I’m not sure whether you remember the famous scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark where an aggressive local brandishes a rather impressive looking sword at our hero.
He spins it, rotates it and attempts to intimidate Indiana Jones with a remarkable display of dexterity and skill.
Despite the impressiveness of the performance, it had no substance and Harrison Ford calmly removed his firearm from its holster and blasted the aggressor to kingdom come.
Similarly, Parramatta pranced onto ANZ Stadium on Thursday night with a new found enthusiasm and energy that would see them get the jump on the Bunnies and take an early 14-6 lead.
The Eels were excellent. The forwards ran with vigour, the kicking game was effective and the moments of expansion in their ball play were stunning in comparison to what they have produced throughout the season.
Then, just as Indiana snuffed out the soulless aggression of the artificial challenger, South Sydney took out their weapon and proceeded to blow the Parramatta team off the park for the next 35 minutes.
Seven tries in that time period crushed the Eels like a colony of ants and by full-time, it had all become a little embarrassing. Even the two consolation tries from Parramatta late in the second-half couldn’t erase the reality that the blue and gold’s are indeed a team deserving their position on the ladder.
Hymel Hunt of the Rabbitohs and Greg Inglis of the Rabbitohs embrace. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
While the 42-24 score line looked competitive to some, the reality is that Souths could have reached the half-century had Adam Reynolds been better with the boot.
With Michael Jennings looking to celebrate his 250th match with a try and/or win, brother Robert showed no sentiment, scoring four tries on the end of a quality back line.
The Cowboys planned a similar ambush against the Warriors at 1300SMILES Stadium and considering the Warriors’ historical record away from home, must have fancied their chances.
Whatever the plan, it was a disastrous one in the first half as the New Zealanders skipped clear to the tune of 18-2 after 28 minutes.
When the Cowboys finally awoke, the comeback was on and slowly but surely they pegged back the deficit.
Kyle Feldt’s duo of tries brought the home side within four at 20-16 with a quarter of the game remaining yet a late penalty and field goal from Shaun Johnson put things beyond doubt and saw the visitors eventually triumph to the tune of 23-16.
With the Cowboys mired near the depths of the ladder and the Warriors continuing to defy history by winning away from home and finally showing some consistency in their performances, the competition has taken on a new and exciting shape.
The Cowboys (AAP Image/Dan Peled)
The Roosters took to the Panthers like the lions to the Christians when they met at Allianz in the late Friday game.
Despite much commentary around the youth, depth and promise of the mountain men, the boisterous boys from Bondi had their measure from minute one and put them well and truly to the sword.
Frankly, as a neutral observer, I was stunned. After so much promise from the Panthers through the early stages of the season, the underachieving Chooks finally found some synergy and made Penrith look ordinary.
The scariest thing for the mountain men was the way the Roosters stormed through the middle and destructed the ruck defence of the Panthers.
The second-half injury to New South Wales centre Latrell Mitchell was a disturbing one and the entire rugby league community hopes he is cleared of serious injury after having his neck placed accidentally in a compromising position.
The incident brought something of a sombre feel to the game as the Roosters registered a 32-6 win and sent the Panthers back to the drawing board.
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Penrith looked impotent at Allianz and the Roosters creep closer and closer to the pointy end of the table.
The Chooks now sit within two points of the Panthers after fifteen rounds and with the talent in their squad must still have hopes of surging into a top-four spot and making a run at the premiership in September.
There were potential ambushes in all three matches leading into the weekend yet the Rabbitohs, Warriors and Roosters fended off those challenges.
The Cowboys and Eels look destined for the cellar but the Panthers will live to fight another day and still have hopes of a top-four finish.
Rob
Guest
Did you see the Crusher on Feldt. I think Blair was the culprit surprise, surprise. Blair also did a leg grab run the other way on Morgan in a 3 man tackle. The blokes a good footballer but a grub of the highest order. He intentionally goes out of his way to try and hurt players. He play the game with questionable sportsmanship.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
As a Penrith fan I am not looking into last night's performance too much. It was a loss we needed - to refocus. If we fail to win against Manly in two weeks time then I will start worrying as back-to-back matches vs Cronulla and Warriors without Origin players could be a major concern. Fortunately, Kikau, Leota and Blake returning against Manly offsets the terrible RCG injury.
concerned supporter
Guest
Nat, I'm not bagging the Queensland education system, I don't know anything substantial about it.
concerned supporter
Guest
The best NRL analyst currently IMHO is Andrew Johns. The best commentator by far is Andrew Voss.
Nat
Roar Guru
Damn this Qld education system. I bet Chieka wouldn't have made that mistake. Where can I find that Marcellin application form?
Emcie
Roar Guru
Don't be ridiculous Nat, you'd have to use his homing pigeon, yours would just return back to you. Honestly mate...
Nat
Roar Guru
I was starting to think some of the Panthers rep payers were thinking more about next week then this week.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Out of all the blunt things I've said on this site that was probably the least offensive. I've got nothing against Anasta personally. But given that Fox Sports is pretty much the lead content creator for the mainstream league media at the moment (with whole articles being written based on passing comments from their commentary) they could be a bit more professional. They might be better quality than Nine but that's hardly a noteworthy accomplishment. Half the issue is how much of a monopoly ex-players have in the "analysis" and commentary departments at the moment with media jobs pretty much being treated as retirement plans.
concerned supporter
Guest
Emcie, '' Channel 9 school of bad commentary (not a literal school FYI) I '' Now you are a smart alec. Maybe you should move to Sydney and apply to Marcellin College as a mature student to endeavour to improve your English.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Given the comment I was replying to referenced the Channel 9 school of bad commentary (not a literal school FYI) I didn't realise further clarification was needed.
Nat
Roar Guru
I was going to duck down to the library to research the school but since this is 2018 and ' luckily' I was already on the internet-based sports opinion website I thought I would save some time. Send me your postal address and I'll break out the quill and ink to scribe you my next reply. My homing pigeon will be there in a few days.
concerned supporter
Guest
Well done, Nat, Lucky there is the internet. You googled Wikipedia I have done the same. Remember the days when you needed to go to a library for most research? There was another old boy doctor. Remember Dr Nathan Gibbs?
Paul
Roar Guru
hi Emcie, given you were replying to my post, I just wanted to say I didn't have an issue with what you wrote. It doesn't matter what school people go to, there's always going to be those who excel accademically and those who perhaps have other talents. My thought was Mr Anasta fitted into the second category and would do with some sharpening up. You simply agreed with me in a more blunt manner.
Nat
Roar Guru
Maybe you should have lead with Merv Cross over Chieka? Or maybe Judge John Lawrence O'Meally? Possibly Deputy Prime Minister Lionel Bowen? Order of Australia recipient and President and CEO of McDonalds, Charles Hamilton Bell AO? Don't get high and mighty because you chose to back up Marcellin education standards with sportsman champ.
steveng
Roar Rookie
One thing that really amazed me was 'where was Nathan Cleary all night'??? He wasn't seen at any part of the game! The blokes name was hardly ever mentioned in the commentary and his kicks were never ever seen! Why???
concerned supporter
Guest
Emcie, '' I didn’t literally mean that he hadn’t received any education and I was referring to the quality of his analysis and commentary '' Maybe you should try and improve your English Expression.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Fully agree with you kk! The Bunnies and Seibold have got allot of work to do for the Bunnies to put in an 80 min effort! This 'easing off' is just not good enough and Seibold has got to get the Burgi twins to play 80 min just like Trent Robinson has got Jared Waerea-Hargreaves to do last night. The Bunnies easing off, has been the main caused of all their main problems and losing games this year, e.g. the Sharks and Parra game should have been at least a 24+ more winning scores in games for the Bunnies this year and has been the main cause of them losing games this year. Its a worry, as the Bunnies are going great guns and could be the team to beat come September.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Yeah, that is for sure, Dr Merv Cross (ex, Bunnie player) was one of the most innovative orthopaedic surgeons in the world, in the 80's, 90's and until now, the bloke revolutionised orthopaedic procedures and fixed my knee up (after I had a bad car accident) he is a genius. The bloke was the ARL's doctor for many years. I can't speak highly enough about Dr Merv Cross! I don't think Anasta is in that league lol
Emcie
Roar Guru
Oh, and sorry for not quoting your entire comment in my response, not sure if that's required or not
Emcie
Roar Guru
I'm terribly sorry that you have taken such offence to an off the cuff remark about his "abilities" in the commentary box. At the risk of sounding condescending (that means to talk down to people) I assumed it was obvious that I didn't literally mean that he hadn't received any education and I was referring to the quality of his analysis and commentary. Had I known earlier that he was not to be subject to such criticism I would have held my metaphorical tongue. I didn't actually apply for guru "status", it just appeared one day, but I shall immediately entreat the site administrators to remove said status as I clearly am not qualified to comment on league related matters without prior approval (and apparently my place of residence also is a stumbling block for some). Thank you for enlightening me Concerned Supporter.