Nrl 2009

[aussie1st]

Well they have a new coach so who knows maybe Henjak can change things for them. They won't be missing as many players as usual either, at most I can count 5 that will be gone but Hodges, Wallace and Hunt are far from certainties.

aussie1st added 2 Minutes and 17 Seconds later...

True, winning in New Zealand isn't easy at all. Hodges back in is a blow for us, but we have Darius and Scott in the centers, and I'm sure Boyd as had to go 1 on 1 against Hodges in training before, and probably knows he he works. Scott can handle Folau as well.

From what I've been reading from Dragons and Broncos fans is Boyd is a pretty bad at centre and that fullback is his best position. I haven't seen much of Scott but I don't remember him being a good jumper which is where Folau is king. I'm not saying the Dragons can't win but the Broncos will start favourites.

 

[mattfb]

Well they have a new coach so who knows maybe Henjak can change things for them. They won't be missing as many players as usual either, at most I can count 5 that will be gone but Hodges, Wallace and Hunt are far from certainties.

aussie1st added 2 Minutes and 17 Seconds later...



From what I've been reading from Dragons and Broncos fans is Boyd is a pretty bad at centre and that fullback is his best position. I haven't seen much of Scott but I don't remember him being a good jumper which is where Folau is king. I'm not saying the Dragons can't win but the Broncos will start favourites.

No, Boyd wasn't good at center at all last week, but thats only because Morris didn't know what was going on. Twice Boyd ran across field, and Morris just stayed on the wing with very little space, forcing Boyd to cut back in field. Morris should have ran inside of Boyd. Hopefully Bennett fixes that up.

We won't go in the air, I bet we will see a lot of Soward grubbers for Morris. Folau is big, and he won't be able to get down as quick. And your right, Scott isn't a jumper I wouldn't imagine, because he usually plays second row so I doubt he can jump much. I am thinking Hornby will play in and around Soward, waiting for the grubber out to Folaus wing and looking for those inside balls to catch the Broncos big guys off guard.

I hope Morris has worked on his jumping over the weekend, as he was caught out twice against the sharks and against Folau their might be some issues.

 

[aussie1st]

People were actually saying way before the match that Boyd shouldn't be moved to centre, they obviously have seen something in his game that doesn't suit the spot. Anyway hopefully for you guys he proves them wrong but usually the fans are right *cough* Brett Kelly!

 

[aussie1st]

Congrats to the Dragons they lifted another gear in particular in attack while maintaining their defence from last week. Broncos looked gone after the Dragons first try, both halves were poor especially the kicking game.

 

[mattfb]

Woohoo! That was brilliant! Our defence was as solid as ever, and Broncos were gone 30 minutes in. Our attack was looking very good as well and we dominated. Prior had a great game, a tackling machine he is. Scott was also great, and basically everyone stood up. Soward had a ripper. Syl, I hope you mean both the Bronco's halves were poor because Soward was great. His kicking was brilliant, very territorial as usual and put a lot of pressure on the Bronco's all match, just like we did against Cronulla.

Feelin Blue? added 3 Minutes and 36 Seconds later...

Btw Syl, if you were reading that Boyd is a bad center from Dragons fans on leagueunlimited, it was probably me. I was saying he was bad at fullback after round 1 and the charity shield, but after the match last week I was saying he was bad at Center, and fullback was his spot lol. I'm pressuming your aussies 1st on their?

Also, sad to see Merrin didn't get a run. Head and Merrin both went un-used which shows out fit we are, using just 15 men and we were obviously still not as puffed as Brisbane. Very encouraging. Saint Benny, we love you!

 

[aussie1st]

Yea thats me, pretty sure a few of you guys were saying he was a poor centre. He looks so much better from fullback. Soward could be a bolter for the NSW halfback pos with his accurate kicking. Pearce has gone well too, his boot was massive against the Eels. Right now Anasta looks to be the form 5/8.

 

[aussie1st]

4 from 7 in the tipping, these dam upsets are killing me. Hopefully the Raiders can get up so I can make it 5 from 8.

 

[mattfb]

3/7 I think this week. :o Damn I hope I went better in the fantasy league then in tipping!!!

Once again, I'm just happy that one of those tips were Stgeorge. Come on Raiders, I hope you guys win tomorrow!

 

[stevo1]

Channel Nine are tweaking annoying, games are too late here in Melbourne and I cbf watching them if I've been out, prime example being Friday nights double-header. Get them on at a reasonable hour even show a Sunday game but of course they don't want to compete against the AFL, which is a bit annoying for an avid sports fan.

 

[aussie1st]

Makes no sense as come midnight or whatever time you get the match no one will want to watch it anyway.

Finally the Raiders off the mark, still looked shakey in the 2nd half but I'll take it. Sharks are getting killed by injury and suspension we should beat them but I'm not putting my house on it with the Raiders being so hot and cold.

 

[IloveGilly]

Wow. Sharks are one of the favorites if not favorites for the wooden spoon from TABs. 5/8 this week. Don't think anyone expected Titans to win. But boy, it sets up a hell of a year.

Wasn't long ago where they were in around week 23/26, and still 13 teams could make the 8. Thats what you want in a competition.

Roosters > Broncos!

 

[aussie1st]

I'll be tipping Broncos they have the history and will be hurting after their loss to the Dragons. Still don't know if the Roosters defence has been sorted yet as the Rabbits and Tigers game showed.
Raiders game I'm not so confidence with even though I should be as we have a history of performing poorly on the road and in particular against the Sharks. I just pray they bring their A game or there is going to be some Raiders player bashing going on after the match.

 

[aussie1st]

Dragons are looking pretty good at this stage, the Eels did catch them out wide a few times but their passes were shocking. Bennett use of the bench is quite amazing but it means he can replace pretty much anyone in the side with a specialist.

Roosters defence was also dodgy out wide but good on them for making a comeback and almost winning it.

Also what is the margin thing for in NRL tipping as I picked the margin for the Dragons game

 

[mattfb]

Yeah we were awesome, every year for the past forever, even in our golden 05 season whenever the opposition had the ball inside our 20 I was nervous as hell but all game on friday I just sat back and was relaxed when they were inside our 20, even when they did catch us short a little. Our cover defence is great (Boyd 4 try savers this year)

I think it just says how many times you've picked the margin in the team that your in. Hopefully you get a reward or something though, nice work picking the margin.

 

[aussie1st]

Oh yea beat the Sharkies And I continue my perfect tipping weekend, 3 more games to get right. I think that margin thing could be a tie breaker for the weekly prize.

Anyway back to the game, probably the first game this season where the Raiders weren't the better side, full credit to the Sharks they tried to attack us and it worked especially down Purtell's wing. Our attack was average, 2 tries from dummy half and one from the brilliance of Campo. TLL and Shillington look great for us though, Flanagan is proving to be the dud signing of the year and Thompson had his worst game in the green shirt.