**Official** NRL 2009 Thread

[Ausage]

Going out on a limb here, if you had to tip a smokie (that is, a team not in the top say 3 or 4 contenders) to make a run at the comp this year, who would it be? Mine would be Penrith - some explosive forwards, with Petro a solid leader and Waterhouse back to 03 form; their halves are raw I know, but they're creative and they have a few options there with Walsh on board now, and their backs with Jennings (last night's injury pending) aren't bad either. Not saying they'll win it, but I could see them going on a run and doing some big damage. Makes me feel bad saying they'd come 11th at the start of the year.

Yeah I'll hang out on that limb with you. Alot will depend on how Walsh develops over the year. He's playing ok, but considering before the Titans game the only footy he'd played for a year was reserve grade, and that the year was riddled with injuries you'd think there's alot of improvement in him. If he takes another few leaps and bounds we might be in with a chance. Loving the idea of using Sammut as an impact player off the bench when Coote comes back.

Also Brett Stewart scored a try against Penrith last year in which he blatantly threw the ball forward to himself. Until that Parra game on Friday I thought I must have misunderstood that rule.

 

[Simon]

Not sure Panthers have enough go forward to really compete when the going gets tough, they have a good back row with Pritchard, Lewis and Waterhouse but Petero is the only metres gainer up front, Tim Grant looks to be coming along well but I think they are two years from being challengers.

 

[luffy]

Close one at ANZ. Bulldohs up 22-20 with a few to go.

Great game the Dragons and Warriors, real arm wrestle with the Dragons getting up by 1.

Looking at 6/8 if Bulldogs get up.

 

[Simon]

6/8 as well, Raiders and Broncos wrong.

 

[luffy]

Exact same.

EDIT: Wow at how well both Ennis and Farah played today. Won't help the NSW selectors.

 

[Ausage]

Exact same.

EDIT: Wow at how well both Ennis and Farah played today. Won't help the NSW selectors.

Good problem for us to have though. Just shading for Farah cause I reckon he's a gun, and Ennis is one of those players I just plain don't like. They both played out of their skins today. Goalkicking the difference.

6/8 here too

 

[chaminda_00]

Billy Slater, Israel Folau, Greg Inglis, Justin Hodges, Darius Boyd, Darren Lockyer (capt), Johnathan Thurston, Petero Civoniceva, Cameron Smith, Steve Price, Anthony Laffranchi, Paul Gallen, Glenn Stewart. Interchange: Kurt Gidley, Brent Kite, Luke Bailey, Anthony Watmough.

Kangaroos squad named - Other League - Fox Sports

Tried and failed...

 

[luffy]

Nah, good to see we stayed with that.

Good to see Darius get selected, reckon he'll do a top job. A bit unsure about whether Glenn Stewart should be starting. Sure he's good, but Gallen in Second Row...? I mean, sure it's practically the same position as Lock, but anyhows...

 

[Johnners]

Creagh/Waterhouse can count themselves extremely unlucky, and Stewart very lucky imo.

 

[chaminda_00]

City/Country

Blues halfback duel in two - Other League - Fox Sports

NSW City: Wade McKinnon, Jarryd Hayne, Michael Jennings, Chris Lawrence, David Williams, John Sutton, Peter Wallace, Keith Galloway, Robbie Farah, Luke Stuart, Trent Waterhouse, Mark Minichiello, Luke O'Donnell. Interchange: Craig Wing, Shane Shackleton, Adam Cuthbertson, Ryan Hoffman.

NSW Country: Luke Patten, James McManus, Matt Cooper, Jamie Lyon, Joel Monaghan, Terry Campese, Jarrod Mullen, Josh Perry, Michael Ennis, Michael Weyman, Andrew Ryan (capt), Ben Creagh, Alan Tongue. Interchange: Justin Poore, Steve Simpson, Anthony Tupou, Ben Hornby. 18th man: Beau Scott.

NZ

Marshall to captain New Zealand - Other League - Fox Sports

Roy Asotasi, Adam Blair, Greg Eastwood, David Fa'alogo Nathan Fien, Bronson Harrison, Lance Hohaia, Jeff Lima, Issac Luke, Simon Mannering, Benji Marshall (capt), Jason Nightingale, Sam Perrett, Frank Pritchard, Jerome Ropati, Jeremy Smith, Iosia Soliola, Manu Vatuvei.

 

[Ausage]

Bit stiff on Lewis for City/Country imo. You won't go wrong having him on the bench while he's in this sort of form.

 

[chaminda_00]

Bit stiff on Lewis for City/Country imo. You won't go wrong having him on the bench while he's in this sort of form.

Was thinking the same thing. Shows the depth in the backrow. But more importantly the fact they have Wing potentially penciled in as the bench player with Gidley starting. Though I guess you always have the option of Ennis or Sutton on the bench as well.

 

[Mister Wright]

How Clinton didn't make it is a joke, he has been great for Broncos.

Interesting tactic by the Knights to defeat the Broncos. The prematch electrical thunderstorm dance did wonders.

 

[speirz]

Bit stiff on Lewis for City/Country imo. You won't go wrong having him on the bench while he's in this sort of form.

Was thinking the same thing. Shows the depth in the backrow. But more importantly the fact they have Wing potentially penciled in as the bench player with Gidley starting. Though I guess you always have the option of Ennis or Sutton on the bench as well.

Lewis named 18th man for Australia, so he wasn't considered.

 

[Burgey]

Didn't put my tips in it seems. Bit careless.

 

[NUFAN]

Cuthbertson lol..

Is Chris Houston city or country? If City I would be amazed. Also feel as though Clinton is hard done by.

 

[NUFAN]

Regarding the Aussie team, I don't mind it. Agree with Clapo that Stewart is lucky and while I like Kite and Bailey I would have preferred a more impact player on the bench like Weyman, but overall it's a good standard team.

 

[Burgey]

Regarding the Aussie team, I don't mind it. Agree with Clapo that Stewart is lucky and while I like Kite and Bailey I would have preferred a more impact player on the bench like Weyman, but overall it's a good standard team.

Agree with all that actually, but I'd prefer Bailey to Kite, whom I frankly despise as a player. Stewart a sympathy selection in lieu of his brother's injury, imo

 

[chaminda_00]

Cuthbertson lol..

Is Chris Houston city or country? If City I would be amazed. Also feel as though Clinton is hard done by.

Country.

Would be surprised if Cuthbo plays, as he got a elbow injury. City don't have many props to select from which is why someone like King has played for about three seasons. Reckon Clinton is a good chance to play once Cuthbo ruled out. Not sure who else we have O'Meley the only other bloke I can think of.

 

[morgieb]

Surprised that Stuart was in the City/Country. And Stewart < Creagh. Why he didn't get picked for the Aussie side I don't understand....
Anyway, Clapo, can I still join the tipping comp? I'm on 39 from my OzTips comp. That's including this round - I was on 35 the round before.