The NRL Round 21 Thread

[THE RED ROOSTER]

I can hardly believe we are at Round 21 and my season tipping wise has been very Dolphin. Some austute tips mixed with a heap of very ordinary ones. Time to aim up at the business end of the season so here goes:

New Zealand Warriors v West Tigers

It's all falling apart in Tigertown after a promising start. You could take the positives out of this as being the required house cleaning of the club but it's not going to help results for Benji this season. The Wahs need to win this one for credibility at home and they should do so. Win for Warriors, Woe for Wests

Paramatta Eels v Melbourne Storm

No wonder Jason Ryles was brought in to overhaul the squad at Parra (though Trent Barrett remains in charge of the team at present) . Only the woes of Tiger Town stand between a short trip from Concord to Comm Bank for "Woody" especially given Paramattas upcoming schedule. With Cameron Munster nearing a return for Melbourne, who impressed last week, you would get good odds on a parra win from the bookies. Melbourne march on.

Brisbane Broncos v Canterbury Bulldogs

The first of the big games coming up and an acid test for the Doggies. Brisbane back to nearly playing their first choice XIII at home is a tough proposition for Canterbury. The Dogs are an improved side and will be in the top eight, but I do not see a happy outcome here as Brisbane with their full strength side are a different proposition to some of the origin affected sides this season. - Bronx Cheer

North Queensland Cowboys v Cronulla Sharks - SKY

Sharkies are off the bye week but no William Kennedy now as well as Nicho Hynes away in tropical Townsville against a Cows side that squeaked home against the Dogs. I just do not fancy the Sharks chances in this game as despite the bye week as they are up against a Cows side that would have gained momentum from beating Canterbury and again I fear Cronulla simply have stood still these past two seasons - Sharks bitten

Sydney Roosters v Manly Sea Eagles - SKY

I have said all season that if you can prevent Manly's backline from having a platform then they are beatable. Theb Roosters have the forward power to subdue Manly and are due a result after last weeks crushing dissappointment in Melbourne. Will the gnawing realisation that the club simply does not match up against the Storm and Panthers coaching and player wise affect the performance ? - Roosters simply because I have to pick a winner...

St George-Illawarra v Penrith Panthers

SGI have improved this season under Shane Flanagan and they won at the Panthers earlier this season. It's also being played at Woollongong which is a better venue than Kogarah for SGI in my opinion. But that win against Penrith was against the Panther cubs. This is the first grade coming to town, and while this season has highlighted some depth issues in the squad at the Penny Panthers, they remain one of the two standout clubs in the comp- Panthers douse Dragons fire

Dolphins v Gold Coast Titans

Fins rode their luck against the Bunnies and were conversely out of luck in their comeback against the Panthers. Without disrespecting the Titans too much, this game will boil down to which Dolphins team turns up. Certainly being a Queensland derby Titans will prove tougher opposition than in their trips south of the border. - Fin Win

Canberra Raiders v South Sydney - SKY

Ricky's Raiders home against the Bunnies - I amn sticking with the Wabbits here, even without Latrell, as I do believe now that they have half-decent coaching they are a pretty decent side, not a premiership winning side but definately top 8. Canberra squeaked home agains the Wahs with some help from errant kicking but mid-table mediocrity seems to be the limit in the capital these days  - Rabbits rout Ricky's Raiders

As always good luck with your tips.

 

[Anita Bath]

Titans are 4-11 in their last 15 road games. Those four wins were at suncorp twice, warriors and coffs harbour ( just 300k south of Robina). 

If you think thats bad their neighbours the AFL Gold Coast Suns are 0-15 in their last 15 road games.

What is it about Gold Coast teams and travelling?

At least this weeks game is at Suncorp so maybe they could extend their winning run there. But last year they lost the corresponding game after being 26-0 up after half an hour.

Never back the Titans…to win.

[Graham]

We’re underway.

It's a must-win clash for the Warriors if they want to keep their finals hopes alive.
Tigers coach Benji Marshall pulled a couple of late changes with Api Koroisau to start at halfback, Tallyn Da Silva to hooker and Latu Fainu to the bench.
Isaiah Papali'i returns from an ankle injury via the bench with Alex Twal to start at lock. Both are celebrating their 150th NRL game too!

[Graham]

About a quarter of an hour gone.

4-0 Warriors

[Graham]

Warriors giving it a good go making a lot of ground.

That first try was by Capewell.

Warriors come close again but ball grounded outside the field of play.

[Graham]

Warriors have the advantage but Tigers are only 4 points down.

[Graham]

Egan tiny little knock on thwarts that attack.

[Graham]

Tigers come close but Galvin’s kick through runs dead.

[Graham]

Egan knock to his napper but carrying on.

[Graham]

Warriors play the ball near the try line and Tigers dive in and take the ball. Was he offside?

[Graham]

Warriors dominating possession and position, but handling errors spoil their completion rate.

After all the Warriors posssession Tigers are still just 4 points behind.

Edited July 26, 2024 by Graham

[Graham]

Korosoi on report for lifting in the tackle.

[Graham]

7 minutes to half time and Kosi dives in for a try in the left corner

8-0 Warriors.

Harris-Tevita from touchline misses the conversion.

[Graham]

Bula drops the high ball with nobody on him.

Warriors now 15m out.

[Graham]

Leiataua try from a short iffy pass ( forwardish?) 

HT kicks the goal

14-0 Warriors.

HALF TIME

WARRIORS 14 - 0 WESTS TIGERS

 

[Graham]

Cam Munster will play in the next game.

[Graham]

Score Summary

K. Capewell 10, E. Kosi 34, A. Leiataua 38	Tries
C. Harris-Tavita 40	Conversions

[Futtocks]

I like the Papali'i try celebration!

Edited July 26, 2024 by Futtocks

[Graham]

Tigers more possession at start of second half.

They have got two back to back tries.

Koroisoi misses conversion from touchline.

14-10 Warriors

[Graham]

Score Summary

K. Capewell 10, E. Kosi 34, A. Leiataua 38	Tries	I. Papali'i 52, C. Staines 56
C. Harris-Tavita 40	Conversions	A. Koroisau 54

[Graham]

Tigers now have the initiative and are well in this game.

 

[Graham]

Fainu on report for head high tackle.

[Graham]

Warriors penalty. Going for goal.

19 minutes left.

CHT kicks the goal.

16-10 Warriors

[Futtocks]

Fonua-Blake thunders over from short range. 

Edited July 26, 2024 by Futtocks

[Graham]

Fonua-Blake charges over from short range for a try. He wasn’t to be stopped from there.

20-10 ktc

CHT goals from in front

22-10 Warriors

Edited July 26, 2024 by Graham