Will EvansFriday Night Previews / NRL release a CD
August 21st 2008 11:21
Friday night provides two mouth-watering clashes that will have a major bearing on the final make-up of the top-8.
-Brisbane vs Gold Coast at Suncorp Stadium
The Titans' season has been on life support for several weeks now, but the Broncos will be looking to finally euthanise them at the Cauldron. All eyes will be on Gold Coast's captain courageous Scott Prince and his Meninga-style armguard in his second match back in his early comeback from a broken arm suffered in Origin III. Prince played superbly last week to squeak his side home against North Queensland, but a full-strength Brisbane outfit are a different proposition to the last-placed Cowboys. The home side welcomes back international foursome Justin Hodges, Karmichael Hunt, Tonie Carroll and Greg Eastwood and are desperate to get their campaign back on track after disappointing consecutive losses. Brisbane would appear heavy favourites but they have brought out the best in the Titans during their short existence, and if their Big Six - Prince, Rogers, Campbell, Friend, Laffranchi and Harrison - can fire, the Broncos could be ripe for the picking. The Broncos have rarely approached the finals in this good a shape injury-wise and if they can build some momentum over the last three rounds of their relatively mellow draw, they can mount a serious title challenge.
-Cronulla vs Sydney at Toyota Stadium
Both teams need to bounce back after atrocious last-start losses. The Roosters were comprehensively humbled by a rampant Melbourne, while Cronulla were embarrassing in New Zealand. The key to this match will be whether Sydney can reignite their attack via halves Anasta and Pearce. They have the firepower out wide in Roberts and Soliola, combined with the destructive forward presence of Tupou (the only Rooster to worry the Storm last week) and Mason, along with Setaimata Sa and the Paea brothers off the bench. If it develops into an open contest, I can't see the Sharks staying with Sydney, but if it's tight - few teams can grind out a win against Cronulla. A loss for the Roosters puts a top-4 finish in serious jeopardy, while a win for the Sharks could secure them a vital place in the top-2.
THE VERDICT: Brisbane's class out wide to blow the Titans away in the second half after a close opening stanza, and Noddy to guide the Sharks to a gripping win at home.
-The NRL has released a 2CD compilation album entitled NRL Big Hits. What could have been an admirable innovation has resulted in a generic middle-of-the-road rock mix sure to leave a few league-mad Dads disappointed come Fathers Day. It appears to be a total rip-off of any of those 'Best Sports Songs', 'Best Driving Songs' albums - you know the ones where the title ends with "....in the World Ever." The only aspect linking it to Rugby League is a couple of appearances from the first lady of Aussie League, Tina Turner. There isn't even any Hoodoo Gurus!
Before we get into today's top 10, honourable mentions for yesterday's buy-of-the-season segment should go to Heath L'estrange, John Williams and James Aubusson.
TOP 10 DUD BUYS OF THE YEAR
1. Travis Burns - seemed destined to form a fine combination with Thurston but has spent much of the season suspended and out of form.
2. PJ Marsh - earned a surprise call-up to Queensland's bench for Origin I but hasn't made the impact the Broncos would have wanted and appears to be third in the hooking queue behind Michael Ennis and youngster Andrew McCullough.
3. Joe Williams - the enigmatic former Rabbitoh barely lasted half a season at Penrith before moving on to the Bulldogs.
4. Kirk Reynoldson - seemed primed for a massive season after an acrimonious split with Newcastle last year, but has struggled to cement a spot in the youthful Dragons' pack.
5. Ashton Sims - has had some good games for Brisbane but has been unable to eliminate the errors and pushed passes that have prevented him from making the step up from 'future international' to genuine rep contender.
6. Adam Woolnough - Rugged former-Knight had a big chance to establish himself up front alongside Petero Civoneceva at Penrith, but has made just five appearances.
7. David Vaealiki - The long-striding former-Parramatta outside back's season was over before it began at Manly as injury forced his premature retirement.
8. Joel Clinton - Has finally found some form over the past few weeks, but the move to Brisbane has failed to reignite his flagging career a la Josh Perry at Manly.
9. Mat Head - Some nice touches earlier in the year alongside Benji Marshall, but star hooker Robbie Farah now wears the No. 7 for the Tigers.
10. Danny Wicks - Provided one of the early highlights of the season with a 60 metre try against the Roosters, but his involvement has been poor and Wicks has recently been dropped from first grade.
-Brisbane vs Gold Coast at Suncorp Stadium
The Titans' season has been on life support for several weeks now, but the Broncos will be looking to finally euthanise them at the Cauldron. All eyes will be on Gold Coast's captain courageous Scott Prince and his Meninga-style armguard in his second match back in his early comeback from a broken arm suffered in Origin III. Prince played superbly last week to squeak his side home against North Queensland, but a full-strength Brisbane outfit are a different proposition to the last-placed Cowboys. The home side welcomes back international foursome Justin Hodges, Karmichael Hunt, Tonie Carroll and Greg Eastwood and are desperate to get their campaign back on track after disappointing consecutive losses. Brisbane would appear heavy favourites but they have brought out the best in the Titans during their short existence, and if their Big Six - Prince, Rogers, Campbell, Friend, Laffranchi and Harrison - can fire, the Broncos could be ripe for the picking. The Broncos have rarely approached the finals in this good a shape injury-wise and if they can build some momentum over the last three rounds of their relatively mellow draw, they can mount a serious title challenge.
-Cronulla vs Sydney at Toyota Stadium
Both teams need to bounce back after atrocious last-start losses. The Roosters were comprehensively humbled by a rampant Melbourne, while Cronulla were embarrassing in New Zealand. The key to this match will be whether Sydney can reignite their attack via halves Anasta and Pearce. They have the firepower out wide in Roberts and Soliola, combined with the destructive forward presence of Tupou (the only Rooster to worry the Storm last week) and Mason, along with Setaimata Sa and the Paea brothers off the bench. If it develops into an open contest, I can't see the Sharks staying with Sydney, but if it's tight - few teams can grind out a win against Cronulla. A loss for the Roosters puts a top-4 finish in serious jeopardy, while a win for the Sharks could secure them a vital place in the top-2.
THE VERDICT: Brisbane's class out wide to blow the Titans away in the second half after a close opening stanza, and Noddy to guide the Sharks to a gripping win at home.
-The NRL has released a 2CD compilation album entitled NRL Big Hits. What could have been an admirable innovation has resulted in a generic middle-of-the-road rock mix sure to leave a few league-mad Dads disappointed come Fathers Day. It appears to be a total rip-off of any of those 'Best Sports Songs', 'Best Driving Songs' albums - you know the ones where the title ends with "....in the World Ever." The only aspect linking it to Rugby League is a couple of appearances from the first lady of Aussie League, Tina Turner. There isn't even any Hoodoo Gurus!
Before we get into today's top 10, honourable mentions for yesterday's buy-of-the-season segment should go to Heath L'estrange, John Williams and James Aubusson.
TOP 10 DUD BUYS OF THE YEAR
1. Travis Burns - seemed destined to form a fine combination with Thurston but has spent much of the season suspended and out of form.
2. PJ Marsh - earned a surprise call-up to Queensland's bench for Origin I but hasn't made the impact the Broncos would have wanted and appears to be third in the hooking queue behind Michael Ennis and youngster Andrew McCullough.
3. Joe Williams - the enigmatic former Rabbitoh barely lasted half a season at Penrith before moving on to the Bulldogs.
4. Kirk Reynoldson - seemed primed for a massive season after an acrimonious split with Newcastle last year, but has struggled to cement a spot in the youthful Dragons' pack.
5. Ashton Sims - has had some good games for Brisbane but has been unable to eliminate the errors and pushed passes that have prevented him from making the step up from 'future international' to genuine rep contender.
6. Adam Woolnough - Rugged former-Knight had a big chance to establish himself up front alongside Petero Civoneceva at Penrith, but has made just five appearances.
7. David Vaealiki - The long-striding former-Parramatta outside back's season was over before it began at Manly as injury forced his premature retirement.
8. Joel Clinton - Has finally found some form over the past few weeks, but the move to Brisbane has failed to reignite his flagging career a la Josh Perry at Manly.
9. Mat Head - Some nice touches earlier in the year alongside Benji Marshall, but star hooker Robbie Farah now wears the No. 7 for the Tigers.
10. Danny Wicks - Provided one of the early highlights of the season with a 60 metre try against the Roosters, but his involvement has been poor and Wicks has recently been dropped from first grade.
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Comment by Anonymous
I would like to question the leaguebot on his thoughts of the bronco's selling half their team just to make room for Folou????