Farmduck

I thought this weekend some of the short dropouts were ridiculous. Most of Sydney is having record rainfall so why not kick it as long as possible, aiming for 2 possible benefits: - In the wet weather the receiving team is more likely to knock on retrieving the ball. With the short kick both teams are at risk of knocking on - if you kick it down past halfway, in the difficult conditions the ball-receiving team may not survive a full set without losing the ball in a tackle. You might regain the ball 40m out from your line, as opposed to regaining it 10m out from a short kick. The other tactic I would pursue more often is don't try to catch the short kick. Aim as close as possible to the sideline, let the opponent catch it then tackle them across the line. If the short kick is such a brilliant tactic then why aren't teams using it for restarts from halfway?

I'll save the next one to watch later.

FT: Panthers 16 Doggies 10

Kiraz try with 10 seconds left. Too little too late

Fox in the corner off a forrard pass. NO TRY

It certainly has me re-evaluating the last 50 years of my life. Maybe Drew Hutchison will have to play for the Blues with Alex Twal in the centres.

Must be bad if they didn't want him to tough it out till HT

Edwards kicks the goal because Cleary has left the field with 90 seconds to HT

37min: Try'o to To'o

I was wrong. I thought the Doggies blew it when they got rid of Armadillo and kept Kiraz. At the time I would have gone the other way but now I think they were right.

Looks like rain has stopped for a while. The Weather Bureau has been forecasting apocalyptic rain for the last week but it hasn't quite happened here. It comes down in buckets for about 3-5 minutes then nothing for an hour or two.

Still 0-0 after 24 mins

PANTHERS v DOGS

FT: Dolphins 30 Manly 24

78min: Farnworth stays down to ensure Dolphins get a penalty 10m out. Dolphs will hope this will help run the clock down to FT Isaako goal Dolphins 30 - 24