Will EvansWelcome to LeagueBot
August 19th 2008 11:30
Hi there, and welcome to my blog, where I will aim to bring you a concise, informative and opinionated view on the world of Rugby League. I will cover the NRL primarily, but anything newsworthy will definitely get a mention. Don't be shy with any suggestions or feedback.
It is a tumultuous and exciting time for time for Rugby League. The $onny-gate saga is finally starting to wind down to a resolution, albeit a sad one for our game as the realisation sinks in that a once-in-a-generation player has been lost to the Rah-Rahs. Well, at least until 2013 anyway. On a brighter note, the race for the NRL finals gets more intriguing by the week as nine teams try to squeeze into the bottom four play-off spots over the next three rounds.
The remarkable no-name Canberra juggernaut appears assured of one of those spots when their current form and their cruisy draw for the rest of the regular season are considered. It speaks volumes for the character of the Raiders that they have been able to put the Todd Carney controversy aside and continue to play sublime footy, particularly after watching the Bulldogs spiral to weekly hidings since SBW's departure. While Mark Geyer may have jumped the gun by plumping for Terry Campese as a Kangaroo bolter for the World Cup, it can't be disputed that the Canberra pivot is the hottest player in the comp right now.
Besides Melbourne, who are starting to get that premiership-winning look about them again, the rest of the top-shelf sides have started to stumble. Manly seem to be suffering a crisis of confidence following the Storm loss, while the Roosters are also nursing back-to-back defeats. Cronulla crashed to a demoralising loss in Auckland, and the Broncos are no certainties to qualify for the finals after also going down at Mt. Smart, followed by another 4-point loss to a Mark Gasnier-inspired Dragons outfit. Gasnier's performance - including two brilliant tries and goals from all over the park - is another stark reminder of the quality of talent the NRL is losing to the croissant-eaters, as was Luke Rooney's four-try haul against the hapless 'Dogs.
St. George-Illawarra's timely return to form should book them a spot in the top-8 after round 26, but enigmatic quartet of New Zealand, Parramatta, Penrith and the Tigers will probably be left to scrap for eighth position. Brisbane should extinguish the Gold Coast's flame this Friday, despite Scott Prince's brave comeback, and Newcastle will struggle to bounce back from the mauling they copped in the capital.
Stay tuned for more previews, reviews, news and tidbits on LeagueBot and look out for the daily top 10.
Today: Top 10 Kangaroo World Cup Bolters
1. Michael Jennings
2. Chris Heighington
3. Terry Campese
4. Michael Ennis
5. Darius Boyd
6. Luke Lewis
7. Nathan Merritt
8. Mitchell Pearce
9. Ben Creagh
10. Alan Tongue
It is a tumultuous and exciting time for time for Rugby League. The $onny-gate saga is finally starting to wind down to a resolution, albeit a sad one for our game as the realisation sinks in that a once-in-a-generation player has been lost to the Rah-Rahs. Well, at least until 2013 anyway. On a brighter note, the race for the NRL finals gets more intriguing by the week as nine teams try to squeeze into the bottom four play-off spots over the next three rounds.
The remarkable no-name Canberra juggernaut appears assured of one of those spots when their current form and their cruisy draw for the rest of the regular season are considered. It speaks volumes for the character of the Raiders that they have been able to put the Todd Carney controversy aside and continue to play sublime footy, particularly after watching the Bulldogs spiral to weekly hidings since SBW's departure. While Mark Geyer may have jumped the gun by plumping for Terry Campese as a Kangaroo bolter for the World Cup, it can't be disputed that the Canberra pivot is the hottest player in the comp right now.
Besides Melbourne, who are starting to get that premiership-winning look about them again, the rest of the top-shelf sides have started to stumble. Manly seem to be suffering a crisis of confidence following the Storm loss, while the Roosters are also nursing back-to-back defeats. Cronulla crashed to a demoralising loss in Auckland, and the Broncos are no certainties to qualify for the finals after also going down at Mt. Smart, followed by another 4-point loss to a Mark Gasnier-inspired Dragons outfit. Gasnier's performance - including two brilliant tries and goals from all over the park - is another stark reminder of the quality of talent the NRL is losing to the croissant-eaters, as was Luke Rooney's four-try haul against the hapless 'Dogs.
St. George-Illawarra's timely return to form should book them a spot in the top-8 after round 26, but enigmatic quartet of New Zealand, Parramatta, Penrith and the Tigers will probably be left to scrap for eighth position. Brisbane should extinguish the Gold Coast's flame this Friday, despite Scott Prince's brave comeback, and Newcastle will struggle to bounce back from the mauling they copped in the capital.
Stay tuned for more previews, reviews, news and tidbits on LeagueBot and look out for the daily top 10.
Today: Top 10 Kangaroo World Cup Bolters
1. Michael Jennings
2. Chris Heighington
3. Terry Campese
4. Michael Ennis
5. Darius Boyd
6. Luke Lewis
7. Nathan Merritt
8. Mitchell Pearce
9. Ben Creagh
10. Alan Tongue
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Comment by ChrisC
The Dissector
Hope you realise that if you put up a top 10 list, it is open to debate!!!
And I love a debate so I'll start...Nathan Merritt as a world cup bolter? hahahahahahahahaa
you are kidding! He's got as much chance as Michael Ennis has of ousting Smith, Buderus and Farah for the hooker's job...ie - none!
chow4now
Comment by ethos
NRL Live
I hope the selectors go with some in form players, although it's hard to see anyone challenging Australia regardless of who they pick.