By CASEY O’CONNOR
AS expected, round two of the NRL finals delivered some thrilling games leaving rugby league fans eager for the next episode of the 2015 rugby league story.
We are left with six teams – two safe – the Broncos and Storm but the question on everyone’s lips is who will be left standing after this weekend.
Melbourne earned themselves the weekend off and booked a preliminary final in their own backyard at AAMI Stadium when they ended the Roosters 12 game winning streak. The Storm showed all of their class and experience as they dictated the pace of the game from the opening whistle. It was obvious they had done their homework on the Roosters, had a plan and were going to stick to it. In the end they came away with a grafting two point win. Despite losing the battle the Roosters produced the try of the season in the latter stages of the game when a Michael Jennings break resulted in youngster Jackson Hastings showing football guile beyond his years to wrong foot the opposition and put Shaun Kenny Dowall over for a try in the corner. It was a try that had commentators and fans gasping. It was not enough however as Melbourne proved once again why they have been one of the most consistent teams in the past decade.
The Roosters now face sudden death against arch rivals the Bulldogs. Des Hasler once again has the Doggies on a roll at the right time.They scraped in to week two of the finals on the back of a golden point field goal from Josh Reynolds after a forty twenty attempt from Dragons Gareth Widdop went awry.Throughout the game the Dragons were unable to capitalise on good field position and an excellent completion rate in the face of some outstanding goal line defence from the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs faithful will be on tenterhooks with both their enforcers Frank Pritchard and Sam Kasiano in hot water and facing the judiciary. Both the Dogs and the Roosters have problems with their halves combinations. The Roosters will be sweating on the return of Mitchell Pearce.
The Bulldogs at times looked flat and lacking in options without their regular No. 7 Hodkinson while both sides have some niggling injury worries. In a game of such importance neither team will leave anything in the tank. I am leaning slightly towards the Minor Premiers in what should be another sensational game.
The Brisbane Broncos and North Queensland Cowboys and the Suncorp crowd turned on a spectacle worthy of any grand final on Saturday night in what was the game of the season thus far. It was a game where the Cowboys dominated territory and the Broncos dominated defence. The Cowboys were left to rue a couple of missed opportunities in the first half as the steely Brisbane defence held out against their desperate attacking raids late in the second half. This game was a showcase of all that is good about rugby league when it is played well. There had to be a winner and despite most of the second half being played in their territory, Brisbane showed great grit and were rewarded with a 16-12 win, a week off and a preliminary final at Suncorp. The Cowboys must now regroup as they prepare for sudden death against the Sharks at 1300 Smiles on Saturday night.
Cronulla have defied all the odds and the naysayers to come from the wooden spoon department to top shelf in a season. On Sunday, after a promising start to the season the 2014 premiers Souths bowed out of the premiership race at the hands of Cronulla.
Injuries and suspensions finally took their toll on the Bunnies as the Sharks made the first half a one act affair. They were fast, enthusiastic and very hungry as they completely overpowered their opponents and dominated the middle of the field. The Bunnies bounced back in the second half but the jury remains out on whether or not the Sharks took their foot off the pedal conserving themselves for their clash against the Cowboys. There is no doubt the Cowboys will be full of respect for the Sharks. They have met twice this season and the Sharks have come away with bragging rights on both occasions and hold a handy margin in the head to head clashes. They are definitely a bogey side for the Cowboys.
Cronulla fans are breathing a sigh of relief as serial pest Michael Ennis escaped suspension after pleading guilty to a grade one dangerous contact charge. For the club that is yet to win a premiership it has been an amazing year. Twelve months ago Paul Gallen was serving a drugs suspension and Shane Flanagan was banned from coaching. The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority’s investigation into the supplement program at the club seemingly would not go away and they were the NRL wooden spooners. Twelve months on, the Sharks are more than ready to rumble in a semi-final showdown. It is an understatement to say both sides have plenty to play for.
The Cowboys look to have been robbed by dodgy calls at the pointy end of the season in the past two years while the Sharks are looking for their fairy-tale to continue. It will be a game of almost Origin proportions as the NSW warrior Gallen leads his troops against the Maroons magic men Thurston and Scott. The Cowboys’ Michael Morgan will strip fitter here after returning from injury last week and that will be a plus for the home-side. The NQlanders will have a fight on their hands but I think they will be more than ready to reverse the trend this season and reel in the Sharks in what is sure to be a game of attrition.
Only two games this weekend but we will be treated to some outstanding football as the march towards the grand final gathers momentum.
CASEY’S TIPS
Roosters
Cowboys
