Blair
Coach
- Messages
- 11,170
The magic round (although there's no magic Dragons this year, but they'll be happy to get a gift two points).
Tomorrow, Canberra and Canterbury ignite it. There's mixed reaction at the Raiders in regard to Sticky being renewed as coach for another five years. He's an abrasive character but very popular with players, which is what really counts, isn't it? He'll want a premiership soon though.
Manly and Brisbane are the main game, and there's not a huge amount separating these two, when they both play to their potential, with full-strength line-ups. That hasn't been happening lately, so let's give the Broncos the edge, as they're comfy in their Friday night slot, again. This time with an extra hyped-up crowd.
Saturday, will Fifita have a monster magic round game since - eventually - saying the GC is for him? Or will the scrappy Knights show him what real heart and soul footy is all about? The Sharks and Roosters is the round's blockbuster. There's not many GF prospects that don't involve Penrith or the Storm but this is one of them.
Warriors fans don't want the Bunnies to upset NQ, as the bottom of the ladder is a real possibility for us, but the Cowboys are facing six straight losses, so the 'upset' is on.
Sunday, three games on the magic third day, Penrith are without Cleary but the Warriors are without Johnson, we know who's affected more by that. Melbourne shouldn't stuff up against a ridiculously struggling Parramatta, who have 'no will to win' and won't 'dig deep' (as a fan in the street, decked out in Eels' gear, told me yesterday).
We finish with Wests and Redcliffe, as if the Tigers needed to lose their home-ground advantage to a confident Dolphins outfit. Benji knew what he signed up for though, as did wily Wayne. We know who has the runs on the board there.
Enjoy!
Tomorrow, Canberra and Canterbury ignite it. There's mixed reaction at the Raiders in regard to Sticky being renewed as coach for another five years. He's an abrasive character but very popular with players, which is what really counts, isn't it? He'll want a premiership soon though.
Manly and Brisbane are the main game, and there's not a huge amount separating these two, when they both play to their potential, with full-strength line-ups. That hasn't been happening lately, so let's give the Broncos the edge, as they're comfy in their Friday night slot, again. This time with an extra hyped-up crowd.
Saturday, will Fifita have a monster magic round game since - eventually - saying the GC is for him? Or will the scrappy Knights show him what real heart and soul footy is all about? The Sharks and Roosters is the round's blockbuster. There's not many GF prospects that don't involve Penrith or the Storm but this is one of them.
Warriors fans don't want the Bunnies to upset NQ, as the bottom of the ladder is a real possibility for us, but the Cowboys are facing six straight losses, so the 'upset' is on.
Sunday, three games on the magic third day, Penrith are without Cleary but the Warriors are without Johnson, we know who's affected more by that. Melbourne shouldn't stuff up against a ridiculously struggling Parramatta, who have 'no will to win' and won't 'dig deep' (as a fan in the street, decked out in Eels' gear, told me yesterday).
We finish with Wests and Redcliffe, as if the Tigers needed to lose their home-ground advantage to a confident Dolphins outfit. Benji knew what he signed up for though, as did wily Wayne. We know who has the runs on the board there.
Enjoy!
