THE RED ROOSTER

Winners - The Dolphins, Cronulla Sharks, Penrith Panthers, Canberra Raiders, Canterbury Bulldogs, Melbourne Storm, West Tigers and New Zealand Warriors Points -320 Away Wins - 1 Poll - Newcastle v NZ Warriors

Round 20 and the season reaches its conclusion some sides will be dropping out of contention. At this late stage it would be unwise to faire a coach before the season end unless a board really wanted to deflect blame for a poor season to the fanbase or the coaches themselves fall upon their sword s to speak. The Dolphins V North Queensland Cowboys The Dolphins bring back the hammer, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to full back and add Connelly Lemuelu. The Cowboys drop Robert Derby to reserve grade and remain without the injured John Bateman and Jake Clifford while the Jaxson Purdue experiment in the halves continues. The Dolphins in 10th Spot need a win to close the gap on the top 8 whereas the Cows in 12th spot with 17 points just need to win to keep the season alive. It’s always difficult to predict which Dolphins side turns up but on paper this is a potent attack at home against a side that leaks points. The Cows will score points but will also concede. Another Nail in Todd Payten’s coaching coffin? Verdict – Dolphins Cronulla Sharks v Sydney Roosters Sharkies unchanged from last week battle of the aquarium against the fins. The Roosters by contrast recall Chad Townsend to replace the injured Hugo Savala instead of Sandon Smith in the halves to partner Sam Walker Match of the round with both Roosters in 8th and Sharks in 9th on 22 points separated only by points difference. A close game in prospect between two evenly matched sides it may boil down to how well the Rosters halves combine and home advantage with both sides desperate for the win. I am therefore tilting towards the Sharks here. Verdict – Sharks Penrith Panthers v South Sydney Panthers rest Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo with Liam Martin still out injured and Izack Tago suspended. Dylan Edwards and Brian To’o return after being rested last week. Souths have n Cody Walker, Campbell Graham or Brandon Smith but Latrell Mitchell returns although Lewis Dodd still does not make the starting XIII. Penny Panthers on a bit of a roll at present and have sneaked into 6th spot on the ladder with 23 points. The Bunnies are 16th only ahead of the Titans and must be looking at the Titans results. The Panthers rest and rotate taking a gamble that no Nathan Cleary will not be a factor against a Rabbitohs side ravaged by injury. That said, Benny’s Bunnies have not been lying down even in defeat and the have the mercurial Latrell Mitchell who will always give you a punchers chance of an upset. Another win for the Panthers and looking ahead to their next four fixtures might have the mountain men’s fans posting “we’re back baby!” Verdict – Panthers Canberra Raiders v Parramatta Eels Rickys Rested Raiders, welcome back Josh Papalii and Hudson Young from origin duty. Parramatta exclude the departing Dylan Brown dropped to the 18th man and have Joash Papalii in the halves instead. A game of contrast with table topping Canberra hosting a rebuilding Paramatta Eels in 15th Spot with just 16 points. With Jason Ryles probably writing the season off and using the remaining games to sift through the Eels of the future. which is a sound coaching move unless the titans start winning in which case the pressure will be on to avoid the spoon. No such problem for the Capital club that will want to maintain momentum and win the minor premiership. The only issue may be over confidence. Verdict -Raiders Canterbury Bulldogs v St George-Illawarra Canterbury drop Toby Sexton for Lachlan Galvin Bronson Xerri is out injured and Stephen Crichton and Kurt Mann return from Origin. SGI remain unchanged from their defeat to the Roosters last week at Kogarah. After being the table topping league leaders for so long the Galvin effect sees the Dogs in third. The dragons who we are told view themselves as a top 8 side are in 11th Spot with 18 points and need to start winning now. Galvin disruption aside, the return of Stephen Crichton is key for providing the on-field leadership the Doggies need right now, and they are up against a Dragons outfit that is definitely up for the contest but leaky in defence. The postmortem on the Dragons season needs to focus on off-field issues such as why the club continues to lose promising juniors and why the club is not seen as a desirable team to go to meaning the club has to pay “overs” to secure signings. Verdict –Bulldogs Melbourne Storm v Manly Sea Eagles Melbourne see Xavier Coates and Cameron muster return post origin though no Ryan Papenhuyzen with the more than capable Nick Meany covering. The Silvertails remain unchanged from the team that beat the Rabbits prior to their bye week. Melbourne sits comfortably in second spot Manly in 7th Sport with 22 points and need to put a run together. The Manly season is schizoid and to be honest if they play to their potential do have the ability to ride out the Storm in Melbourne but who can predict how they will react. You can guarantee a certain level of performance from a Craig Bellamy coached side and if they get an early lead Manly could fall apart. Verdict – Storm West Tigers v Gold Coast Titans Wests bring in new recruit Taylan May to the side. Gold Coast see the return of Tino Fa’asuamaleaui from Origin and Sam Veralls from Injury Tigers would be cruelled for this to be called the “Spoon Bowl”. Wests sit in 14th Spot on 16 points. Titans dead last on 14 points. A Titans win would probably not move them off the bottom simply on the points differential but would open up “the spoon race” to Souths, Eels, Tigers and Knights. Wests are an improved side this year, and “woody” should be moving out of concord. This game is at Leichardt Oval a ground that is a bit of a fortress for the joint venture. In contrast, the Titans get it together very now and then but not enough to prevent the fin de siècle to Des Haesler’s coaching career. I do remember being at Leichardt a couple of years back early season when the Titans pulled off a win against Tigers but maybe not this time. Verdict – West Tigers Newcastle Knights v New Zealand Warriors The troubled Knights are without Kaylin Ponga for the season and if media reports are accurate possibly for good. The Wahs see Rocco Berry sidelined and Kurt Capewell’s return. Knights have 16 points and are 13th due to the points differential in the favour caused by the functioning defence. The Wahs too are more a defensive side sitting in fourth on 28 points with a points differential of only + 31. The team most heavily tipped to drop out of the top four and minus their key playmaker. Not straightforward as the Knights are a better side than their position would suggest and the Jackson Hastings and Jack Cogger half back paring may begin to click. The wahs who are without their main playmaker will rely on their physical dominance to get home in this gamer but do not have a great record at Marathon stadium. Verdict – Too close to call

London 18 Doncaster 38 No arguments from me about that scoreline. Credit to Doncaster who only turned up 40 mins before the start. On no less than three occasions London fell for a sissors move from their No 7 to Gebbie London had their chances notably when 6-0 up spurning the chance to take the two points twice knocking on on both occasions. Then with the score 12-12 after the break spurning another chance to go for two. When Doncaster got the opportunity to take the two they did to go 14-12 up and the rest is history. Doncaster kicking game was superior to London's and the last 10 minutes seemed to be Doncater coughing the ball up to a London side clueless in attack.Conor O'Beirne especially disappointing London normal.problem of stupid penalties and dropped passes also very much in evidence. Considering this was on paper the strongest line up London have put out this season there are no excuses for the worst performance I have seen in.person this season. For those interested, yes Gary Herherington was indeed at.the match although not exactly a picture of sartorial elegance in white shirt and shorts. Still it's a long way to Ebbsfleet from Harrogate so kudos to Gary .

Glory be England look as though they can actually bat 100 overs in a Test Match - Hold the front page!. This mainly down to that unreconstructed batsman from the pre-Bazball era in Joe Root, and there is not a bowler in that dressing room not grateful to have Joe in the side. That batting is in stark contrast to Zak Crawley's swiping innings in which he looked and batted like a walking wicket. He has played 57 tests now and while I would not advocate a return to the "one cap wonder" era of my youth in whiich the likes of Alan Butcher (Mark's dad) , Paul Parker and John Stephenson got one game at the end of a series to stake a claim for the winter tour by now surely everyioone knows what Crawley can and cannot do and an average of 31 as an opener is pretty ordinary. When the made a decision to allow Crawley and Pope (another whose time has surely come to an end) to bat against Zimbabwe you guranteed this outcome for the first tests of the summer. Just to put the Zim boys into perspective, Wiaan Mulder stood a fair chance of getting past Brian Lara's record against them bnefore he put the team first and declared not out. Which brings me to Jacob Bethell now incredibly touted as a replacement for Shoaib Bashir. To be clear here Bethell bowls slow left arm but is a batsman not a front line spinner. he and Joe Root's offspin would be used to "spell" the other bowlers by contributing 5-7 overs per innings. He is not a match winner on a turning pitch. You now have Vaughan and Alasdair Cook touting Liam Dawson as the alternative to Shoaib. Let's it be forgotten on a tour in India a certain England captain moped we put 450 on the board and then India batte 2 days on the same surface and got 700. he Captain aladsir Cook, one of the bowlers Liam Dawson. As for Dawson bolstering the batting, If you need an all rounder at number 8 then it says very lilttle for your Numbers 1 to 7 does it not. The floor is open for anyone to suggest an alternative spinner to Shoaib Bashir, good luck.

Winners - Cronulla Sharks, Melbourne Storm, Sydney Roosters, Canterbury Bulldogs, New Zealand Warriiors, Penrith Panthers and Brisbane Broncos Points - 340 Home wins - 2 Poll - 4

Round 19. And we are now at the point where teams need to get a result to stay in contention and there are some humdingers coming up this round. But there is one thing to bear in mind about teams named on Tuesdays, particularly after an Origin game in that Players may not back up 48 or 72 hours later due to injury and wear and tear. Only the Storm and Panthers have openly stated they may rest their Origin players which not only shows why these are the two premier organisations in the NRL but also highlights the pressure coaches are under at this time of year to get results in that they feel the need to play a 70% fit player Cronulla Sharks v The Dolphins Incredibly the Sharkie’s are out of the top eight, sitting in 10th spot with the Dolphins 7th but on the same number of points – 20. The Big difference being the points differential. Sharks unchanged. The Dolphins lose Kodi Nikorima but the “hammer” Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is named to back up 48 hours after Origin. The Dolphins remain mercurial as always and this will be a battle between the dolphins off the cuff play versus the more structured Sharks who are at home. Verdict – Sharks. Newcastle Knights v Melbourne Storm . Knights sit in 13th spot on the ladder with 16 points. Melbourne second on 28 points and need to close the gap on Canberra Kaylin Pongao out for the Knights with Greg Marzhew and Leo Thompson back. The Storm has Ryan Papenhuyzen back but are likely to rest their Origin players. Could be a close game, the Knights have improved as the season has gone on offensively and have Jackson Hastings in the halves facing a likely understrength Melbourne whose away record this year is not up to the usual standard. Verdict – One to mull over. St George-Illawarra v Sydney Roosters At Kogarah. Two points separate these sides roosters placed in 9th, and 11th placed Dragons, on the ladder. SGI have Valentine Holmes backing up from Origin and Luciano Leilua and Hamish Stuart back. The Roosters see the return, finally, of Sam Walker at the expense of Sandon Smith. Key players Billy Smith and Victor Radley return for the Roosters who have named all their Origin players to back up Rob Toia, Connor Watson, Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton and Spencer Leniu Ultimately despite the old stagers in the SGI putting in a shift recently, I do feel that the Roosters, who need the win, have key players returning and too much firepower. Verdict – Roosters North Queensland Cowboys v Canterbury Bulldogs Ther Cows sit while the Dogs have dropped back to third. North Queensland name all their Origin players to start but John Bateman remains sidelined through injury. The Doggies have Stephen Crichton, Max King, Jacob Kiraz and Kurt Mann back from Origin. A must win game for both sides, although it is being denied “the Lachlan Galvin” effect is being felt by the fans and the dressing room with the loss of both Reed Mahoney and Toby Knight from a side that was leading the ladder up until recently. The loss of popular players in the dressing room does impact on a side no matter what is said for public consumption. Todd Payten is desperate and will play his Origin players, despite home advantage, I do not think this will be enough against the Dogs. Verdict - Bulldogs New Zealand Warriors v West Tigers The Wahs are coming off a break are in 4th spot on 26points and are being chased by the pack beneath them. Tigers 14th on 16 points The Wahs have lost the influential Luke Metcalf for the season with a torn ACL replaced by Tanah Boyd. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad out injured but Dallin Watene-Zelezniak returns offsetting CNZ absence. Wests hope to have Jarome Luai back from Origin, but reports are he has an injury. Wests did register the win last week as an understrength side against an understrength Roosters that had been on the cards for a few weeks. The Wahs coming off the bye without their main playmaker do have home advantage and crossing the ditch does count. Verdict – Warriors Paramatta Eels v Penrith Panthers The battle of the West Part II, between the Eels sitting in 15th Spot on 16 points in the “spoon race” and the Panthers sneaking back up the table in 7th place on 21 points. Paramatta expect Zak Lomax to back up and have new signing Tallyn Da Silva on the bench Panthers are yet to decide who out of Brian To’o Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin and Dylan Edwards plays post Origin. Paramatta are an improved side even without Mitchell Moses and are at home, the game could hinge on how many Panthers players do back up post origin. Verdict – One to mull over. Gold Coast Titans v Brisbane Broncos Gold Coast currently in pole position for the “spoon “sitting last on 14 points and the Bronx sitting in 5th spot on 22 points and closing on the Wahs. Des last dance sees David Fifita and Jayden Campbel return with Tino Fa’asuamaleaui backing up from Origin. The Bronx name their origin players to back up Pat Carrigan, Gehamat Shibasaki and Payne Haas. Payne Haas is said to be injured and may miss Origin III so hard to see him playing. Reece Walsh starts at Full back and Ben Hunt returns at Hooker. Hard to believe but Gold Coast won both home and away over the Bronx last year and are a side that turns up every 1 game out of 4. Big comeback win for the understrength Bronx against the understrength Dogs at Accor which should boost confidence and on paper they should win but will there be a “dead count bounce” for Des as sort of “win one for Dessie” at Robina? Verdict – Broncos

Game could have gone either way tbh, London conceding another soft try to go 0-6 behind. Before London got back into the game through tries from Bienek and Sadiq Adebyi to go in 12-6 at the break. The second half mirrored the first with a disputed dropped balls try for Halifax that went un converted. Fax then levelling through a penalty cancelled out minutes after with London regaining the lead 14-12 London made a number of line breaks but squandered posession before the bew aussie Webster-Mansfield scored off a diagonal run.20-12 Seven minutes remained so Halifax went for the short drop out and a London player was offside giving Halifax a penalty which they opted to kick 20-14.There remained time for London to kick the restart out on the full and for Aaron Small (the wearer of black socks) to make magnificent try saving tackle. Watching London is not good for.my health and there plenty of room for improvement over penalties giving up field position but I will take any win. A#rse of a journey for me to get there from mid-Kent involving three changes and a return journey which I am currently on delayed by trespassers on the track and accompanied by a heaps.of pond life on the trains there and back. The things we all go through to watch live rugby league.... .

Raiders hold on Kudos to the Dragons for making a game of it.

Dragons certainly in the contest in the Capita,l but you have to wonder if an breakaway try 5 min from the break is the Kaeo for SGI hopes the week, 12-6 Raiders.

England's luck is about to run out as India will confirm their dominance today in the traditional "moving day" of the test. Forsure Harry Brook and Jamie Smith gave England an opportunity to save the game, with a bit of help from the weather but you would struggle to see how the bazballers can bat for 120 overs to save the game. One big flaw from Bazball, is that sure England rack up 407 in 89.2 overs but India took 151 overs for their 587 what it means is that Englands bowlers are "cooked" because they have been in the field for the best part o two days and then in under a day back out again. Bowling is hard work and you need your batters to ensure you can put your feet up for a while. Why does Jamie smith not bat higher than 7 ?, becuse Jamie plays the Bairstow role in that he has to get on with it before the tail is blown away. Now Surrey have Ben Foakes as wicketkeeper rather than Jamie at county level and though Smith like Bairstow is not a bad keeper, Foakes is technically better BUT he did not have in his time as Engfland keeper the range of shots to get on with it when wickets started to tumble the other end. This is the reason for his ommission njot lack of golfing prowess Finally, whydoes England preoare flat slow wickets ideally suited to India's batsmen for if this was being played in India you would find pitches spinning like a top from Day 1 especially if India went 1-0 down in the series.

The cash issue is interesting, because for a club that is allegedly without the proverbial brass razoo they have been able to bring in players suitable for the Championship (Natoli and Webster-Mansfield) and have been able to subsidise low priced tickets. It's also certainly a much slicker off-field organisation than was the case in prervious years. At the fan forum, Gary Hetherington did mention that there had been investor interest but that he was looking for investors that were able tio contribute more than just money to the club, but also work to bring in business. Now this was not followed up as a question, nor the alleged link with the Dolphins of the NRL at the forum as unfortunately some people used the forum as an opportunity not to actually ask a question but to make long-winded statements about their own agenda. As I am not the only poster on this thread who claims to have been at the forum maybe their recollection tallies with mine.

Winners - Canterbury Bulldogs, Canberra Raiders, Melbourne Storm, Sydney Roosters and Manly Sea Eagles Points - 174 Away wins - 1 Manly Victory Margin - 1-12 points Another consensus NRL round on TRL so it's nailed on this season some team will defy the odds... Good luck with your tips.

Just a bit of uniformed speculation on my part, We now have Newcastle Red Bull in Rugby Union but how many people recall the latre Keith Hogg floating the idea of London Red Bull back in the Ian Lenargan era. Now Gary Hetherington is looking for investors and sponsors bringing something to the party,so we were told at the fan forum, so what about this for an idea. the clubs shirt sponsor is Brewdog. What if Brewdog was to become a major investor in the club which would mean its pub chain network across the UK would be promoting the London Hounds and the sport of Rugby League. and it can be done economically, I still have my Adrian Morley beer mat from the 2000 World Cup. Better value for the club and game than the Eddie Stobart deal. As I say it's pure speculation on my part but perhaps the search for investors means that the club is looking more for a commercial partner than an Australian NRL Club tie-in .

England at 3-77 a long way behind India's 587 and need 388 to avoid the follow on which Shubman Gill would probably not enforce though if the promised rain on Saturday and Sunday turns up might force his hand. Englnds's bowlers being panned but you have a combination of a flat wicket and a sublime batting perfomance from Shubman Gill, a true captains knock. Sometimes you just have to say its more about your opponent being good than your limitations being exposed. This of course is now "Bazball with Brains" biggest test with India having slammed the door shut on an England victory can England bat time and settle for a draw going 1-0 up to Lords, or are we getting morr Harry Brook charging down the wicket exposing all three stumps. That approach will not end well. As often is the case ,Joe Root is the key. If he can play the anchor role then the others bat around him and England can get to or close to the 388. Lose Root early and Collapso Cricket beckons. Less fireworks than a catherine wheel style implosion. Still one positive of an Indian Vicory would be changes being made in this England side for Lords, whether they would be the right changes though that is the question?

Round 18.the last Origin affected round, its often difficult to tip in advance based upon the Tuesday team lists that are often not an accurate guide to a coaches mind nor take into account game changing last minute withdrawals such as Jerome Luai on the morning of Tigers at Manly. That’s my excuse anyway and I’m sticking to it. Canterbury Bulldogs v Brisbane Broncos The game of the round, Dogs losing Stephen Crichton, Jacob Kiraz, Max King and Kurt Mann with Daniel Suluka-Fifita out with concussion. For the Bronx, Selwyn Cobbo returns at fullback for Reece Walsh with other Origin absentees being Payne Haas and Patrick Carrigan along with Gehamat Shibasaki who will be replaced by Deine Mariner. Now both Jesse Arthurs and Corey Jenen are out as well This game is really tough to call; it’s at Accor and the Dogs fans are worth a point or two. They had a tough loss to the Panthers last time out and would expect to bounce back against the Bronx. I think the Broncos will miss their Origin stars a bit more than the Doggies will so tilting their way, but it should be close. Verdict – Bulldogs Canberra Raiders v St George-Illawarra. Ricky’s Rollocking Raiders lose Hudson Young and Josh Papalii playing his origin swansong. Replaced by Morgan Smithies. For SGI it’s more like the Red V turning into the red cross with Toby Couchman, Hamish Stewart, Luciano Leilua and Christian Tuipulotu all out with the money man not making it past the pre-game warm up. Valentine Holmes goes to Origin A lot of players recalled notably Tyrell Sloan Despite a gutsy rearguard action against Paramatta led By Clint Gutherson when under siege. I cannot in all honesty tip SGI in the Capital against the red-hot Raiders. If SGI had a str9onher forward pack, then there would be an opportunity ton win the forward contest v Canberra but that’s not the case and it could be a long day for Dragons fans. Verdict – Raiders North Queensland Cowboys v Melbourne Storm The Cows fresh from squeaking home against the Gold Coast lose Tom Dearden, Jeremiah Nanai, Reuben Cotter and Reece Robson to Origin. Still no Jason Taumalolo but John Bateman back. The Storm loses Xavier Coates, harry Grant, Trent Loeiro, Stefano Utoikamanu and Cameron Munster to Origin and Sua Faalogo to injury. Tyran Wishart is back in the halves. If this was a normal game, then Tropical Townsville favours the Cowboys but not this year where sides have been rolling up into Far North Queensland and coming back with the points. Conversely, Melbourne have not been the dominant force of old this year, losing games that, on paper they should have won away from Victoria. I would favour the Storm in this one but their strength in depth is being tested so it could be tighter than people think. Verdict – Storm in Townsville Sydney Roosters v Wests Tigers Roosters lose Angus Crichton, Connor Watson, Lindsay Collins and Spencer Leniu to Origin and Siua Wong ton Injury. Eagan butcher returns though. Wests lose Jarome Luai to Origin and Jahreme Bula, Api Korosau and Heath Mason to Injury. Heaps of debutants for the Roosters, normally this would be a problem sign but this year the Roosters have surprised everyone with the way their reserve grade has stepped up when short-handed and at Origin time. James Tedesco and the halves pairing of Sandon Smith and Hugo Savala carrying the load. By contrast Wests remain the gift that keeps on giving for NRL 360 and The Daily Telegraph. With Tallyn da Silva’s lightning transfer to Paramatta and further strife at Concord including an exchange between Benji and Adam Douhi. Up until the Silvertails game the side had not been getting results but were in the game but now the wheels seem to be coming off. Verdict – Roosters Manly Sea Eagles v South Sydney The Silvertails are essentially unchanged from the side that beat Wests. Souths by contrast, have lost Latrell to Origin and Cody Walker joining Jhy Gray on the injured list. Still no room at the Inn for Lewis Dodd unlike to make the bench for this one. Benny giving a not to subtle indication of what he feels about past recruitment. Brandon Smith also rumoured to be coming back. I think the silvertails are pretty ordinary personally and that’s a pretty serviceable XIII that the Bunnies are putting out so with Manly winning when they should not yet lose games they should win ... This is one they should win but will they. Again, closer than people think. Verdict – Manly Sea Eagles