Friday Night Blockbuster
August 13th 2008 11:03
It's only wednesday and i am already excited for this friday night.
There are two blockbusting games in the NRL and i'm sure there will be quite a few punters looking to get their own.
The teams have been announced and here is how the games are looking:
Match 1 - Brisbane Broncos (home) vs St George-Illawara
For me this is one of the good punts of the week.
For me Brisbane was very dissapointing coming up against the in-form Warriors at home and still only came up short by 6 points which came off a kick which was randomly batted back.
Brisbane welcome back Sam Thaiday who is in my opinion one of the top 5 forwards in the NRL. However they have lost Karmichael Hunt who has succumbed to a calf injury. This has caused a reshuffle with Kemp moving to full-back while Reece Robinson has been included on the wing. Although a bright young prospect, Robinson is shaky under the high ball as well as reading the defence. I'm sure the Dragons will bombard him all night, especially with Gasnier playing on his side of the field. If you are looking to nominate a first try scorer for the Dragons, shoot for either Gasnier or Nightingale.
St-George however had a dissapointing loss to Wests Tigers - in a game which they were really expected to win.
They were outmuscled and out-enthused - an all too familiar story this year. Although they were missing Ryles (who is back this week), it was a poor performance from a team which has all the tools yet fails to use them.
In breaking news, form half back Jamie Soward has been ruled out as well as full-back Brett Morris(12 line breaks). Sailor has been put in the squad and should start on the wing. Although it is very exciting to see 'Big Dell' running on the sidelines again, he doesn't offer much in attack except strong run backs off kicks. His speed has greatly diminished which was evident when he was caught by Jarrod Mullen earlier in the year off a clean break. Note: Mullen is not a notable speedster.
I just haven't seen the team gel this year, and the absense of Soward is not going to help that. Ben Rogers has been called in to replace him, yet i don't see him offering much in either individual brilliance nor as an organiser ( he was acquired from South Sydney mid year).
I believe that Broncos should win this one with relative ease. Playing at home, and with Lockyer,Wallace and Ennis(6 try assists) all healthy, i think they should outclass Saints.
Get on Brisbane with a 5.5 point start, If you're after a bit more money - Broncos 13 is a good bet.
Match 2 - Melbourne Storm (home) vs Sydney Roosters
As i'm a blind Roosters fan, i am not going to go too deep into this game.
Here are a few quick notes:
- Fitzgibbon out for the Roosters, this is a big loss as he is a reliable goal kicker.
- O'meley a welcome addition - hard worker around the ruck.
- Roosters have beat Mealbourne on the last 2 occasions in low scoring affairs
I wouldn't get on this game, however if you feel game:
Roosters are known for letting the first try in, and with the attacking prowess of Melbourne, this is almost a given. Melbourne first try.
Given that the last two games have been low scoring affairs, i'd get tempted to take Roosters with a 12.5 start.
Happy punting guys!
There are two blockbusting games in the NRL and i'm sure there will be quite a few punters looking to get their own.
The teams have been announced and here is how the games are looking:
Match 1 - Brisbane Broncos (home) vs St George-Illawara
For me this is one of the good punts of the week.
For me Brisbane was very dissapointing coming up against the in-form Warriors at home and still only came up short by 6 points which came off a kick which was randomly batted back.
Brisbane welcome back Sam Thaiday who is in my opinion one of the top 5 forwards in the NRL. However they have lost Karmichael Hunt who has succumbed to a calf injury. This has caused a reshuffle with Kemp moving to full-back while Reece Robinson has been included on the wing. Although a bright young prospect, Robinson is shaky under the high ball as well as reading the defence. I'm sure the Dragons will bombard him all night, especially with Gasnier playing on his side of the field. If you are looking to nominate a first try scorer for the Dragons, shoot for either Gasnier or Nightingale.
St-George however had a dissapointing loss to Wests Tigers - in a game which they were really expected to win.
They were outmuscled and out-enthused - an all too familiar story this year. Although they were missing Ryles (who is back this week), it was a poor performance from a team which has all the tools yet fails to use them.
In breaking news, form half back Jamie Soward has been ruled out as well as full-back Brett Morris(12 line breaks). Sailor has been put in the squad and should start on the wing. Although it is very exciting to see 'Big Dell' running on the sidelines again, he doesn't offer much in attack except strong run backs off kicks. His speed has greatly diminished which was evident when he was caught by Jarrod Mullen earlier in the year off a clean break. Note: Mullen is not a notable speedster.
I believe that Broncos should win this one with relative ease. Playing at home, and with Lockyer,Wallace and Ennis(6 try assists) all healthy, i think they should outclass Saints.
Get on Brisbane with a 5.5 point start, If you're after a bit more money - Broncos 13 is a good bet.
Match 2 - Melbourne Storm (home) vs Sydney Roosters
As i'm a blind Roosters fan, i am not going to go too deep into this game.
Here are a few quick notes:
- Fitzgibbon out for the Roosters, this is a big loss as he is a reliable goal kicker.
- O'meley a welcome addition - hard worker around the ruck.
- Roosters have beat Mealbourne on the last 2 occasions in low scoring affairs
I wouldn't get on this game, however if you feel game:
Roosters are known for letting the first try in, and with the attacking prowess of Melbourne, this is almost a given. Melbourne first try.
Given that the last two games have been low scoring affairs, i'd get tempted to take Roosters with a 12.5 start.
Happy punting guys!
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