NRL 2018 - Round 14

The day after Origin is like the day after Christmas except there’s no presents, decorations, food, family, religious celebration, goodwill or holidays.  Some might call it “Thursday.” 

I don’t think Wednesday night's Origin game will go down in rugby league folklore as “one of the great matches”, and I don’t think anyone’s career is over because of their terrible performance playing left centre for Queensland.  It could probably be best described as “a game of State of Origin.”  It had a few controversial moments – Dane Gagai either dropped the ball or Angus Crichton stripped it, and James Maloney threw a pass seventy metres forward for NSW to score and wasn’t called by the ref, but neither incident was a deciding factor in the final result of NSW winning by 10 points.  If your team falls off 50 tackles, you should count yourself lucky to only lose by that many.  But it was entertaining enough, and definitely a quick game with some good changes of momentum; QLD dominated the opening 20 minutes, but they could not maintain the intensity and pressure, and in the end their defence was shoddy and their attack became predictable.  Just because Old Man Smith, Gooper Gronk, The Immortal Johnathan Thurston and Cheating Fucking Billy Fucking Slater weren’t playing, it shouldn’t mean that the quick back-line plays around the ruck had to retire with them. 

I don’t think wholesale changes need to be made to either team for the next game, injuries notwithstanding.  I don’t think Hunt was anywhere near 100% fit, Slater was obviously missing, Gagai reportedly had a broken hand, Jimmy the Jet left the field early with a dodgy foot, Crichton lost a tooth, Maloney picked up a new scab and Turbo Tom is still trying to get Inglis’ shoulder out of his ribcage, but I think the majority of players will retain their places.  I mean, it’s Origin.  You are expected to play through niggles and broken bones.  For example, I burnt my mouth on a party pie while I was watching.  Did I put away my plate?  No, I grabbed another beer and had a sausage roll, because that’s what Origin is all about.

Round 14

Picking the regular round of footy will be hard over the coming weeks, as you will never know which players will drop out at the last minute due to injury, exhaustion or court appearances.  But we will do our best.

Canberra Raiders vs Penrith Panthers

CARN YOU RAIDERS.  Even though the Pennies are sitting high and mighty at the top of the ladder, I think the Green Machine can take advantage of a side backing up from Wednesday’s game and Thursday’s hangover.     

Gold Coast Titans vs South Sydney Rabbitohs

The Titans have finally done what the NRL world has been begging for all year – released Bryce Cartwright for this week.  That guy seems to be in all sorts at the moment; it wasn’t that long ago that he was destined to be the next Freddy Fittler; now he looks more like being the next… I dunno, Paul Gallen?

Manly Sea Eagles vs New Zealand Warriors

Sorry Manly, I can’t see anything good happening for you this week.  Wait, why am I sorry about that?  Fuck you, Manly.

Newcastle Knights vs Sydney Roosters

Surely the Rooters are going to kick into gear at some point this year, right?  I mean, they’ve only had 13 rounds to let Cronk get familiar with passing to a bloke who’s not wearing purple. 

Parramatta Eels vs North Queensland Cowboys

Oh Parra, what the fuck has happened?  I’d say “get rid of your coach” but I think “get rid of your team” might be better.  Just hit that reset button and start over. 

Cronulla Sharks vs Wests Tigers

Tigers have great value if you’re having a punt ($2.55 for the win), but I think the Sharkies will take the cheese this week after a pretty ordinary performance in their last game.  It's just a gut feeling in the back of my head.

Melbourne Storm vs Brisbane Broncos

Traditionally, Melbourne flogs the bejesus out of Brisbane whenever they play around the Origin period.  Let’s hope that continues, because watching anyone put 40+ onto the Broncs is a national pastime and we should have a public holiday given to us because of it.

Canterbury Bulldogs vs St George Dragons

Time for the Saints to get back on track and win some games.  There are reasons why the Bulldogs are coming 15^th, and this game should show exactly what those reasons are, which is “everything.”

Despite what it looks like, NSW are actually pretty happy with Tom