Farewell Finchy - you will be missed
Its official, Brett Finch has gone to Melbourne and its hard to know what to say, except I hope it works out for Finchy down there.
Its the nature of the business we are in that players come and go as they search for the best deal available or a place where they are wanted and as far as I know what Brett has said about not being in Daniel Andersons plans fits the bill.
Brett left on reasonably good terms and the club should be proud it has done the right thing by Finchy by allowing him to join another NRL club.
There is no doubt Finchy had become a part of the woodwork at the club in his time here and Im sad to see my mate go, but Ill be making sure I always get his horseracing tips and stay in touch.
Finchy I hope youre reading this mate, because I will be running at you when we take on the Storm!
Backtracking to horse racing and Im hoping plenty of fans check the Herald, because I was celebrity tipster last week and picked Roman Emperor to win the AJC Derby, which continued on from my hot form of tipping Vision and Power to win The George Ryder.
With the Doncaster on this weekend I am looking at Black Piranha early, though I havent had much of chance to do the form yet.
After last weekends loss to the Dragons Im beginning to get frustrated at our inability to score points. Were defending well enough, but just cant get it done with the ball. We need to rectify that now.
Someone said to me it was an improved performance last week, but that doesnt get you two points and it doesnt make the loss any better, its still a loss.
This week there have been changes galore to the side as we go looking for a solution. Jarryd Hayne is back to the centres, Joel Reddy returns, Feleti Mateo is at five eighth, Ben Smiths into the pack again and Im at lock.
I reckon its a gee up from Ando. He knows I have specially made white boots ready to go with number 11 on them, he just doesnt want me to shine. I also asked him if being lock allows me to become more of a ball player and was met with a resounding no!
Its probably a good thing as Im currently struggling with a wrist injury.
I think switching Feleti back into the number 6 could be a good move. But I also think Feleti is feeling the pressure which is dumped on him to create something as evidenced by last Friday night, when he was trying to conjure up passes in very greasy conditions.
Things should be better with dry conditions this Sunday for his style of play and I hope it works out against the Bulldogs.
The Dogs are playing very well at the moment and are a very different side to the one who snatched the spoon from the Cowboys last year. They have a great mix of players and are playing very well.
My personal try-scoring battle with Andrew Bobcat Ryan is on again, as we go head to head. Unfortunately for me Bobcat is off to a flyer with a three nil lead. Shows what you can do when you dont spend the entire game defending.
If he does score, look for me to slap him around Issac Luke style and get a reaction, which will then provoke Michael Ennis to get involved.
Speaking of Mick Ennis it seems he has been dubbed a pest by some commentators of the game. I wouldnt disagree with that. Hes a good footballer but hes even better when it comes to getting under your skin, he just yaps away and niggles all game. He and my former teammate PJ Marsh are champions at it. You must have to be a hooker to be good at the caper.
Looking at the Bulldogs side, one man who has impressed me all year is David Stagg. He was always very good at the Broncos but with a leadership role at the Bulldogs he looks even better. I think he is revelling in his current role.
Back on the home front there is good news with Rowdy out of hospital. The little fella is feeling better and his brothers Archie and Buster loved Easter, especially Buster who has got a pimple from his chocolate intake.
Ill be taking the kids to the Easter Show this week and straight to the farmyard animals. They love them all, especially the cows and I get a kick out of some of the city slickers wondering what animal is what.
Im feeling confident about this weekend.
Hindy
