Blair
Coach
- Messages
- 10,234
Mid-season is a tricky time for a lot of teams. Look at Sunday's clash between Tigers and Raiders. Two teams that are hovering outside the eight and both evenly matched. Ivan Cleary would say 'every game is important' but I'd add 'some games are more important than others'.
If they win the Tigers can be back in the eight if the Broncos lose (likely, as their form has been indifferent and they're away to the Sharks). If the Raiders lose then they're stuck like groundhog day in 10th, and realistically fighting for only eighth on the ladder at season's end.
It doesn't get any easier for the Sea Eagles, who are away to the Dragons. This Friday night looks good, Cowboys MUST win against the Warriors (who have a poor record in Townsville), and then the game of the round, Roosters at home against Penrith, with both sides at full-strength despite it being Origin period. I'm particularly looking forward to the forward battle in this one.
Knights v Storm at Newcastle, I'm thinking upset here, as the Storm just aren't the clinical outfit they've been in recent seasons. They'd hardly ever lose 'easy' games like this last year.
The Eels had a really good win last week v Cows, and they'd do a few teams some favours by repeating that result tonight v the Bunnies. However, for the those teams who stand to benefit from a Souths loss, that's no way to go about things. You have to make your own luck in the NRL! And that means keeping on winning (I'm looking at you, Warriors).
If they win the Tigers can be back in the eight if the Broncos lose (likely, as their form has been indifferent and they're away to the Sharks). If the Raiders lose then they're stuck like groundhog day in 10th, and realistically fighting for only eighth on the ladder at season's end.
It doesn't get any easier for the Sea Eagles, who are away to the Dragons. This Friday night looks good, Cowboys MUST win against the Warriors (who have a poor record in Townsville), and then the game of the round, Roosters at home against Penrith, with both sides at full-strength despite it being Origin period. I'm particularly looking forward to the forward battle in this one.
Knights v Storm at Newcastle, I'm thinking upset here, as the Storm just aren't the clinical outfit they've been in recent seasons. They'd hardly ever lose 'easy' games like this last year.
The Eels had a really good win last week v Cows, and they'd do a few teams some favours by repeating that result tonight v the Bunnies. However, for the those teams who stand to benefit from a Souths loss, that's no way to go about things. You have to make your own luck in the NRL! And that means keeping on winning (I'm looking at you, Warriors).