Close matches, dismal weather, blow outs, a golden point and we have another new leader. It’s all happening in Round 22.
Kudos to all those fans that braved the elements in atrocious weather to support their teams in Sydney this weekend. Normally I say there is nothing like being at the game but this weekend, warm at home in front of the tele would have been my preference.
Pouring rain can cause tears of joy and despair all at once. Upsets by the Dragons and Wests Tigers against ladder leaders the Raiders and Bulldogs sees the victors’ finals hope continue on life support while the Storm now are within striking distance of gazumping both Raiders and Dogs for the minor premiership.
The Storm are in the box seat to finish with home finals but looked clunky without their star half Jahrome Hughes, while on the flipside, the Warriors who have been in free fall since the injury to their star half Luke Metcalf hold onto 4th spot with the Panthers just one point behind. The Warriors might be better placed finishing 5th or 6th for a home final.
Speaking of the Panthers.
Panthers Clutch Play Win
Nathan Cleary kicked a two-point field goal in the dying minutes of regulation time after a fantastic comeback from the Titans team steamrolled the Panthers for the lead in the second half.
Trailing 24-nil at halftime, the Titans scored five unanswered tries to lead 26-24 with a kick to come with seven minutes remaining.
And it’s that conversion attempt that will be talked about as much as Cleary’s monster field goal.
Lined up and about to kick the sideline conversion, a Panther’s trainer trots across in front of Jayden Campbell. The conversion goes wide giving the Panthers an opportunity to kick the two-point field goal.
Commentators had, well, lots of comments to say about the incident including whether the kick should have been moved to in front of the posts. I am sure if a player had cause this, that would have happened.
I only wished Campbell had kicked the goal to take away some of the controversy.
In the end, Cleary takes the Panthers into golden point to setup the winning try.
This Round’s Results
This Round’s Stats
| Standouts Correct | 40 |
| Standouts Wrong | 11 |
| Round High Score | 9 – Adel Messih |
| Round Low Score | 1 – isha68, Stallion, Yackas, BillyB Lukebrooksbiggestfan |
| Average Score | 3.7 |
| Biggest Mover | +6 – Cruella |
| Biggest Drop | -9 – Lou |
The Standout
Upsets in the wet by the Dragons and Tigers hurt those who had Standouts on the Raiders and Bulldogs.
It could have been so much worse if the Titans weren’t robbed by the Cleary’s and their trainer.
Main Competition
Bart Simpson, that was over way too quickly.
Wiley C now rules the roost with gdadisho and murch rounding off the main prizes.
Former ladder leaders B.S. and C.Y.L.C. sit in 4th and 5th positions with Big Moose enjoying $30 (at the moment).
Panthers29 continues to perform his guard duties admirably in 10th place while Runner is running his own race, just in the wrong direction.
It’s all happening at the top end of the ladder.
Second Competition
Meanwhile, in the Second Competition…
Once known as the Second Chance Draw, it’s all about sharing some of the prize money and it continues today with Pablo and Robert Cook now sharing 1st and 2nd prizes with SMOG sitting on $30.
Can this sharing and caring brigade of Tipsters last till the end of the competition? Another five weeks?
I doubt it.
Bart Simpson Weekly Jackpot
The Dragons and Wests Tigers stood in the way of any Tipster reaching max scores this round.
The Bart Simpson Weekly Jackpot now stands at B$30.
Five weeks to go. When will you make your move? It’s Risk v Reward.
As always, good luck with your team and tipping this week.
Rob
The Creator
