The Prism - Round 9 2015

Hot topic

The NSW Cup has been bolstered in recent years into a standard more befitting that of the old reserve grade. This has started to alleviate the problem of having underdeveloped players jumping straight from the U/20's into first grade. It has also prolonged the careers of a number of fringe first graders to provide depth for the NRL.

It is now time to fully elevate the "reserve grade" competition back into the fold. The U/20's has made great TV watching as it can give supporters a second chance to see their favourite club run around on the weekend. You also find yourself cheering a little louder if they win the premiership.

Six clubs have embraced this concept by fielding their own teams:

• Canterbury Bulldogs
• Manly Sea Eagles
• Newcastle Knights
• NZ Warriors
• Penrith Panthers
• Wests Tigers

However, the following clubs have formed affiliations with NSW Cup teams to provide their reserve grade:

• Dragons - Illawarra Cutters
• Eels - Wentworth Magpies
• Rabbitohs - North Sydney Bears
• Raiders - Mount Pritchard Mounties
• Roosters - Wyong Roos
• Sharks - Newtown Jets

The Jets used to be affiliated with the Roosters even though its juniors play in the Souths Juniors competition. Now it is the Sharks turn to partner with Newtown. The Roosters are probably looking to expand their juniors base into the Central Coast with Wyong, given they only have three junior clubs of their own. Likewise, the Raiders have expanded beyond their geography into the west of Sydney.

It should be noted that the three Queensland teams and Melbourne are supported by the Queensland Cup, which has a large geographical coverage (including PNG). This is probably an appropriate approach.

The six NSW clubs that do not have their own reserve grade team may have made the decision to partner with other clubs to save money or to expand their geography. However, from a supporters' perspective it degrades the NSW Cup ever so slightly. From a purest point of view it is nostalgic to see the Bears and Jets run around, but the NRL may want to consider what it wants from the NSW Cup in the future.

Predictions

I had another shocker last round with just 3/8. Here are my picks for this week.

Broncos vs. Panthers @ Suncorp Stadium
The Broncos are proving hard to beat, especially at home. Broncos by 8

Roosters vs. Tigers @ Allianz Stadium
The Roosters have been close for a few weeks, but the Tigers have some spark. Roosters by 4

Raiders vs. Titans @ GIO Stadium
These two teams continue to punch above expectations. Raiders by 2

Sharks vs. Warriors @ Remondis Stadium
Both surprise losers last round. Sharks by 4

Cowboys vs. Bulldogs @ 1300Smiles Stadium
The Cowboys are on fire and will want to impress at home. Cowboys by 8

Sea Eagles vs. Knights @ Brookvale Oval
The Sea Eagles have finally broken their drought and play the Knights who are on their own losing streak. Sea Eagles by 4

Eels vs. Storm @ Pirtek Stadium
Who said the Eels are inconsistent with Win-Loss-Loss, Win-Loss-Loss, Win-Loss-??? Storm by 10

Rabbitohs vs. Dragons @ ANZ Stadium
There will be little charity here. Rabbitohs by 6

Form Guide

The form guide is based on a predictive model that gives more weight to recent performances. There is no adjustment for personal bias, injury or their position on the table. This may leave some fancied teams below expected positions, but that can quickly change with a string of wins.

1. Dragons (-) : have defended their way to topping this table
2. Cowboys (+1) : five wins in a row after a slow start
3. Broncos (+1) : Bennett has returned them to prominence
4. Titans (+2) : have shaken off their drugs scandal with four wins in their last five
5. Raiders (+3) : like to chase teams down from big deficits
6. Storm (-4) : a close loss sees them slide back a little
7. Panthers (+6) : where would they be without their unfortunate injury toll
8. Tigers (+6) : quite inconsistent, probably a reflection of their youthfulness
9. Sharks (-4) : should have beaten the injury ravaged Panthers
10. Bulldogs (-3) : suspensions and injuries have weighed on their performance
11. Eels (-2) : can only win one in every three
12. Rabbitohs (-2) : they don't look as invincible as last year and will meet the in form Dragons
13. Sea Eagles (+3) : broke their five match losing streak
14. Warriors (-3) : should have won at home in the emotional Anzac day clash
15. Knights (-3) : four wins then four losses
16. Roosters (-1) : four losses, albeit all close, have this premiership favourite out of sorts

Composite Team

Last week's composite team were made up of Rothman Medal winners. Can you work out the theme for the team below?

1. Darren Lockyer
2. Anthony Minichiello
3. Michael Cronin
4. Andrew Ettingshausen
5. Hazen El Masri
6. Brett Kenny
7. Geoff Toovey
8. Steve Roach
9. Royce Simmonds
10. Corey Parker
11. Nathan Hindmarsh
12. Jason Croker
13. Steve Menzies
14. Ben Elias
15. Luke Ricketson
16. Norm Provan
17. Steve Mortimer

This team has class all across the park. Predicted placing in 2015 table: 2nd

Flash Back

This week's Flash Back changed the way goal kickers approached their trade. Ross Conlon played for the Magpies, Bulldogs and Tigers in the 1980's and made it all the way to the Australian team.

Conlon played both Centre and Wing and was noted for his development of the ‘around-the-corner' style of goal kicking. He credited his time in soccer for this approach.

Roy Masters spotted Conlon in 1980 playing alongside Des Hasler for Mount St Mary and recruited him to the Western Suburbs Magpies. He played two seasons for them and scored 12 tries and 148 points as the second choice goal kicker.

After the 1982 semi-final he left the Magpies and signed with Canterbury. He played well in 1983 and helped the team to the preliminary final against Parramatta. Unfortunately he dislocated his hip in that match and was out of the game until round 10 of 1984.

1984 was to be his most successful as he was selected on the wing for NSW City where he scored 14 points from a try and 5 goals. On the back of this performance he made the NSW State of Origin team for the 3 matches in the series and kicked 10 goals.

In June of that year he replaced the injured Eric Grothe in the Australian team against Great Britain, kicking four goals. However, later that season his form dropped and Warren Ryan benched Conlon. He was omitted from the finals, including Canterbury's 1984 premiership win over the Eels.

Conlon left the Bulldogs to join Balmain in 1985 where he became a consistent points scorer. He spent the 1985/6 offseason in the UK playing 16 matches for St Helens and scoring 166 points (more than 10 points per game!).

He was the NSWRL top scorer in 1987 with 196 points. In 1988 the Tigers made the grand final and he had a chance to take revenge on his former club Canterbury, ironically again playing for Warren Ryan as his coach. It was not to be and this was his last game at only 29 years of age after a poor defensive effort in the decider.

Conlon finished his career with 1,180 points and will be remembered as a tall robust outside back who revolutionised goal kicking in Australian rugby league.