Blair
Coach
- Messages
- 11,061
We're over the hump and, with Origin one done and dusted, it really is the mid-season, winter slog, upon us all.
Things are dark and cold in Sydney (with the Blues result last night not helping that) and what better way to kick off the round on Friday with St George v Wests, two of the town's strugglers. Gee, Benji needs a win. We know he signed up for this but, still, you have to feel for such a positive guy, lumbered with the (footy) love of his life, turning up loss after loss.
Saturday, has an intriguing Titans v Souths. The former can't keep losing if they think things are on the up and Souths have had a recent win and know it's what they should be doing more of. Fifita v Mitchell, two big Origin rejects. Who will step up for their club in lieu of a state call-up?
Steamy Townsville sees the Cowboys host the Warriors. Here's another two sides that just can't afford to lose, or else their mid-season climb up the ladder will be in serious jeopardy. NQ have to be favourites simply by way of their record against the Warriors up there. But are NZ better prepared these days?
Reece-less Brisbane have the mis-stepping Sharks to contend with. Heaps at stake, the Broncos can slip from the eight, Cronulla can undo all their table-topping good work, if they come second here.
Sunday, Melbourne's defence should shut out Newcastle's blunt attack and then score enough themselves for a comfortable win. Then it's on to Penrith where the Origin-affected Panthers host Manly, who have a couple of Origin stars a bit battered too. The Sea Eagles might be just a bit too far from the beach, which is often the case when they venture too far west.
We close with Sydney again, on the public holiday, Canterbury and Parramatta, on the fortieth anniversary of the 1984 GF, where the Bulldogs ended the Eels' three-year reign. Unbelievably, winning four-in-a-row does happen though, just ask Penrith in October!
Enjoy.
Things are dark and cold in Sydney (with the Blues result last night not helping that) and what better way to kick off the round on Friday with St George v Wests, two of the town's strugglers. Gee, Benji needs a win. We know he signed up for this but, still, you have to feel for such a positive guy, lumbered with the (footy) love of his life, turning up loss after loss.
Saturday, has an intriguing Titans v Souths. The former can't keep losing if they think things are on the up and Souths have had a recent win and know it's what they should be doing more of. Fifita v Mitchell, two big Origin rejects. Who will step up for their club in lieu of a state call-up?
Steamy Townsville sees the Cowboys host the Warriors. Here's another two sides that just can't afford to lose, or else their mid-season climb up the ladder will be in serious jeopardy. NQ have to be favourites simply by way of their record against the Warriors up there. But are NZ better prepared these days?
Reece-less Brisbane have the mis-stepping Sharks to contend with. Heaps at stake, the Broncos can slip from the eight, Cronulla can undo all their table-topping good work, if they come second here.
Sunday, Melbourne's defence should shut out Newcastle's blunt attack and then score enough themselves for a comfortable win. Then it's on to Penrith where the Origin-affected Panthers host Manly, who have a couple of Origin stars a bit battered too. The Sea Eagles might be just a bit too far from the beach, which is often the case when they venture too far west.
We close with Sydney again, on the public holiday, Canterbury and Parramatta, on the fortieth anniversary of the 1984 GF, where the Bulldogs ended the Eels' three-year reign. Unbelievably, winning four-in-a-row does happen though, just ask Penrith in October!
Enjoy.