If you had asked me before the season started I wouldn't have picked the Raiders to be getting the wooden spoon. They had a fine run last year, getting to the finals I believe. A team full of young talent who just can't seem to get their act together on the field. They did however pull out the biggest upset this year last week against the Storm. Not many teams who have lost something like eight games in a row beat Melbourne. Not many teams who have won eight in a row beat Melbourne to be honest.
I was as shocked as anyone. I could have been pushed over by a feather. Canberra I thought were going to be a force to be reckoned with. with singing like Brett White and Blake Ferguson, it was going to be a much better year than the previous. I'm also sort of surprised at how abysmal the Roosters have been. I'd say sort of because unlike last year, the luck isnt with them.
Now is it any surprise that the Dragons have the lead? No, you would be insane to even think that it would be any different than last year. Nothing has changed in their team. They are still the viper like unit. Wrapping around their team and just squeezing them until they pass out. Slowly at first but once the Dragons have you on the ropes, they fire like crazy. Great coach, with a great team. Their defense is solid, probably the hardest in the NRL. Multiple sets on their line, yet they keep strong. I think we have our back to back winners.
I honestly love their playing style. The battle of attrition is always going to be appealing in a sport like this. The way they break a team down with the very basic of plays is astounding. Darius Body is also another 5/8th on the field with the style he plays and has matured immensely under the wing of Wayne Bennett.
Not much to say on the ladder other than that to be honest. Teams like Melbourne are always very dangerous and will make a run to the minor premiership. After the mess up last year, I hope they can fire back with a run to the finals for my favourite team in the game. Then we have the Tigers who have the best offense in the game. Styles points anyone? If they counted it would be 100 to nothing every single game. Of course they don't but it does get the people on the edge of their seats.
After the way the players were treated last year. I hope that Melborne throws cake in all of the faces of the band wagon jumpers. the way that everyone banished the players and defamed them was ridiculous. I'm sure 90% of the players at the very least didnt know what the hell was going on there. The last thing the board wanted to see was having loose ends within the team that could spill the beans.
This is very simple, it is a must win for the Panthers. They have the news of Gus coming in and "saving" them from this terrible season. If the news of someone like Gus coming in doesn't get the blood pumping, you're in some big trouble. The Tigers on the other hand are always in a position to win a game. I don't care if they are down by twenty, never count them out. In the last moments Benji can do anything. This should be a good game, it will bring a decent crowd and get some viewers.
The thing is that this game is a must win for the Tigers. After the year they had last year they need to follow that will a decent follow up. The other thing is that because they have had a fair amount of injuries, for most of the year, the Tigers have been hamstrung. Now there are no more excuses. They're pretty much at full strength and infromt of the home crowd in what will be a packed out Campbelltown Stadium (Yeah C-town represent!!).
If I had to pick between them, going on past weeks. This must go to the Tigers just for them working so well. Their skill while in attack is amazing, same as their defense. I looking forward to seeing this game and the performance from the players who haven't been picked for Origin. You never know how they'll react to not being picked after trying.
I'm still abit up in the air with this game. Thats why it is so intriguing. At anytime either team can turn up and blaze a team by 30 plus points. Michael Gordon is a massive loss and will be missing for the Panthers for the rest of the year... but with Lachlan Coote finding his feet, we could still be in for a barn burner.
I heard of this news this afternoon and it can do nothing but good for the Knights. Well at least the signing of everyone bar Timana in my mind. What I see as a problem is the fact Timana is getting old. He hasn't played each week for a very long time. When he was with Paramatta a couple of years ago he hardly played. He isn't in the condition or has just had injury after injury. Why sign someone like Timana when you could go a young talent to build up? Yeah Timana brings leadership and is a solid worker. His last game with Panthers was very good. But I fail to see great advantage they get from signing him. He walked out on State of Origin under a difficult situation, but he still left his team hanging. You don't do that, no matter what. People will think this is a great home coming, I see this as another pay day for Timana.
At his age, the injury history and the fact that he can be quite ill disiplined when it comes to the heat of the battle. His return has come at the cost of an new and coming player who has alot more years left in the tank. Timana isn't consistent enough to be conbsidered a big buy. He did have a wonderful game against the Broncos on Friday night but he is known to sometimes justsit back and let the game play around him.
I'm with you on the State of Origin fiasco of last year. Timana had no right to leave that camp and left his brothers in blue hanging. That showed that he wasnt there for theteam but rather his own selfish reasons of getting paid extra to play that game. If he was annoyed he could have went straight to Craig Bellamy and told him about the incident. The way he handled it was just showing that his skin is as thick as a cigarette paper.
I also agree with you on this being nothing but a last ditch effort for a decent pay day. He knows that this chances are is his last football contract and wants the biggest offer out there. He must have forgotten that Panthers have stood by him since dya one and have been there for him when his injury prone body has faulted on him.
I knew they wanted him but didn't think anything of it. Now this is GREAT news for everyone. This guy is the heart and soul of Newcastle. With the exception of Andrew Johns, I don't know anyone who has showed more love for the club than Danny. I was able to be at his send off in Newcastle and it was a sad yet happy feeling. I would love to see this man of skill back in the real game. This is where he belongs and I hope we see a return of this fantastic player.
Danny is the soul (Andrew Johns was the heart) of Newcastle. The fans loved him and respected him the players idolized him. He is what is missing from the feel of the team.
Tinkler has indeed done wonders for the club. I doubt anyone would say different. When the voting was happening I thought it would be crazy not to give him the job. He has the money to buy anyone he wants. With the update of the stadium you can see who much of a difference he is making. This club is getting new life for sure.
With the money he is willing to spend. Reported to be $10,000,000 a year over 10 years. Is a new bgining for anyone. That money will financial set Newcastle and improve the standard of the program that the junior players are coming through. Nathan Tinkler is the Australian Santa Claus.
I agree with you, Thurston is a great player. He is the best at reading plays and will be trouble for the Blues this year as always. Queensland have to go into Origin as the favourites, basically being the same team since 2006. Thurston is going to use everything in his bag to pull out a win this year and I doubt that the Blues will have anything to stop him. They haven't had a solid halves combination since Andrew Johns was in control. Until they get that straight, nothing will fall into place.
The halves are usually chosen beind the Forward pack. Andrew Johns was an exception. He was first picked because of how he had the skill to adapt to the different circumstance of SOO. Andrew was an on field inspiration. The other 16 players wanted to play for him. He is an enigma that will never be replicated on the field. Regardless of his off field drama in the past. He will always be my second favorite player, behind THE Darren Lockyer.
Again I agree with you. The problem for Soward is his defense. He can't tackle without help. You don't think Sam Thaiday is going to make a target of Soward? I sure as hell would. Sam can spot the weak tacklers and in Origin you can't be weak. Soward needs to step up and show that he deserves to be in the spot he has. So many people want this chance that only comes three times every year. Soward has to play well in attack and defense or someone might just call him a bus home
Soward has always had the defense to exploit. He gets intimidated by the bigger men. Mentally he can be strong. He just hesitates alot when it comes to defense. Sam is like a Blood Hound. He will sniff around and find the week spot. He will be found wearing the number 6 jersey. Soward has to be willing to give his whole being into State of Origin. Otherwise he is just wasting this time, the fans time and the potential to have five-eigth to someone else. Sometimes Origin isn't about skill. It is about toughness and ability to stand by your team regardless of the conditions.
