**Official** NRL 2009 Thread

[Ausage]

Nope, Bulldogs are going well but its a big ask for them to keep this up form, if Kimmorley has a few poor matches then theres no one to take the pressure off him, also think they lack depth in the forwards.

Cowboys while Thurston is on fire are a chance of beating anyone anytime.

Both Thurston and the Cowboys are too inconsistent though. Any team that gets beaten by the current Parra team won't string enough wins together to take the title.

Reckon Brisbane, Storm or possibly Dragons are the main shouts this year. Melbourne were ominous last night, and look much better with Finch in their team and Inglis out wide.

 

[Burgey]

Newcastle the smokies for mine.

Still have Patterson to come back in to an already fine pack, Gidley's on fire and their outside backs combine explosive pace with solid defence. Mullen's development this year has also been first rate.

At a pinch, Ben Cross may also be back for the finals, and if so their pack will only get better.

On the injury front, I see Keating is out for up to 3 months, and Mateo has a torn bicep. Wooden Spoon, here we come!!!

Is Dave Taylor a lock at Souths yet? Would love to see Parra make a play for him.

 

[Johnners]

Fairly certain he is officially going to be a Souths player next season.

 

[Simon]

Newcastle the smokies for mine.

Still have Patterson to come back in to an already fine pack, Gidley's on fire and their outside backs combine explosive pace with solid defence. Mullen's development this year has also been first rate.

At a pinch, Ben Cross may also be back for the finals, and if so their pack will only get better.

On the injury front, I see Keating is out for up to 3 months, and Mateo has a torn bicep. Wooden Spoon, here we come!!!

Is Dave Taylor a lock at Souths yet? Would love to see Parra make a play for him.

Dont think parra will get the spoon they are showing a bit more than Roosters, Sharks and Raiders at the moment. Will be interesting to see Parra's line up this arvo, if Mateo and Kris Keating are both out then they need two new halves, reckon they'll put Hayne back to 6 with hopefully Tim Mortimer at 7. But we all know it will probably be Jeff Robson.

 

[howardj]

Newcastle the smokies for mine.

.

This.

Having been saying around the office here the last month that the Knights have a Tigers 2005 smell about them.

Have been getting laughed at, but have been repeating it to anybody whio will listen.

 

[chaminda_00]

Gidley
Hayne
Lyon
Cooper (Jennings on wing if still injuried)
Monaghan
Campese
Wallace
Bailey
Farah
Kite
Laffranchi
G Stewart
Gallen

Weyman
Poore
Watmough
Lewis

That side might keep the QLD under 50, just maybe.

 

[Son Of Coco]

Minichello would have to be half a chance wouldn't he? Mark that is.

 

[Simon]

Minichello would have to be half a chance wouldn't he? Mark that is.

Doubt it, far too many other back rowers around. Even outside of the others that Tharmi just named there I'd imagine Creagh, Hoffman, Waterhouse etc... are in front of Mini

 

[Johnners]

Going to sound like a Broken record, but Ben Creagh is a must for NSW afaic. Bloke is a deadset gun.

 

[Burgey]

Going to sound like a Broken record, but Ben Creagh is a must for NSW afaic. Bloke is a deadset gun.

Would have him over Watmyth any day tbh. Didn't he used to play centre in his early days? At a pinch, maybe he could cover for an injury there too if required.

 

[Craig]

Tigers v Broncos
Eels v Rabbitohs
Sharks v Dragons
Panthers v Roosters
Bulldogs v Storm
Titans v Sea Eagles
Raiders v Warriors
Cowboys v Knights

 

[99*]

Tigers v Broncos
Eels v Rabbitohs
Sharks v Dragons
Panthers v Roosters
Bulldogs v Storm
Titans v Sea Eagles
Raiders v Warriors
Cowboys v Knights

 

[Son Of Coco]

Would have him over Watmyth any day tbh. Didn't he used to play centre in his early days? At a pinch, maybe he could cover for an injury there too if required.

I was going to ask about Watmough. Has he amended his revolving door tackling technique?

 

[Son Of Coco]

Doubt it, far too many other back rowers around. Even outside of the others that Tharmi just named there I'd imagine Creagh, Hoffman, Waterhouse etc... are in front of Mini

He goes well though, but so do those you've named I suppose. I don't watch enough league over here to keep up with everything that's going on. How about popping him in at fullback and calling him Anthony?

 

[luffy]

Tigers v Broncos
Eels v Rabbitohs
Sharks v Dragons
Panthers v Roosters
Bulldogs v Storm
Titans v Sea Eagles
Raiders v Warriors
Cowboys v Knights

 

[Craig]

Panthers and Roosters were one of the hardest games to pick.

 

[Johnners]

He goes well though, but so do those you've named I suppose. I don't watch enough league over here to keep up with everything that's going on. How about popping him in at fullback and calling him Anthony?

Gidley > A Mini IMHABO

 

[Johnners]

Panthers and Roosters were one of the hardest games to pick.

*explodes*

Have said it the past 2 weeks to crib, why are people still picking (or even contemplating picking) the Roosters? I was astounded that even 6 people tipped them last round (well, Smith aside, always tips his team iirc).

 

[chaminda_00]

Would have him over Watmyth any day tbh. Didn't he used to play centre in his early days? At a pinch, maybe he could cover for an injury there too if required.

Actually would have O'Donnell ahead of both thinking about it again.

Am I right in thinking that Gallen, Stewart, Laffranchi and O'Donnell are the only backrowers out of million that are there and there abouts at SOO level that can play on either side of field at a decent level. Never really paid attention to it. But I do remember in the past it was mentioned that Creagh and Watmough missed out due to other first choice players playing on their side and the fact they are useless on the other side.

For a bench player you wouldn't realy want a backrower that can only play on one side field, especially if some of starters can only play on one side as well. You can work around it at club level, but not at SOO level.

 

[Mister Wright]

In some really awesome news, The Round 17 Friday night clashes will both be held at Suncorp Brisbane v Souths & Bulldogs v Titans. I'm assuming tickets will be allocated for both fixtures otherwise it would be a logistical nightmare.