The Armchair Expert - Round 6

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Performance of the Round

Both the Brisbane Broncos and Sydney Roosters for producing an absolute belter of a game on Friday night. The Broncos headed into the contest top of the table and looking for their fifth win in a row whilst the Roosters were premiership favourites and looking to bounce back after an insipid performance against the Sharks last start.

The game had everything from big hits, scintillating tries, a couple of scuffles, golden point and nearly a basketball like rejection of a field goal attempt. Ben Hunt proved to be the match winner in extra time with a brilliant solo try but it was the home sides big men who laid the platform. Sam Thaiday didn't give an inch in his running battle with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Josh McGuire was a menace in attack and defence all night while Corey Parker and Alex Glenn did the hard yards as usual.

Until this match punters were still unsure if the Broncos were the real deal after the Rabbitohs embarrassed them in round one. They have now earned the tick of approval as a genuine premiership contender.


Paul Carige Award for the Worst Performance of the Round

After opening the season with four consecutive wins and people endorsing the Knights for playing an attractive brand of footy (me included), the Novocastrians have quickly come back down to earth with consecutive losses. They were completely out enthused by a Cronulla team looking for two on the bounce and were made to look pretty ordinary.

With nearly 30 missed tackles and 18 errors, the Knights were never able to get themselves into the game. Maybe they haven't adapted to wet weather football? With this loss and their shut out defeat to the Dragons both in less than ideal conditions. Rick Stone needs to plead with the farmers in the Hunter Valley to not do anymore rain dances until October.


Surprise Packet

The Gold Coast Titans arrived at Pirtek Stadium Saturday afternoon with everyone in the ground expecting them to get blown away. Dave Taylor must have accidently eaten the script for lunch before his teammates had read it because they didn't play as predicted. They were imposing from the outset and blew away the Parramatta Eels in the second half, who are usually unstoppable at home.

James Roberts put in a scintillating performance scoring a hatrick and running for nearly 200 metres. This effort will give them enormous confidence heading into this weekends home match against the Panthers.


Russell Packer Medal for WTF Moment of the Week

Lachlan Marantas' attempted swat of James Maloney's field goal as it sailed into the cross bar had everyone out of their seat. It's hard to tell if the young fullback got a decent touch onto the ball but for a few seconds the young fullback looked like Michael Jordan going up to the rim about to throw one down.


Around the Social Media Traps

This week features a humble old coach, the Dragons take to the water (Caution: This photo features George Rose without a shirt) while the Storm spruik their nomination for team try of the year.

The @stgidragons boys enjoying the water today in Wollongong! Short week, 5 day turn around, recovery the focus ahead of the top of the table clash against the Broncos on Friday night at Jubilee Oval, Kogarah. Got your tickets yet #redv fans ?
A photo posted by St George Illawarra Dragons (@stgidragons) on
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