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Opinion
An average winning margin of 21, one try scored by the losing sides on a bludger of a Sunday and are we in for more of the same on Anzac Day? Here are your talking points from Round 7 so far.
The gaps are getting bigger
Wests Tigers aside, there was little to no excitement this weekend unless you love to watch the domination of an opponent. The only game in the balance with 10 minutes left was Souths and Wests Tigers, with Cronulla holding Manly at arm’s length after blowing them into a 34-0 netherworld early.
For and against is crucial for teams wanting finals spots and top four places. Right now things are pretty tight on the wins and losses, but negative for and against is going to be lethal for clubs from 9th place down.
These are teams who want to reach the lower parts of the eight but with their differential so far in the toilet, wins are the only currency and right now, they’re broke.
You are what your ranking is
Fair expectations for Newcastle and Canberra are at least around the finals places but both sides were diabolical on Sunday, continuing a recent form troughs.
Newcastle have scored 24 points in their last month of games and let in 106. Canberra’s once trademark defence has conceded just 3 points fewer than Canterbury – it’s one try away from being the worst in the competition.
These two are 14th and 15th and there’s no hard luck involved. You can’t look at their rosters and say they don’t have the talent to be competitive, but right now they’re playing shockingly and there’s a lot of talent being wasted.
How do you turn such bad form around?
Thank you, Wests Tigers
We say a warm and hearty thank you to Wests Tigers, the one true underdog side who turned up and had a crack over the weekend.
Their second win on the trot was again built on energy and commitment, shown up in Jacob Liddle’s effort to cut down Rabbitohs halfback Lachlan Ilias and deny him a score.
Even though the Tigers started the year winless their defence hadn’t actually been bad in comparison to those around them. They just hadn’t scored points to go along with that effort.
Don’t get me wrong – there’s still a lot of points to be made up, and that may happen by continuing to get the ball to Jackson Hastings. The offseason recruit was great in both wins and has served to free up Luke Brooks too. Coach Michael Maguire was torn to pieces for swapping his halves, but the results and play speak for themselves.
The Tigers’ wins over Parramatta and Souths were stirring, emotional moments after their dud start, enjoyed by all except those on the other end of the winning field goal. Is that sustainable?
The Tigers have the Dragons, Manly and North Queensland in the next three. How many of those are winnable now?
Time for some copy/paste?
It seems every week we’re going to need a Siosifa Talakai talking point.
The Sharks centre turned in one of the most spectacular performances on Thursday against Manly and poor Morgan Harper: two tries, three try assists, eight tackle breaks, three line breaks, 262 run metres… sheesh. What a career change he’s had since moving from the second row.
Now we look to see 15 other clubs sizing up who they can move to try and replicate Craig Fitzgibbon’s success. The Titans tried it with David Fifita with less impact for a period on Saturday, but Fifita’s one of maybe very few who could make it work.
Who’s going to try it next?
Please turn up, Dragons and Warriors
We need at least one good Anzac Day contest to paper over the rest of these bludgers. Can the underdogs provide some inspiration today?
The Roosters are a bit wobbly as they work into the season and may play into the Dragon’s grinding style, while New Zealand are showing some spirit in the face of adversity. Having said that, Melbourne are in that ruthless mood they tend to find from time to time.
The glory of Peter V’landys
Last week’s comments section saw me make a somewhat reckless promise to have a Peter V’landys related talking point if Wests Tigers beat Parramatta. Well, here it is.
V’landys did well to keep the train on the tracks during COVID-19 and everything it brought with it.
I was also pleased to see him talking in the press about playing a game over in the USA, an untapped rugby league resource I’ve been banging on about here for years .
Sure, I’d like a full USA scouting and engagement strategy rather than a likely one-off game to promote the NRL’s gaming sponsors, but long term strategic action for the benefit of rugby league isn’t a V’landys thing, and that’s how it is.
(I tried to be nice, I really did.)
Quick hits
– Around 2015/16 Penrith and Canberra were the two ‘upstart’ teams to challenge the Storm and Roosters. It looked like a long time and high quality rivalry that would be decided in big finals… What different paths they’ve taken.
– How about Canterbury debutant Jacob Kiraz? Seven broken tackles, 133 metres and some banging cramps after 60 minutes. He was one good thing to come out of the Bulldogs’ fade in Brisbane.
– Has Todd Payten finally got his North Queensland team rowing in the direction he’s pointing? Darwin’s climate may help the Cowboys against Parramatta this week.
– Payne Haas ran for 254 metres and spent some time off the ground being treated for an injury!
– Remember when you watch the Anzac Day games today and listen to the broadcasts – sport is not war, and could not be further away from it.
– State of Origin speculator season is now open – feel free to call out your Origin selection bolters.
To the next
Round 8 presents a few games that on paper might be much more closely contested.
Brisbane host Cronulla, South Sydney play Manly on the Central Coast and St George Illawarra play Wests Tigers in what might be a low key belter.
Newcastle’s freefall lands in Melbourne, who are not known for their hospitality to battlers. The Gold Coast and Canterbury can expect similar issues as they front up to Penrith and the Roosters respectively. Warriors versus Canberra on Saturday afternoon is probably a better one for the radio than your eyes.
The best game shaping up is Parramatta facing the born again North Queensland on Saturday night in Darwin – that will be worth a look.
What have you made of round seven to date, Roarers?