Round three featured a number of high-octane matches and if they were an indication of things to come, then I am strapping in early for round four.
Kicking us off last Thursday night was the grand final rematch between the Storm and Bulldogs, followed by a Friday night clash at Leichardt Oval, before the Sea Eagles got their wings clipped in a thriller.
Some gripping and entertaining footy on offer, so very early in the season.
There was however an absolute bludger of a game in the Chooks v Broncos. I lost 80 minutes that could have been better served watching infomercials about Steam Mops or AbTronics.
Here are the results from the weekend.
Storm 22 Doggies 18
This was the first time these present day giants have met since last year’s decider and the pre-game hype certainly fit the bill.
Surprisingly, the Bulldogs were friendless with the punters (much like Tom Waterhouse) and blew out to an incredible $4.20 before kick-off.
Played at breakneck speed, the Stormers were first to cross through that man – Ryan Hoffman – and were never headed on the score board after that.
Depleted with injuries, suspension and a big lug in T Rex Williams taking up space and purpose, the Dogs never shirked the task at hand and were gallant in defeat.
The big talking point out of this game was Billy Slater being placed on report when his boot collided with David Klemmer’s throat.
While being a contentious moment in the heat of battle, Slater’s subsequent exoneration was arguably appropriate, given the circumstances of the incident. Bear in mind though, this is not the first time Slater’s boot (or knees) have come in contact with an opponent.
Storm remain undefeated and are looking ominous.
Oh and Channel Nine, can you simply call the game please? The endless spruiking of odds is out of control.
Wests Tigers 31 Eels 18
Opponents of suburban footy ought to watch this match as an argument to why these grounds are very much the fabric of our game.
A bursting at the seams Leichardt Oval surely must put to bed this ridiculous ‘one big stadium suits all’ school of thought.
I harbour a reasonable dislike for the Tigers. Notwithstanding this loathing, the sight of Robbie Farah leading his troops down the historical Leichardt tunnel was enough to have me out of my seat, shadow boxing in Laurie Nichols’ fashion.
A mate of mine, a Tigers fan, was telling me he was at the ground and described the atmosphere as electric.
Sitting on the Leichardt hill, within arm’s length from the playing arena, he spent the 80 minutes robustly rebuking the touch judge. You don’t get that experience at these soulless and grim concrete coliseums.
Anyway, I have digressed. The Tigers were clinical while the Eels were generally comical.
Game highlight was Benji taking off untouched en route to a four pointer, while the easily perplexed Jarryd Hayne was left scratching his head, still gibbering at the unresponsive ref.
Gold Coast 16 Manly 14
An absorbing contest with the previously unbeaten Manly Warringah highly fancied against the team playing out of the holiday strip.
Gold Coast was all business, no pleasure and despite scoring two tries to Manly’s three, were deserved winners.
The Titans have been big improvers to date. On the back of an imposing set of forward power, Albert Kelly and Aiden Sezer are delivering an effective combination in the halves.
Chooks 8 Broncos 0
This one could at best be termed a dour affair and the appalling state of the Allianz Stadium playing surface was a fitting backdrop.
If you missed this game live, you ought to feel relieved.
I endured this game only because the alternative out of Delhi was bringing me close to tears.
Rumblings are emerging of Griffin’s future at Brisbane being in significant doubt, while Roosters counterpart Trent Robinson has two competition points to crow about.
Cronulla Sharks 28 New Zealand 4
This was the brightest day in Australian sport…ever.
Greeted with magnificent blue autumn skies, Coach Flanagan returned to the helm of the most courageous and resilient sporting team this country has ever seen.
Beleaguered with scandal after scandal, the Cronulla team did what they do best on the field, in their ruthless disposal of the New Zealand Warriors.
Keep on going you mighty Sharkies, bring on the Dragons, who will be the next victim.
Souths 44 Panthers 32
You could be excused for thinking this was a College NFL or some rugby game on first look at the scoreboard.
Played out at the foot of the mountains and at a rate of almost a point scored per minute, the only conclusion is that it had to be too hot to tackle. Or in the case of Greg Inglis, he simply was too hot to tackle.
While the defence orientated purists departed Centrebet Stadium grim faced, a try scoring feast was on show for enthusiasts of enterprising and attacking footy.
Fielding arguably the biggest pack in the comp, the Rabbitohs’ big men struggled in the conditions but remained good enough, to hold off the fast finishing Panthers.
Canberra 30 St George Illawarra 17
The 13-year Hoodoo continues for Dragons.
With both sides desperate to open their account in season 2013, this one promised to be a close and spirited affair.
Reeling from the departure of Dugan, the Raiders were able to maintain their home field dominance over the joint venture outfit in a fairly ordinary quality game.
The last time the Dragons tasted victory in the nation’s capital, was around the same time The Member for Bennelong with the hairy brows was in town, working on his goose step.
Don’t be surprised if Coach Steve Price hears he has ‘the full support of the board’ at some stage in the immediate future.
Newcastle Knights 34 Cowboys 6
Finishing off the round are two teams who will likely play a part in the finals series come September.
With both teams fielding impressive on paper rosters, it came as a bit of a revelation the manner and margin in which the Knights posted their win.
Their halves pairing of Roberts and Mullen were impressive and orchestrated a number of slick outside back opportunities and tries.
No easy assignment considering they were up against one of the game’s premier players in John Thurston, who by his very high standards had a quiet night.
In fact the Cowboys overall were a little disappointing, but take nothing away from the Novocastrians who didn’t have a bad player on the night.
Roll on round four.
Twitter @philwoywoy
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