Round 9 Discussion

[Big Pete]

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. Melbourne Storm
Stadium Australia, Thursday 6 May 2021
Kick Off: 7:50pm

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS

6. Cody Walker 1. Alex Johnston 2. Steven Marsters 4. Braidon Burns 3. Dane Gagai 7. Benji Marshall 21. Dean Hawkins 8. Thomas Burgess 9. Damien Cook 10. Tevita Tatola 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jaydn Su'A 13. Jai Arrow

14. Mark Nicholls 15. Liam Knight 17. Patrick Mago 18. Jed Cartwright

5. Taane Milne 16. Jacob Host 19. Hame Sele 20. Troy Dargan

MELBOURNE STORM

1. Nicholas Hynes 2. George Jennings 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 13. Brandon Smith 10. Christian Welch 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 15. Tui Kamikamica

9. Harry Grant 14. Dale Finucane 17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 19. Chris Lewis

16. Tom Eisenhuth 18. Dean Ieremia 20. Ryley Jacks 21. Aaron Pene

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Penrith Panthers vs. Cronulla Sharks
Blue Bet Stadium, Friday 7 May 2021
Kick Off: 6:00pm

PENRITH PANTHERS

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Charlie Staines 3. Stephen Crichton 4. Matt Burton 5. Brian To'o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Isaah Yeo

14. Tyrone May 16. Matthew Eisenhuth 17. Liam Martin 18. Scott Sorensen

15. Spencer Leniu 19. J'maine Hopgood 20. Robert Jennings 21. Mitch Kenny

CRONULLA SHARKS

1. Will Kennedy 2. Mawene Hiroti 3. Will Chambers 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Connor Tracey 6. Shaun Johnson 7. Chad Townsend 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Aaron Woods 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Toby Rudolf

15. Teig Wilton 16. Jack Williams 17. Billy Magoulias 18. Matt Moylan

14. Braydon Trindall 19. Josh Dugan 20. Franklin Pele 21. Jenson Taumoepeau

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Parramatta Eels vs. Sydney Roosters
Bankwest Stadium, Friday 7 May 2021
Kick Off: 7:55pm

PARRAMATTA EELS

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Tom Opacic 4. Marata Niukore 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Isaiah Papali'i 12. Ryan Matterson 15. Shaun Lane

14. Oregon Kaufusi 16. Haze Dunster 17. Bryce Cartwright 19. Keegan Hipgrave

13. Nathan Brown 18. Joey Lussick 20. Wiremu Greig 21. Jordan Rankin

SYDNEY ROOSTERS

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Josh Morris 4. Joseph Manu 5. Matt Ikuvalu 6. Drew Hutchison 7. Sam Walker 8. Isaac Liu 9. Ben Marschke 15. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 11. Angus Crichton 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley

10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 14. Adam Keighran 17. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 24. Tuku Hau Tapuha

16. Fletcher Baker 18. Egan Butcher 19. Naufahu Whyte 20. Lachlan Lam 21. Joseph Suaalii

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Canberra Raiders vs. Newcastle Knights
GIO Stadium, Saturday 8 May 2021
Kick Off: 3:00pm

CANBERRA RAIDERS

1. Caleb Aekins 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Sebastian Kris 4. Curtis Scott 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. George Williams 8. Josh Papali'i 9. Tom Starling 10. Emre Guler 11. Corey Harawira-Naera 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Ryan Sutton

14. Siliva Havili 15. Hudson Young 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Joseph Tapine

18. Sam Williams 19. Ryan James 20. Matthew Timoko 21. Dunamis Lui

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Brayden Musgrove 3. Enari Tuala 4. Bradman Best 19. Starford To'a 6. Kurt Mann 7. Phoenix Crossland 8. David Klemmer 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 18. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 12. Mitchell Barnett

13. Connor Watson 14. Sauaso Sue 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Brodie Jones

5. Hymel Hunt 17. Pasami Saulo 20. Josh King 21. Tex Hoy 22. Gehemat Shibasaki

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Wests Tigers vs. Gold Coast Titans
Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Saturday 8 May 2021
Kick Off: 5:30pm

WESTS TIGERS

1. Daine Laurie 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Joseph Leilua 4. Moses Mbye 5. Zac Cini 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Luke Brooks 8. James Tamou 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Alex Twal 11. Luke Garner 12. Luciano Leilua 13. Joe Ofahengaue

14. Jacob Liddle 15. Stefano Utoikamanu 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. Thomas Mikaele

18. Michael Chee-Kam 19. Zane Musgrove 20. Tom Amone 21. Shawn Blore

GOLD COAST TITANS

1. Alexander Brimson 2. Anthony Don 3. Brian Kelly 4. Beau Fermor 5. Phillip Sami 19. Tanah Boyd 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Mitch Rein 10. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui 11. Kevin Proctor 12. David Fifita 13. Tyrone Peachey

14. Moeaki Fotuaika 15. Herman Ese'ese 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 21. Esan Marsters

6. Ashley Taylor 17. Erin Clark 18. Sam McIntyre 20. Jayden Campbell

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North Queensland Cowboys vs. Brisbane Broncos
Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Saturday 8 May 2021
Kick Off: 7:35pm

NORTH QLD COWBOYS

1. Valentine Holmes 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Javid Bowen 4. Connelly Lemuelu 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Scott Drinkwater 7. Jake Clifford 8. Coen Hess 9. Reece Robson 10. Jordan McLean 11. Shane Wright 19. Mitchell Dunn 13. Jason Taumalolo

12. Ben Condon 14. Jake Granville 15. Lachlan Burr 16. Francis Molo

17. Corey Jensen 18. Peter Hola 20. Tom Gilbert 21. Kane Bradley

BRISBANE BRONCOS

1. Jamayne Isaako 2. Xavier Coates 3. Herbie Farnworth 4. Jesse Arthars 5. Corey Oates 6. Anthony Milford 7. Tyson Gamble 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Jake Turpin 10. Payne Haas 11. Jordan Riki 12. Tevita Pangai Junior 13. Patrick Carrigan

14. Danny Levi 15. Thomas Flegler 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Rhys Kennedy

18. Dale Copley 19. Brendan Piakura 20. Tesi Niu 21. John Asiata

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Manly Sea Eagles vs. Warriors
Lottoland, Sunday 9 May 2021
Kick Off: 2:00pm

MANLY SEA EAGLES

1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Morgan Harper 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Sean Keppie 11. Haumole Olakau'atu 12. Josh Schuster 13. Jake Trbojevic

14. Cade Cust 15. Moses Suli 16. Zac Saddler 17. Toafofoa Sipley

18. Ben Trbojevic 19. Tevita Funa 20. Christian Tuipulotu 21. Jorge Taufua

NZ WARRIORS

1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Edward Kosi 3. Adam Pompey 4. Rocco Berry 5. Ken Maumalo 20. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Kodi Nikorima 8. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 9. Wayde Egan 10. Kane Evans 11. Josh Curran 17. Bayley Sironen 13. Tohu Harris

6. Reece Walsh 14. Jazz Tevaga 15. Leeson Ah Mau 16. Bunty Afoa

12. Eliesa Katoa 18. Jack Murchie 21. Tom Ale 22. Euan Aitken

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St George Illawarra Dragons vs. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sunday 9 May 2021
Kick Off: 4:05pm

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS

1. Matthew Dufty 20. Mathew Feagai 3. Jack Bird 4. Tyrell Fuimaono 5. Max Feagai 6. Corey Norman 7. Ben Hunt 8. Blake Lawrie 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Josh Kerr 12. Tariq Sims 13. Josh Mcguire

15. Billy Burns 16. Daniel Alvaro 17. Kaide Ellis 19. Junior Amone

2. Cody Ramsey 14. Poasa Faamausili 18. Jackson Ford 21. Adam Clune

CANTEBURY BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS

1. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 2. Nick Cotric 3. Will Hopoate 4. Corey Allan 5. Nick Meaney 6. Jake Averillo 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Dylan Napa 9. Sione Katoa 16. Ava Seumanufagai 11. Adam Elliott 12. Chris Smith 13. Corey Waddell

14. Bradley Deitz 15. Renouf Atoni 19. Lachlan Lewis 23. Ofahiki Ogden

10. Luke Thompson 17. Matt Doorey 20. Joe Stimson 21. Tui Katoa

 

[Big Pete]

Interesting to see Zac Saddler named. It may have been about four years ago I singled him out as an example of the Bulldogs poor development system. Here was this big lump of a lad on an NRL deal and he couldn't even make the Under 20s team. Credit to him he's kept plugging away and Des has shown enough faith in him to give him an NRL debut all these years later.

It's shaping up to be a decent round of footy. Souths have been on a roll since their last encounter with Melbourne but they will be without Reynolds, Murray and the majority of their backline. Melbourne should go in as favourites but without Papenhuyzen I wouldn't consider them a sure thing. They were pretty poor against a struggling Cronulla outfit that ran out of steam. Even without those players, Souths won't be as kind if they can start well.

It's a similar story with the Roosters/Eels game where the Eels go in as favourites but the Roosters do have Tedesco coming back. This is one of those games that the Eels just have to nail to solidify themselves as premiership contenders after a fairly kind draw to open the season.

Then you have games like Canberra-Newcastle and Manly-Warriors which are good middle of the road games that should prove pivotal for the make-up of the Top 8. I thought Canberra were pretty gallant against a form Rabbitohs outfit and didn't have a lot go their way. They seem closer to a win than Newcastle who were blown off the park in the opening 20 minutes and never recovered. I want to take a deeper dive into their season at some point but it just seems like a few of their players have hit their ceiling and they're just a bog average team.

The Warriors continue to be the surprise packet of the competition and I can't pick them. In terms of the middle of the road teams I have them at 2-2 (wins against Raiders, Dragons, losses against Knights and Sea Eagles) but it could easily be 4-0 since there was nothing in those losses. I think you can say what you what about Stephen Kearney and how 'boring' he was but his style where he valued possession has given the Warriors a strong base to work off of and O'Sullivan's influence is beginning to take a hold. My gut says the Sea Eagles go back to back but like I said, I can't get a handle on the Warriors at the moment.

 

[DanG]

who everyone thinking bunnies or storm? i think storm nudge it

 

[Harry Sack]

I've got the Storm winning it personally.

Oh goody, Cronk in commentary.

 

[Kimlo]

who everyone thinking bunnies or storm? i think storm nudge it

South's are missing too many key players to win. If they keep it competitive I'll be impressed.

 

[Midean]

One of those games i wish both teams could lose.
Would still be happy if Storm loses.

 

[BroncsFan]

who everyone thinking bunnies or storm? i think storm nudge it

Storm... too many injuries to Souths.

If it was dry Storm by 30

 

[Midean]

Storm are targeting Walkers temper.

100%, watch when they tackle him, they are niggling him and talking shit in his ear lol.

 

[Kimlo]

Munster's goal kicking

 

[Galah]

Munster really getting overshadowed by Hughes this year.

 

[DanG]

Munster's goal kicking

only thing he's shit at hey

 

[Twbapony]

Not sure if it was a try, off the wrists. But wow loving that goal kicking.

 

[BroncsFan]

Munster's goal kicking

It is rank .... surely they must have someone better.

He's legitimately their 2nd kicker as well with paps out

 

[Twbapony]

Storm are targeting Walkers temper.

100%, watch when they tackle him, they are niggling him and talking shit in his ear lol.

Why do we not do that. Find the mentally weak players on the opposition and get them to implode.

 

[BroncsFan]

the service from Cook '

Always seems to be on the halves chest and always a bullet, whether they're 10m away or 30m away

 

[Galah]

How the **** is grant not on

 

[Galah]

the service from Cook '

Always seems to be on the halves chest and always a bullet, whether they're 10m away or 30m away

And forward

 

[Twbapony]

amazing how the Storm were rolling down field faster than souths could go backwards, and then the third tackle lasted long enough for everyone to get onside and a defensive line assembled. Strange that.