidate for nomination - possibly as early as next year - along with the likes of Brad Fittler, Allan Langer, Peter Sterling and Mal Meninga.

"In my opinion he's right up there and his place is assured alongside all those guys anyway, whether he ends up an immortal or he doesn't," Lenehan said.

"He's the best player I've ever seen, I've worked here for 12 years but have been following the game since probably the mid 1970s.

"We have an annual meeting every year about this ... logically 2008 with the centenary of the game would be a great time to do one."

Fittler said the Immortal tag would sit well with the man affectionately known as 'Joey'.

"No doubt he'll be remembered as one of the greatest players ever," Fittler said.

"Rugby league is a pretty hard sport and Joey contributed in attack, defence, goal-kicking, the whole lot.

"He held every facet of the game so there's no doubt he'll become an Immortal."

Dr Halpin said the injury which ended Johns' career was not related to the bulging disc in his neck which forced Johns to miss the last five matches of the 2003 season. Johns initially hurt his neck in last Monday's 48-18 loss to Canberra and aggravated the injury at Knights training last Thursday following a collision with teammates Daniel Abraham and Adam Woolnough.

"His immediate problem is a facet joint injury in the neck, which is something quite painful but in itself not serious," Dr Halpin said.

"The scanning does confirm a facet joint - but it also shows a disc injury which is not causing any symptoms at all at the moment but is nonetheless quite serious and potentially a cause of a serious neck injury.

"The problem he has is that while his pain at the moment is not a great problem ... he's at serious risk of a serious spinal, or catastrophic, spinal injury if he plays on.

"On that basis we've advised him to retire from football forthwith."

Johns admitted he was shaken by his sudden retirement. "I'm still in shock," said Johns.

"I was in shock when it happened, just totally numb. It was really tough telling my family. I made an emotional call to my brother Matthew and it was even tougher talking to the players this afternoon. I think the time's right."

Johns labelled his two premierships won with the Knights in 1997 and 2001 as the standout moments of his career, which began with his NRL debut against Gold Coast at Seagulls Stadium in 1993. He played 23 State of Origin games for NSW and represented Australia in 21 Test matches during a 10-year representative career, including the 1995 World Cup and the 2001 Kangaroo tour. Johns collected three Dally M awards and two Golden Boots as international player of the year.

Johns ends his career as the greatest pointscorer in NRL history with 2176 points from 249 first grade games with the Knights.

 

[marcello]

this is a big shock. well he was a great player and nrl and everyone will miss him for sure. he was one of the best players in history, for the knights, nsw and australia. all i got to say is the knights will never be the same and good luck to Johns in his future endevours.

 

[Downward Spiral]

Here are this week's games in case you missed them.

Panthers vs Eels
Titans vs Broncos
Dragons vs Storm
Bulldogs vs Sea Eagles
Warriors vs Cowboys
Rabbitohs vs Knights
Tigers vs Sharks
Raiders vs Roosters

 

[Downward Spiral]

Here are my tips, so get yours in as well:

Panthers vs Eels: PANTHERS
Titans vs Broncos: BRONCOS
Dragons vs Storm: STORM
Bulldogs vs Sea Eagles: BULLDOGS
Warriors vs Cowboys: WARRIORS
Rabbitohs vs Knights: RABBITOHS
Tigers vs Sharks: TIGERS
Raiders vs Roosters: RAIDERS