A mini rant
I have a complicated relationship with Mitchell Moses. There’s no doubting his ability – he’s probably in the top three halfbacks in the comp, far and away the best player in his team, and has shown he’s at home in rep football. But is he ever a whinger! Almost in the Toovey stratosphere of complainers. Just play the bloody game, Mitch, and let your talent be your spokesperson!
Round 3
If revenge is a dish best served cold, then the Panthers are pure ice at this early stage of the season. The brutality and clinical disdain with which they have dismissed their opponents thus far is indicative of a team that believes that they will make full amends for their comparative failure in 2025. To paraphrase the Scriptures, ‘beware the prowling Panthers as they walk about seeking whom they may devour’. So far they’ve feasted on a horse, a shark and a rooster, with an eel next in line. Who can stop them in this form? Merciless!
Elsewhere in Round 3 the Bulldogs and the Raiders had a real slugfest in the wet before the Dogs prevailed – both will be there in September methinks. The Broncos had another awful first half with fumbles galore but somehow kept Melbourne to just 14. Then a real switcheroo had Brisbane in front with 20 to go. From that point on they demonstrated a grit and determination not seen since September to hold on against the odds. A turning point or just a blip? We’ll see. The Wahs won away from home in convincing fashion over the Ponga- and Brown-less Knights. Tanah Boyd continued his stellar form for the Warriors. They’ll be asking questions at Shark Park after their lads got run over by the speedy Dolphins – as bad a home loss for Cronulla as it was a great away win for the Phins. Souths emerged ahead of the Wests Tigers but only after the latter lost their two key players, Doueihi and Luai. Those absentees in the coming weeks will hurt Benji’s boys, not unlike the situation in Newcastle. Souths? Still an enigma, best personified by BLM who, like Reece Walsh, is rocks or diamonds, usually both within the same game. The Eels v Dragons game was the lowlight of the weekend, a schemozzle that embarrassed both teams. Enjoy the 2 points, Parra, but don’t get big ideas. The Cowboys finally won to ease the pressure up north a bit but its still weighing down on Josh Hannay as the Titans remain winless. At least Jayden Campbell looked good on return.
Round 4
The Sea Eagles have been like a yo-yo so far – down, up, down. They’re unlikely to be on the up this weekend when they take on the equally inconsistent Roosters who have conceded 100 points in three games! I can’t get at all excited about Manly this year while the Chooks have far greater capacity when they click. I’ll be on the Roosters.
Tomorrow evening the Wahs should continue on their merry way when they host the wounded Wests Tigers. Surely there can only be one winner – Warriors. The late game, and possibly the match of the round, has Brisbane playing crosstown rival the Dolphins. If Haas is out, that gives Woolf’s lads a real chance to howl at the moon. Can Brisbane show that same defensive starch again? If they don’t, the likes of Hammer, Averillo and especially Farnworth will make them pay. I think ‘little brother’ might be up for it – Dolphins.
Saturday afternoon footy begins with the belligerent Bulldogs up against the knackered Knights who I just cannot see winning without Ponga and Brown. Get on the Bulldogs. The twilight game will be the latest feeding frenzy from the Panthers with the Eels as their prey. The late game features the Cowboys at home to the angry Storm who let one get away last week. It’s been a very wet season up north and I fear they’re about to get another drenching – Storm.
The other contender for game of the round is the Raiders v Sharks clash. Both sides have so much to offer but haven’t been able to find the last piece of the jigsaw to put games away. Even without Big Papa I think the home team will grow a leg on the back of their fanatical supporters’ energy and push the Sharks into a self esteem crisis. Raiders. Finally, the Titans play the Dragons for early wooden spoon favouritism. Thank goodness it’s not the free to air tv game. With absolutely no confidence at all I’ll go for the Titans because they just have to break their duck soon.
RITV will be happy and relaxed this weekend because the Rabbitohs cannot lose as they have the bye.
Tipping
A modest 4/8 last weekend saw me drop 90,000 places on the ESPN chart and back into about 7th on the Almanac ladder. Must do better!
The Round
For details of the who, when and where of Round 4 click here.
Logo competition
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About Ian Hauser
A Noosa-based retiree with a (very) modest sporting CV. A Queenslander through and through, especially when it comes to cricket and rugby league. Enjoys travel, coffee and cake, reading, McWilliam’s Cream Apera and a glass or three of wine. Footy Almanac’s Thursday online editor who moonlights as a hobby editor.