Round 22 Discussion

[vertigo]

The fix is in! Get on Parra everyone!

People will think they've gotta be stupid to fix a game when they're already under investigation, but results like tonight don't help dispel that.

 

[Broncoman]

Another riveting game of Rugby League.

Did Channel 9 seriously think this would be better than the Sharks v Raiders? Or in case they didn't want to shake things up too much, North Queensland v Wests?

What an insipid clash. Manly didn't rock up and Parramatta were able to get over the line due to the stupidity of Marty Taupau.

Between this and the Dragons/Broncos game, you'd swear this code is dying.

Were the 9 commentators talking this up?

 

[broncos4life]

Were the 9 commentators talking this up?

He is talking about 9 picking this game over all the other games of the round.

 

[Super Freak]

To be fair, games between the Eels and Manly are usually very good matches with plenty of points scored.

I don't think they could have predicted things to be the way they are now..

And even in the lead up, it was still shaping up to be a good game.

Manly were on a 4 game winning streak and desperate to keep their finals hopes alive. Eels were looking to end them. There is a great rivalry between the two clubs.

Eels are one of the clubs that gets high ratings and their opponent being Manly would have increased those ratings even more. It made sense.

It's just it ended up being a fucking awful game.

 

[Foordy]

I can't help but laugh at Barrett whinging about Taupau being penalised for tackling a player not in possession of the ball. he is upset because that penalty won the game for Parramatta, and also that the referee changed his decision after a report from the touchie.

but in this case the touchie was 100% correct, the player taupau tackled was never in possession of the ball.

 

[Super Freak]

I can't help but laugh at Barrett whinging about Taupau being penalised for tackling a player not in possession of the ball. he is upset because that penalty won the game for Parramatta, and also that the referee changed his decision after a report from the touchie.

but in this case the touchie was 100% correct, the player taupau tackled was never in possession of the ball.

I don't blame him, to be honest.

Those are let go a lot.

The refs were fine with it until the touchie stepped in.

 

[Big Pete]

They scheduled the fixture in Round 16, when Manly were on a six game (going onto a seven game) losing streak, and the Eels season was in tatters.

How could they not see this coming?

Even if you assume they took a few weeks to come up with the schedule, it wasn't like the teams were looking better at that time.

Yes, this is one of the weaker rounds of the competition. However, Cronulla v Canberra was always the more relevant game.

I'm not sure how many of you keep up with ratings, but Channel 9 has continually flopped all year. I believe a large part of that is their inability to promote and pick the right games.

If you listened to the pre-match coverage with Yvonne, Joey and Gus, even they struggled to make sense of the clash. Joey's big insight is that Manly were simply beating really bad teams. While Gus countered and said that Parramatta were relying on spirit and that their football was progressively getting worse.

Gee, way to get me hyped up for this clash!

And the funny thing is, I don't blame them. They were just being honest and were given little to nothing to work with. I'd rather they'd tell it how it is than sell out for their network.

How it should have been thrown together...

THURSDAY
Wests Tigers v North Queensland Cowboys (with the Cowboys backing up from Friday, instead of Saturday)

FRIDAY
Cronulla Sharks vs Canberra Raiders (at the time, it was 1st v 7th. Now it's a Top 4 clash. Give

SUNDAY
Gold Coast Titans vs Warriors (two teams in the hunt for a top 8 spot, both have a never say die attitude, and it's a fresh match-up for your audience)

The key is promotion. Of course teams like Brisbane, Canterbury, Parramatta etc. traditionally rate more, it's because they're the only teams that are featured. How about promoting a few of the exciting teams and alternating the schedule more evenly?

 

[GCBRONCO]

Knights putting in a decent effort today so far for a side that has won all of one game this season. 2-0 so far to the Knights in horrible conditions.

 

[GCBRONCO]

Don't think that was a crusher tackle from Simms TBH. Good defense from the Knights so far, if they can keep it up they might actually have a chance today.

 

[GCBRONCO]

Dogs score thanks to a 7 tackle set and a rather poor line defense a real shame cause the Knights upto now had been doing well. 6-2 to the Dogs

 

[GCBRONCO]

Dogs starting to get a bit of momentum here.

 

[Big Pete]

Tolman and Klemmer have been huge for the Dogs so far.

I can't see the Knights staying in this clash for too long.

 

[GCBRONCO]

Morris scores for the Dogs to make it 10-2 kick to come, Knights in trouble now.

 

[GCBRONCO]

Tolman and Klemmer have been huge for the Dogs so far.

I can't see the Knights staying in this clash for too long.

Agreed, that first try really hurt the Knights and with their forwards tiring and the Dogs getting momentum I can't see it either, this is the Dogs game to lose now. 12-2 after conversion.

 

[GCBRONCO]

They really needed something off that set the Knights, they can't afford to make simple errors like that in the dogs half to have any chance today.

 

[GCBRONCO]

Another error there from the Knights in prime position and then could be made to pay the price with a cheap penalty given away.

 

[GCBRONCO]

14-2 to the Dogs nearing halftime.

 

[GCBRONCO]

Shocking from Newcastle, gifting the Dogs another opportunity here though luckily for Knights the dogs knock on.