The Prism - 2015 Round 23

Hot topic

Teams are taking more and more games away from home in the pursuit of a bigger payday. This can provide a novelty factor for fans or can potentially increase a supporter base. There are 13 away "home" games this year.

• Dragons v Bulldogs @ ANZ - lost
• Dragons v Roosters @ Allianz - lost
• Dragons v Rabbitohs @ SCG - lost

• Rabbitohs v Raiders in Cairns - lost
• Rabbitohs v Warriors in Perth - won
• Sea Eagles v Raiders in Albury - lost
• Sea Eagles v Broncos in Central Coast - won
• Panthers v Titans in Bathurst - won
• Roosters v Titans in Central Coast - won
• Storm v Dragons in Napier NZ - won
• NZ v Dragons in Wellington - lost
• Parramatta v Penrith in Darwin - won

This week the Bulldogs play the Titans in Central Coast for the last of the transferred home games.

The Dragons moved 3 of their home games for 3 massive losses. Each time they gave away their home ground to the opposition which is pure madness. Was the potential for some extra dollars' worth the risk of missing the top 8 for the fourth year in a row?

The rest of the teams were wiser insofar as they did not play their home game in enemy territory. The record for these teams is 6 wins out of 9 games (67%) with the Raiders accounting for 2 of the losses. Strangely for the Raiders, playing away from home is their forte with 6 wins and 4 losses, against 2-8 at home.

I am personally a fan of taking games to regional areas to help boost the game there, as well as taking derbies to suburban grounds, eg Belmore, Leichhardt, and Kogarah. I question whether giving home games to the opposition is wise, especially for the Dragons who don't have a single fortress to call home.

Predictions

Last week I picked 6/8. Here are my picks for this week.

Cowboys vs. Rabbitohs @ 1300Smiles Stadium
This is a real blockbuster between two heavyweights. Cowboys by 2

Broncos vs. Dragons @ Suncorp Stadium
The Dragons are again cursed by injury. Broncos by 12

Tigers vs. Knights @ Campbelltown Stadium
The wooden spoon "blockbuster" for the ages? Tigers by 6

Panthers vs. Warriors @ Pepper Stadium
Two out of form teams in a struggle. Panthers by 4

Roosters vs. Eels @ Allianz Stadium
This will be a one sided affair. Roosters by 18

Raiders vs. Sea Eagles @ GIO Stadium
The Raiders again play at their hoodoo ground. Sea Eagles by 4

Bulldogs vs. Titans @ Central Coast Stadium
The Dogs are talking. Bulldogs by 18

Sharks vs. Storm @ Remondis Stadium
Two teams looking for home ground advantage in the finals. Sharks by 2

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. Byes are given a 50% weighting.

• 1.Roosters (-) : premiership favourites with 11 wins out of the last 12 games
• 2.Sharks (+1) : have won 8 of their last 9 and are equal fourth
• 3.Sea Eagles (+3) : easily dispatched the Rabbitohs for their fifth win in their last 6 starts
• 4.Cowboys (-2) : suffered only their second loss since round 3
• 5.Rabbitohs (-1) : their place in the top 4 is not assured with the Sharks just behind
• 6.Broncos (-1) : back-to-back losses
• 7.Storm (-) : have won 3 of their last 4 to keep in the mix
• 8.Bulldogs (-) : won against the ladder leaders
• 9.Tigers (+3) : back to back wins to move an inch away from the spoon
• 10.Dragons (+3) : back-to-back wins, now face the Broncos
• 11.Eels (+3) : jagged a win in Darwin in a dour match
• 12.Raiders (-4) : lost again at home to make their home record 2 wins and 8 losses!
• 13.Titans (-3) : are playing like a team waiting for mad Monday
• 14.Warriors (-3) : fourth loss in a row and finals hopes are fading
• 15.Knights (-) : have lost 14 of their last 16 and have clocked off for the season
• 16.Panthers (-) : was five losses in a row part of the 5-year plan?

Composite Team

Last week's composite team was made up of players who have interchangeable first and last names. Can you work out this team?

• 1. Justin Hunt

• 2. Jason Nightingale

• 3. Jack Reed

• 4. Corey Oates

• 5. David Mead

• 6. Jack Bird

• 7. Luke Brooks

• 8. Aaron Woods

• 9. Nathan Peats

• 10. Nigel Plum

• 11. Shaun Lane

• 12. Corey Parker

• 13. Greg Bird

• 14. Ben Hunt

• 15. Alex Glenn

• 16. Josh Starling

• 17. Adam Clydsdale

This team has a solid back line, young halves and a tough pack. Predicted placing in 2015 table: 15th