What an emotionally charged start to round 15.
We’ve Got Your Back
Congratulations goes out to the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Brisbane Broncos in celebrating and supporting Jai Arrow.
The Rabbitohs wore their “We’ve got your back” specially created gear while the Broncos had Jai’s name and Broncos player number above their team badge.
Both teams formed a guard of honour as Jai rang the liberty bell.
This was so emotional and raw it was hard to watch.
The game itself was all one-way traffic and over by halftime with the Bunnies commanding an unassailable 30-0 lead.
In the end, four more tries to AJ’s try scoring tally and a flawless kicking display by the other Latrell (Seigwalt) was too much for a Broncos team that sorely missed their Origin and injured players.
I think the Broncos season is done and dusted while the Rabbitohs sit one-win outside the all-important top four.
Dolphins Roast The Chooks
The Dolphins didn’t miss a beat even without five Origin stars. They easily accounted for the Origin depleted Roosters.
The victory was massive as it not only equaled the Roosters 20 points on the ladder but catapulted them into the top four on differential. Their 38-point victory in essence doubled the impact on the Roosters with the ‘Phins taking a boost and the Roosters a 38-point differential hit.
The top four now sit in for/against order which shows they are all the real deal.
Super Saturday
While the first two games were all bloodbaths, Super Saturday was less Super and more Saturday.
The Wah’s loss to the Sharks was a direct hit to the Standouts of 29 Tipsters. I know some of the commentators were raving about the defense, but this game was a dull as the lighting at Go Media Stadium.
It only livened up in the final three minutes when Sharkie’s fullback Will Kennedy pulled of a miraculous catch with a field goal charge down which five-eighth Brayden Trindall smoked into a monster 2-point field goal.
The Wah’s had a penalty attempt at the death to take the game into golden point. But I already knew my Standout was gone before Adam Pompey attempted the kick.
The next game wasn’t much better with the Eels clearly the better side holding out the Raiders who are a shadow of their 2025 team. Incidentally, the Eels 15 points would have been enough to beat the Doggies last week.
Goodnight Leichhardt
The final game of the round was my favourite.
Two lower rank teams battling out in a seesawing and entertaining game in front of the Inner Wests Tigers for the final time until 2028.
The Tigers lead 12 nil before the Titans went to the break leading 18-12 to the boos of the Leichhardt faithful.
Wests Tigers Coach Benji’s instructions was to get the crowd back into the game. And back in the game they eventually returned when the Tigers levelled up 24-24. This was a closely fought match with a hattrick try to Jarome Luai in the 79th minute the icing on the cake of all Wests Tigers fans.
Lady Leichhardt now goes into much deserved and needed renovations. The so-called 8th Wonder of the World will be back in 18 months.
Beer Footy Food Festival
Meanwhile, keep your dance card free for when the mighty Newtown Jets take on the Knights at the real 8th Wonder of the World, Henson Park on 18th July.
It is also the annual Beer Footy Food Festival with food trucks and beer stalls aplenty. We will have some exciting news regarding the day shortly.
State of Origin 2
Origin 2 is on Wednesday so keep an eye out for my preview and match report this week.
Go the Blues!
This Round’s Results
This Round’s Stats
| Standouts Correct | 15 |
| Standouts Wrong | 34 |
| Round High Score | 6 – Bart Simpson, MR. TAYLOR, iTerry, Timbo, Ramin Dadisho, NotLast |
| Round Low Score | -1 – Shagger, Splinter, MLC, isha68 |
| Average Score | 0.7 – That’s not even one point |
| Biggest Mover | +7 – MR. TAYLOR rockets into the prize money |
| Biggest Drop | -8– Shagger – just like a yoyo |
The Standout
Just 30% correct this week.
The Wah’s and Raiders being the biggest Standout killers.
Main Competition
Bart Simpson reclaims the lead by 3 points with his ongoing duel with The Creator.
Bridie continues to chip away in 3rd spot while MR. TAYLOR and UpthePamfers move into the prize money.
Bart Simpson Weekly Jackpot
No one came close last round so the Bart Simpson Weekly Jackpot now sits at B$80.
As always, good luck with your team and tipping.
Rob
The Creator
