Here is confirmation that it is indeed a funny old game. Last year’s worst two sides will line up in what looms as the match of the round.
Hell didn’t freeze over and pigs didn’t fly but wooden spooners for the past two seasons Parramatta did down defending champions the Roosters last round.
Yet the third-placed Wests Tigers will go close to being the 2014 surprise packet. Even without Braith Anasta and James Tedesco, they monstered North Queensland last round.
Of course, they miss the inspirational Robbie Farah (elbow) but winning is a habit and the rejuvenated Wests Tigers don’t look like losing it against an Eels outfit who have lost their past 13 games at ANZ Stadium going back to mid-2010.
Key: Wests Tigers prop Aaron Woods. No one can replace Farah – arguably the NRL’s top player of the first six rounds – but the Tigers look set not to miss a beat thanks to the bruising forward who right now would be first picked for the NSW Origin side.