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When an NRL team has a bye, coaching staff can monitor every player to ensure he gets what he needs to take advantage of the free weekend.
The representative weekend provides no such opportunity.
Some of the guys who could have done with a rest after eight intense weeks were thrust into an opportunity for them to further their careers, but quite possibly to go into overload as a result.
To read more Brian Smith, outside The Roar, check out his website SmithySpeaks.
I reckon that’s why there were so many drop-outs from every match except the Test.
Luke Brooks, for instance, will certainly have benefited, in the short term, from a weekend off.
NRL players at the beginning or the end of their careers suffer most from wear and tear physically, as well as mentally, from the long season. Others will have benefitted from the exposure to rep footy experiences, and long term benefits for the player, club and game are obvious in the progression many show as a result.
The immediate result for the clubs though is very hard to predict.
Many teams lose a little momentum as a result of the bye. I know it sounds crazy but the edge in performance can be upset by the coach giving players several days off when this opportunity to relax is fully utilised. Handling skills, in particular, can be well off even with just a few days rest with no practice.
Others will freshen up as result and have a real spring in their step. The chance to treat and shake niggling injuries is also a boost. So who knows what your team is going to produce in Round 9? And aren’t there some huge games coming up, starting with Friday night?
The Tigers have suffered some serious injuries recently and lost their way to the Titans in Round 8. Robbie Farah may be ready for a surprise return, but it’s the Roosters shooting for three in a row. Waerea-Hargreaves’ return from suspension and omission from the Kiwi Test team might have him fired up. James Maloney and Michael Jennings may be fit too. I like the Roosters here.
The Cowboys host Brisbane. They North Queensland outfit found a way to win in their last start over the Eels, who put in their poorest performance for some time I thought. In contrasting seasonal performances so far the Broncos have found a secret to a consistent, improved performance that the Cowboys haven’t managed.
Andrew McCullough has hit the go button on his career in many ways, but it’s his improved dummy half play which has benefitted the team so much. That is still for the Cowboys to do in my opinion; their attack is relying on the muscle factor to get them all started, to bully the opposition every week, so that the halves can create some plays for points.
Coach Paul Green seems to have used the photocopy machine plan at the Moore Park offices before he left his assistant coaches office, but it ain’t workin’ as yet. Copy catting the premiers is a disease too many coaches have contracted too many times. Roosters 2013 had plenty to offer but does it suit the Cowboys of 2014? Broncos will edge it in a very physical match.
Wow, how can we tip a winner in the Warriors versus Raiders clash? One coach took the rap for his team playing way below their best and the other scored an away victory to revitalise the season.
What have they got in store for their players’ preparation this week? I guess we will see which coach hit the right buttons a full time. Refuse to tip on this one as neither team has shown consistent progression or discipline.
The Titans versus the Rabbitohs should be a beauty. The Titans have surprised me and its their defensive qualities that have got them up there as near table toppers. I wrote early last season and again this season that their halves offered the team growth through individual brilliance. Albert Kelly has scored some big tries off big plays when needed. He will need to keep that up, which is a big ask.
The Rabbitohs have been a bit high and low so far. I still think they are potential premiers, despite resorting to John Sutton at six. If they get Luke Keary back in time, or if they decide to give Dylan Walker another shot to allow Sutton another go at 13, I feel they will get the added firepower through variety in attack. In any case I favour them to shade the Gold Coast.
I think Manly, Knights, Bulldogs and Sharks will all win too.
But it’s one almighty guess in Round 9, more than any other round this season!
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