Every NRL match is huge, but at this point in the season some matches get even bigger as the race for playoffs and higher positions within are at stake.
There are also some very special occasions; times when those involved feel honoured and privileged to be a part of it all.
Souths versus Manly at the SCG is one of those and Friday night will bring back memories, as well as likely create new ones for everyone who participates, including spectators.
To read more Brian Smith, outside The Roar, check out his website SmithySpeaks.
I was fortunate enough to play there for St George when the ‘match of the round’ was played at the hallowed SCG in the 1970s. Even as a teenager, it was something else just to run out and soak it up.
As a coach too it was fantastic to be a part of, sharing the occasion with experienced and rookie players who also recognised how rare and privileged they were to compete on this world wide sporting theatre.
I remember a match in 1993 where I thought some of our Saints players were never going to rejoin us in those historic dressing rooms after our victory over the Bulldogs. They just wanted and deserved to really recognise the moment, as they ambled around that awesome arena.
I hope all the players respond in similar fashion on Friday night, when these two great footy clubs go head-to-head just at their predecessors did back in the day.
The match itself shapes as a cracker. The Eagles are in great form and the Rabbits too have been close to showing their best.
Manly can play in an unpressured fashion, sitting up there on top of the table, but that’s unlikely to mean they will be taking it easy as they pride themselves on consistency in intensity. I am a massive fan of their attacking play with a simple but enterprising attitude, they unsettle opponents defences by ball movement especially on early plays and from their own end too. They trust each other’s decision making and skills in pass and catch.
Souths, perhaps with a point to prove after Wayne Bennett’s apparent sarcastic or sour comment after they smashed his team, might be even more fired up. They might also be conflicted; to change radically from their consistent method of ‘smash-mouth’ attack could upset them. Then again if they don’t make some adjustments, Manly may take advantage of that predictability with their robust and aggressive defence.
For most of the season I have been waiting Luke Keary’s return from long-term injury. The potential formation of he and Adam Reynolds in the halves, with John Sutton at lock, offers the opportunity for much greater variety in the way they attack. This is something I have been concerned about for the mighty Rabbits as they pursue that elusive premiership.
Keary has a confidence, creativity and an instinctive side to his game that could be the difference Souths need to go with all that muscle and discipline.
However I won’t be too worried if Souths lose this match, provided they actually have a crack at the Eagles; play some footy; do some little plays with variations and subtlety; try to unsettle their rhythm.
Making mistakes can assist in improvement for the next match. Not having a go leaves you where you were last week.
It will all be part of the progression that the red and greens need to embrace to be there and do the big job on grand final day at that other big theatre just a little way down the 2014 track.
BargeArse
Guest
That's one in Wayne Bennett's eye, then.
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
Rabbits pass this test OK, a few more tests to come though
uPelican
Guest
Oh no. Yep I'm here in BrisVegas and have just found out. The best game of the round delayed till 9.30pm. Ohhhh the humanity.
Muzz
Guest
There normally on the money. http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/late-mail-22/
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Muzz Your mail is wrong mate, he is playing
Roy
Guest
I reckon you're the one counting chickens
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Dogs forwards made a lot of ground in that game while Manly didn't get a lot of easy ground in the middle, and while they didn't go with the power game to score tries as Souths do they definitely kept the ball at their desired end most of the game.
Mike from Tari
Guest
Bloody channel 9, Broncos live, Souths v Manly replay in Qld, hope the dogs flog the Broncos.
Cathar Treize
Guest
Thanx Max, we can only dream. Just watched the afternoon 9 news and the sports started with the AFL, then they mentioned the Farah incident, then Sharks v Warriors before signing off with something akin to 'oh there's also 2 games on Bulldogs v Broncos, Souths v Manly'. That's it. This is a channel that will televise these games and it can't even be bothered trying to boost ratings. What is Gyngell doing? Does he even watch his own channel? It is a disgrace that nine treat the game this way and why pay all that money for a product they clearly don't have affection for.
TONY
Guest
You can thank Channel 9 for that. Why give the fans what they want.
Muzz
Guest
Big time Scotty.I was looking forward to a S Burgess and J King smash up derby.Perhaps one of his bro's can step up and entertain the masses
MAX
Guest
Good afternoon Cathar Treize, If NRL had its own HD TV channel transmitting to all Australia I would gladly pay $500 + per season to have access to all games from pre season to grand final. The emphasis would be on intelligent presentation of the code and not a retirement haven for former players with limited TV appeal. I have no idea what subscriptions numbers would be. Let us be ambitious and (say) 1M @ $500 Is half a billion enough to operate a quality TV presentation of our code? We need your help. Best Regards, MAX
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Muzz Disappointing
Muzz
Guest
S Burgess and Taufua out.Chocmough and Matai good to go.Blair to replace Taufua
Cowboys
Guest
annnnnnnddd... Manly could have won the GF last year. But didn't happen. Could ofs and would of's don't meaning anything in sport. Going off what you say, Manly are in bad form to only beat Brissy by 10pts, when clearly it should have been by 40.
Cathar Treize
Guest
Can't wait for this game but if you were watching channel nine, you would think Robbie Farah was having a boxing match with Grant Mayer at the SCG instead. Watched the Today Show this morning for the 1st time in ages and the 3 half hourly news/sports news I saw didn't even mention the match, usually had an AFL preview 1st or the one time the NRL was 1st story, it was about Farah. And this station wonders why it got itself into huge debt. The channel has no idea, no integration of the NRL into its programming. In contrast, Sunrise integrates the sport it televises well, the hosts talk about the sport, rib each other about their respective teams etc. Please please NRL, don't go with Nine after 2017. The station doesn't care for you. I had to hype myself up about this game. Thanks for nothing channel nein.
steveng
Guest
Souths need the ticker that their 1967 side had at the SCG where they demolished all before them, I know because I was at every game that the great 1967 side played at the SCG. But in saying all that Manly are a great side and Souths cannot afford to let their back penetrate their defence. It will be a great game and it will bring back very great memories of the Bunnies at the SCG with the greats of that era. Go the Bunnies!
JB
Guest
counting chickens, they may not make top 4 or even top 6. They are playing like they won last year and have no desire for a 2nd GF win.
JB
Guest
MAnly have played really well with out it clicking they have outperformed Brisbane and dragons by scorelines that are easy wins but in my eye have been floggings if they converted there opputunities both could have easily been 40+ scorelines. They are running hot and I think souths are about to find out how hot. There only weakness is post interchange there ability to wrestle momentum at the ruck In attack / defense brings them back to the pack. Manly by 14 and the GF, they have been the best all year.
The eye
Guest
I'm not arguing about how good a job this pack has done for Manly this year,far from it..but that day I'm talking about the Dogs hit with a continued SOOrigin ferocity that I've seen no other team emulate,Broncos weren't anywhere near it last week,nor were the Warriors prior to that..I'm talking hurtful ,painfilling intent,Jackson,Eastwood and Finucane..don't know if Souths have that depth of ruthlessness in them and A.Reynolds hasn't showed the cleverness required to counter what the Manly 3 are going to surprise him with..Madge has got to unleash his outside backs,restore some faith that he has a tactical mind..