Eric Grothe in action during the NRL round 5, Parramatta Eels v Canberra Raiders. AAP Image/Action Photographics, Grant Trouville
Who said footballers don’t read the press? We put the challenge out last week to the Bulldogs and Eels, and lo and behold, they responded. When the pressure was on, both came up with solid performances, whic should warm the hearts of their fans who would still harbor serious ambitions of September footy.
The question might be whether the two teams they vanquished, the Tigers and the Rabbitohs, were both exposed.
Sure it’s just one week. But that’s footy: one win or one loss can put the spotlight on you.
Granted the Tigers defence was impressive in the first half, but it was also self-inflicted with some poor ball control. The Rabbitohs were more troubling, as they looked to suddenly have the fluidity of a team in trials after getting to a lead in good time.
The biggest relief for the Tigers is Bryce Gibbs avoiding any further action for his brain snap against Ben Hannant.
It is probably fair to say that Gibbs is unlikely to ever be cast as rugby league’s thinking man. But his attempts to cast himself as rugby league’s Richard Dawkins is only going to end in heartache.
Surely the Tigers, who seem be the darlings of the Sydney rugby league media at present, will be having a quiet word in the prop’s ear this week.
I mean, if you are going on a crusade against people’s religious choices, the rugby league field is an odd place to start, given the amount of individuals with a strong personal faith.
Make no mistake: Gibbs committed a low act, and can be grateful that, for once, the all-seeing and hearing technology didn’t find the smoking gun.
That aside, the match was my pick of the round, more so for the aforementioned defence.
It was at a premium for most of the weekend, so it was great to see two teams put in an honest shift in defence.
Everyone loves tries and flashy attack, but if you want a game to have a finals intensity, it’s defence that does it. More of the same, please.
Just one question, though: why was a game between two clubs based in the West of Sydney played in the city’s Eastern Suburbs?
Defence certainly wasn’t apparent in Brisbane as the Sharks made the baby Broncos look like world beaters.
The Sharks are obviously in a lot of trouble, but as I glanced through their team sheet, it struck me that they are not without quality players.
Their front row is up with the best in the competition, in my opinion. Then you’ve got Anthony Tupou and Paul Gallen in the pack and a backline with plenty of speed, which includes one of the most promising wingers in the game in Blake Ferguson.
It’s too easy for people to just write them off and say they can’t afford decent players.
The side is not star-studded (but how many are with the cap). But it has enough quality players to be performing better than it is at present, especially given the fact they have a coach who is supposedly in the top tier of those going around.
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The Roosters five-eighth copped a knock from Lindsay Collins.
Tomorrow morning we’ll see Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Uysk dispute the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world in the heat of Saudi Arabia, and…
The Sharks skipper was stopped in his tracks by the smaller man!
The Sharks fullback scored a try in the opening minute of the game, before costing his side one just before halftime as the Roosters…
The Roosters centre was not square at marker as his Sharks opponent took off short side for the try line.
"He's a winner, his side's on top of the table - where's Parra?"
