Post Origin Blues. Upsets and a Golden Point. Let’s see what happened this round.
Before we start, let’s address the elephant in the room.
The Maroons Strike Back
Did you miss the SOO2 match report? No, you did not.
There wasn’t anything to be said that hadn’t already been said by the media or in my Origin previews.
I was hoping to have an alternative view to post but will keep my powder dry for Game 3.
The Maroons gave the Blues an absolute cane(toad)ing! They were magnificent in the second half while the Blues are lucky to still be alive for Game 3.
Congratulations Queensland. Off to Suncorp it is.
The Upsets
The Knights rested their Origin stars and were lucky to get away with it. The Panthers, likewise, rested their Origin stars and paid the price. And then there was the Bulldogs v Sea Eagles game.
Knightmare
Ok, so not an upset but oh so close to one.
Kalyn Ponga and the coaching staff were all smiles and laughing in the coaches box when the Knights led 12-nil after as many minutes.
It would take the fulltime hooter before you saw those smiles again.
The Dragons were tenacious.
They started to score off kicks and were unlucky to be behind at halftime. Attacking plays are not the Dragons strength and for some reason the Knights decided to stop participating for bombs with the Dragons scoring all their four tries from kicks.
Who was the better team? The Knights started each half on top, and the Dragons kicked themselves into contention in the remainder of the game.
If Val Holmes managed to convert a sitter, the end result could have been much different.
The final play of the game saw Dragon Kyle Flanagan just miss grabbing the winning try from another kick.
Very lucky Newcastle Knights.
Panthers Down
The Titans managed to win with a great Zane Harrison field goal in the final minute of play in front of their home crowd.
And didn’t Cbus Stadium look the goods.
The Panthers led 12-6 at the break but the Titans scored twice late in the game to take the lead only to see the Panthers claw back with six minutes to go.
The Panthers had so many chances to score that one try to win the game much earlier but failed to convert their opportunities.
Yes, they lost, but what do they care. The Panthers rested their key Origin personnel and are still two wins head of the 2nd placed Warriors.
The Doggies Bite
I’m not going to sugarcoat this, the Sea Eagles blew it.
The Sea Eagles scored three tries which is enough to beat the spluttering Doggies attack. The Bulldogs even switched Stephen Crighton to five-eighth at the expense of Matt Burton.
Team harmony must mean nothing at the expense of success. It goes back 12 months when the powers at be (Gus) decided to pay overs for Lachlan Galvin to replace Toby Sexton, and then play Lachie out of position.
This position change only highlights how confused and frustrated the Bulldog fans must feel.
Manly had plenty of chances to win this.
Ultimately, all they had to do was convert one try. 14 points would have been enough.
In the end, Captain/centre/five-eighth Stephen Crichton kicked the winning field goal in golden point.
In Other Games
The Dolphins (minus 4 Origin players) showed again they are still too strong in their win over the Wests Tigers at the 8th Wonder of the World, Campbelltown Stadium.
The Wah’s defeated the Cows at the amazing One NZ Stadium in Christchurch.
The Storm came back from a 16-0 deficit to comfortably win in Cam Munster’s 250th game.
The Roosters (minus 7 Origin players) broke the Sharks winning streak at Allianz Stadium. Hmmm… how does one team have 7 Origin players? $how me the money!
This Round’s Results
This Round’s Stats
| Standouts Correct | 21 |
| Standouts Wrong | 29 |
| Round High Score | 8 – Magnum |
| Round Low Score | -1 – UpthePamfers |
| Average Score | 1.7 |
| Biggest Mover | +8 – Magnum |
| Biggest Drop | -7 – (former competition leader) UpthePamfers |
The Standout
If you checked out the Experts tips you would have seen our current leaders both tipping favourites.
I did warn you now is the time for risk v reward with Origin players not backing up.
Not a good week if you tipped the Panthers but it could have been so much worse if the Dragons won.
42% correct this week.
Main Competition
Well, nothing doing with the top two. Bridie and Chunka are the most impacted by the Clearys with MR. TAYLOR, MB, Big Moose swooping into the prizes.
Bart Simpson Weekly Jackpot
No winner again this week.
The Bart Simpson Weekly Jackpot now stands at a season high B$90.
As always, good luck with your team and tipping.
Rob
The Creator
