Sam Burgess. Squirrel tackle. Need I explain further the biggest newspoint this week!!
As anyone that follows me knows, I like a good talking point. True or false I still like to hear the news, and it’s been a big week or so for rumors in the NRL. From Neil Henry heading to the Storm as an assistant, Hayne perhaps going to the Dogs, plus Ferguson and Milford to leave the Raiders, joining Dugan who left at the start of the season, Mick Potter to be sacked in just his first season as coach, oh and the small matter that there could be a big Sydney based forward to come out of the closet before finals. All speculation, all good talking points, but none true as of yet. Benji Marshall posing in an Auckland Blues jersey is true though, also true is the Bunnies are in a slump, suddenly the Titans could play finals, and finals spots are still up for grabs!
Focussing on the Eels now, they have signed an agreement with the NT government to shift some home games there over the next few years, a good move for the game I feel. The club should make some extra cash, and dive into an untapped market as well as potentially new recruitment area for new players. But this one from a few days back caught my eye, as Chris Sandow for Parra confirmed he was taking time out of the game and basically having what some would call a sabbatical. It’s been published before that Sandow has had gambling issues, certainly not the first or last Rugby league player to admit this, but I’d like to put these possibilities in front of you: Is the gambling the issue here, or have Parra simply paid massive overs on a player that wasn’t that brilliant in the first place, and are now looking to offload him? Certainly his absence from the lineup hasn’t made any difference at Parramatta as they are still anchored to the bottom of the table. And the club he was at previously Souths are still flying along. Can certainly make the case the young man is simply not worthwhile for his on-field attributes, but read this tweet from just 2 weeks back, The Mole indicating a certain playmaker could be in strike over 40/20 attempts. I’ll let you decide but this seems bad news for Sandow. Moley does get them wrong sometimes, but not often!
Onto this weeks round, and it seems the Channel 9 people who select the Free-To-Air games have dudded the viewers. 2nd v 3rd should be televised live across the nation, instead here in Brisbane we have to watch 11th v 16th as it’s a Broncos game. I’d have no dramas if say it was the Raiders v Bulldogs played on the Friday instead of the Saturday, as Canberra rarely gets any FTA coverage, but the Broncs are on almost weekly and will be seen the next 4 Friday night games. Every chance neither Broncos or their opponent Parra will finish finals so its essentially a dead rubber, and league fans of Brisbane have to wait untill after 9:30 to get the match of the round. With networks like 9 having multiple digital channels to broadcast from, is it not too difficult to have one game on 9, one on Gem? (Currently the Ashes is on Gem, but there is still the Go channel available) Fans just want a choice, and it’s not the only occurrence of 9 being out of touch with the game, look at Sunday arvo footy for example.
With 4 more rounds until the Finals, several team’s seasons are on the line now, so expect some ’4-point games’ as commentators will say. As it stands, I feel the top 4 will stay as is, maybe just positional changes from Manly and the Storm, but each side is secure up there. Positions 5 to 8 though are wide open, with every team down to even the Panthers at 13th a mathematical chance, although highly unlikely! Brisbane have the relatively easiest draw of those sides, but without key player Hodges out due to a horrific injury, they aren’t nearly that good. The Titans threw things wide open with their upset win on Monday (didn’t I say last week, anything could happen on Monday Night footy?!?!) and are currently 8th, but each of their games from here on is going to prove very tough.
The Sharks well who knows, their form has been a touch up and down understandably with the ongoing investigations but unlike Essendon in the AFL, there hasn’t been as much talk about points stripped. Player suspensions though, haven’t been ruled out, which could ruin their chances. Newcastle have a very tough run home, but do have the luxury of a potential big win in the final round hosting Parra, as with GC destiny is in their own hands. The Bulldogs would like to think they are still shoe-ins for the finals but, another loss this round to Canberra at home does throw those plans out the window. Neither of these sides has an easy draw to get into the finals so if they make it, it’s on merit not luck of the fixture. If you wanted a futures bet, to make top 8 the Titans are a tempting $7 at Sportsbet, and if you feel like going for a risky Lay bet on Betfair, ‘d have a crack at laying the Knights.
This week’s tips in Green, Bets in Red, for what it’s worth last week’s multi was a dud, and tipped 5/8. See how we go this week, multi below!
Broncos v Eels: Broncs with Hodges = comfortable win here, but as he is out for the season, unsure how easily it will be, especially as for a rare change Parra come in with some confidence off a win. Still tipping Brisbane to win at home, there’s no real reason why they shouldn’t, the line is a tad too big I feel at 14points. No bet here.
Rabbitohs v Sea Eagles: Big game match of the round and it’s a bit of a shame the Rabbits have been out of touch lately. The inclusion of Inglis should help immensely, and this contest being in Gosford also adds another interesting element to the game. Really liking Manly, in super form of late albeit not always against the best sides but still, averaging 30+ over the last 6weeks. Could be more if Lyon knew how to kick a conversion, which may be their downfall as Reynolds is a very good kick for the Rabbits. Tipping a tight one leaning to Manly, bet here is by 1-12 at $3
Raiders v Bulldogs: Very interesting game this, Raiders at home are generally good, but then last time they got smashed by a gazillion by the Storm! They did bounce back quite well to get within a converted try of Sydney last round, and facing the Dogs just a touch off the pace could be in Canberra’s favor. Canterbury weren’t great Monday, expect them to lift but leaning just to Canberra at home, no bet
Cowboys v Titans: Another big game moreso for the Titans if they want to keep their finals hopes in check. The Cows are on a resurgence after upsetting the Rabbits at home, and a 32point win in Penrith last week. At home they should be deserved favorites but one has to think, where was this form earlier in the year?!? Tipping Titans to get the win here, they need it more, simple one team wants to win one team has to. Should Titans win, this bet will come thru but only going it as a single bet not in my multi, Sezer more points than Thurston at $2.70, could be my greatest gamble or a big cockup!
Dragons v Sharks: Local Derby here, and the Dragons werent too bad against Brisbane last round, a tight finish and they almost stole the game in the end. But the Sharks should be too good here, despite their last minute loss last round, bet is Cronulla 1-12 at $3
Knights v Storm: Newcastle did just enough to pull a win late against the Sharks last round but feel against a rampaging Storm outfit, no home advantage can stop that! Knights will need to defend like they’ve never defended before to be a chance, but feel the Storm are just getting back into form, prepping themselves for yet another finals charge, Melb to win no bets
Warriors v Panthers: Penrith have really died out this season, hit a big brick wall and this week it’ll be to the advantage of the Warriors who should post a helpful win, maybe boost their for/against too, which could be vital come the final round. Warriors by 13+ at $1.55 the bet here
Tigers v Roosters: Chooks start with a -24 line that started out at 28. Enough said, Sydney to win, no bets on Monday night footy.
This week’s multi thanks to Bookmaker.com.au – Follow on Twitter @mugpuntaus
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