The Eight is set, you'd think, apart from the Sharks who have the Warriors looking good behind them. They have a good buffer though, with four competition points and a healthy f/a in their favour. Surely the Knights will do the Warriors a favour on Friday night? Before that we have the hapless Broncos v redhot Panthers. Brisbane has become embarrassing. Rabbits v Storm. How good are Souths and, in particular, their recent good run of form? Canterbury v Titans, c'mon Dogs. This is the chance to hand the 'spoon to Brisbane. The neutrals want that. Manly v Tigers. Two also-rans, unfortunately. The comp is usually for the better when these two are going good. Raiders v Roosters, match of the round. It would still make an appealing GF, with Canberra winning of course! Warriors v Eels. How good will this be if the Sharks lose? Oh, and please, only Eels fans want to see Fergo played back into form, on such an important occasion for the Warriors. We conclude with the Cowboys hosting the Dragons. Both those sides will avoid the 'spoon, but that's the merest consolation for two clubs that have won premierships relatively recently.
Few game tough to pick this weekend Have the tip that Des is going to give another young man a crack this weekend with a famous kiwi name, Josh Schuster 18 year old 5/8 tipped for huge things, was the SG Ball player of the season last year and 13 clubs were trying to sign him. Has upgraded another 18 year old to the full time squad as well in Sione Fainu so he may get a taste before seasons end, always exciting to see some names of the future get a crack at it when the season is done, could have 3 18 year olds lining up in the coming weeks with Hoppa there too
Two huge games this weekend - Bunnies v Storm - Bunnies have been terrific, but losing Mitchell is huge... and they just don't beat the Storm is recent times, and bloody hell, Bellamy's teams just don't have an off day any more... And the Roosters vs Raiders... I'm picking the Raiders fwiw, they've adapted to no Hodgson, and f**k me is Wighton a beast... Us vs Eels is interesting too, test of credibility for both - if the don't beat us in cruise control, then they're not really a contender... and if we win, we're a legit shot at 8th... For the first time in a few weeks, every game bar Penrith vs Broncos is really quite interesting, but those first two will be high quality affairs you'd imagine
Nothing is ever better when Manly are going good... unless it's at the expense of Melbourne or Brisbane
That was a very successful group of league converts from the late-80s/early-90s All Blacks. I'm thinking Ridge, Innes, Schuster, Sherlock, Botica and Gallagher. Oh, and Jonathan Davies from Wales.
JK was often maligned but I reckon he went OK at our Auckland Warriors. I've seen some old games, he was pretty good at league.
Why no captains challenge by Panthers there on Staggs knock on? Lui blowing up and looked like Cleary moved in for it.
Daryl Halligan of course, Craig Innes was excellent , Inga, that Welsh centre whose name escapes me, and Brett Papworth was brilliant but kept breaking
Apart from his goal kicking, Halligan was only good for sneaking a try in the corner every now and then. Can you imagine him taking a hitup like todays wingers do? Times have changed. Jonathan Davies?
Paul Simonsson played wing for Waikato and the ABs before going to the Bears. Got injured and only played 3 games but his son is going ok. Seeing abit of a trend with all these names. Winfield Cup was only interested in our backs. No forwards names at all
