BRISBANE's favourable draw over the opening stages of this season is a dead-set disgrace. Fancy having eight Friday night games in succession - each match giving the Broncos a tidy, settled seven day turn-around, and all played in the cool of the night. The Broncos played last Friday night with
their opponents this Friday, Wests Tigers, having played a golden point game two days later.
How easy - and unfair to everyone else - for coach Anthony Griffin to prepare his side. Here is what their opponents have had to endure before playing Brisbane: rd 2, North Qld, six day turn-around; rd 3, Newcastle, five days; rd 4, Souths, five days; rd 5, St George Illawarra, six days; rd 6, Wests Tigers, five days.
Do Brisbane get a free ride with the draw? Have your say with Josh Massoud from 12:30pm Wednesday.
All while Brisbane have a comfortable seven-day break to plan training and rehab. Hopefully the new television deal will end Channel Nine's interference in scheduling. Over to you John Grant, please fix this fiasco.
ALL TOO HARD
Finding it difficult to back a home team winner this year? After five rounds, just 15 home teams have won the 40 games contested - a 37.5 per cent success rate. That happens to be the lowest after five rounds in 47 long years.
TAB Sportsbet told us yesterday that 20 outsiders have won the 40 matches so far. Beware this weekend - all eight games are toss-ups.HOT TIP
Brett Stewart to stay at Manly, despite being strongly linked to the Sydney Roosters. The mail out of Brookvale suggests that Stewart will end his career at the Sea Eagles.
The bumbling board that stuffed-up Des Hasler's negotiations last year are terrified of the media and public backlash should Stewart, the Prince of Brookvale, walk away. Kieran Foran, Tony Williams and Steve Matai also remain off contract.
There is talk Manly may look at off-loading Brent Kite, who has been magnificent for the Sea Eagles since joining from St George Illawarra in 2005. Williams looks set to join either Parramatta or Canterbury.
BRING IT ON
A huge individual battle will unfold at Toyota Stadium this Saturday night - with NSW State of Origin ramifications.
Incumbent Blues five-eighth Jamie Soward will go head-to-head with aspiring Blues number six and Cronulla gun Todd Carney. James Maloney is also being discussed but the winner of Soward v Carney may overtake the Warriors pivot.
MYSTERY MAN
Where is Nathan Merritt? Well, here is the answer. Merritt has had fresh MRI scans on his injured toe with the results expected today. When he returns to rugby league still remains a mystery.
"It is taking longer to get right than we first thought," said Souths chief executive Shane Richardson. "Any foot injury injury is difficult to predict. You don't know until you put weight on it. I honestly don't know (when he will return).
"Everyone is asking the same question. We will take it slowly to make sure we get it right."
THE MENACE
The NRL's biggest pest will play his 150th first grade game against Souths on Friday night. Canterbury skipper Michael Ennis will pass the milestone after debuting for Newcastle way back in 2003.
Ennis texted me yesterday saying: "It's a very special occasion - it would be nice to come with a win."
Some love Ennis, some loathe him but Bulldog's Bite has always been a big fan of the feisty little hooker.
BEST BET
I reckon Wests Tigers represent good value at $2.35 over Brisbane on
Friday night at Allianz Stadium.
The Tigers simply have to win - for their fans and to quiet down a ravenous media. Robbie Farah is back too.
Brisbane has been going about their business quietly and efficiently but the Tigers will be ready and pumped for the match - and they are tired of being bagged.
: do you wish the Broncos had games in other timeslots (i.e. Sat night, Sunday and Monday night)? Would you watch them more or less if they had less Friday night games?
Thanks legend
