Penrith Panthers show promise for 2008

NRL Round 24, 2007
Penrith Panthers 28 def Sydney Roosters 22

The Panthers again showcased their attacking flair, this week they put an end to the Sydney Roosters faint finals hopes in a display that will have Panthers fans quietly confident for next year.

The Roosters were continually forfeiting possession tonight and their completion rate was woeful, really hampering them and preventing any chance of a miracle comeback against the hot Panthers.

Penrith Panthers coach Matthew Elliott seems to have the right combination in place - this week Luke Lewis playing at pivot and combining nicely with Craig Gower. Lewis playing a second fiddle role and not overpowering Gower which Peter Wallace has done on occasions.

On most of the occasions Penrith spun the ball wide, their outside men were having huge success on the fringe. Frank Pritchard and Maurice Blair in particular proved a handful for the Roosters tonight, as did the high ball in attack from Penrith. Both Perret and Roberts spilling high bombs and opening the door for the Panthers in good territory.

The other area Penrith impressed was with their defence. They scrambled and showed good pride in their line tonight, preventing certain Roosters tries on at least 3 occasions. Good awareness from O'Hallaran and some good reads on the edge from Michael Gordon prevented certain 4 pointers.

For the Roosters, apart from poor handling - discipline absolutely killed them. Especially with Steve 'Terminator' Clarke doing the refereeing, the grapple tackle calls were coming thick and fast. At one stage Shillington giving away 2-3 penalties in the space of 5 minutes. When the Panthers got the opportunity they took it, something the Roosters simply couldn't do.

The increasingly impressive form of the Panthers will see them avoid the wooden spoon this year and hand it squarely to Newcastle. The improving Penrith side would probably trouble some of the Top 8 sides at present with the way they are playing, the positive note they finish this year on puts them in good stead for a strong start to 2008.

Melbourne Storm: One of the Greats

The Melbourne Storm team of 2006 and 2007 has naturally received plenty of accolades for their table topping NRL form and a brand of Rugby League that has been unmatched by opponents in the past 2 years.

What I believe makes this Storm outfit even more impressive, is the fact that their current reign as NRL minor premiers over the past 2 years has occurred at a time when Rugby League is at its most even as every NRL side could possibly win on their day.

In previous decades a handful of teams could dominate for years on end. Teams that had good financial backing, all the best players and superior home grounds that were regularly full. Teams such as the Bulldogs, Brisbane and maybe St George (pre-merger) come to mind.

In the current era, a time where we see matches won by golden point regularly and games where a referees single penalty will turn a match - it makes the achievements of the Melbourne Storm even more impressive.

For the Storm to come out on top of the regular season table for 2 consecutive years, it shows not only their skill level and ability is superior - but their coaching team are absolute pioneers in techniques, as other clubs hastily try to follow.

The majority of NRL clubs do use wrestling coaches to improve their ruck slowing techniques, but the Storm took this to a new level - using skilled techniques to slow, hold and suspend tackled players in the air before they hit the ground - getting more time in the ruck without the worry of a penalty. Even today, opposing NRL teams try to copy the method of the Storm - but their execution is unable to match that of Melbourne.

Another tactic I believe the Storm pioneered was what I call 'The Sleepwalker'. The sleepwalker play is where an attacking team hoists a bomb up in attack and sends several chasers through following the ball. The lead chaser or 'sleepwalker' will leap for the ball and keep his eye on it, but his sole intention is to 'body check' the opposing fullback or catcher - so his teammates can get the scraps as he and the opposition catcher collide and are taken out of play.

Several other teams are employing the tactic of 'sleepwalkers' now, one of the better exponents being Cronulla - where they send Luke Covell up high after a bomb and ensure his big frame collides with opposition challengers and gives Sharks outside backs the chance to collect the scraps. Referees cannot penalise a 'sleepwalker' because they look to be going after the ball. They have their arms up and eye on the ball, so proving it was an intentional foul is impossible.

So smart, inventive plays by Melbourne continue to keep them on top. I rate the Storm side in such regard that they may even be the best side in the past 10 years, better than their own squad that won the 1999 Grand Final and even more talented and refined than the Brian Smith coached Eel's from 2000-2003 that broke every record in their path on the back of honed tactics and skillful execution.

Unfortunately for the current Storm crop, as it proved for the Eels earlier this decade - being the best team for long periods of time simply doesn't guarantee anything in NRL Finals Football. They may be brilliant this current Storm squad, but they only become legends when they lift that trophy, just as their Storm ancestors did in 1999.

Cowboys a cut above toiling Knights

By John Chelsea

Round 24, 2007
North Queensland Cowboys 34 def Newcastle Knights 18

The Knights came to play tonight, eager to send their home crowd off on a good note - but their best efforts were no match for the slick Cowboys who even without their big name forwards; made a mockery of the Knights defence to run away winners in a match that seals their Top 4 standing on the NRL ladder for 2007.

A more committed Knights side tried hard to bring the Cowboys down into an arm wrestle - but after some close periods, the Cowboys skipped away. An Ashley Graham intercept in the 55 minute put any Newcastle comeback to and end, after the Knights had a good run of possession and momentum.

When the struggling Knights did manage to get some good ball and field position, they rarely knew what to do. Captain Danny Buderus was able to guide the home side over the try line, through a nice short ball try assist - but on most occasions the cellar dwellers looked lost and overexcited as they reached enemy territory.

Newcastle Knights coach Brian Smith, usually a poker faced professional could be seen riding every play with the Knights. The pressure on Smith and the club obvious as they dug deep to try and grind out an upset win.

To the credit of the Cowboys, they certainly didn't take their lowly ranked opponents lightly. The North Queenslanders got into Newcastle early, setting up camp several days before the game and showing their mind was clearly on the job. While the home semi final is critical to most sides, the Cowboys need it more than most - with many punters thinking the North Queensland side lacks depth in the forwards with so many of their big men out of action.

Once again the standout for the Cowboys was Matt Bowen. The lively fullback proving impossible to stop from any portion of the field, his light stepping proving hard work for the mostly bulky Knights lineup. Again Bowen was decisive in defence, making good decisions at critical times and snuffing out occasional Knights raids. The Cowboys played enterprising Rugby League, having success on the fringes and mostly capitalising on Knights errors.

The win by the Cowboys tonight sets up a blockbuster final round clash with the Bulldogs at Diary Farmers Stadium next week.
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Storm overwhelms Bulldogs

By Adam Sutcliffe

Round 24, 2007

Melbourne Storm 38 def Bulldogs 6

Playing at home in front of a healthy crowd, the nicely building Bulldogs were expected to push the Storm all the way in what shaped as a huge pre-finals test. The earliest surprise was the clash of the 'white' jerseys. Both the Dogs and Storm wearing their white strips, making it a spectators nightmare in the distance at Telstra. Why one side didn't have their darker, alternate strip on was dumbfounding.

In slippery conditions at Telstra, the signs were good early for the Bulldogs - toiling hard, prepared for the struggle and doing their best to stay with the Storm. Admittedly the class of the Melbourne Storm was always slightly above the Bulldogs - but as they do so often, they scrap and struggle; keeping in touch with the top sides.

After plenty of dropped ball in the early periods of the first half, when both teams hung on to the ball - it was the Melbourne Storm forwards proving the difference. Playing much straighter tonight and more direct in their charges - the Storm showed variation to their usual side to side and flat sweeping attack. Brett White was in rare forward as he steamrolled Bulldogs defenders in a couple of insiring charges. The first half try to Billy Slater typifies to me why the Storm are NRL competition leaders - they bring an urgency and desperation level to the game that no other team does. As Luke Patten gives up the chase for a fast running ball that looked to be going dead - Billy Slater launches himself full tilt to successfully ground the ball literally millimetres from the deadball line.

In probably the largest 10m kept by any referee all year in the NRL, the style of Ben Cummins was certainly suiting the Storm more. Billy Slater and Cameron Smith starting to sniff out some gaps as the Storm got some mini momentum rolls going.

For the Dogs, Sonny Bill Williams was up to his usual brutal defence efforts - stinging the Storm attack with some heavy shoulder work. The return of Mark O'Meley didn't quite give the Bulldogs the edge they wanted, Ogre was a touch rusty and couldn't give the Bulldogs the ususal impetus he provides.

At the half-time score of 8-6 to Melbourne, really it was impossible to predict a winner - despite the class at times of the Storm side, the everwilling Dogs simply didn't look like going away.

All stats at the break virtually identical, from tackles made, to line breaks, to possession - it was close.

After more of the same early in half 2, what was to follow was a total dominating blitz from the Storm - capitalising on some good field position and smart kicking from Cronk and Smith. The Storm ran in 4 tries inside a 15 minute period to simply break the spirit of the Bulldogs. Israel Folau came into his own, bagging 3 of the tries for himself and equalling the Melbourne Storm try scoring record for an indiviual in a single season of NRL Rugby League with 20 touchdowns.

As the Storm's skill, class and relentlessness shone through and eventually blew the Bulldogs off the park. In the process the Storm have smashed the confidence of the Dogs, hammered their points difference and left the Canterbury side hanging onto the Top 4 by a thread.

Yes, it has to be said - a week is a long time in Rugby League. The old cliche once again proving oh so true for the MIA Bulldogs tonight.

Latemail: Bulldogs Big Test

Word coming from the Bulldogs camp is that Willie Mason could be a late starter squeezed into the impressive Canterbury lineup to take on NRL Competition leaders the Melbourne Storm tonight.

Already boosted by the return of Mark O'Meley - the Bulldogs obviously know the importance of this game in keeping them in the Top 4 on the NRL Ladder. With the Eels and Warriors on their heels, the Bulldogs need to win the two remaining games against the Storm and Cowboys next week to hold on to their top 4 NRL table spot.

Mason has hinted through the week at his desire to 'test' himself against the Storm; who are the benchmark in the NRL at the moment. The rewards probably outweigh the risks for the Bulldogs in bringing Mason back tonight - by beating the Storm; they keep their NRL top 4 spot and get a massive momentum and confidence boost only weeks away from the NRL semi finals.

Don't be surprised at all if the big man, Willie Mason strolls out on to Telstra Stadium or is injected from the bench by coach Steve Folkes.

Warriors are back big time

By Peter Roy

Only 24 hours after we discussed the sell-out match at Leichhardt Oval, across the ditch the Kiwi's have come in their thousands to snap up tickets to the Warriors final home game of the season - selling out Mt Smart Stadium for the first time since the Warriors entered the premiership in 1995.

The rise of the NZ Warriors in 2007 has again woke the sleeping giant that is New Zealand Rugby League. After achieving good results earlier this decade when the Warriors reached the Grand Final things went downhill just as quickly, last year the Warriors were burdened with the second lowest crowd attendance figures in the NRL.

After tossing and turning, changing coaches and management over several years - things certainly look to be back on track for the Auckland based club. It's obvious the potential lying within New Zealand - while it may be a staunch Rugby Union stomping ground, if the Warriors could break through for their maiden premiership the response would no doubt be enormous. Additional Kiwi supporters, merchandise, additional international NRL exposure and the possibility of more NRL clubs in other parts of New Zealand are not out of the question in the long term future.

While the National Rugby League (NRL) might not be played in every state of Australia, they do hold a draw card that is the envy of rival codes such as the AFL; purely because they have successfully expanded into New Zealand. The international potential is certainly there for the NRL, the Warriors will ignite the fuse should they take out the title - bringing lucrative rewards for the Kiwi Club and the NRL.

The Warriors have this year seemingly overcome their biggest weakness, 'winning away from home' - proving on several occasions in 2007 they can topple big teams outside of New Zealand. In most other departments the NZ Warriors are looking extremely good, their squad is talented, balanced, well coached and without any injury concerns.

With a win over the undermanned Manly Sea Eagles, it puts the Warriors in prime position for a home final. With that kind of launch pad and the possibility of a 3rd week home final if results fall their way - the Kiwi clan will never get a better tilt at the coveted prize; that is the NRL Rugby League Premiership.

Wests Tigers Record: Leichhardt Sold Out

John Chelsea

The Wests Tigers have set a new club record, completely selling out of tickets to their Leichhardt Oval clash with the South Sydney Rabbitohs this Sunday. According to Wests Tigers officials, its the first time the joint venture club has sold out the Leichhardt venue prior to match day.

The Tigers have certainly put out the 'House Full' sign before, but never this early as both NRL teams gear up for one of the clashes of the season. A win for either side can almost assure them of one of the lower Top 8 spots come finals time.

The pressure seems more directed towards South Sydney, the giant killing Bunnies having to now face a hostile Leichhardt crowd and then back up next week with another tough match against the Sydney Roosters in yet another age old rivalry.

The Wests Tigers have now got Liam Fulton back on board after he was cleared late last night at the NRL Judiciary and their only concern would be the defence of Benji Marshall. The superstar pivot / halfback for the Wests Tigers has had some problems in the previous few weeks - with opposition teams peppering his wing with bombs and running large outside backs over the top of him. Coach Tim Sheens is not showing any concern openly, stating he is happy with Benji's style - one that earned the Tigers the 2005 premiership.

The Bunnies will no doubt be running plenty of traffic at Marshall. The likes of big Paul Mellor, Nigel Vagana and even wide running Dean Widders will be ensuring Benji is fully tested and tired out from defence. This clash is expected to be a physical and firey affair, with both sides having so much at stake - there is sure to be some blow ups. You'd certainly have to like the Tigers chances with a loud Leichhardt full-house standing behind them.

Key to NRL Finals Success

Adam Sutclife

As we move into the final 2 regular season rounds of the NRL in 2007, up to 8 or 9 teams are fighting it out for the remaining 6 finals spots. The changes to the home ground rule for higher ranked teams this year makes sense, the 2 highest ranked teams continue to receive their home ground advantage in week 3 of the finals - a deserving reward for being the best 2 teams all season.

While the home ground advantage is a crucial key to NRL finals success, the other final ingredient is the 'individual player' from each NRL club that can single handedly change a match. Rugby League in 2007 certainly remains a team based sport, the quality and depth of the overall squad cannot be questioned. However in todays style of 'safety first' or 'predictable' type plays where many teams are very similar - the individual efforts of certain players can literally turn a game in a matter of seconds.

Which players hold the key at NRL clubs that are possible finals contenders? Some are obvious, others maybe not - we look forward to your comments at: NRLfeedback@gmail.com

Melbourne Storm: Cameron Smith. An obvious choice, not only a skilled player with great vision - his spirit easily lifts the Storm when needed. Sets up their attack and has a hand in most of their tries, but also saves plenty of tries with desperate measures.

Manly Sea Eagles: Michael Monaghan. The crafty former Raider is more important than expensive Manly men such as Matt Orford or Jamie Lyon. Continually underrated - Monaghan has a cool head and regularly puts his hand up for the Eagles at critical times. Can get momentum going in an instant.

North Queensland Cowboys: Jonathan Thurston. Closing in fast on the 'best player in the world' tag. While Thurstons style requires his forwards to do their work first, there is no question the power JT possesses. A dangerous runner, but extremely unselfish and sets up teammates with dynamic passing or accurate kicking. Has continually matured and has much more vision these days, his game style is complimented well by an old stager such as Jason Smith.

Bulldogs: Sonny Bill Williams. An obvious choice, SBW is simply a game breaker. Tends to take a back row seat when Willie Mason and Andrew Ryan lead the show - but if Sonny is in the mood no other NRL team in the finals will contain him. Keeps defence lines in two minds - holding the ball in his hand ready for an offload at any second. Most certainly carrying the hopes for the Bulldogs in what's been an inconsistent year.

Parramatta Eels: Mark Riddell. Forget the backline the Eels possess. When Mark 'Piggy' Riddell wants to turn a game, his passion is contagious. Has the ability to motivate his team through fearless charges, stinging defence and a niggle, sledge game that fires his allies up. The Eels need fire in the belly and Piggy is the man to lift them.

NZ Warriors: Steve Price. The gracefully aging star is showing the way for all forwards. The Queenslander is not only eating the metres in a big way, he is backing up for tries and displaying defensive commitment and fitness of an outside back. In the form of his career, his experience and ability have helped the Warriors to where they are. The NZ boys need a seasoned campaigner such as Price to guide them through the Australian based minefield of NRL finals.

Wests Tigers: Benji Marshall. The talented Kiwi is quickly trying to reclaim his best form after a long layoff. Drastically working on some defensive issues that have seen him leak points in the past few weeks. Regardless, this guy is a superstar - his confidence is coming back and it's his quick thinking of fearlessness, that see him throw outrageous flick passes or 2nd tackle chip kicks. Can turn a game quickly, the Tigers play on confidence and he is their firestarter.

South Sydney Rabbitohs: Issac Luke. A bolter? Maybe, but young gun Issac Luke brings three things to the table for Souths - raw determination, toughness and scoring ability. The feisty hooker with the nickname 'Bully' can apparently scrap with the best of them - he takes no prisoners in defence and can burrow and smash through defence lines like a prop. As the Bunnies struggle in attack, Iassac Luke is the man to get them through the NRL finals series.

Brisbane Broncos: Justin Hodges. As the Broncos fade fast in NRL 2007 - the man who takes the pressure after Darren Lockyer and countless others submit to injury is Hodges. The king of sledge and smartness - the talent of the rangy outside back cannot be questioned. Playing close to the action at five eight - Brisbane are desperately trying to get things going. The creative Hodges has the ability to crab across field and setup his inside men for line breaks. Impossible to contain - he holds the key for Broncos if they can scrape into the final 8.

Gold Coast Titans: Scott Prince. While the Titans have some other contenders in the tireless Luke Bailey, the scheming Scott Prince is they key to success. Yet another halfback who is impossible to read, his trademark 'dummy and go, dummy and go' is copied by other NRL clubs. His kicking game is probably close to the best in the NRL at present (long and short) and he sets up the majority of tries for the Titans. If Prince remains healthy and on the park, the Titans are still a hope in 2007.

Sydney Roosters: Braith Anasta. Probably missed the boat to NRL finals after having a loss last weekend - but the form and desperation of Anasta cannot be questioned. The high profile pivot has seemingly got the frustration out of his game and is concentrating on Rugby League first and foremost. The assistance of Craig Wing in the halves at times has helped Anasta - his physical presence centre field is a big bonus, running like a back rower; other teams struggle to contain him. Motivates and generates for the Roosters with solo tries and sweeping passes. If a miracle occurs and the Roosters sneak into the Rugby League finals for 2007 - this guy is the man.

Widders wins and Ryles loses at NRL Judiciary

John Chelsea

South Sydney's Dean Widders and the Dragons Jason Ryles both fronted the NRL Judiciary tonight; caught up in the NRL campaign to outlaw any 'grapple' or 'compression' to a tackled players head or neck. Dean Widders getting cleared of any wrong doing, but Jason Ryles was outed for two week.

Dubbed the 'crusher' tackle, Widders was accused of recklessly compacting the neck of the tackled player in an effort to slow the play the ball down. The NRL is mindful of the neck or spinal injury and rightly is targeting some dubious tactics by coaches. However with the Widders tackle, while the neck of the tackled player Jamie Lyon did get compressed - their was simply no intent from Widders and Lyon virtually ended up in that position as a result of the two assisting tacklers and general motion.

The Jason Ryles case was heard extremely quickly, it took the panel less than 5 minutes to find Ryles guilt of the grapple tackle and out him for 2 weeks. The Dragons argued that Ryles had been latched on to the tackler at the high position and simply rode the player to the ground. Ryles has now played his final game for 2007 and ends the year on a sour note.

It it totally understandable that the NRL are keen to outlaw tacklers targeting the head and spine. To have a player 'break his neck' or suffer serious injury during a televised NRL game would not only destroy the life of a footballer by also crucify the code of NRL Rugby League - the shockwaves would be felt at every level of the game. Parents pulling kids out of under 6's Rugby League through to clubs requiring 24/7 legal assistance to ward off and civil suits.

We also don't want to turn Rugby League into 'tip' football, and the Judiciary tonight was correct in exonerating Dean Widders - as his tackle would have set a precedent that would have made things almost impossible for enjoyable Rugby League into the future. At least now with the spotlight on grapples and crushers - players will be weary of attempting it and referees will spot most of them and penalise as they should.

Tiger Town or Ghost Town?

John Chelsea

We've talked about this before at NRL News , but the value to home teams is massive at their old fashion suburban NRL grounds.

Manly, Wests Tigers and the Dragons have such an advantage at their smallish, enclosed, suburban stadiums.

Why in the world would Wests Tigers even think about moving their Leichhardt Oval home game against South Sydney to Telstra Stadium? One reason .... Money.

As Telstra Stadium offer Wests a super cheap deal to move the game to Homebush, the Wests Tigers have the chance to pocket big money from the addition of possibly another 20,000 fans into the larger Olympic stadium. Shane Richardson at Souths is also a fan of moving the game to Telstra, of course he would be happy with the idea - Telstra would be neutral territory and give Souths much more chance of winning the bumper clash.

What value does an NRL team place on 2 competition points? Playing at Leichhardt Oval, the Tigers will no doubt have a 12 point advantage over the Bunnies. The Tigers players have even stated publicly that playing at Leichhardt is worth 2 tries to them, the power of the crowd is that great.

While most NRL clubs could do with the cash, it's certainly more sensible for the Tigers to think long term. Play the bumper clash with the Bunnies at Leichhardt to give a much greater chance of victory to Wests - the financial returns should the Wests Tigers reach the NRL finals will be of a much greater proportion to any short term money making from moving this weekends game to Telstra.

While the conditions for fans at Leichhardt may be average at best, with poor viewing angles, limited access to food and amenities and the age old problem of splinters in your bum from the wooden seats - the simple fact is, enemy NRL teams hate playing there and 18,000+ screaming Wests Tigers fans will be plenty to get them rolling along as they face the growing power of the South Sydney Rabbitohs.