Rugby League 2021

Wow, what a great performance by the Slimeys v Storm. 22-10 victory.

Their attack clicked and their defence was immense.

Eels back in the top 4.

better to have a L now than in the finals

Penrith v Manly Grand Final coming up.

Wouldn't Bellyache be pissed.

The race for the bottom of the top 8 update. Dragons (unsurprisingly) and Warriors are officially gone.

The run home: (in brackets is my punt on the outcome - actual results in bold - let's forget about Pts F/A at this point)

Titans play Cows (W), Rabbits (L), Storm (L), Knights (L), Warriors (W)

Sharks play Warriors (L), Knights (L), Tigers (W), Broncos (W), Storm (L).

Raiders play Dragons (W), Storm (L), Filth (L), Warriors (W), Easts (L).

Knights play Broncos (W), Sharks (W), Dogs (W), Titans (W), Broncos (W).

East have Jared Waerea-Hargreaves returning so I still think the struggling R00ters can outlast the Raiders, although Sticky's boys will be desperate. The other unknown is who will the Storm rest and will it give the Sharks a chance. I still think the Storm 2nd XI can beat the Sharks. Titans are no guarantees v Warriors but will be desperate for a win.

Based on these predictions I think the teams will finish:

Knights 26 points
Sharks 22 points
Titans 22 points
Raiders 22 points

Knights will finish 7th and 8th spot will be decided on F/A. If the Sharks have a close loss (and Raiders lose) or a win they will get 8th. They have a 23 pts better Pts Diff than the Titans and heaps better than Raiders. If the Raiders beat Easts they finish 8th (if Sharks lose). Titans simply have to win to be a chance. So plenty still to play for by the Sharks, the Raiders and the TItans.

That might be all a bit too wordy. So summarising:

- Knights finish 7th no matter what

- If the Sharks win they finish 8th (far superior pts diff to Raiders and Titans).

- If Raiders win and Sharks lose, they finish 8th.

- If Titans win and Sharks and Raiders lose, Titans need a +24 pts diff turnaround with Sharks to make 8th.

I'd love it if the Storm rested most of their players - Sticky would go ballistic.

Homer says "hehehe"

Excellent win by the super resilient R00ters.

But Jesus, how bad were the Raiders?? You'd never think they were trying to save their season.

Their handling was appalling and their defence was just as bad.

Still, how good is Teddy??

So, it's now only the Sharks and Titans (Raiders cannot do better than 9th now). Sharks need a win or a not too big of a loss to snare 8th. Titans need a big Sharks loss and big win v Warriors to go through.

JGK wrote:I'd love it if the Storm rested most of their players - Sticky would go ballistic.

From a Raiders' perspective, doesn't matter now.

So with both the Raiders and Sharks losing, the Titans simply have to win by 12 v Warriors to get the 8th spot.

Will they choke like the other two did?

Canberra were horrendous v R00ters, and Sharks' defence was torn apart by the 2nd XI Storm side.

There's every chance the Warriors will halt the Titans run as well.

It's the most important match of the weekend!

And in further evidence of the fact that St George's recruitment people have no farking idea, the Red V is now letting Tariq Sims go.

Jesus. what are they smoking at Kogarah?

https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/sea-eagles-winger-reuben-garrick-breaks-alltime-record-in-17year-first/news-story/190df926820e801cd431f2862d54d04f

pretty special effort to break El Mazri's record

Wow, that's a record that snuck up on us.

No-one had even mentioned that he was on target to beat it prior to this. Well done to Garrick.

Well done to Dessie for lifting the Filth from their woeful start to the season to snare 4th on the ladder.

Now of they can top it off by beating the Storm next weekend, it'll be grouse.

It’s a weird record because it is home amd away season only. I think he still needs 20 odd points to get the full season record.

Geez, the Titans did it easy (44-0) v Warriors to lock in 8th.

So week one of the Finals:

1. Storm v Manly

2. Penrith v Souths

3. R00ters v Titans

4. Eels v Knights

Losers of 3 & 4 are out.

Loser of 1 plays Winner of 4

Loser of 2 plays Winner of 3

Winners of 1 and 2 get week off.

Looks like the RL GF might be heading north.

The St George recruitment team continues to show their idiocy.

After such woeful purchases as Corey Norman, they let Tariq Sims go. And now they are chasing wannabe centre, Villiami "The Skunk" Kikou.

A backrower who spends all his time at outside centre, may occasionally bust the line with his blockbusting runs at smaller backs, but his defence leaves a lot to be desired.

St George's greatest failing in the past 20 years has always been discipline, both in attack and defence. Kikou is hardly the poster boy for discipline.

skully wrote:The St George recruitment team continues to show their idiocy.

After such woeful purchases as Corey Norman, they let Tariq Sims go. And now they are chasing wannabe centre, Villiami "The Skunk" Kikou.

A backrower who spends all his time at outside centre, may occasionally bust the line with his blockbusting runs at smaller backs, but his defence leaves a lot to be desired.

St George's greatest failing in the past 20 years has always been discipline, both in attack and defence. Kikou is hardly the poster boy for discipline.

Agree. Kikau would be terrible value. He's great at the Panthers where they have the luxury to use him as an impact player. The Dragons don't have that luxury.

Meanwhile, I'd suggest an all in this weekend on:

Manly to win
Penrith 13+
Eels to win
Roosters to win

Looks a worthy effort. But if you are true to form, you'll miss one.

Omnibus form by the Storm last night (40-12).

But Manly (are more specifically Centre Morgan Harper) handed it to them on a plate with errors leading to 3 of the Storm's 4 1st Half tries.

Harper spilled 2 cold (lead to 1st and 4th tries) and let Munster strip him leading to the 2nd try.

JGK wrote:Meanwhile, I'd suggest an all in this weekend on:

Manly to win (L)
Penrith 13+
Eels to win
Roosters to win

Your powers never wane.

JGK wrote:Meanwhile, I'd suggest an all in this weekend on:

Manly to win
Penrith 13+
Eels to win
Roosters to win

Ok, so I’m one bad pass away from being 0/3.