Penrith punish rusty Roosters
32 mins ago | Aidan Edgecomb
Yes, you'd be forgiven for thinking we're in a parallel universe of some kind, or in the case of Mr Squiggle, living on the moon. It would appear to some that Miss Jane has yet to turn the picture upside down, or has she already? If you're Canberra and Manly you'd be pretty happy that her work is done. Not so in the case of Newcastle and St George Illawarra though, who right now embody the spirit of Bill Steamshovel and Gus the Snail.
My four correct picks from last week takes me to an under-whelming 17/28 and maybe I should put in a call to Miss Jane too?
Panthers v Storm
I'm hoping this will be a real contest. The Panthers have been disappointing to date, only managing to suffocate the ailing Dragons in Round 3, meanwhile the Storm have been in scintillating touch. They average a ludicrous 40 points per game, have an insatiable appetite for tries and also the best defensive record to date.
The Panthers are struggling in 12th spot and look like busted arses. It didn't help that they lost Priddis last week with Donnato also sustaining an injury early in the game, leaving Gower to fill in at acting half and stunting the attack. But sooner or later they're going to have to spring into action and when you run your finger across their line-up there is any number of rep players and quality first graders.
But will it be this week? No, I don't think so. Even though it's at Penrith Park the visitors have Alex Chan back and some white-hot players in Slater, King, Orford, Hoffman and Smith.
Tigers v Warriors
Last year this match would be a blight on the game of Rugby League, but not so in 2005 with both teams having great last start victories, the Tigers in particular showing unexpected good form.
Souths did the Warriors a real favour last week by waking up these sleeping giants. Stacey Jones ran riot and some other players showed up too including Byrne, Toopi and Koopu. It made for some great viewing from the comfort of my lounge room as the Warriors of old got the ball moving across the park like we all know they can.
Likewise, at various stages the Tigers made fools of Easts at Aussie Stadium, despite the fact the game was close and went down to the wire. Wests played a brand of footy that the Roosters just couldn't handle and certainly have the X-factor in their team with Marshall and Prince calling the shots.
It's a game I don't want either team to lose, but I think the Warriors have an edge here. They only have to travel to Christchurch for their "away" game and possess the bigger forward pack that I think will really take it to the Tige's. I'm happy to be proven wrong though and this one certainly shapes to be an entertaining contest.
Dragons v Sea Eagles
This could be the toughest pick of the round.
Here we have the Sea Eagles coming off the bye, which so far this season is proving to be more of an advantage. The Raiders and Tigers have both won following the week's break, with only Newcastle losing their next immediate match, which doesn't really indicate much. Manly have done everything right and deserve their place on the ladder.
The Dragons on the other hand, well what can I say? Is this the game where they turn it all around or are they just going to lapse deeper into this coma they find themselves in?
Their backline is not real flash. Gasnier is making his comeback, which is good news and Barrett is playing his second game, but how much can you expect from them given their lack of match fitness? And with the added pressure to get a win I'm not confident the likes of Torrens and Best will be able to respond and perform.
My feeling is that this game will be sorted out in the forwards. Kennedy for Manly is playing great footy and his buddy Brent Kite will want to have a huge one against his old club. Equally Bailey, Ryles and Co. will be looking to dish it up to the opposing pack.
In a hard decision, I'm going to pick Manly given that WIN Stadium provides little or no advantage and the Dragons under pressure may well come unstuck?this might come back to bite me though.
Sharks v Cowboys
A showdown between fourth and fifth in a great match-up. Both teams are in form and had strong last start wins.
The Sharks are well and truly on their way to being a force in this comp and they have their full team on the paddock all 100% fit. Their halves are outstanding and their forwards are equally impressive. I really can't see much I don't like in their squad. You can add to this their reserve grade team (Newtown), who gave it to the Bulldogs at Henson Park last week, providing them with lots of depth, as I watched on with a can of KB in my hand.
But it's hard to go past the Cowboys. They look irrepressible right now with Thurston, Bowen, Sing, Rauhihi and Webb playing great footy. Their pack should muscle up well to the Sharks and their backs will be up to the task. I'm going to favour North Queensland but there won't be much in it. Cronulla are always hard to beat at Shark Park in the Dark, and last time they caught me out, but the visitors will get the cash and plenty of credibility along the way.
Broncos v Eels
All right, who's turning up this week?
Parra have shown some patchy form but turned it on against the Panthers last week in a highly creative and enthusiastic encounter. On the flip-side, after impressing the world against the Roosters in Round 3, someone other than the Broncos travelled to Melbourne and were lashed with the club's biggest hiding EVER.
So does that mean the Eels will fall asleep on Sunday and Brisbane will try to make up for last week's abomination? I wouldn't use it as a general rule of thumb but I tend to think that's how it will play out.
The confrontation up front should be absorbing, with both packs big and mobile. The backs have plenty of pace and the halves are highly skilled. New kid on the block Tim Smith will take delight in testing himself against Darren Lockyer but I think the Broncos will get over the top of them at home. Tonie Carroll's return should have a positive effect to Brisbane's fortunes.
Rabbitohs v Knights
This could be an ugly, ugly affair.
13th v 14th on the ladder with both teams desperate for a win. Newcastle were appalling last week and seem like a boat with no rudder. Johns is trying hard to lift the team but he's getting very little assistance from the forwards and there are more gaps in the middle of the ruck than I've had hot breakfast's.
Souths though are a team who are trying hard and it seems that each week they get an injury or two that takes the sting out of their bench, disabling them from competing for the full 80 minutes.
This could be the game where Joey finds his touch this year and being at Gosford they should get plenty of support behind them. But I'm going to give it to the Bunnies as I rate their forward pack over the Knights and Joe Williams is playing out of his skin.
Raiders v Roosters
A great game to end the weekend with.
The Raiders have been a revelation to the competition this year proving that you can't always judge a book by its' cover. But they will miss O'Hara sorely - he has been ruled out for the rest of the year with a shoulder injury that requires extensive surgery.
The Roosters on the other hand are struggling to find form but will certainly rise to the challenge this week. Ricky Stuart knows Bruce Stadium like the back of his hand as does former halfback Brett Finch. Winger Joel Monaghan will also be looking to get one up on his former club.
So the home ground advantage may not be as clear as some might think and the Roosters have Crocker back on deck who should add some much needed starch for the Bondi Boys. Having said that, I'm leaning towards the Raiders in this one with Smith, Withers, Schifcofske and Adamson seemingly untouchable right now. But it won't be by much.
The Canterbury Bulldogs have the bye this round and by the looks of things they will really need it. They've got a serious case of the mumps and a few other bruises to bodies and egos in need of ironing out for their clash against the Roosters in round 6.