I decided to start this thread as we are coming up to the Rugby League season. The pre-season matches are nearly over and we have sounded out the competition.
I personally go for the Bronco's, because thats my home team. But who do you go for?
Who do you think will win the premiership this year?
I think the Broncos have a good chance of getting the trophy again but we will have to wait and see how the team goes without Shane Webcke. Will Darryn Lockyer be able to carry the team?
The Gold Coast Titans won their first game and look to be a fairly strong side. They will be playing they're first game at the Home of the Broncos (which should never have been allowed) I cant remember who it will be against. The Broncos will be playing against the Cowboys in the first game of the season at Suncorp Stadium on the 16th? I think it is.
So yeah all you footy fanatics get in here and give us your opinions!

Go the Cowboys, sorry Dalia, but being a Cairns lad they are my team. I hope they can get back into form, like they did before and take out the premiership this year. They where so close in 2005 and a lot of internal problems last year caused a bad run during the middle of the season, but they are still a formable side. So keep your eyes on the Cowboys this year because they might be the team to beat.

Definately Harks. I reckon the game tonight is going to be a close one. I think the broncos season started last year playing the cowboys aswell actually.
Cowboys have a great team, I'd go for them if the Broncos werent playing
The interesting game this weekend will be the Titans v St george Illawarra, my bets on the Dragons, lol

This season seems to be fairly even. The only team I can't see winning it is Canberra. No disrespect meant for them, I mean I was barracking for them last season, but this year they've lost so many experienced players (Jason Smith and Clinton Schifcofske being the two notables) and haven't found any players to replace them. That said, beware youthful exuberance, they may take some teams down.

I'd probably put my money on the North Queensland to bounce back from a disappointing 2006 (edit: especially since I just realised Jason Smith is now the 5/8th for the Cowboys - given the signing of Smith to them, I think they 'd be amongst the favourites now). I don't really know who will win it, but I'd be wary of Cronulla (Ricky Stuart as new coach), South Sydney (good buys over the off-season), and Gold Coast (good roster for a new team, but might struggle for depth if they have injuries).

Queensland will win the State of Origin again (yeah, NSW born and bred, but ever since the 1995 Origin series, I've had a great admiration for the QLD spirit - something the cockroaches have never been able to emulate).

Bring on what appears to be a fantastic season of League

Nice insight PA! i totally agree on all counts.
Its friday night and Cowboys beat the Broncos, minus a few dodgy calls by the video ref, it was an awesome game.
Not surprising both teams started off the game a bit rust with a few basic fumbles and mistakes but yeah first game of the season and all.
The supposed eye gouging incident with Tony Carrol and a cowboys player (cant remember his name right this moment) was interesting the look on Carrols face said it all, lol. I dont think there was anything in it but hey the cowboys player obviously thought it warranted a bite on the hand I'll take the ref's side on this one it the cowboys had a real problem with it he would of reported him.
I'll just add this too I really didnt agree with the video ref regarding the Cowboys 2nd try, It looked like it should of been a No Try. looked like the Broncos player had his hand in the way just enough to stop proper downward pressure. But hey just my opinion, lol. Though it wouldn't of mattered in the end the Cowboys had us beat good and proper!

Yes I was very pleased with the Cowboy's win, , too bad for the Bronco's and their injuries sustained from the match.

The sharks did well, against the panthers. Too bad about Johns being taken off and a narrow victory for the knights too against the bulldogs. The dragons where lucky to beat the Titans though, and the eagles had a walk in the park against the raiders.
The roosters and the rabbito's tonight, this should be an interesting match. My gut say's the roosters, but the rabbito's could suprise a few people I think.
I am also from the Cockroach state too PA, but I still believe in the Blues to win the State of Origin.

Wow the Bunny's beat the Roosters! Its good to see the Rabbitohs finally get some sort of form. Though they did win a couple of games last year, but I reckon this year if they can keep up the work, should be great for them. The Roosters just arent the team they used to be 4 or so years ago.
Guess we'll have to wait and see.
The major bummer out of the Broncos/cowboys is Lockyers ankle strain What will we do?!!! lol

Bunnies beating the Roosters, not entirely surprising. I'm giving a revised tip and saying the Raiders and Roosters are going to fight it out for the wooden spoon. The Roosters just don't have the quality they used to. Everyone's making a big deal about the return of Anthony Minichello and how big an asset he is, but I personally think he's among the most overrated players in the game. How I'd love to see the roosters finish last this season (may even put some money on that one)

Overall, a tight first-round, the season promises much. Big question of the week - did Sonny-Bill's tackle on Andrew johns deserve a send-off? I didn't see the match, and I haven't seen the tackle, but (IMO of course) any tackle that hits high on the head and sends a player to hospital deserves to be off the field for the match - Steve Folks is just whingeing because it's his team, if the situation were reversed, he'd be calling for blood, I think.

OH, tips for next week (chances are I'll probably edit this tip-list a few times before the start of the next round, changing my mind about one of the tougher games to pick, but this is how it stands at the moment ):

Dragons vs Knights - normally I'd go for the dragons, but i think it'll be a few weeks before they gel as a squad. Knights to win

Panthers vs Bulldogs - No Sonny-Bill, Panthers might take this one. Still going to go for the Bulldogs though (sadly, considering I hate the dogs )

Tigers vs Manly - Tough game to choose. Home-ground advantage, Tigers to win.

Raiders vs Storm - Storm

Cowboys vs Roosters - Cowboys

Rabbitohs vs Eels - Another tough one, I'll tip the Rabbits

Warriors vs Broncos - homeground advangage, Broncos injuries, Warriors will take this one out.

Titans vs Sharks - Sharks, but it will be tight.

Well mate I agree on most accounts except for the Dragons and the knights match. Dragons to win as the Knights have lost their glorious leader and whenever they had before they did not win a game. Oh yeah the Bulldogs for shaw. But manly will win I believe too, I do not know why just because.

Is Johns out of that match???? I was under the impression taht it was only a rumor he'd miss next match. I'm not exactly keeping up with the games so i could be wrong.

That said, I think towards the end of last year Newcastle proved they could win without Andrew Johns. He'll be missed if he doesn't play, but the Dragons have lost Gasnier through injury, plus Timmins, Barret and Bailey are all gone from the squad. I still say Newcastle to win

Well Storm win again and although they started slowly and played rather sloppy early on they easily won the match in the end. I`m hoping they can go one better this year and win their second premiership as their success last year ensured far more support than what a rugby team would usually enjoy down in Victoria. It should also be noted that work is finally about to begin on a dedicated rugby/soccer stadium down here which will seat up to 31,000 with the ability to be expanded to 50,000. The Storm deserve a proper ground and by 2009 or 2010 they will have one.

Well the good old Cowboys win again , and there where also good wins by South's who annilated the Eels, the Warriors against the Bronco's, Storm did well against Canberra (no real surprise there) and the Panthers destroying the bulldogs. Tonight the Sharks should have a easy win against the Titans.

The next round I believe that the Cowboys should win against the Dragons.
The Panthers to beat the Bronco's, sorry Dahlia, but the Bronco's just do not have it together yet.
The tiger's will just get the win against the Eels I believe.
The sharks and the Rabbito's will also be a close match depending on how well the Sharks perform tonight and player injuries. So I will hold judgement on that game.
Storm and the Warriors this will be a good match, both teams have been performing well so far, Storm will have the homeground advantage, but I tip the Warriors to win. Only because I believe they are playing better on the field as a team, then Storm.
The Titan's and the Bulldogs, will be another close call, both teams are closely matched, but I will reserve my tip until after the Titans game tonight.
The Sea Eagles will have a easy win over the Roosters, as the roosters are in such poor form that they will need Divine intervention to win.
And on the Monday game it would have to be the Knights against Canberra.

But we will have to wait and see how wrong or right I am, next week.

P.S - Go the Cowboys

Another great round wraps up. The big surprise of the week was of course the Panthers bouncing back to take it to the dogs in such spectacular fashion. Not that I'm complaining, I'll happily take a wrong tip if it means the dogs get flogged by 40

The tigers also proved once again that they have great talent and flair but can't grind out a win - the wet weather is just not suited to their style.

I think the Johns hoodoo at Newcastle is well and truly over, although they are a much better team with him and Danny Buderus in the side. I guess that wraps up this week, bring on next week. Next week's tips to come shortly

Oh, one other thing - I think I'll post a Talking point of the week every now and then when something particularly pressing comes up. It could be a controversial decision, a player injury, a team announcement, a coach-sacking - basically anything that might draw media eyes. Last week it was the Sonny-Bill Williams send-off. This week, the talking point revolves around the Souths-Parramatta game!!!

Should a penalty try have been awarded to Parramatta in the first-half when PJ Marsh was taken out by Daniel Irvine? As far as I can see, there can't be a better example of a penalty-try. I'm mystified that the ref even considered letting it go. It changed the course of the game, and though Souths came home strong, I don't know whether that would have happened had they had that try scored against them back then.

This weeks tips (geez, another hard round to pick):

Broncos vs Panthers - the panthers can't do it two weeks in a row. Broncos to win this one.

Eels vs Tigers - Tigers, as long as they can hold the ball.

Dragons vs Cowboys - Cowboys (one of the few games I have no worries about tipping)

Sharks vs Rabbitohs - Rabbitohs to continue their early season roll. Sharks haven't really set the world alight, but they will improve.

Storm vs Warriors - game of the round. Storm to win only because of home-ground advantage.

Bulldogs vs Titans - going on form, I'd say the Titans. But the bulldogs were smashed last week and should bounce back. Too tough to tell. I'll pick the Titans just because I hate the dogs

Roosters vs Sea-Eagles - Sea-Eagles.

Raiders vs Knights - Knights.

Gah, 2 from 2 wrong to start the week off. Both games were forced into extra-time also Oh well, I missed seeing them on tv, but the reviews I've read of the matches seemed pretty good, especially Brisbane/Penrith, with what seems a pretty crazy come-from-behind victory.

*edit

Though Saturday's results returned some respectability to my tipping, with both games going as expected.

We can not pick them all PA, but at least the Cowboys are still underfeated. Go the Cowboys.

Go Mavericks, Cowboys, Mayweather, Stars and Rangers! (Basketball, Football, Boxing, Hockey and Baseball)

My beloved Cowboys lost their first game against the Warriors, damn damn damn. Ok enough of that lets see what is installed this weekend, there are a few teams with a bye so it will be only 6 games this weekend. My tips well lets see: Storm over Panthers as Penrith aren't doing too well, the Raiders are looking good now so they should beat the sharks, it will be a close game but Manly should beat the Titans, the Eels and the Bulldogs should also be a close match but I am backing the Eels, the Knights over the Broncos, and my Cowboys should destroy the Bunnies (I hope).

My picks on the weekend footy are not very good, but on a better note the Kangaroo's win a brilliant victory against the Kiwi's on the weekend. It was a brilliant game, and the 24 point victory made it sweeter, well done the Kangaroo's.

HAIL THE MIGHTY BRONCOS!!!
and thats all that needs to be said

Indeed, getting beaten by wooden-spoon contenders that were missing half their roster through injury and playing 8 rookies from Premier League. Hail Broncos, Hail
*sorry, the only other team I get so happy about losing is the Bulldogs..... don't mind me (though i was barracking for the Broncos in the Grand Final last year (I had a lot of respect for Shane Webcke). But another year and its back to the hating

LMAO
Although I agree with everything you just said minus liking to watch the broncos lose. Its all true.
The Bulldogs have the worst reputation in the entire league. But I dont think the Broncs can carry on strong without the Webcke, he was an awesome player

One more day till Origin III!!!

Don't know if I'll bother
Nahhh course I will I wanna see a whitewash.
I've put $20 on NSW to be leading more than 9 points at half time with QLD to win.

I had a profitable last round, won $50 betting for the rabittohs and the Broncs (naturally)
Their form has been flawless since winning the last origin game.

lol As the only other decent queensland side in the NRL
GO the Cowboys!! and the Bronco's though I wont hold my breath with the bronc's.
It was so painfull watching the Bronco's last weekend, lol. I cant wait till next season when we get Locky back. But I think Wayne Bennet needs to stop relying on him so much and spend more time with up and comers.

"Parramatta Rules, kicked but on the weekend.

I love Matty Johns, Mmmmmmmmmmm.

Reg Regan Is soooooooooo cool.
* Hands eveyone a Victoran Bitter*

There is no side this year capable of knocking off the Storm when they are playing at peak form, which the Titans found out on Sunday in their 50-6 thrashing. I believe the Storm will make amends for their shock GF loss to the Bronco's last year by going all the way this year. They are clearly the best side in the competition again this year, with the minor premeirship to back it up. Here's hoping they dont become complacent and allow themselves to be distracted again.

Ahh yes, finals time again, yay.

My predictions:

Storm vs Broncos - This is a no-brainer. Brisbane have no chance, despite the positive attitude coming from the North. Melbourne have too much skill, too much quality.

Sea Eagles vs Rabbitohs - tougher game than most would think. Manly have the consistency, but remember that Souths beat Manly only two weeks ago. The smart money's on Manly, but the chokers tag puts the game firmly in Souths quarters. I'm going to tip Souths, though I'm probably wrong. 7th place seems to have been the bogey side for 2nd placed teams the past few years.......

Cowboys vs Bulldogs - The Bulldogs are the kings of finals football. But they have injuries and suspensions to worry about, and are coming against a team in rare form. Cowboys to win. Besides, I hate the Bulldogs, lol.

Warriors vs Eels - too tough to call. Game of the finals, if you ask me. The Warriors at home are always a good bet, but the Eels are coming off from a fantastic flogging of Brisbane. But then again, the Eels are fickle, at times. Warriors to win, in my opinon, though it is no guarantee.

I'd have to agree with all the tips you said PA.
As much as I want the Broncos to win I know it just isnt going to happen. The Storm are in too good a form.
Rabbitoh's defnately! While Manly are in pretty good form I think they will choke, lol. Though I could say the same for the Rabbitoh's not too much consistency there either.
COWBOYS! Hate the Dog's too much.
Warriors definately! I love watching them play, and I need some payback against the Eels, lol.
But yeah I like the Storm's chances of taking out the Premiership overall.

And next week's semi-finalists are:

Manly vs North Queenslad
Melbourne vs Parramatta
I don't think anyone could really argue that the best 4 teams aren't fighting out the finals this year. It should be a cracker of a semi-final week. I really think i could flip a four-way coin and crown the victor on the coin-toss alone. It's THAT close.

In order of teams I would like to see win:

Parramatta
North Queensland
Manly
Melbourne

This is just personal preference, not any kind of form-guide. I'd really hate to be a bookie this week. Knowing my luck, though, Parra and Nth Queensland will get knocked out this week and Melbourne will win the comp. I hope that doesn't happen though.

"Parramatta" rule. Right on!!!!

I could really see the Cowboys and the Storm going to the GF.
BUT I reckon the cowboys chances will hinge on what happens tonight at the judiciary with Jonathon Thurston and his dangerous throw charge. I really could see them letting this go so close to the GF, but I guess it just depends on how many 'southerners' are on the Judiciary, lol.
JK, he did do a silly thing but he was being targeted all through the last game, no wonder a bit of frustration came out. No excuses though, still did a silly thing and should pay the price.

Cowboy's all the way, but I am worried Thurston might miss out on the Manly game. Even if we loose him we still have a good chance of defeating them.

Everyone hates Manly anyway, so go the Cowboy's.

After seeing the thread title I thought this topic was going to be about Russian Roulette

Got something against Melbourne there P.A.? I have heard some trully moronic and pathetic comments from some NRL supporters up north stating that Melbourne doesn`t deserve to be in the competition. In case they haven`t noticed the preliminary final down here has nearly sold 30,000 tickets and will most likely surpass that with those who just turn up on the day. If this is the case it will mean that more will turn up for the game down in Melbourne than up in Sydney. It could even push 40,000 and most will just be Melbourne supporters. These supporters need to accept that its the NRL not the NSW and Queensland rugby league. Its just like some Victorian supporters who cant cope with an interstate team winning the premiership, which they have done for the past 6 or 7 years. I think its great as it highlights that the league has trully become a national one.

Anyway the Storm will crush Parramatta this weekend and progress to the GF where they will not slip-up like last year.

"""""""""""""""""""Go Parramatta""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

Jonathon Thurston was cleared to play for the Cowboys. That's a boost to their campaign

Not really. I just don't like them, there's no Sydney/Melbourne malice here......

Well of course, its totally understandable, Melbourne is far superior. Down here though with the AFL theres more of a Victoria v SA theme.

Out of curiosity I was just wondering what the theory was behind the small crowds rubgy league games attract. It seems absurd that some games can have only around 10,000, while 7/8 AFL games each week will easily achieve crowds of over 30,000 at minimum. The preliminary final for the AFL down here in Melbourne this week has completly sold out, which means if everyone turns up there will be a crowd of 100,000. I`m not attacking the code, merely curious as to why so few turn up compared to AFL. What do those from NSW and Queensland think?

One reason is that Rugby League fields are smaller than AFL grounds. Unless the League team is playing on a remarked AFL field, there is just not the capacity to hold 100,000 fans in the grandstands.

The distribution of teams is also a factor.

AFL distribution
Brisbane: 1
Sydney: 1
Adelaide: 2
Western Australia: 2
Melbourne: 10

NRL distribution
Melbourne: 1
New Zealand: 1
Brisbane: 3
Sydney: 11 (well, there's Canberra, but that's close enough to Sydney to make no difference).

The AFL also has plans in place to move homeground matches interstate - the Kangaroos, for example, sometimes play in Sydney, which means even the Melbourne teams don't always play in Melbourne.

In short, most teams in the NRL will be playing in Sydney or Brisbane on any given match-week. AFL teams will be spread out to Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Western Australia. that means more games available to more people - that means greater crowds.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That's two possible reasons I can think of for crowd figures. Personally, I've never gone to a match in either code.......

Well the Cowboys are out of the finals race. Manly being the first confirmed team in the finals. Last nights game was really disappointing. NQ didnt play with their usual magic. Thurston was a bit flat, a very disappointing match.
Have to wait and see what happens with the storm/ eels game this afternoon. I reckon Melbourne will go through.

Oh and one thing that ticked me off last night was the commentary, freaking Gus Gould and his usual one eyedness(?), at one point he goes 'In the last 2 years the best teams havent won the premiership'
What the hell is that meant to mean, thats the way the system works Gus, points acumulated to get into finals then the best team on the day wins, whats wrong with that?

I think Johnathan Thurston and Matt Bowen were playing well. I just don't think they had enough support. Every time North Queensland took Manly on, Thurston and Bowen were involved in everything, but it was a two-man show, and Manly were able to shut them down easily. Jason Smith was also a big loss. He may be 35, but he was still one of the finest players of the modern era. His impact wasn't as obvious at the Cowboys, but I remember watching him last year when he was playing for Canberra. Whenever he missed a match, Canberra inevitably lost. With him playing, Canberra were always competitive. The Cowboys missed the spark that Smith could bring them.

Whatever else happened though, Manly played well, and I give them credit for the win.

As for Gus Gould, I have no problem with his commenting. He's allowed to do that. What's wrong with saying that the best two teams haven't made the finals? He says it how it is. I like his up-front attitude.

I guess it depends on which newspaper you read. During the week, I read the Daily Telegraph, and they really like bagging out Gould. On Sundays I read the Sun Herald, and they're always praising him. I think it's still a fallout from the Super League/ARL war from the 90's when News Limited (which owns the Daily Telegraph) tried to take over the game, and Gould was one of the primary opponents of the takeover. News Limited hasn't forgiven him for that yet.

To be fair, in the past, I have thought at times that Gould was biased towards the Roosters, after he retired as coach. Every week he'd sing about how good the Roosters were and he'd tip them to win regardless. But since the Roosters dramatic decline into mediocrity, he has been forced to re-evaluate that aspect of his commentating. Since then, I think he's been impartial and straightforward.

Today's game - Go the Eels - though Melbourne probably will win.

^Well its half-time and the Storm are leading 10-6 only just missing out on a try in the final seconds with King just being pushed out of bounds millimetres from the line. Parramatta scored first and were really restricting Storm for the first 10-15 minutes yet once Storm found their touch they easily outclassed with it looking quite one-sided. Here's hoping the Storm keep it up and win easily.

And Melbourne win. It was a closer game than the scoreline suggests - probably one of the games of the season, actually.

But Melbourne deserved the win. They've been the best team all year. They should take out the flag, and I'm changing my tip. I don't like Manly much more than Melbourne, and Melbourne frankly deserve it more.

Just one question though - has the referee ever heard of "benefit of the doubt"? 73 minutes in, Parra down 20-10, Krisnan Inu makes for the corner. Does he score before his foot touches the sideline? My first thought was "try". A second view confirmed it. A third replay made me change my mind. The fourth replay and I changed my mind back. It was too close to call. So....... Benefit of the doubt, anyone?

Had that been called a try, it would have been 20-14, possibly 20-16, with six minutes left.

But, as I said - Melbourne deserve to be where they are. As do Manly. As much as I hate doing it, I'm going to say....... - Go Melbourne next week

^I agree, that was too close to call and as such the player should have got the benefit of the doubt. However I still would have picked the Storm to hold on for those last six minutes regardless of whether Parramatta scored, they simply handled the pressure better. It wasn`t the greatest performance by the Storm so hopefully they can step it up to take down Manly and get the premiership they should have had last year.

I dont know if anyones noticed or it just may be me, but video refs arent using benfit of the doubt much in the last couple of rounds.
But if any try should of been given using benefit of the doubt it was definately that Eels try, His body didnt look like it was touching the ground over the try line before he grounded the ball.
It was a really great game, But yeah I'd put money on Melbourne winning the premiership. They have been so consistently good this season and last season.

I am so disappointed with the Cowboys they never got into the game, Manly's defence was just too good. (Bugger), anyway I am not going to pick melbourne and I am not going to back Manly either so I am going to do something else during the grandfinal, maybe jump out of an areoplane.

And the Mighty Storm win! They were by far the better side not only tonight but all year, they deserve this and hopefully this can make up for the heart-break of last year. To all those in NSW who seem to take some perverse pleasure from attacking the storm and their place in the league, you can simply go and stick it. Cheers.