Well this was the round I thought that the favourites would finally assert their authority, but I was clearly wrong and it was again a treacherous round for tipsters.
But it’s the representative round next weekend and the tipsters and each team can look forward to a week off as the season rapidly approaches the Origin period.
Dragons roast Roosters
The Dragons’ defensive performance has won their sixth match in a row and places them firmly at the top of the ladder on 12 points with the Broncos.
As the heavens opened, the Dragons went to a 10-nil lead, and would have scored more but for refereeing decisions that went against them. Nevertheless, they held on for a two-point win.
Benji Marshall was awarded the man-of-the-match in a performance that was much superior to the Roosters’ halves, but it was once again an overall team performance that won the match for the Dragons.
The Dragons’ next match is against the Rabbitohs but this win against the much-fancied Roosters should finally have bookies re-rating the Dragons as premiership contenders and not 21-1 outsiders (down from 151-1 at the beginning of the year).
The Roosters have slipped out of the eight, having now lost their last four matches, despite competitive performances in their last three matches. The Roosters will face the Tigers next up and cannot afford to take them lightly after the Tigers’ win against the Bulldogs.
Warriors a worry
The Warriors cannot seem to get their act together for more than 5-10 minutes at a time, and the coach will need to take decisive action to get his team sorted before the origin period otherwise the Warriors will just let their season slip away.
Coversely, the Titans are now to be respected, after putting together three wins in a row and sneaking in to the top eight, although shortly they are likely to be hampered by commitments during the origin period.
Tigers show their claws
The Tigers may have turned the corner against an unenthusiastic Bulldogs team. Luke Brooks has seemingly found some confidence and led the Tigers to a convincing 38-14 win.
Manly weather the Storm
Last week I wrote off the Sea Eagles’ season, but Manly’s come-from-behind win against the Storm left many tipsters including myself with egg on their face.
But while the week off will no doubt help Manly with injuries, they face the Knights next up and will need to string two wins together before I am convinced they have a chance of avoiding the wooden spoon.
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
I think that Bennett is a bit qualified as to the chances this year. Bennett, has already said that he was down to his 5th choice fullback, and other injuries are starting to creep up. I just think that they do not have the troops in reserve to make it.
Bronco Juggernaut
Guest
I think we'll easy make top 4. Cowboys will be minor premiers for mine, with Melbourne second, Roosters 3rd, Broncs 4th, Rabbits 5th, Dragons 6th, Titans 7th and Penrith 8th. On paper the Broncos have a more talented playing squad than St. George Illawarra especially when Boyd and Kahu get back.
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
They have a very good coach in Bennett but even he sees "building blocks" and with injuries he is running out of the material to build a premiership, my view is that they will struggle with injuries, and may only just or miss out on the 8. Let me say that when the Dragons played the Broncos it was any ones game and their was no doubt about the commitment of the Broncos players but you can only get a limited amount of juice out of a Bronco when you squeeze it.
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
Really good comment and I think you are right in saying that some of the front runners will come crashing down when the season gets serious. Broncos and Dragons are both over achievers and may not stand up to pressure when the other teams get serious. Broncos have an injury toll and Origin to drag them down. Dragons are in unchartered territory but have few injuries and a depth of replacements with first grade experience. Rabbittohs in my view look like they could be gone, not enough go forward and their backs are struggling.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
How are the Broncos not over performing? They're top of the ladder with a playing list that just does not scream top of the ladder material.
Bronco Juggernaut
Guest
How are the Broncos over performing? Whenever I read your comments Walter I can't help but think you hate the Broncos.
Muzz
Guest
The shockers evened out. Dragons were definitely the better team.
Con Scortis
Roar Guru
No different to most refereeing performances really. In each game we were beaten by the better and more committed team, not by the ref. I thought Saturday's Roosters Dragons game had a few absolute shockers but, like the Rooster's player (was it Mitchell?) being penalised for not marking square when he was standing right in front of the bloke playing the ball. Referees now use protractors you know.
Muzz
Guest
How would you rate the refereeing performance in your last 3 games?
Con Scortis
Roar Guru
I know mate, was just being silly. BTW, I rate Skenny Dowall. Hard runner.
Muzz
Guest
Hi Costaki, It was orevwa to Mr Casty at the end of last season.
Con Scortis
Roar Guru
Hi Rooster Muzz, don't forget the loss of Remy Casty
Con Scortis
Roar Guru
Hi Albo, I think Souths main issue is the backline. Our backline for most of the latter part of last season (including the GF) was 1. Inglis 2. Johnson 3. Walker 4. Avua 5. Lote 6. Keary 7. Reyno. That's a pretty awesome list. For much of this year the only constants in all rounds have been GI, Johnson and Keary. Goodwin and Reddy are in my view ordinary - they couldn't make the run on side for most of last year and are now the first pick, but they make a lot of mistakes and especially costly defensive reads. Millard was used recently but dropped over the weekend as he too is ordinary. The number of tries they're letting in when the opposition is in our 20 metre zone have been horrendous. Reyno has been a massive loss. On a positive note I've been impressed with Chris McQueen. He's been putting a lot of effort in.
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
Good comment. But if we are going to wait until round 26 to make a decision what would the Bookies do? Broncos are over performing and maybe the Dragons as well, but the Dragons have few injuries and depth and the Broncos have injuries and origin. Rabbittohs are not the team they were last year and Roosters are either unlucky or they have not shown the commitment yet.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Storm have 11 players playing rep footy this weekend. Considering how torrid some of these games are going to be, not only the ANZAC test but those island games are going to be full of sting...going to be having all the fingers and toes crossed they all come out ok.
Casper
Guest
So in retrospect the Rabbitohs rode into the finals & GF mainly on the back of Sam Burgess and to a lesser degree Te'o, Auva'a and Tuqiri. Auva'a is rightly suspended after dragging out the legal case until the season ended, Lote could do no wrong last year but would struggle this year if still around while Burgess and Te'o are in UK rugby. Have always thought they had things run their way and it's harder for them when they have to rely on the replacements such as Goodwin. Too much reliance on Inglis getting them out of a hole as well as injuries to key players such as Sutton, Turner & Walker have taken the gloss off them. Roosters are a worse example, as they're not the hunted like Souths and haven't lost anyone except SBW and Minichello while they gained Blake Ferguson. They seem to be playing without purpose and effort. Maybe they're believing the tipsters who had them in the top 2. Trouble with that is, the hungry sides like Broncos and Dragons who've underachieved for a while have nothing to lose and have some good players who probably got sick of being also-rans so they've dragged the rookies along with them. At least the Bulldogs can gripe about injuries and suspensions. While we're all waiting for the Rabbitohs, Bulldogs and Roosters to hit their straps and assert their authority, the middle-tier clubs are going for broke and are putting competition points on the board. The Broncos will relish only having 2 players in the ANZAC test while Melbourne has 7 across both sides, and that doesn't include the pacific island games. For the first time in years, representation has been spread broadly across the clubs and that will give most of them a chance to recharge the batteries after a tough start to the season.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Manly played great on Saturday as they usually do against the Storm. I wouldn't read too much into it though as heavy rain does level the playing field, same as the Dragons v Roosters game. The forwards don't get much go forwards and the structured plays especially those requiring change of direction to pull in defence don't work quite as well. These games though get decided by moments of individual brilliance, Koroibete change of direction to score, DCE long cut out pass and Wolfman being able to hold on to it in those conditions and score and Hiku's try saver on Mann at the death. Manly will be glad for the break and hopefully get troops back on deck. The Storm still in top 4 but need to work on their 2nd half and reducing penalties. They have an exceptional record when leading at half time under Bellamy but already twice this season have been run down.
Muzz
Guest
Roosters are missing - Guerra, Fergo, Aubusson, Kennedy, Meeham.
Scott Pryde
Expert
As did I. Had it on the Storm.
Albo
Guest
The worrying thing for both the Roosters & the Rabbitohs is that they losing matches with most of their best roster on the park. The Roosters have been missing Guera, but who else ? The Rabbitohs are badly missing their half Reynolds and maybe Sutton ( and Inglis' form is suffering with that bad knee he really should get sorted out !) ? But neither have anything like the injury woes that Penrith, Bulldogs & Manly are battling. Wait till later in the year when the gods start to even up the injuries ledger. For me, they are each missing their "get out of jail " player from last year..... SBW & Sam Burgess who both covered up a lot of ordinary performances for their teams last year with some special play. There are no trends this early in the season. Like the start of most seasons when teams basically have their best rosters to choose from, and before injuries take hold, and the Rep games come along, there is little between any of the teams. That's why we are getting tipsters upsets everywhere. I will look for a significant trend coming into Round 26.