Saw some highlights of both rep games.
But feel sorry for Canberra fans. Hopefully there is a win soon.
But feel sorry for Canberra fans. Hopefully there is a win soon.
The National Rugby League Thread
- Thread starter PlainSimpleJoel
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Their Top 8 chances are gone, 8 points adrift of the top 8 and 24-26 points off what you would think the cut-off would be for the top 8. Now I'm focusing on hoping they don't get the wooden spoon.
There has been some pathetic behaviour by some fans. Last week some coward keyed Orford's car. Those are the types of fans the game can do without.
Origin teams would be announced next week, wonder if there will be any surprise selections.
There has been some pathetic behaviour by some fans. Last week some coward keyed Orford's car. Those are the types of fans the game can do without.
Origin teams would be announced next week, wonder if there will be any surprise selections.
12 - 6 to the Raiders at half time. They should be up by more, but great defence by the Storm (plus woeful defence by Dugan to let in the try). Given the record against the Storm I expect the Storm to roll the Raiders in the second half.
Edit: Wow, just posted this as the 2nd half started and the Storm have already evened it up. Watch the Raiders collapse and once again be embarrassed at Melbourne.
Edit2: 20 - 12 to the Raiders...colour me surprised. It might seem that I was been very negative about the Raiders chances (ignoring that they are 1-8 at the time) but until a few years ago the Storm had a 14 game winning streak against the Raiders and I think the Raiders have only won 2 or 3 games in total against the Storm in the last decade. The last time they won in Melbourne the side had names like Nagas and Daley in the side.
This is a massive upset. I doubt you'd find any Raiders fan before the game who would have hoped for more than the Raiders just not losing too badly. The Storm was off their game, but when you're the wooden spooners you'll take a win no matter the circumstances.
The Storm's tries came through Quade Cooper-esque defence from Dugan and it wouldn't have done his chances for a Origin call up any good. I missed the Raider's first two tries but Ferguson scored a scorcher to seal the game at the end.
Origin sides get announced on Monday. I don't see any Raiders making it unless Lahrs recovers from his injury. Dugan I think is under done he's not played more than two games in a row this season, and his defensive frailties were on display tonight. However, Gordon's injury (Sterlo cursed him by saying he would be the Blues fullback) might see him slip into the side. I'll throw out Ferguson as a possible surprise bolter for a wing spot. He's good under the high ball, his defence and positional play is pretty good and he can score a try.
Edit: Wow, just posted this as the 2nd half started and the Storm have already evened it up. Watch the Raiders collapse and once again be embarrassed at Melbourne.
Edit2: 20 - 12 to the Raiders...colour me surprised. It might seem that I was been very negative about the Raiders chances (ignoring that they are 1-8 at the time) but until a few years ago the Storm had a 14 game winning streak against the Raiders and I think the Raiders have only won 2 or 3 games in total against the Storm in the last decade. The last time they won in Melbourne the side had names like Nagas and Daley in the side.
This is a massive upset. I doubt you'd find any Raiders fan before the game who would have hoped for more than the Raiders just not losing too badly. The Storm was off their game, but when you're the wooden spooners you'll take a win no matter the circumstances.
The Storm's tries came through Quade Cooper-esque defence from Dugan and it wouldn't have done his chances for a Origin call up any good. I missed the Raider's first two tries but Ferguson scored a scorcher to seal the game at the end.
Origin sides get announced on Monday. I don't see any Raiders making it unless Lahrs recovers from his injury. Dugan I think is under done he's not played more than two games in a row this season, and his defensive frailties were on display tonight. However, Gordon's injury (Sterlo cursed him by saying he would be the Blues fullback) might see him slip into the side. I'll throw out Ferguson as a possible surprise bolter for a wing spot. He's good under the high ball, his defence and positional play is pretty good and he can score a try.
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Got my days wrong, the team was announced yesterday.
Surprised Dugan was selected over Hayne. Also surprised Idris didn't make the team. Uate I'm a bit concerned about, I can see him having a game similar to the Wolfman in his first Origin game. I'm not a Bird fan and I'd rather have Creagh in the run on and Idris on the bench
Surprised Dugan was selected over Hayne. Also surprised Idris didn't make the team. Uate I'm a bit concerned about, I can see him having a game similar to the Wolfman in his first Origin game. I'm not a Bird fan and I'd rather have Creagh in the run on and Idris on the bench
I don't want to talk about the Eels' performance. 
It was very disappointing.
Anyways, Hayne will bounce back after missing out.
It was very disappointing.Anyways, Hayne will bounce back after missing out.
The Raiders best game of the season (though its a very short list when this was only their third win!). It was built on rock solid defence that has been missing for 8 rounds prior to last week. In the last quarter I was nervous because of the amount of defence the Raiders had done, so the Bulldogs closing up on the scoreboard wasn't a surprise, but the Raiders' composure towards the end held firm and they were deserving winners.
If only this had started 3 weeks ago, if it did I'd be open to them getting into the Top 8, but I think they are too far and I can't see who would fall out of the Top 8 to make way for the Raiders. Last year it was the Broncos, but save a horror run through the rep season or injuries I don't see them missing two finals in a row.
If only this had started 3 weeks ago, if it did I'd be open to them getting into the Top 8, but I think they are too far and I can't see who would fall out of the Top 8 to make way for the Raiders. Last year it was the Broncos, but save a horror run through the rep season or injuries I don't see them missing two finals in a row.
Best performance of the year so far for the Eels against a very weak Sharks team. Bloody awesome. Moving McGuire to 5/8 was a great move, but Robson has been on fire tonight. Hopefully the Eels can continue with this halves combo.
One of the few credible performances in game 1 since 2005 by the Blues. With all the pressure and ball QLD had teams of a few years ago would have been belted by 20 - 30, They still let in an easy try and gifted one because Morris made a terrible, terrible decision and QLD winning try was on the back of solid work that just opened up a slowing defensive line. You just could feel that QLD was going to get another try in the dying minutes just because of how dominant they had been and the amount of defence the Blues had to do.
On the defence, it was mostly good. QLD could have been 20 ahead by mid-way through the 1st half but NSW did grind back into the game. Then in the second have, 4 or 5 line drop outs in a row and not to leak a try is awesome work (though there was a fair bit of luck in that as well).
If this team is together in 3 weeks time they are a very good chance of keeping the series alive. However, I'd start Ennis and I still think Idris should come onto the bench.
On the defence, it was mostly good. QLD could have been 20 ahead by mid-way through the 1st half but NSW did grind back into the game. Then in the second have, 4 or 5 line drop outs in a row and not to leak a try is awesome work (though there was a fair bit of luck in that as well).
If this team is together in 3 weeks time they are a very good chance of keeping the series alive. However, I'd start Ennis and I still think Idris should come onto the bench.
I think NSW will make some changes. Jason King needs to be dropped. A few others could be in danger. Will be interesting to see what happens.
Thanks to the bye (and the Titans) the Raiders are off the bottom of the table. I doubt many would have thought that nearly half way through the season that the Titans, Raiders and Roosters would be anchoring the table...I'd say many would thing two of those teams would have been fighting it out for the spots immediately behind the Dragons.
King was injured on Friday so he might end up being a forced change.
King was injured on Friday so he might end up being a forced change.
The Eels were very disappointing last night. But the game was very disappointing and in terrible conditions. Next week Dragons. Doubtful of an upset.
Good start by the Raiders to get to 22 - 0 by the 30th min, but Dugan has been injured and the Cowboys are making a comeback and Campese was just injured as well and was on for about 5 minutes. Another player looks like he's been injured...injuries might see the Raiders implode and get wiped out in the 2nd half.
Not great news for the Blues: Morris, Jennings and Dugan are gone for game 2.
Edit: That's exactly what happened. The Raiders never really looked like winning after Dugan got injured and the Raiders were 22 points up! They could only put on 2 points in 50 minutes after Dugan went off. They showed a lack of mental toughness, which isn't surprising for a team that has lost 8 in a row this season. Their defense went away for for 20 minutes for the Cowboys to even it up. Then with 10 minutes to go with 2 players on the bench from around the 35th minute mark in the 1st half the Raiders cracked majorly and leaped 3 tries quickly and were truly blown away.
Ferguson, Ferguson, Ferguson...good winger, terrible fullback defensively. As soon as that change happened I dropped my head, but I hoped the Raiders could do something with such a solid lead. They'll call in Massey for sure (if he's fit), Furner won't make the same mistake he did earlier in the season when he put Ferguson into FB the weak after he had to fill in after Dugan got injured against the Titans and he effectively handed the victory to the Titan's in extra time.
That black jersey is cursed! They wore it against Souths last year and blew a solid first half lead to be easily run down.
Wish the Raiders showed some of that grit the Eels did on Friday night. That was a pretty incredible game in the end.
Not great news for the Blues: Morris, Jennings and Dugan are gone for game 2.
Edit: That's exactly what happened. The Raiders never really looked like winning after Dugan got injured and the Raiders were 22 points up! They could only put on 2 points in 50 minutes after Dugan went off. They showed a lack of mental toughness, which isn't surprising for a team that has lost 8 in a row this season. Their defense went away for for 20 minutes for the Cowboys to even it up. Then with 10 minutes to go with 2 players on the bench from around the 35th minute mark in the 1st half the Raiders cracked majorly and leaped 3 tries quickly and were truly blown away.
Ferguson, Ferguson, Ferguson...good winger, terrible fullback defensively. As soon as that change happened I dropped my head, but I hoped the Raiders could do something with such a solid lead. They'll call in Massey for sure (if he's fit), Furner won't make the same mistake he did earlier in the season when he put Ferguson into FB the weak after he had to fill in after Dugan got injured against the Titans and he effectively handed the victory to the Titan's in extra time.
That black jersey is cursed! They wore it against Souths last year and blew a solid first half lead to be easily run down.
Wish the Raiders showed some of that grit the Eels did on Friday night. That was a pretty incredible game in the end.
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Pleased with the Eels' performance against the Dragons, but in the end, both teams deserve just 1 point, as neither could win it.
On the Blues, pleased that Hayne is back there, but surprised by Gallen being selected as a Front Rower, but with injuries to Snowden.
On the Blues, pleased that Hayne is back there, but surprised by Gallen being selected as a Front Rower, but with injuries to Snowden.
Dugan is out (can't believed he was picked at all. He was always going to need time off training) and the Count is in. Nothing against Mini but I thought they would just drop Hayne back, Hopoate onto the wing where he should be and Idris into centre, not his usual side of the field but he didn't do too badly on the left side in the test match.
I'm not sold on this team, mainly on the positional selections. I'm less confident about squaring the series than I was a few days ago.
Back on the Raiders, Campo is out for another 6 weeks. Furner's selection has cost Campo pretty much most of the 2011 season and to put icing on the cake he got a $5,000 fine for talking to the refs at half-time. Overall not his best weekend as coach.
I'm not sold on this team, mainly on the positional selections. I'm less confident about squaring the series than I was a few days ago.
Back on the Raiders, Campo is out for another 6 weeks. Furner's selection has cost Campo pretty much most of the 2011 season and to put icing on the cake he got a $5,000 fine for talking to the refs at half-time. Overall not his best weekend as coach.
60 minutes of gutless effort followed by 20 minutes of quality and the Raiders came so close to stealing a win against the Broncos. If they did I think the Broncos would feel hard done by given their dominance for 3/4 of the match and how rubbish the Raiders were. Despite the fight back Furner should have given them a Rea-like spray out in public. 40 mins of good footy in 160 is woeful.
It was also the Raider's second loss in extra time this year. I wonder what their stats are in golden point. I can only remember them winning once back in 2006 or 2007 against the Tigers.
Campo is out for the season, his injury is more like 12 weeks instead of 6. What a waste.
State of Origin game 2 on Wednesday, I'm not expecting any joy out of that either. Well, at least the Brumbies have decided to bring out some fight in the last two weeks or I'd be giving up on footy altogether!
It was also the Raider's second loss in extra time this year. I wonder what their stats are in golden point. I can only remember them winning once back in 2006 or 2007 against the Tigers.
Campo is out for the season, his injury is more like 12 weeks instead of 6. What a waste.
State of Origin game 2 on Wednesday, I'm not expecting any joy out of that either. Well, at least the Brumbies have decided to bring out some fight in the last two weeks or I'd be giving up on footy altogether!
Great performance by NSW tonight in the Origin. Best in recent years. It was defence and the speed of the ball by NSW. Bring on Game 3
There isn't any disappointment of the Eels losing last night. Heck, I was thinking Manly would win by 13 plus. Did listen to a little of it, but rugby league wasn't important for me over the weekend.
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