I’d like to take back that comment about the Tigers – how good was their win yesterday?

Great that results are so hard to predict at the moment – well not for my tipping score – but so good to watch games and not really know who is going to win.

Sorry Randy – can’t agree – Rapana has been one of the Raiders best 3 or 4 players in each game this year. I reckon they would have lost by 20 or more if Savage or Stewart had been at full back against the Sharks.

Actually I’m not going to let the Rapana comment slide – it was garbage – I watched a full replay and saw Jordan make one mistake when he tried to defuse a 40/20 early the first half. Apart from that – mistake free. Mulitalo got through him out wide to score with 15 minutes to go to give them a 12 point lead. Rapana got taken out twice trying to defuse bombs late in the second half but had a brilliant try assist not long after.

There were plenty that played worse than Jordan. The mistakes by Horsburgh and Savage really put them on the back foot. Nicho Hynes had a blinder for the Sharks.

Think I’ll let the Rapana comments slide. He was absolutely destroyed after the Warriors game. There aren’t many 34 year olds trying to what he’s doing.

I felt comfortable watching the Raiders play the Tigers a couple of weeks ago – but before that I can’t remember the previous easy game I’ve seen.

Ricky said in his presser that he’s been trying to cut the sort of fade outs we saw during the off season. He still has a big job ahead of him.

I haven’t been game enough to tackle the replay yet but based on Jordan’s first 3 games this season your first sentence is absolute garbage. He was close to our best player in every game. Hesitancy and lack of commitment is not part of his DNA – he always goes in 100% full bore. And I haven’t seen him drop one high ball in the first 3 rounds or let one bounce – unlike other full backs.

But yet again the Raiders have failed to deliver in a milestone match for one of their legends. Last year’s 300th for Jarrod Croker was putrid and this one for Jordie’s 200th wasn’t any better. I think I’d prefer it if they just wouldn’t mention milestone games for Raiders players in future as the team doesn’t seem to know how to handle them. Personally I was a lot more interested in getting a win last year against the Warriors than all the hoo hah before the match where people seemed to be more interested in one individual and selling a heap of useless paraphernalia to commemorate the event.

Drinkwater will still be having nightmares. Bit like London residents back in the blitz of the 1940s.

Bit hard to gauge the Dolphins given they’ve beaten the Dragons and Titans and ended up getting belted by the Cowboys. They have the Tigers this week but then face 5 tougher matches so we’ll know by round 10 or so. They’ve looked promising in previous seasons and then fallen away.

But they are up there with about 10 other sides for a chance of making the 8. I’d say only the Panthers, Broncos and Storm are solid but you could raffle the rest.

I missed the first 60 minutes at a BBQ – not sure if I can put myself through the hell of a replay but may have to see what went wrong. Sharks really lifted in the absence of a lot of key forwards by the sound of it and the Raiders had a day they’d probably like to forget – but Ricky will let them know about it. Probably the most brutally honest I’ve seen him in an after match presser.

As you say neither of these teams will threaten the Panthers, Storm, Broncos etc based on that performance.

Betting is a mug’s game. My tipping has been bad enough this weekend – imagine if I’d put money on as well.

It is almost like the teams that are missing key players lift to cover their absence and their opposition go into the games confident and complacent and subsequently lose – Roosters, Cowboys, Raiders were all favoured or were fancied to win in these circumstances but struggled.

Ricky didn’t miss anyone in his presser – completely called out the whole team for a horrible performance. Gave no recognition to anyone apart from the opposition.

Hudson Young needs to lift big time – he’s been bog average for a while now. He’s lucky the Raiders have no second row depth. And Big Red Horsburgh looks underdone. I think Ricky made a blue by not picking Trey Mooney who has been killing it in NSW Cup. Don’t think he could have done much more to get a game in the firsts. Bit of a selection issue coming up if Hosking has to sit out next week and Whitehead is still injured.

Back in the days of John Cartright the Titans were a much grittier unit and seemed to find ways to win when the chips were down. They were a top 4 team in 2009 and 2010 with players such as Luke Bailey, Scott Prince, Matt Rogers, Anthony Laffranchi and Preston Campbell. Hard to believe when you look at them now.

I think the Titans might have been putting the cart before the horse for years Mike and Dessie is trying to get them to do things properly – but its not working as yet.

In the past they have been all out attack with no emphasis on defensive structures so when things start to fall apart they have no foundation to fall back on. He has a huge job on his hands.

To me Cleary and Bellamy are on the top branch of the coaching tree. Bellamy has the luxury of a great spine and Cleary has his son, Luai and Edwards who are up there as well. But its the consistent performances of these two that sets them above the rest. They have an established game plan that works. In the case of the Panthers it is relentless defence and suffocation of the opposition. And enough in attack to score points guided by the brilliance of Cleary. When they lose players others come in and buy in to the plate – and their established stars (e.g. Luai, Yeo and Edwards) step up with even greater intensity. They aren’t superstars e.g Schneider – but they do the job asked of them.

I’d argue the Storm was a bit like this when they were masters of the wrestle. And when they had the big 3 or 4 – Smith, Slater, Cronk. Inglis etc. The Panthers and the Storm in general make very few mistakes which makes it difficult for the opposition to get into the contest. When teams played the Storm you just knew they wouldn’t hand you opportunities – same with this Panthers side. I don’t have the Storm up at the same level as the Panthers over the past 4 or 5 year but you have to admire their consistency.

Luai, Edwards and Yeo were all huge last night in the absence of Cleary and JWH. Coach Cleary would have asked for an extra effort from these 3 and he got it.

Teddy was guilty of ball hogging last night as well. When the Roosters are under the pump defensively their two attacking guns think they have to do it all themselves. Sometimes they get away with it against lesser teams but the Panthers defence was far too good. Felt sorry for the wingers – Young in particular. Every time he got the ball he had 3 or 4 defenders monstering him and he ended up being ineffective. In fact he makes very few metres in these situations unlike some other bullocking backs.

When Teddy and Manu are attracting defenders the way they charge into the defence they should be looking to pass to unmarked team mates. But they don’t seem to think that way.

Ivan Cleary has to be the best coach of the past 5 years. Might seem like stating the bleedin obvious – but it can’t all be just the seemingly endless Penrith nursery and some astute recruiting. Put some of these players in other teams and they look pretty average – but in the Panthers system they look top class. They know their role and they play it convincingly.
Cleary manages to get the team to play at such high intensity week in week out. There is no drop off. Contrast this with the Roosters who seem to believe all the hype about them and put in some shocking efforts. And the following week they fire up in response to the criticism. Far too inconsistent. And Robbo needs to cop some criticism for this lack of intensity.

Interesting choices. Both very inexperienced but talented. Hopefully Benji persists with Galvin and Strange appears to be cementing his place in competition with Weekes.

Fair enough. Good choices those first 3.

Savage is a new man, Smithies is a real workhorse and Strange could be anything.

Raiders carrying another legacy player with EW this season. Much like Jarrod Croker last year and Terry Campese after his ACLs.

Mind you the Raiders are a bit light on for back rowers with CHN still on the books but unavailable. But Hosking should be starting and getting 60 minutes – even if EW is captain.

Good to see Ata Mariota back for Guler and Schiller in for Cotric. Mooney is unlucky not to get a game – almost 200 run metres in his last two NSW Cup games. And Big Red is having another run in the twos – to get his fitness up I suspect.

Do you have Hosking and Strange in your team? Should be good value.

You can understand why Ricky went with Jordan at FB.

Chevy Stewart is only 18 but acquitting himself well in NSW Cup. He is the future 1 I suspect.

Xavier Savage has had a mixed career so far – played well enough to keep CNK out of the team in 2022 but had a wretched run with injuries in 2023 – a broken jaw and bad hamstring injury among them. He has bulked up a bit since and has a bit more starch in his tackles. Just ask AFB on Friday night. Apparently Xavier and Seb Kris approached Ricky to see if they could form a combination this season.

Jordie looked gassed at half time against the Warriors but that was only due to the effort he was putting in. 205 metres against the Warriors, a try assist and a line break assist. 143 metres against the Tigers with a line break and a try. 186 metres against the Knights with a try. And 1 error per game. A pretty decent return I would have thought.

We keep waiting for something to happen with Souths but the performance against the Roosters was limp and surprising given how much attention their poor form has received. But you’re right – they have too much talent not to put it together sooner or later. Souths are just too hot or cold and just don’t have the consistency of teams like the Storm and Penrith. It comes with having too many brilliant but erratic players.

Pretty harsh with your implied assessment of Jordan Rapana at full back. Xavier Savage has been great on the wing so far and should form a great partnership with Seb Kris over the coming weeks. Its Chevy Stewart that is being groomed for the full back possie at the Raiders – he needs a bit more time in NSW Cup but should be ready for first grade mid to late season. Don’t think the club could have asked for much more from Jordan. He gives everything week in week out. And was arguably the best for the Raiders against the Warriors. He may lack a bit of pace but his effort and support play is second to none.

At last rankings based on performance rather than reputation. Got it bang on this week Paul.
Biggest shock was that lame performance by Souths. I honestly thought they would show something with Jack playing his first game, Iliais dropped and Cook benched – but nothing – absolute diddley squat. Which makes you wonder whether Demetriou has lost the room.
Some great games to watch – particularly Eels and Manly and the Warriors against the Raiders. And the Tigers belting the Sharks was great for the Tigers faithful. Worrying signs for Dessie. Not sure that he and the Titans are a good fit. Dessie demands grit and aggression and I’m not sure the Titans have that in their DNA.

Owe you one in the tipping comp Baz. Hope you had a great day. Sounded as though Belmore was going off judging by what I heard on the radio for the last 20 minutes or so.