With players backing up from Origin......
Wests Tigers vs Gold Coast Titans
With both halfbacks, Robert Lui and Scott Prince returning for their respective teams, this should be a very good game. Prince will allows Greg Bird to play wider of the ruck and hopefully to play his natural game as a powerful ball runner. The Tigers better watch out for Bird's offloads and Titans flyer Kevin Gordan. Meanwhile the Tigers will be hoping the home ground advantage will play in their favour. Should be a tight game however.....
My Tip FTW = Titans
Sydney Roosters vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
Mitchell Pearce should be the difference this week, allowing Todd Carney to play his natural game at 5/8th. South Sydney will be boosted with the return of Michael Crocker from injury, who will play in #14 off the bench. The Roosters have both size and mobility in their forward pack, who will need to be on their game if they are to tame the mountains that South Sydney boast. I think that without Issac Luke, Souths will struggle and I can see Carney, Anasta & Pearce controlling the game successfully...
My Tip FTW = Sydney Roosters
Manly Sea Eagles vs Canberra Raiders
The Sea Eagles started the season off very well, but have struggled to hit such form of late. However the Raiders lack of ability to score points will hurt them until they instill structure in their attacking line. Without Glen Buttriss, Travis Waddell will need to step up and take control around the ruck, hopefully distributing plenty of ball to the halves and in particular Terry Campese. Waddell is yet to play 80 minutes at hooker for the Raiders, which will be a tough ask especially down at Brookvale. Jamie Lyon is back for the Sea Eagles and should give them the edge to get home in front of the home fans.
My Tip FTW = Manly Sea Eagles
Bulldogs vs Melbourne
With a number of key players backing up from Origin, the crux of the Melbourne outfit will be battered and bruised. Against a vocal Bulldogs crowd, they will definatly be up against it. With Ben Barba hitting his straps at 5/8th, Melbourne will have their work cut out for them. The class of the Storm is beginning to wear thin and if you want a chance to beat the Storm while they are down, this is the week to do it. The Bulldogs should make it 3 wins in a row.
My Tip FTW = Bulldogs
Newcastle vs Cronulla
With both teams desperate to stay in touch with the top 8, this is bound to be a close game. Newcastle have the home ground advantage but Cronulla are just beginning to bring their season together. With Ben Pomeroy, Nathan Gardner and Trent Barrett in good form, Cronulla are in with a decent chance of taking the 2 points. However, the likes of Gidley, Mullen, Uate and De Gois should bring the Knights success on Sunday afternoon.
My Tip FTW = Newcastle
Penrith vs New Zealand Warriors
Both teams have been surprise packets this season. Penrith are equal with the Dragons on top of the competition and New Zealand are equal 6th. The Panthers are proving they are the real deal this season and managed to sneak home last week against the Dragons, without regular halfback Luke Walsh. He will be back this week and I think there is too much quality in the across the team for the Warriors to handle.
My Tip FTW = Penrith
Parramatta Eels vs North Queensland Cowboys
The Eels have struggled all season. The halves aren't combining well, Jarryd Hayne isn't firing and Mateo's offloads aren't sticking. The Cowboys have tried hard all season, (especially captain Johnathan Thurston) but it just isn't coming together. They have made a good positional change, switching Matt Bowen back to fullback. His defensive lapses at 5/8th were really hurting the Cowboys and it gives Grant Rovelli another shot at 5/8th. Expect plenty of points and an attack dominant game. I think Jarryd Hayne will hit his straps on Monday Night and guide the Eels to victory.
My Tip FTW = Eels
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Another Raider becomes a Rooster...
Justin Carney signs a new 2-year deal with the Sydney Roosters
The Roosters have stolen yet another Canberra Raiders junior - this time it's 22 year old Justin Carney. Returning from a broken leg suffered midway through last season vs Titans, Carney has struggled to re-gain fitness and crack the Raiders first grade team.
He rejected a 2-year deal from the Raiders, for a more favourable salary out at Bondi. Despite the Raiders management wanting to keep him, it's clear Carney wants to back himself and is tired of sitting on the sidelines. Rest assured, this is a very good signing and Carney will not fail to impress in a backline already swimming with Raiders talent. With the likelihood of Josh Dugan jumping ship and heading over to the Roosters, their backline is shaping up to be a real force.
Potential Roosters backline in 2012 (assuming Minichiello will move on)
1. Josh Dugan
2. Phil Graham
3. Justin Carney
4. Shaun Kenny-Dowall
5. Sam Perrett
6. Todd Carney
7. Mitchell Pearce
Adding to their signing of Joel Monaghan a few seasons back and Brett Finch before that..... it's clear the Roosters backline breeding is mostly done down in the Nationals Capital.
Shadows must be cast over the dealings of the Roosters in recent years. The National Rugby League must step up and take control of handling player contract and payments and there needs to be incentives to keep junior talent.
The Roosters began seriously poaching talent from the Bulldogs, with the signings of Mark O'Meley, Willie Mason, Braith Anasta and Nate Myles. With rumours surrounding the dealings going on in Bondi, including the incentive of apartments in Bondi and the like, the NRL must step in and investigate.
The Raiders have managed to get one back on the Roosters, snaring 26-year old David Shillington for season 2009. However even then, he took a pay cut to play with the Raiders and get some recognition for his talent ! Since going on to play for Queensland and Australia and establishing himself as one of the best prop forwards in the game.
Roosters or Rorters ?
The Roosters have stolen yet another Canberra Raiders junior - this time it's 22 year old Justin Carney. Returning from a broken leg suffered midway through last season vs Titans, Carney has struggled to re-gain fitness and crack the Raiders first grade team.
He rejected a 2-year deal from the Raiders, for a more favourable salary out at Bondi. Despite the Raiders management wanting to keep him, it's clear Carney wants to back himself and is tired of sitting on the sidelines. Rest assured, this is a very good signing and Carney will not fail to impress in a backline already swimming with Raiders talent. With the likelihood of Josh Dugan jumping ship and heading over to the Roosters, their backline is shaping up to be a real force.
Potential Roosters backline in 2012 (assuming Minichiello will move on)
1. Josh Dugan
2. Phil Graham
3. Justin Carney
4. Shaun Kenny-Dowall
5. Sam Perrett
6. Todd Carney
7. Mitchell Pearce
Adding to their signing of Joel Monaghan a few seasons back and Brett Finch before that..... it's clear the Roosters backline breeding is mostly done down in the Nationals Capital.
Shadows must be cast over the dealings of the Roosters in recent years. The National Rugby League must step up and take control of handling player contract and payments and there needs to be incentives to keep junior talent.
The Roosters began seriously poaching talent from the Bulldogs, with the signings of Mark O'Meley, Willie Mason, Braith Anasta and Nate Myles. With rumours surrounding the dealings going on in Bondi, including the incentive of apartments in Bondi and the like, the NRL must step in and investigate.
The Raiders have managed to get one back on the Roosters, snaring 26-year old David Shillington for season 2009. However even then, he took a pay cut to play with the Raiders and get some recognition for his talent ! Since going on to play for Queensland and Australia and establishing himself as one of the best prop forwards in the game.
Roosters or Rorters ?
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