The former Premiers(x4) are back, the Premiers(x1) gone. The Dragons win and the Second Competition has kicked off.
Panthers Win
The Panthers return to the winner’s circle after throwing a dummy to all those who tipped against them this round. Without their Origin stars, they ran away winners after the Rabbitohs finished strongest to score right on half time to trail 10-12.
There was a lot to like about this game. The efforts from the forwards and backline especially the battle between Panthers Tom “Milky” Jenkins v Rabbitohs debutant Dayne Jennings.
For the Panthers, NSW Origin discards Dylan Edwards and Brian To’o had big games as did Liam Henry. While Keon Kolomatangi, Dayne Jennings, the other Latrell, and Ashton Ward were the standout players for the Rabbitohs.
The Villains
While there were plenty of good contributors, Cody Walker was baited during the game and fell into a massive rabbit trap.
With the Rabbitohs scoring out wide, Cody Walker’s reaction to being tackled and manhandled earlier in the set saw the try denied, a penalty to the Panthers, and Cody kicked into the sin-bin and a one week suspension.
He is the player all teams try to push buttons on. He had a howler but wasn’t the only one.
Milky’s second try was reviewed and reviewed and reviewed by the Bunker. To a point that the ref blew his whistle, which is normally the tell tale sign the try would be denied.
Except it wasn’t. The Bunker was fixated on whether there was any separation in the put down they didn’t notice it was a blatant double movement.
This follows on from last week’s blatant knock-on in the Raiders intercept try against the Dragons.
In fact, the Dragons have been the team at the wrong end of most howlers this season starting with their Round 1 loss against the Bulldogs in Las Vegas.
But there was no denying the Dragons this week.
Dragons Win
The Dragons notched up their second win of the season after getting close many times in the past month.
In front of 12,000+ supporters, the Dragons came back from 6-10 down to score three times in the final 12 minutes to run away victors.
During the week, I heard Balmain legends Steve Roach and Benny Elias say the Tigers needed to win, or they won’t play finals football. Blocker even stated the Wests Tigers were going to rack up a big score here, as if it was a fact.
I had always penciled in a Dragons victory for this match.
The problem the Dragons have to avoid their 1st wooden spoon is the teams coming second last keep winning.
Well, some of them.
Second Last / Spoonbowl
The Eels had a great victory over the Sea Eagles while the Bronco’s once again fell short against the Sharkies putting them in the Dragons’ sites.
The Dragons need to win at least three more games than the Broncos to avoid the spoon which seems unlikely.
The Broncos and Dragons join the Panthers with byes this week that will see both teams just two wins away from the Titans who take on the Storm (in Melbourne).
The Round 21 match between the Dragons and Titans at Kogarah will be crucial to how the final rounds play out.
In Other Matches
The Knights held off a fast-finishing Dolphins team kicking a field goal in the 75th minute to move into the top four. Kudos goes out to all the Novocastrians and ‘Phin fans that braved freezing wet conditions.
State of Origin 3
It’s the decider on Wednesday night. Please keep an eye out for my preview this week.
This Round’s Results
This Round’s Stats
| Standouts Correct | 17 |
| Standouts Wrong | 33 |
| Round High Score | 6 – UpthePamfers, Shagger, Stallion |
| Round Low Score | -1 – I miss Benji, gdadisho, Robert Cook, Fouad Khochaiche, Splinter, Lou |
| Average Score | 0.4 |
| Biggest Mover | +7 – Neville |
| Biggest Drop | -5 – I miss Benji |
The Standout
Two words. Stinky Manly.
34% correct this week.
Main Competition
Bart Simpson‘s lead is being whittled away by The Creator and MR. TAYLOR.
Bridie holds onto 4th spot while Chunka and MB continue their dance with Chunka pirouetting up into 5th prize.
Second Competition
Four Tipsters share the prizes to start the Second Competition.
Congratulations SMOG, Stallion, The Creator, UpthePamfers.
We all know this will change next round.
Bart Simpson Weekly Jackpot
It was a two-horse race between iTerry and Shagger for the jackpot this week. Unfortunately for both Tipsters, that horse fell over against the Sharks.
The Bart Simpson Weekly Jackpot continues to break this season’s record high and sits at B$110.
As always, good luck with your team and tipping.
Go the Blues!
Rob
The Creator
