**Official** NRL 2009 Thread

[dontcloseyoureyes]

They are inconsistent, but they're better than they were a few years back.

How so? They made the finals two years ago, this season they were barely even close.

 

[Blewy]

Eels '09 reminds me soooo much of the Tigers '05..

Both sides started poorly and got out to $100+ in premiership betting...
Both teams had a huge run of wins to get back into contention.
Both teams had late season slip ups..
Both teams won their opening semi finals comfortably..
Both sides are known for their unpredictability in attack however their form is down to their defence...


Im on the Parra bandwagon, i would love to see them win it...

 

[Simon]

Difference between 05 and 09 is the quality of teams left, for Eels to make the grand final that means they would have knocked off teams 1,2 and 3 and play either 1,4 or 6 in the big one. If Eels can win the comp it would be even more remarkable than tigers of 05.

 

[howardj]

If the Broncs are as fired up as I am, I can confirm that they're off to Melbourne next week.

Feel like tackling someone tbh.

 

[morgieb]

Has to be said, IMO.

LOL @ Dragons.

 

[Johnners]

Think Poore made one run all night where he wasn't absolutely belted, bloke is going to be sore tomorrow.

 

[Ausage]

Has to be said, IMO.

LOL @ Dragons.

You know it's rough when Souths fans are laughing at you

 

[Burgey]

Reckon they had a good year tbh. At the start of the year I'd have said they had a decent squad but hardly an outstanding one. Had a cast-off playmaker in Soward, a fullback playing half back, one of the thousand overrated Brisbane outside backs with odd names at fullback, Weymann had never performed to ability and they were playing a backrower at centre.

Problem of course, is once you're up there and in with a shot, no one looks at it like that - supporters or players alike. Once you're there with a shot, if you go out in straight sets it's a massive disappointment. They'll be shattered, but I personally wouldn't say they "choked" as such.

And of course, they lost last week to the eventual premiers - no shame in that

 

[Simon]

dragons finished up about where they should have, second week of the finals is an improvement on the past couple of years, IMO they over achieved by winning the minor premiership and I think they can go even better next year.

As for us, well wow, how could anyone have predicted we'd turn it around like this!

 

[Spinksy]

Picking Parra and the storm to win next week.

 

[Mister Wright]

dragons finished up about where they should have, second week of the finals is an improvement on the past couple of years, IMO they over achieved by winning the minor premiership and I think they can go even better next year.

As for us, well wow, how could anyone have predicted we'd turn it around like this!

I did. I put $10 on them after the Canberra game when they dropped out to $51 to win the premiership. Never lost faith.

However, it's going to be tough next week without Wallace, who has been our best player of the last 5-6 weeks. Hopefully thy don't shunt Hunt to halfback and they put their faith in Ben Hunt.

On last night's game: The atmosphere was amazing. Close to sold out and there was constant chanting the whole night. Always sweet to get a victory over the Saints. Hate them so much.

 

[Simon]

Dont think Ben Hunt should be in for two reasons, against Melbourne we dont really need flair, I'd be more for Locky shifting to 7 with Carroll or Teo or Glenn in the 6, basically playing an extra running forward.
Also the under 20's are still well in their premiership race so Hunt should remain with them.

 

[howardj]

Dont think Ben Hunt should be in for two reasons, against Melbourne we dont really need flair, I'd be more for Locky shifting to 7 with Carroll or Teo or Glenn in the 6, basically playing an extra running forward.
Also the under 20's are still well in their premiership race so Hunt should remain with them.

Agreed.

So awesome last night.

Welled up, saying bye to KH.

Dave Taylor - a runaway train on a broken track.

 

[howardj]

Have to think the Eels are a real chance Friday night. For mine, the Dogs have a whiff of the Dragons about them in the sense that I think that their high place on the ladder flatters them a little. They certainly deserve it, but have achieved it without being a real standout side - in contrast to Manly and the Storm in the last couple of years where their positions on the ladder were as a result of utter dominance over the other teams.

 

[Burgey]

Have to think the Eels are a real chance Friday night. For mine, the Dogs have a whiff of the Dragons about them in the sense that I think that their high place on the ladder flatters them a little. They certainly deserve it, but have achieved it without being a real standout side - in contrast to Manly and the Storm in the last couple of years where their positions on the ladder were as a result of utter dominance over the other teams.

Hope you're right. Our recent record vs them is good, but you never know. the way we play has so many points in it, but if you're off the boil, it can all go pear shaped.

Anyway, another sleepless week worrying about it all for me. Just want to get out there on Friday night and crack some Criminal Element heads.

 

[Ausage]

Quietly hoping Melbourne will release me from this agonizing avatar

 

[Burgey]

"Ooooh, you can't hurt Noddy's head" carp the club with the fibreglass icehockey shoulder pads from the 84 GF. GAGF you utter scumbag pieces of ****.
Like Parra are gonna waste their energy tackling his head.

They will no doubt run Fui at him though, and if he gets his head in the wrong spot, well stiff ****.

And Karmichael Hunt. WTF? Since when do you trip a bloke in league and not even get a week. GTFO

Edit: also forgot to mention 88 when Lamb took Hanley's head off. ****s.

 

[Burgey]

Broncos fans, what's the tip for Wallace's replacement? They're saying TC to 6, Lockyer to 7. What's the move least likely to upset the structure of the side?

 

[Mister Wright]

"Ooooh, you can't hurt Noddy's head" carp the club with the fibreglass icehockey shoulder pads from the 84 GF. GAGF you utter scumbag pieces of ****.
Like Parra are gonna waste their energy tackling his head.

They will no doubt run Fui at him though, and if he gets his head in the wrong spot, well stiff ****.

And Karmichael Hunt. WTF? Since when do you trip a bloke in league and not even get a week. GTFO

Edit: also forgot to mention 88 when Lamb took Hanley's head off. ****s.

Soward kicked Inglis and got off a few weeks back.

 

[Mister Wright]

Broncos fans, what's the tip for Wallace's replacement? They're saying TC to 6, Lockyer to 7. What's the move least likely to upset the structure of the side?

Really should be Ben Hunt.

The worst move would be to move K. Hunt to halfback. Will probably go with Carroll or Te'o at 5/8.