Only five matches this week. It must be Origin time again. Not even lightning could stop this round.
The round started with a local derby and ended with the Bulldogs and Rabbitohs having an impromptu 25-minute break with the sky full of lightning.
The Local Derby
The Sharks return to the winner’s circle coming from behind to end up comfortable victors against the Dragons.
The Dragons again let a 12 point lead slip through their fingers. Tyrell Sloan had an unhappy return to the wing while the halves never really troubled the Sharks. All three Dragons tries were from individual efforts.
The Dragons NSW Cup side (i.e. Reserve Grade) is flying high in 2nd position and, with sacked half Lachlan Ilias playing well, every Dragons supporter is asking the same question.
When will Coach Flanagan drop his son? No time soon if you read his reaction.
The Sharks, on the other hand, will want to play the local derby every week having won the last ten matches.
Titans Triumphant
The next match saw a depleted Titans team runaway big winners against a full-strength Manly side.
For the first time in a decade, the Sea Eagles were not impacted by Origin. All three Trbojevic’s (Turbo, Jurbo and Burbo) and DCE played but were no match against the last placed Titans. DCE’s axing from the Queensland side was vindicated (of sorts). Maybe Queenslanders should ask why he was picked at all for this series?
The Red Pen Returns
The Dolphins have again forced me to bring out the dreaded red pen and cross off the Cowboys premiership aspirations. The Cow’s can book that bus to Cairns now.
The ‘Phins have quickly developed into an excitement machine amassing 158 points in three matches. They are part of the highlights reel each week.
In Other Games
- The Roosters have again won missing five player to Origin duty scoring all their points in the final 20 minutes against the Knights.
- Lightning may not have stopped the Rabbitohs but poor conversions did. Both the Dogs and Bunnies finished four tries a piece with goal kicking proving the difference.
State of Origin II
NSW are looking to wrap the series up on Wednesday night while the cane toads are trying to take this to a decider.
Please keep an eye out for my preview and our Queensland Correspondent’s return of serve this week.
Round 15 Results
This Round’s Stats
| Standouts Correct | 39 |
| Standouts Wrong | 13 |
| Round High Score | 9 – Neville, Lou |
| Round Low Score | -1 – Westy, iTerry |
| Average Score | 2.2 |
| Biggest Mover | +12 – Neville |
| Biggest Drop | -10 – SMOG, MR.TAYLOR |
The Standout
75% correct this week with those who believed a full-strength Sea Eagles team were certainties to beat the cellar dwellers making up the majority of those wrong. Just another reason to dislike Manly?
Main Competition
The top three remain the same having all tipped the same winners this week. While Seano, UpthePamfers and murch all gain places in the top 10 at the expense of gdadisho, Ad and Big Moose.
Magnum remains in the bouncer role in 10th place.
“No sir, you will not get in with those shoes”.
Second Competition
Coming soon. Starts from Round 18.
Bart Simpson Weekly Jackpot
With both Neville and Lou being cleverer than all the other Tipsters (just not each other), the Bart Simpson Weekly Jackpot now stands at B$130.
As always, good luck with your team and tipping this week.
Go the Blues!
Rob
The Creator
