Round 24 Discussion

[Big Pete]

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2013 Telstra Premiership - National Rugby League
Round 24 || Friday 23, Saturday 24, Sunday 25, Monday 26 August

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Penrith Panthers v Brisbane Broncos
Centrebet Stadium, Penrith, Friday 23 August 2013
NRL kickoff 7:35pm

Live TV: Channel 9 QLD
Referees: Gavin Badger and Luke Phillips; Sideline Officials: Nick Beashel and Brett Suttor; Video Referees: Chris Ward and Luke Patten

1. Lachlan Coote 2. Josh Mansour 3. Lewis Brown 4. Dean Whare 5. David Simmons 6. Isaac John 7. Luke Walsh 8. Sam McKendry 9. Kevin Kingston (C) 10. Tim Grant 11. Clint Newton 12. Sika Manu 13 Ryan Simpkins
Interchange: 14. James Segeyaro 15. Nathan Smith 16. Jeremy Latimore 17. Mose Masoe 18. Matt Moylan

1. Josh Hoffman 2. Corey Oates 3. Jack Reed 4. David Stagg 5. Jordan Kahu 6. Scott Prince 7. Ben Hunt 8. Ben Hannant 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Josh McGuire 11. Sam Thaiday (c) 12. Matt Gillett 13. Corey Parker
Interchange: 14. Peter Wallace 15. Dunamis Lui 16. Lama Tasi 17. Jarred Wallace 18. Scott Anderson 19. Nick Slyney
Official Match Hashtag: #NRLpenbri

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South Sydney Rabbitohs v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park, Friday 23 August 2013
NRL kickoff 7:35pm
Live TV: Channel 9 NSW/GEM - Check local guides
Referees: Matt Cecchin and Gavin Reynolds; Sideline Officials: Paul Holland and Jason Walsh; Video Referees: Jason Robinson and Matt Rodwell

1. Greg Inglis 2. Nathan Merritt 3. Bryson Goodwin 4. Dylan Walker 5. Dylan Farrell 6. John Sutton 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Luke Burgess 9. Issac Luke 10. Roy Asotasi 11. Chris McQueen 12. Ben Te’o 13. Ben Lowe
Interchange: 14. Luke Keary 15. Jason Clark 16. George Burgess 17. Thomas Burgess 18. David Tyrrell 19. Justin Hunt 20. Matt King

1. Josh Morris 2. Mitch Brown 3. Krisnan Inu 4. Timoteo Lafai 5. Sam Perrett 6. Josh Reynolds 7. Trent Hodkinson 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Michael Ennis (c) 10. James Graham 11. Frank Pritchard 12, Josh Jackson 13. Dale Finucane
Interchange: 14. Tony Williams 15. Dene Halatau 16. Tim Browne 17. Martin Taupau 19. Lachlan Burr
Official Match Hashtag: #NRLsoucby

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St. George Illawarra Dragons v Wests Tigers
Sydney Cricket Ground, Moore Park, Saturday 24 August 2013
NRL kickoff 3:00pm
Live TV: FOX Sports 1
Referees: Jason Robinson and Phil Haines; Sideline Officials: Dan Eastwood and Brenden Wood; Video Referees: Bernard Sutton and Justin Morgan

1. Jason Nightingale 2. Brett Morris 3. Chase Stanley 4. Charly Runciman 5. Daniel Vidot 6. Adam Quinlan 7. Nathan Fien 8. Jack Stockwell 9. Mitch Rein 10. Ben Creagh (c) 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Leeson Ah Mau 13. Jack de Belin
Interchange: 14. Matt Prior 15. Michael Weyman 16. Will Matthews 17. Bronson Harrison 19. Craig Garvey

1. James Tedesco 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Bodene Thompson 4. Tim Simona 5. Lote Tuqiri 6. Benji Marshall 7. Braith Anasta 8. Keith Galloway 9. Joel Luani 10. Adam Blair 11. Liam Fulton 12. Ben Murdoch-Masila 13. Sauso Sue
Interchange: 14. Ava Seumanufagai 15. Jack Buchanan 16. Matthew Bell 17. Curtis Sironen 18. Masada Iosefa 19. Sean Spence
Official Match Hashtag: #NRLsgiwst

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Gold Coast Titans v New Zealand Warriors
Skilled Park, Robina, Saturday 24 August 2013
NRL kickoff 5:30pm
Live TV: Fox Sports 1
Referees: Ashley Klein and Phil Haines; Sideline Officials: Dan Eastwood and Dave Ryan; Video Referees: Bernard Sutton and Matt Rodwel
Referees: Gerard Sutton and Jared Maxwell; Sideline Officials: Russell Turner and Adam Reid; Video Referees: Steve Chiddy and Neil Wharton

1. William Zillman 2. Kevin Gordon 3. Brad Takairangi 4. Jamie Dowling 5. David Mead 6. Aidan Sezer 7. Albert Kelly 8. Luke Douglas 9. Beau Falloon 10. Nate Myles 11. Greg Bird 12. Mark Minichiello 13. Ashley Harrison
Interchange: 14. Dave Taylor 15. Ryan James 16. Ben Ridge 17. Matt Srama

1. Kevin Locke 2. Jerome Ropati 3. Dane Nielsen 4. Konrad Hurrell 5. Manu Vatuvei 6. Thomas Leuluai 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Sam Rapira 9. Nathan Friend 10. Suaia Matagi 11. Elijah Taylor 12. Simon Mannering (C) 13. Todd Lowrie
Interchange: 14. Ben Matulino 15. Jacob Lillyman 16. Feleti Mateo 17. Dominique Peyroux 18. Ngani Laumape
Official Match Hashtag: #NRLgldwar

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North Queensland Cowboys v Newcastle Knights
1300SMILES Stadium, Kirwan, Townsville, Saturday 24 August 2013
NRL kickoff 7:30pm
Live TV: FOX Sports 1
Referees: Shayne Hayne and Alan Shortall; Sideline Officials: Grant Atkins; Video Referees: Paul Mellor and Matt Rodwell

1. Matthew Bowen 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Brent Tate 4. Kane Linnett 5. Antonio Winterstein 6. Johnathan Thurston (c) 7. Robert Lui 8. Matthew Scott (c) 9. Ray Thompson 10. James Tamou 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Glenn Hall 13. Joel Riethmuller.
Interchange: 14. Rory Kostjasyn 15. Tariq Sims 16. Scott Bolton 17. Ricky Thorby 18. Ethan Lowe

1. Darius Boyd 2. James McManus 3. Dane Gagai 4. Joey Leilua 5. Akuila Uate 6. Jarrod Mullen 7. Tyrone Roberts 8. Kade Snowden 9. Danny Buderus 10. Zane Tetevano 11. Robbie Rochow 12. Beau Scott 13. Alex McKinnon
Interchange: 14. Kurt Gidley 15. Chris Houston 16. Neville Costigan 17. David Fa'alogo
Official Match Hashtag: #NRLnqlnew

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Canberra Raiders v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Canberra Stadium, Bruce ACT, Sunday 25 August 2013
NRL kickoff 2:00pm
Live TV: FOX Sports 1
Referees: Ben Cummins and Chris James; Sideline Officials: Steve Carrall and Luke Potter; Video Referees: Gavin Badger and Reece Williams

1. Reece Robinson 2. Sandor Earl 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Bill Tupou 5. Sami Sauiluma 6. Anthony Milford 7. Josh McCrone (c) 8. David Shillington (c) 9. Shaun Berrigan 10. Brett White (c) 11. Josh Papalii 12. Joel Thompson 13. Paul Vaughan
Interchange: 14. Glen Buttriss 15. Joel Edwards 16. Dane Tilse 17. Tom Learoyd-Lahrs 18. Sam Williams

1. Brett Stewart 2. Jorge Taufua 3. Jamie Lyon (c) 4. Steve Matai 5. David Williams 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Brenton Lawrence 9. Matt Ballin 10. Brent Kite 11. Anthony Watmough 12. Justin Horo 13. Glenn Stewart
Interchange: 14. Richie Fa'aoso 15. Jamie Buhrer 16. David Gower 17. George Rose 18. James Hasson
Official Match Hashtag: #NRLcanman

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Melbourne Storm v Parramatta Eels
AAMI Park, Melbourne, Sunday 25 August 2013
NRL kickoff 3:00pm
Delayed TV: Channel 9 / GEM Australia wide
Referees: Adam Devcich and Gavin Morris; Sideline Officials: Rickey MacFarlane and Dave Ryan; Video Referees: Luke Phillips and Justin Morgan

1. Billy Slater 2. Sisa Waqa 3. Will Chambers 4. Maurice Blair 5. Justin O'Neill 6. Brett Finch 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith (c) 10. Bryan Norrie 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Ryan Hoffman 13. Ryan Hinchcliffe
Interchange: 14. Jason Ryles 15. Tohu Harris 16. Jordan McLean 17. Kenneath Bromwich

1. Jake Mullaney 2. Ken Sio 3. Ryan Morgan 4. Vai Toutai 5. Semi Radradra 6. Ben Roberts 7. Luke Kelly 8. Tim Mannah (c) 9. Matt Keating 10. Fuifui Moimoi 11. Reni Maitua 12. Mitchell Allgood 13. Darcy Lussick
Interchange: 14. Junior Paulo 15. Joseph Paulo 16. Peni Terepo 17. Pat O'Hanlon 18. Daniel Harrison

Official Match Hashtag: #NRLmelpar

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Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v Sydney Roosters
Remondis Stadium, Woolooware, Monday 26 August 2013
NRL kickoff 7:00pm
Live TV: Fox Sports 1
Referees: Ashley Klein and Henry Perenara; Sideline Officials: Michael Wise; Video Referees: Steve Clark and Luke Patten

1. Michael Gordon 2. Sosaia Feki 3. Ben Pomeroy 4. Jonathan Wright 5. Beau Ryan 6. Todd Carney 7. Jeff Robson 8. Andrew Fifita 9. John Morris 10. Bryce Gibbs 11. Luke Lewis 12. Wade Graham 13. Paul Gallen (c)
Interchange: 14. Isaac De Gois 15. Chris Heighington 16. Jayson Bukuya 17. Anthony Tupou 18. Sam Tagataese

1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Michael Jennings 4. Mitchell Aubusson 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 6. James Maloney 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Friend 10. Sam Moa 11. Aidan Guerra 12. Sonny Bill Williams 13. Frank-Paul Nuuausala
Interchange: 14. Daniel Mortimer 15. Luke O'Donnell 16. Isaac Liu 17. Dylan Napa
Official Match Hashtag: #NRLcrosyd

 

[Big Pete]

Round kicks off at the foot of the mountains with Penrith facing Brisbane in sudden death football. This game could go either way but I'm going to go with Brisbane, I believe they have too much class where it counts.

Then we have the battle at ANZ - minor premiership hopefuls the Bunnies taking on the Doggies in what's been a fairly entertaining game in recent times. Dogs without Barba don't look as threatening and I get the feeling they used up all their good juju at Canberra. Rabbitohs for mind.

Super Saturday kicks off with an absolute classic...or just the Dragons/Tigers in a game where they should be experimenting with rule changes. Dragons at home should win but really who cares? Both clubs can't wait until Mad Monday.

Then we have two games that will have ramifications on the make-up of the top 8. Beginning at the Gold Coast where the Titans play host to the Warriors. Titans are coming off a disappointing loss to North Queensland where they lost co-captain Greg Bird, most likely for the season while the Warriors will be looking to rebound from a 3 game losing streak. At this stage, I'm leaning with the away side, I just think the Titans have lost too many key players and the Warriors will capitilise in certain intervals.

Super Saturday rounds off with the Cowboys facing the Knights at Dairy Farmers. Ever since the Cowboys announced the departure of Neil Henry, they've gone 3/3 and started to flex their muscles. The question is, do they have enough momentum to topple a solid Knights outfit? The Cowboys will need to be a lot better than what they were last week, and I think they can be if they can stick to their completions and play to their strengths.

Look at that Raiders outfit! Boy oh boy, what a time to be playing Manly. The only thing that could save them is the coach sacking hoodoo which seems to provide the players with a wake up call but given all the circumstances I don't think it's going to pay off this time.

Speaking of one-sided affairs, Melbourne play Parramatta on 9s delayed game. Storm should win, hopefully in a canter too because I need some Billy tries if I'm any hope in the SVRL. The most interesting aspect of this fixture is the scheduling and how Parra has managed to receive so many FTA games as of late. It seems like their fans love to point out the Broncos over-saturation on 9 (fair point, which we all pretty much agree with) yet we've been treated to two absolute abominations these past couple of weeks. Gynge has no idea what the punters want.

Finally on Monday Night, we have the besieged Sharks taking on the Roosters in what is shaping as one of the games of the round. It's been a terrible week for the Sharks and despite getting out of jail against the Dragons, I cannot see them competing against a red-hot Roosters outfit who will be looking to win 9 straight. Roosters to continue on their path of dominance.

 

[Broncoman]

Rabbitohs
Broncos
Dragons
Warriors
Cowboys
Sea Eagles
Storm
Roosters

 

[Alec]

So we want the Warriors, Manly and the Cowboys winning.


Oh and maybe the Broncos too.

 

[Broncoman]

So we want the Warriors, Manly and the Cowboys winning.


Oh and maybe the Broncos too.

Every Broncos fan should get behind the Warriors and Manly this weekend. If they beat the Gold Coast and Canberra and if we win tomorrow night we will be in the top 8.

 

[broncos4life]

Every Broncos fan should get behind the Warriors and Manly this weekend. If they beat the Gold Coast and Canberra and if we win tomorrow night we will be in the top 8.

Cheering against the raiders and the titans? Oh so just like every other weekend for me then :)

 

[Porthoz]

Can't see the Warriors beating the Tits at Skilled Park, which is probably good since it will put the Warriors away and the Tits finish their season on the road at Roosters and Storm (probably the finalists).

 

[Big Pete]

Souths/Dogs was a quality game - not a classic by any means, just two good teams going at it with Souths just a touch better.

Souths have just perfected their left-side play. They're fantastic to watch down their and the way Sutton is able to orchestrate his decoys and runners is beautiful. It was always a strength in his game and he's absolutely relishing under Maguire. With Reynolds kicking game posing a constant headache down the right, they're basically the most balanced team in the competition with the footy.

Dogs tried hard but were simply outclassed. Thought their first two tries were sort of arsey, seemed like they caught the Rabbitohs napping as they were waiting for a whistle to be called.

Good stuff.

 

[Big Pete]

Tigers and Dragons about to get Super Saturday underway at the SCG.

Anasta lining up in the centres, teenager Luke Brooks to play at halfback with Nathan Brown to also make his debut off the bench.

 

[Big Pete]

67 minutes gone

Tigers 34
Dragons 18

Dragons aren't exactly playing well, but the Tigers are displaying some positive signs out there. Brooks and Tedesco in particular are playing very well.

 

[Broncoman]

How did Luke Brooks go for anyone who watched th game, I heard Sterlo giving him a wrap on his Thursday show.

 

[Big Pete]

Well, scored a nice try and made a lot of people look better than what they are.

 

[Broncoman]

Ironic that i'm cheering for the Wallabies yet I desperately want the Warriors to win.

 

[Dexter]

Well, scored a nice try and made a lot of people look better than what they are.

Yes it was some sort of debut. He really did look like he belonged in first grade, good speed, ran the ball to the line, tested the line and threw some nice passes.

 

[Browny]

Wow Tate gets hit high and stays down, video ref has a look play the ball. FMD what has happened to the rule any contact to the head is a penalty

 

[rnabokov]

Love the commentary team in the Cows v Kniggots game: "Imagine if they had given Neil Henry the flick in Round 4. They would have been minor premiers".

Ah, the benefit of hindsight. Or is it flying in the face of the bleeding obvious as it was and is south of Townsville.

 

[Kimlo]

Kade Snowden shoulder charged Ray Thompson which they're saying on the field has broken his jaw. Snowden sent off, possibly a lengthy suspension to come. Right call to send him off.

 

[Browny]

Gagai has some angry in him.

Poor Ray he's been playing well of late. No choice but to send Snowden off