Losing to a late Penrith field goal was a setback, but in my mind the Sydney Roosters are still the team to beat for the 2014 NRL title.
That unexpected loss to an incredibly resilient Panthers outfit will serve as the perfect wakeup call for the Roosters, who probably didn’t pay the opposition the respect it deserved.
After the full time siren, I watched the Roosters’ body language closely. The players were filthy on themselves and I’m sure their coach has already had plenty to say about a loss that really should have been a win.
They’ve got the Cowboys this Friday night and I am confident the ‘real’ Roosters will aim up in attack and defence.
We are likely to see Jake Friend return to the team and that’s a huge plus as he has been a standout performer all season. He will be assisted by Aidan Guerra, returning from suspension, and another key performer for the Bondi Junction boys.
There is a third bonus for the Roosters as Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was fortunate to beat a high tackle report from the Penrith game. Many thought he would be missing after his heavy hit on Brent Kite.
Statistically, there is not a lot of difference between the Roosters and Cowboys this year. They are ranked first and second in tries scored, and second and third in tries conceded.
The game looks tailor-made for a solo effort from Michael Jennings, maybe the ominously quiet Sonny Bill Williams or perhaps North Queensland’s little champion, Johnathan Thurston, will weave his magic on the big stage.
I’m eagerly awaiting what could easily turn out to be the best game of the season, providing the Cowboys can ignore the demons that have tormented them at Allianz Stadium in recent seasons.
In the end I’m tipping the defending premiers to find their finals mojo and win by six.
The Bulldogs have charged past the Melbourne Storm to line up a finals meeting with the out-of-sorts Manly Sea Eagles. I tipped them to spring an upset and I am confident they can keep their momentum going.
I thought the Dogs’ effort to beat Melbourne in Melbourne was the best performance of any team on week one of the finals. Their forwards were magnificent in the opening 30 minutes and definitely laid the foundations.
In the end, Canterbury’s early dominance and ball control got them the win. They completed most of their sets in a stirring return to their top form.
Stylish young centre Tim Lafai had a fabulous game as did James Graham. What an amazing player! You don’t see props chasing down tearaway backs to save tries very often but James is making a habit of it.
I’d also like to slip in a huge wrap for the Bulldogs’ fullback Sam Perrett. He has been under enormous pressure ever since Ben Barba left for Brisbane but he has let nobody down. He rarely gets a mention in the media but has been very much a part of the Bulldogs’ season.
Under strength Manly got hammered by Souths last Friday night but scored four late tries to make the scoreboard a little more respectable. You’ve got to wonder if the club’s perennial off-field dramas are finally taking a toll.
This was not a trademark Manly performance. There were some key people missing but too many of their big names looked lethargic for three quarters of the game, and the Rabbitohs had a picnic.
If they don’t improve markedly this Saturday their season could end with another ugly scoreline.
And finally, congratulations to my old club Penrith on their fabulous win over the Roosters.
Coach Ivan Cleary is doing a magnificent job and even if his men exit from the title race in their next outing, he has done enough to be crowned Dally M Coach of the Year.
It’s exciting to see their brilliant young players putting their stamp on the premiership along with some seasoned campaigners steered so cleverly by the undisputed buy of the season, Jamie Soward.
Elma Dudd
Guest
As I said, the season isn't over yet .
Benny
Guest
They had one bad week last week. Before that they were by far playing the best of all teams in the comp
Knightblues
Roar Guru
Elma - well the panthers obviously, and Souths Cowboys and dogs are playing at present better than they are.
Elma Dudd
Guest
You think that's the case ??? They won the minor prem and the season isn't over yet , so who overtook them ?
Elma Dudd
Guest
You think that's the case ??? They won the minor prem and the season isn't over yet , so who overtook them ?
davey
Guest
I'm not sure if 'peaked' is the right way to describe it imo. They have been on a good run in the last few weeks, but if the Roosters had truly hit the potential of their playing roster then they would have blown the Panthers away last weekend. The fact that they didn't has me thinking that the Roosters haven't peaked. Still a great side though, not suggesting they can't go back to back, but from this neutrals perspective they're aren't the scary prospect that they were this time last year. I'm a knights fan and I knew the Roosters would blow us away in the preliminary final last year despite us beating both Dogs and Storm in the leadup to that match. I just had this feeling that we couldn't stop the chookies. This year I don't think I would be so sure. I honestly don't know who to tip this year, wouldn't be surprised if it's a so called outsider who takes it all. Anyways may the best team win and may us neutrals get some good footy to watch.
Knightblues
Roar Guru
No the Roosters have got harder teams to play this year in the finals, they raised the bar last year and some other teams have caught up and now passed them.
mushi
Guest
In reality the safe bet is always the field over a specific team. but reality and fans don't mix well.
mushi
Guest
That is harsh to paint all roosters fans with that
mushi
Guest
Isn't the GF weeks away?
cronulladave
Guest
2014 has already happened, the Casty no try....
cronulladave
Guest
I'm with you Steve. But I do think the Roosters are doing themselves no favovrs with their disapline. If they get an even run from match officials then an easy win. And lets not forget, the Cowboys usually get dudded down here......
Roadkill Madge
Guest
And Shayne Hayne to be the ref and Russell Crowe and Bob McCarthy to be the video refs.
Isaac Watt
Guest
Roosters probably played as bad they possibly could besides few individual moments of brilliance. Comparably panthers just played as well as they could -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Manly Man
Guest
Lights out baby!
Benny
Guest
Look for souths to get over 10 penalties more than their opponents and still lose
Benny
Guest
Oh yeah, JWH gets less than a two week ban for once in two years and now he gets let off every time
Benny
Guest
I think you've got to realise that the roosters recognised that they couldn't play well all season. There had to be something different done in order to go back to back and they peaked at the perfect time. Robbo even said that they just made sure they stayed within range. Who knows whether the loss against the panthers will bring the best roster in the comp into a streak of 3 wins or put too much pressure on them and go out in straight sets. At the end of the day I think we are the better side but that means nothing in the finals a lot of the time
Benny
Guest
It's supposed to say that it will be close but the strike across the park of the roosters will win it in the end
joey jo jo
Guest
i think what turner was trying to get at, but didn't go into depth about was, that these two team are very similar in style. paul green was obviously the assistant at roosters last year and would have taken a lot of the roosters plays and knowledge up to qld. “the game looks tailor made for a solo effort from Michael Jennings” i reckon this means that, both teams rely on key players for line breaks and try assists with thurston, lui, morgan key for cowboys. and pearce, maloney, roger, sonny, friend, key for roosters. if this game comes dan to the wire, a moment of individual brilliance could prove the difference in the end, with a solo effort from players like jennings, linnett, winter stein etc, to decide this game. will be a great attacking game