The Run In

We are lucky. Very lucky. Lucky because a major sporting competition such as the NRL is very competitive and it's right on our doorstep. This season there is a bit of a log jam in the middle of the table with many teams both in and out of the eight have a chance. A chance to either destroy all their hard work, or a chance to slip in to the eight and make a run for a title. Once you've finished reading this, you'll have a fair idea of whohas a chance and who doesn't. 

We'll start with the      Bulldogs who are 5th on 24 points. The Doggies are capable of destroying any team but can also fall victim to a team in a rich vein of form. They will play the Dragons, Titans, Raiders, Rabbitohs, Panthers and Broncos so they should be able to get at the very least, three wins. The Dogs will scare many teams with their different style where the forwards do a lot of play making with short passing but still have the ability to rumble through teams and set up sweeping plays for their edges. They will look impressive leading in to the playoffs but can't see them getting much further as they will come up against teams who will nullify their style, like Melbourne did last year.

Next up are the Sharks who are also on 24 points but sit in 6th. They will play the Warriors, Knights, Dragons, Roosters, Cowboys and Raiders. This is a pretty tough run home with the Warriors in fine form, the Knights playing some very tough footy and the Roosters running as hot favourites. Then you have games that could simply go either way with the Dragons, Cowboys and Raiders offering a variety of challenges. Throw in the on going ASADA investigation and it's a recipe for disaster. Realistically I think that a few teams will overtake the Sharkies, but they could slip in to 8th spot.

If you are lucky enough to call Canberra your home, it could be a good year for sports fans with the Brumbies in the Super 15 final and the Raiders doing pretty well. This will all change though as the Raiders could drop out of finals contention. They are in 7th spot with 24 points but have the toughest run in. They will face the Storm, Roosters, Bulldogs, Manly, Warriors and the Sharks which is going to be very tough. To be honest I can't see them getting out of this with too many positives, it could only be worse if they had to play the Rabbitohs as well. Expect them to drop a couple of spots, possibly even out of the top 8

I think the Knights could find themselves in a similar situation as the Raiders. They have battled away all year and have had some very high, highs and some pretty deep lows but could find themselves clawing their way in to the top 8. They are currently in 8th spot with 22 points and will face the Broncos, Sharks, Storm, Cowboys, Broncos and Eels. They could win all these games but I doubt they will as they have shown this year some the great ability at being consistently inconsistent. Having to play the Broncos twice won't help as they Bronc's will be desperate to try salvage their season and regain some respectability. I'd say they finish 8th. 

The Warriors currently sit on 22 points in 9th place which is a pretty hand position to be in given the state of the middle cluster. What is even better for Warriors fans is their remaining games. They will play Sharks, Manly, Panthers, Titans, Raiders and the Dragons. If they loose against the Sharks and Manly, they are still in a position where they have four games which they should win remaining. Expect them to get some big time revenge against the Panthers who thrashed them earlier in the year. With the form they are in, the Warriors could very easily find themselves as high as 5th but expect them to finish up 6th of 7th as the majority of their games are against teams that are below them.

The Panthers are 2 points behind the Warriors on 20 and sit in 10th spot. Unlike the Warriors who face lower ranked teams in their remaining games, the Panthers will come across some very strong teams – Roosters, Cowboys, Warriros, Broncos, Bulldogs and Manly. A case could be made that the Panthers will not win any more games as they teams they are coming up against are either in the  top 4 or are teams with better rosters who will be desperate to win as many games as they can (Cowboys, Warriors, Broncos and Bulldogs). While the Panthers have had a very good year considering where they sit in their long term plan, they wont be able to put the icing on the cake.

The Titans are very similar to the Panthers as they are on 20 points and have a pretty tough run in to the finals. Unlike the Panthers, I think the Titans possess an ability to upset some of the bigger teams with  a lot more experience and much more strike power. They will need to stay away from injuries and the loss of Albert Kelly for a few weeks will hurt. They could go either way, but I'm picking that they will slide a few places down the ladder, loosing tight games.

Back 2 points are the Broncos who sit in 12th on 18 points. A charge in to the top 8 will be very difficult for a team who has under achieved greatly to some extent but have also lacked any attacking leadership or potency. The way they have performed as well as their upcoming opposition makes life very difficult. They will face the Knights twice which will be a huge challenge along with tricky games against the Dragons and Panthers. Their final game against the Bulldogs will be nearly impossible to win unless they are in a position where they desperately need to win and the Bulldogs are cruising, which I doubt will happen. The Eels are the best chance for the Broncos to get a win but could possibly be their only 2 points from their last 2 games.

Life is pretty tough up in Townsville at the moment. With a fantastic roster, the Cowboys have done reasonably average this season resulting in the sacking of coach Neil Henry. They sit in 13th, 6 points behind the Knights and will be hoping for a miracle. Their only option is to win every game or close to it, which could be done. If they beat the Rabbitohs this week, they could gain a heap of momentum and very quickly become a team to watch. This is a very real possibility as after the Rabbitohs they play the Panthers, Titans, Knights, Sharks and Tigers… all teams they can easily dispose of if they want to. Unfortunately for them they are in a position where any losses could be a major problem and if they loose a game their season could be over, which is a high pressure scenario to be in. Keep an eye on them though, it might all click in to place you never know.

My top eight;

Rabbitohs

Roosters

Sea Eagles

Storm

Bulldogs

Sharks

Warriors

Knights

NRL Round 21

Knights vs Broncos

Matchup – Craig Gower vs Peter Wallace. The two former halfbacks will come off the bench and look to add some quality to their respective teams. Will be interesting to see who has the greater impact.

Key Player – Darius Boyd holds the key to the Knights attack. He adds the touch of quality that is needed to turn good chances in to tries and will step up against his former team.

Keep an eye on – David Stagg in the centres. An old work horse battling away against some young bucks.

Verdict – Knights >12

Roosters vs Panthers

Matchup – Shaun Kenny Dowall vs Dean Whare. Two Kiwi centres who will be looking to impress Stephen Kearney. Whare has been in great form this year, while SKD hasn't been as good as in previous years. Will still be a great battle.  

Key Player – When Isaac John is on song, the Panthers look a lot better. He will need to play out of his skin to give the Panthers a chance

Keep an eye on – Sika Manu is back in to the starting line up and will give the Panthers a greater presence on that edge.

Verdict – Roosters >12

Warriors vs Sharks

Matchup – Simon Mannering vs Wade Graham. Both are physical monsters but are also very useful attacking weapons as they run great lines and can make something out of nothing.

Key Player – Dane Nielsen needs to lead the Warriors defensively and instil a confidence in the players and their defensive ability, especially against teams like the Sharks who aren't going to let you score 20+ points easily.

Keep an eye on – Suaia Matagi adding some punch off the bench.

Verdict – Warriors <12

Eels vs Sea Eagles

Matchup – Willie Tonga vs Steve Matai. There aren't many Eels players who can stack up against their Manly counterpart besides Tim Mannah but Willie Tonga will give Steve Matai a good go and entertainment will be a plenty.

Key Player – Glenn Stewart needs to get his hand on the ball as much as possible to ensure that the defence has to focus on each of the many different pieces to the Manly puzzle.

Keep an eye on – Api Pewhairangi at six. Another halves combination zzzz for the Eels

Api Pewhairangi

Verdict – Sea Eagles >12

Cowboys vs Rabbitohs

Matchup – The front rows. The Australian front row vs 1/2 of the Burgess clan.

Key Player – Ray Thompson. Its easy to say the Jonathan Thurston is always the key for the Cowboys along with Matty Bowen, but Thompson must do a very very solid job to give his play makers time and space while also having a go himself, 

Keep an eye on – Kyle Feldt was the guy who missed the kick from the sidelien in the U20's final a few years back to hand the Junior Warriors the championship. He now gets a start on the wing. 

Kyle Feldt

Verdict – Cowboys < 12

Raiders vs Storm

Matchup – Josh Papalii vs Kevin Proctor. Two very dynamic players who can dominate physically. Will be interesting to see who gets the upper hand and can provide the best opportunities for their team.

Key Players – Storm props. These blokes must step up if the Storm are going to be able to beat the more physical teams like Canberra.

Keep an eye on – Slade Griffin. A tough young bugger.

Verdict – Storm <12

Titans vs Tigers

Matchup – Brad takairangi vs Blake Ayshford. Size, speed and footwork = entertainment.

Key Player – Aidan Sezer must step up in the absence of Albert Kelly.

Keep an eye on – Keith Galloway giving the Tigers some experienced muscle.

Verdict – Tigers <12

Dragons vs bulldogs

Matchup – Daniel Vidot vs Tim Lafai. Another centre matchup with two very good young players who have all the physical tools.

Key Player – Sam Perrett has to be able to add to the Bulldogs attack and tap in to his ball distribution. Fail to do so and the Bulldogs will turn in to a predictable machine.

Keep an eye on – The form of Tony Williams leading in to the finals. Doesn't matter too much what you do at the start of the year, but what you do at the business end of the season.

Verdict – Bulldogs >12

Team Young Gun

 Please note that these aren't rookies and yes there are plenty of other guys who could have made the list but well these guys just did it for me...

Josh Hoffman - The young Bronco has played the majority of this year on the wing to allow Corey Norman the full back spot, however with Norman leaving I would imagine that Hoffman will get a lot more time at the back. I could have picked Ben Barba, but I like how tough Hoffman plays and love to see him ball in hand running at the big boys.

Jorge Taufua - Having been considered for a NSW wing spot this year, Taufua is no longer under the radar. The only reason he was under the radar is because he did his job..very well. He doesn't have any amazing highlight reels, but finishes most of the opportunities that are presented to him by the stellar Manly back line and is very sound defensively. Taufua will play Origin at some stage.

Konrad Hurrell - The big Tongan is an exceptional talent but still has a long way to go. Not many other players in the NRL possess the natural speed and power that Hurrell does, allowing for him to make the best defenders think again. The fact that he has a lot to learn means that he will be a super star (unless he leaves the game) as he has shown the work ethic and ability to listen and learn necessary to be a quality NRL player.

Dane Gagai - Landing at Newcastle has probably been a blessing for Dane Gagai. Having been shown the door at Brisbane, Gagai was in the wilderness for a bit but has found a home north of Sydney. Newcastle need Gagai just as much as Gagai needs Newcastle which makes it a perfect fit for Gagai to flourish. He has size, footwork and speed to trouble any defender and doesn't leak too many points, which will only be enhanced by playing under Wayne Bennett.

Justin O'Neil - The Storm winger has shown class in abundance and has been given the moniker 'the Ferrari'. He doesn't make errors and like other backs has size and speed in abundance. He has been a part of a few Queensland squads and if Brent Tate retires from rep footy expect to see O'Neil in there for good.

Shaun Johnson - Blessed with speed, footwork and a booming right boot, Johnson has all the tools to be a great half. Not to mention that he isn't really that small and can defend well enough. His kicking game will continue to improve which will complement his running game perfectly and will become very difficult to defend against.

Adam Reynolds - The little general for Souths could be one of the best halves ever. He has it all and at no stage was he intimidated by having to lead a pretty rough group of forwards around. I would rate Reynolds above Johnson as his kicking game near the try line is better along with his all round half back play. The Rabbitohs could have won the comp last year, until Reynolds did his hammy..evidence of his class.

Josh McGuire - The Broncos prop doesn't take a back seat to anyone and is often seen in the heart of a dust up. He does however do a heap of dirty work, taking tough carries and doing a lot of tackling. McGuire would be one of the first picked in many teams because of the effort he puts in throughout the middle of the park and will be in a Maroons jersey soon enough.

Matt Srama - He might not be on the tip of many tongues, but Srama does his job very well. A small fella, he is very strong and loves to defend which make him the perfect hooker. He regularly chooses the right option and is happy to bark out orders and keep his forward pack in line.

Ben Matulino - Ben Matulino makes metres, hits hard and is a skilful chap. What more could you ask for? Not many blokes would be able to bring him down by themselves which means he can usually land on his front and get a quick play the ball as well as being able to offload.

Wade Graham - Another to flourish having changed clubs. Graham moved from the Panthers to the Sharks a few years back and hasn't looked back. He's extremely tough but also very skilful. Big enough with a great passing and kicking game, Graham consistently makes line breaks down the left edge. Not too many blokes captain their club side at the age of 22, nuff said.

Tariq Sims - Hasn't had much of a go this year but Sims is a physical freak. Blessed with size, speed an his older brother's aggression, Sims is a beast. It wont be long until we have the privilege of seeing him in the Origin arena where he will flourish.

Elijah Taylor - Taylor will be a great loss for the Warriors and a buy of the year type of player for the Panthers next season. He defends in the middle, takes the shit carries and is very skilful. What more could you want?

Jason Taumalolo - Like Sims, Taumalolo hasn't had much of a run this year for numerous reasons. At only 20 years old, Taumalolo has the league world at his feet and will be a fantastic player once he can iron out a few kinks and establish himself.

Mitchell Allgood - Rough, tough and willing to do the work, Allgood would be a great member of any team. He has all the traits that many young footballers need to have.

Josh Papalii - Having been selected for Origin this year, Papalii's stock will only rise. Much the same mould as Taumalolo except a bit smaller, Papalii will scare edge defenders for many more years to come.

Jack De Belin - Doesn't get much of a rap because of the shit form the Dragons are in, but De Belin is a lot like Allgood. There aren't many young players who are willing to do the dirty work and jobs that no one else wants to, he is one who does.

NRL Round 20

Cowboys vs Broncos

Matchup -  Anthony Mitchell vs Andrew McCullough. Both teams house some of the best forwards in the game but these two will both have to control the tempo through the middle. Both outfits have struggled in the dummy half department as of late as well so keep an eye on how this battle goes.

Key player – Matt Bowen comes back from injury and will vital to the Cowboys chances. A lot of the Cows attack goes through Bowen and he needs to take some of the load off Jonathan Thurston.

Keep an eye on – With Corey Norman being dropped, Josh Hoffman has been shifted to fullback. This is his preferred position so a sound display could keep Norman on the outer.

Verdict – Cowboys <12. Both teams desperately need a win so expect a torrid encounter. The Cowboys have more in their favour as well as more at stake.

Bulldogs vs Eels

Matchup – the big boys upfront. Both teams chances depend on how much go forward they can get. If the Dogs roll forward expect their backline to score a heap of points, while for the Eels to have any chance, they will need beat the Dogs up and maintain field position. Not to mention the quality of front rowers on show.

Key player – A lot rests on the shoulders of Luke Kelly as he will have to ensure that the Eels are able to maintain pressure on the Bulldogs. Repeat sets, ensuring that the Bulldogs start their sets deep in their own half and providing opportunities for his outside men will be vital to an Eels win.

Keep an eye on – Despite the Eels having a terrible year so far, Ryan Morgan has been solid all year. Keep an eye on how he performs in big games.

Dragons vs Raiders

Matchup – Bronson Harrison vs Josh Papalii. Harrison has worked his way back in to the starting line up and will come up against a young bloke who has had his first taste of Origin. Both are big boys but are very mobile so it will be great to watch as they look to get a yard or two on each other.

Key Player – Nathan Fien is the leader of this Dragons team. While there may be better players, Fiend is now in a position where has

Keep an eye on – Jack De Belin has been toiling away in the Dragons forward pack all year and will emerge as one of the best young forwards in the game soon enough.

Verdict – Who knows here. The Dragons upset favourites the Rabbitohs last week and could easily dispose of the Raiders this week. On the other hand, the Raiders could also do the same to the Dragons. I’m going to say the Dragons as they are at home and seem to have stumbled upon a sound 17.

Titans vs Rabbitohs

Matchup – Greg Bird vs Chris McQueen. This will be an Origin rematch for these two and given how competitive Greg Bird is I imagine he will pretty keen to do a job on McQueen and get some sort of revenge.

Key Player – Issac Luke will have to shoulder a lot of responsibility with Greg Inglis out injured. The Rabbitohs are a differe

Keep an eye on – Much was made of the age of many of the Titans older players but the now have many youngsters coming through getting a taste of first grade. Their whole backline consists of young guys who have are either established first graders or new on the block.

Verdict – The Titans pushed Manly last week and I’m picking them to go a step further this week. Titans <12

Warriors vs Storm

Matchup – Simon Mannerign vs Ryan Hoffman. Two guys who give their all each week but also add a bit more than just hard work. They run good lines and dominate on defence, should be a good ol ding dong battle.

Key players – The Warriors prop rotation. If these guys are able to gain good metres each set and put the Storm constantly on the back foot, the Warriors will win.

Keep an eye on – Dominique Peyroux’s involvement. He is consistently being named on the bench and offers Matt Elliot versatility. Recently he has come on for Konrad Hurrell but could come on anywhere he is needed.

Verdict – The Warriors generally have the wood on the Storm because they can dominate them physically. This Warriors team are probably more physical than in recent years so expect them to be victorious. Warriors <12

Sharks vs Panthers

Matchup – Jeff Robson vs Luke Walsh. Similar in stature and they both have similar roles. They will both be the foil to their 6’s who like to run the ball, so these two will have to provide good service and pinpoint kicking games.

Key player – Wade Graham re joins the starting 13 and will have to find the form he had before he side lined by injury pretty quickly. 

Keep an eye on – The return of Sika Manu. Manu has been injured in recent weeks while his Panther comrades have been doing very well. Will his return ensure improvements for the Panthers or possible hinder their progress?

Verdict – Early in the year when the ASADA investigation was in full flight, the Sharks performances on the field reflected what was happening off field. How will the fare now that the drama has remerged from the wilderness? I think they’ll still end up victorious year thanks to a near full strength line up. Sharks <12

Knights vs Roosters

Matchup – Akuila Uate vs Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. Not sure how many more times we’ll get to see these guys go up against each other, but enjoy it while it lasts. Powerful ball runners who are extremely light on their feet, it will be a pleasure to watch.

Key player – Sonny Bill Williams has the ability to throw the cat amongst the pigeons which will vital against a well organised Knights defence.

Keep an eye on – The impact Daniel Mortimer has. He has found a niche under Trent Robinson coming off the bench and will come on when the elderly Knights legs are a bit wary.

Verdict - The Knights are proving many people, myself included with their form this year. The Roosters will provide a different challenge though and will have too many attacking options as well as being able to grind it out with the Knights, which not too many teams have been able to do. Rooster <12

 Tigers vs Sea Eagles

Matchup – Chris Lawrence vs Steve Matai. Jamie Lyon should easily dispose of Blake Ayshford, but the battle between two fine footy players will be a great spectacle,

Key player - Matt Ballin doesn't get too much recognition, but has to provide quality ball and get Manly rumbling forward if they are to continue to improve leading in to the finals.

Keep an eye on – How Braith Anasta is used. He has been pretty quiet of late and must love not having the spotlight shined upon him like it was at the Roosters.

Verdict - Manly look like they are putting all the pieces together for a run in to the finals and I don't think the Tigers will be able to match them physically. Manly >12

Battlin' Boys

This team is comprised of those who battle away week in week out and don't get too many rewards. The term 'battler' doesn't mean that they're shit, it means that for whatever reason their talents and performances often aren't in highlight reels or on the tips of news readers tongues. While the idea is that they haven't/won't play rep footy, some have and are still battlin' away... shows what battlers they truly are, really.

Michael Gordon - Despite a few stellar years at Penrith, Gordon hasn't really been able to reach the same heights at Cronulla thanks largely to injury. He still gives a heap of effort each week and with the fullback position being full of show ponies, Gordon is a true battler.

Mitch Brown - The Bulldogs winger has had done pretty well on the end of a brutal backline. Brown may not have the razzle dazzle of his fellow Doggies, but is big and fast enabling the Dogs to score plenty of points down his flank.

Bryson Goodwin - Goodwin featured for the Kiwis a few years ago and after a career/life threatening injury scare, has shown some fine form for the Bunnies. Not blessed with the physical attributes of many of his team mates, Goodwin still gets the job done leaving defenders in his wake.

Ben Pomeroy - The veteran, Pomeroy has been battling away in the Shire for many years now. He has been made to look a fool many times, but still finds a way in to the Cronulla backline. This is because he is a beast. Having played some second row in his career, Pomeroy in no way shape or form lacks physicality and will be an asset in any team of battlers.

David Simmons - After being whacked by Frank the Tank Pritchard last year, Simmons has emerged as one of the games best wingers. A mainstay of the Penrith backline for a few years now, Simmons oozes battler. A wealth of skills, tall and quick, Simmons could be the excitement machine in the Battlin' Boys.

Jarrod Mullen - A victim of NSW's chopping and changing, Mullen is a quality half who hasn't been able to take his game to the next level with Newcastle. A booming kicking game and the best left to right pass in the game ensure that he will lead the Battler's to glory.

Luke Walsh - The definition of a battler really. A limited skill set but loves to run the ball and have a dig. Has a solid kicking game and can land the ball on a dime. Anyone remember when the Panthers were near the top of the table a year or two ago thanks to hundreds of tries from kicks? Yeah, well that's how the Battler's are gonna win.

Ben Ross - A simple no nonsense prop who will cart the ball up all day. Not too much to playing prop for the Battlers, just a heap of effort.

Nathan Friend - Friend gets the nod over Kevin Kingston thanks to the fact that he has being doing this shit for years. Consistently topping the tackle count as one of the smallest guys on the field is no mean feat and he adds a lot to the Warriors on attack, darting out of dummy half.

Bryce Gibbs - The joker has just made his way in to the Sharks starting line up and is off the same ilk as Ben Ross. Tough, gritty and funny.

Gavin Cooper - A change of teams can be a blessing. For Cooper, moving up to Townsville and playing alongside Jonathan Thurston has turned him in to one of the best hole running back rowers around. He has consistently been one of the Cowboys best players for the past 2-3 years and deserves a 'rep' jersey.

Clint Newton - Returning to the NRL has brought Newton back in to the frame. Offering experience and leadership by action within a young group at Penrith, Newton does everything you want from an older player. He doesn't lack anything in the athletic department either as he is big and strong along with mobility.

Shaun Fensom - Dreamteamers know all about Shaun Fensom. A tackling machine which is more of a niche amongst younger players, Fensom racks up 50+ tackles consistently. Could graduate from the Battler's at some stage and move on to higher honours.

The Bench

Ashton Sims - Tough and rugged, Ashton Sims doesn't take many prisoners. He's our enforcer despite playing a few tests for Fiji.

George Rose - Gorgeous George, how can we not include you?

Peter Wallace/Issac De Gois - Both are big time battler's. Depends if you want an extra hooker or someone who can fill in the halves. Either way your getting a battler.

Matt Prior - Has played prop, second row, lock, centre and even a bit of wing if my memory serves me correctly. How can you ignore that!? ... and he had the balls to elbow Jonathan Thurston in the face.

NRL Round 19

Tigers vs Warriors

Matchup -  The front row. Aaron Woods and Adam Blair vs Sam Rapira and Ben Matulino. These four are a part of the upper echelon of props in the NRL, will be a great battle.

Key Player -  Kevin Locke hasn't had many lows this year besides injury, but for the Warriors to win games against free flowing teams such as the Tigers, Locke has to shine.

Keep an eye on -  Suaso Sue. The young lock is big and powerful and is forming the foundation of a tough forward pack for the future.

Verdict -  Plenty has been made of the Benji Marshall factor, but the Warriors will be bursting at the seems to get their season on track following a tough loss against the Bunnies. Warriors >12

Raiders vs Eels 

Matchup -  Joel Thompson vs Willie Tonga. Two quality centres who are big and mobile.

Key player -  Matt Keating. The Eels have been vocal about their desire for a quality dummy half, so expect Keating to get the Eels going forward and have a big one.

Keep an eye on -  Anthony Milford gets another start at fullback. Keep a close eye on his progress throughout the rest of the season.

Verdict -  Hard to go past the Raiders here, but the Eels could easily upset Canberra if they show up to play. Raiders <12

Roosters vs Sharks 

Matchup -   Boyd Cordner  vs Jason Bukuya. Powerful ball runners who like a little whack in defence.

Key player -  Stewart Mills. Has had an up and down run in recent weeks, filling in at fullback and on the wing. He is named at centre this week, against an angry Michael Jennings. Tough life.

Keep an eye on -  Every time I see Tyrone Peachey play, he looks the goods. Not blessed with much size, he has skill and footwork on his side.

Verdict -  Bit of an Origin hangover game here. I'm picking the Sharks to get the Roosters in a grind with Todd Carney to lead them to victory. Sharks <12

Panthers vs Knights 

Matchup - Dean Whare vs Joey Leilua. Young, nimble and very strong, these two will provide great entertainment.

Key player - Akuila Uate offers the Knights a very dynamic attacking weapon. Look for him to get involved as much as he can.

Keep an eye on -  Former Warrior Jeremy Latimore getting a bench spot.

Verdict -The Knights will be too physical, too tough and too clinical out wide. Knights >12

Sea Eagles vs Titans 

Matchup - Quality young halves on display here.

Key player - Manly are a quality defensive team, so Dave Taylor will have to provide both go forward and a tough of the sublime.

Keep an eye on - Jordan Rankin getting a start at fullback.

Verdict -  Manly at Brooky, on a Sunday arvo? Manly >12

 Rabbitohs vs Dragons 

Matchup - Dylan Walker vs Matt Cooper. Youth vs experience. Walker is a star of the future and will battle it out with one of the best centres of recent times.

Key player - Nathan Merritt will have a lot more responsibility with Greg Inglis out injured. Whether he gets a start at fullback or not, expect Merritt to pop up everywhere.

Keep an eye on - Adam Quinlan getting a start at six. The Dragons are in desperate need of some youthful exuberance, which Quinlan could provide.

Verdict -  Rabbitohs, too much class >12

Origin 3 debrief

I heard on the radio today that this State of Origin series didn't live up to the hype. I consider this shitty New Zealand sports journo dumbness. This series was fantastic. It had everything you could ever ask for in a three match series. The injuries, momentum swings, off field drama and extremely tough but exciting football. Yes, there may not have been the amazing tries. But it was a true test of both mental and physical strength, on the highest stage. Queensland came out on top after being pushed very hard by a pretty good NSW team, which ensures that in the coming years, Origin will keep progressing.

My boys! #Queenslander pic.twitter.com/GcwDUJQUaf

— Billy Slater (@billyslater) July 17, 2013

Queensland won because they have the game's best players. It really is as simple as that. It also helps that these great players, along with the rest of the squad who all do their jobs are good friends and form a tight bond. When push comes to shove, when the game is on the line, having footy brains and cool heads such as Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Jonathan Thurston will win you games. While they didn't do anything amazing in the final moments, their mere presence would have been enough. To have been a part of the huddle under the posts after Trent Merrin scored would have been a lesson for all sports people. The team leaders would have relayed a message of staying calm, keeping it simple and reinforcing Queensland values. This is what wins you big games.

Captain @camsmith9 leaving the stadium last night with the #Origin shield #QLDER pic.twitter.com/TkqI4gVOnl

— Queensland Maroons (@Qld_Maroon) July 17, 2013

Like I said in my preview, despite the eight in a row factor, all these series have been close. This was no different. Queensland were outplayed for large periods of the game thanks to some dominant go forward from NSW. But somehow they hung on. They were being outmuscled and to an extent out foxed (NSW were their own worst enemy) but they displayed courage and superior effort to keep the damage done by NSW minimal. The defensive efforts when NSW would shift the ball wide, stripping Queensland of numbers only to be thwarted by Queenslanders rushing across from the inside, make Origin victories. 

How many times was aye aye yippee yippe aye sung tonight? How about... 8!!! #QLDER #Origin pic.twitter.com/NuwPMwy4UA

— Queensland Maroons (@Qld_Maroon) July 17, 2013

With the ball, Queensland didn't do much. Apart from the early stages of the game, Queensland didn't have any substantial periods of possession down the NSW end. They couldn't set up for sweeping passing movements across the field, but kept plugging away. They attacked down the right edge a lot more than the left. They scooted out of dummy half to gain easy metres. They rumbled in through the middle thanks largely to Matt Scott's performance. They kept it very simple. Whether or not this was intentional or not, it worked. 

Like I said, NSW were their own worst enemy. Dropped ball, daft penalties and pretty dumb all round play formed the foundations of their performance. NSW kept insisting on turning the ball back in to the middle with the likes of Andrew Fifita and James Tamou where four or five Queenslanders would be waiting. Every time NSW would attack an edge, they looked dangerous. But they attacked the edges not nearly enough. Each time they worked their way in to a strong attacking position, they would test an edge then come back in to the middle. I don't know why.  

NSW had all the momentum, all the possession and territory but found a new way to royally fuck it up each time. The amount of times, a pass intended for a centre or a winger would either hit the deck or be behind the bloke, cost NSW. Despite having plenty of time together, their attack seemed to be a tad disjointed. There wasn't much chemistry considering that both their play makers and Michael Jennings play together week in week out. Then throw in just plain stupidity. If Andrew Fifita ever reads this, could you please explain to me why you had to push Billy Slater while he was in the air...then stand over him like your the Terry of all tough nuts. If Fifita lets Slater land, then smashes him, Queensland start with possession basically on their goal line. Instead they get a penalty. They often say, only worry about what you can control. Well NSW didn't take care of what they could control very well.

Where to from here? I can't imagine much will change north of the border. Brent Tate might retire from rep footy. He'll likely be replaced by someone like Justin O'neil, Will Chambers or possibly Jharal Yow Yeh. So expect much of the same from Queensland next year. I even think that they will benefit from having a bit more size and power out wide...no disrespect to Tate who has done a superb job and was Man of the Match last night.  

For NSW, well who knows. The lack of domination by their halves is a worry. I'm not sure if they can afford to be loyal to Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney when Adam Reynolds and Josh Reynolds are playing their asses off each week. If Jarry Hayne was fit, I believe they would have won. So having him will help. The forward pack will remain the same depending on form, but I think they will benefit from this experience especially Fifita and be hungry again next year. 

Yes, I support an Australian state

New Zealand is a beautiful country. Home to amazing athletes who can do the spectacular, home to sportsmen and women who are willing to roll up their sleeves and just get the job done, gritty and tough, yet still able to do the sublime. But we are mediocre sports fans. While we may enjoy a night out at the footy, this tends to consist of sitting in your seat for 80 minutes, no chanting, no colour, no plethora of flags, no mass synchronisation resulting in a stadium which resembles a piece of art. No, we just like to sit there, shout the odd expletive and watch our chosen sport. So excuse me, if I support an Australian team in the biggest sporting event across the Tasman each year. We are deprived of the tribal nature that supporting a sports team can bring. So if I have to support a bunch of Aussies to get this fix, #guilty.

First of all lets look at some examples of what we're missing out on. I'll start with hockey. Can anyone relate hockey with amazing crowds and support? Maybe those familiar with hockey could. This would be limited to nations where hockey is huge and their teams are the best in the world, such as Netherlands or Germany.. not Malaysia.

Then there are the obvious examples, like football where stadiums are a blank canvas for fans to work their magic

While I have many intentions to experience sporting events like this, it is not possible right now. So the best I can do, is don the Maroon and get behind my team. Where in New Zealand would you see an entire section of a stadium covered in blue, green, yellow, red or salmon? No where. Never. That's just the way Kiwis are. But I want more.  I want to experience what it's really like to support a team. Many Kiwis seem to forget that supporting a sports team means you support them no matter what.  I can't get my sporting fix in New Zealand. It just doesn't happen. People try to start a chant and they're looked at like "who the fuck are these jokers?" Sometimes we get on board, but it takes a dramatic situation against the Motherland such as the cricket test against England at Eden Park, for Kiwis to get passionate and influence their team's performance.

The 'I am a New Zealander, why should I support an Australian state' argument is flawed. Why do you support an NBA, EPL, NFL or any other foreign team? Anyone who supports a foreign team is looking to be a part of something bigger. A tribe. A group of people with a common interest or goal. To provide their team with the best encouragement possible. Help them out when the chips are down.

I support an Australian state because nothing in New Zealand equals it. There is no sporting event in New Zealand half as good as State of Origin. I crave the adrenaline that supporting a team in such an important fixture provides. I'll never sky dive. I'll never bungy jump. I'm a soft cock perhaps. But my fix is given to me through supporting a team when the game is in the balance. The nerves I felt in the last 10 minutes when NSW were storming back in to the game, will be unmatched this year (unless the Kiwis go close to winning the World Cup later in the year). There are very few sporting events in New Zealand that can offer me this rush and most of them only come around every four years.

So yes, I support an Australian state. I do so because I crave what New Zealand simply can't offer. I crave something bigger. More exciting, with more pressure. Bigger crowds with colour and excitement. I crave being a part of big sporting events and I can't wait 'til I am wearing a Maroon jersey in either Sydney or Brisbane supporting Queensland whether they are winning or loosing. 

NRL Round 18

 Broncos vs Sharks

Matchup - Alex Glenn vs Jason Bukuya. Two powerfully built ball runners who can put on a bit of footwork as well. Will be a great battle.

Key player - Ben Hannant will need to lead this young Broncos pack in to a tough battle. Without their Origin workhorses, the responsibility will fall on Hannant's shoulders.

Keep an eye on - Corey Oates getting a start at centre. Oates was outstanding for the Broncos U20's a few weeks ago against the Warriors 20's. A second rower by trade, Oates replaces Justin Hodges and is an exciting prospect.

Verdict - Sharks <12. Despite being at Suncorp, the Sharks have a strong core of players who are willing to play tough footy. Throw in Todd Carney and the Sharks will be too good.

Eels vs Panthers

Matchup -Jake Mullaney vs Matt Moylan. Two very talented but young fullbacks with long NRL careers ahead of them.

Key player - Tim Mannah needs to keep his young group focussed on improvement. With chaos surrounding the Eels, Mannah has the ability to lead by example.

Keep an eye on - The return of Willie Tonga.

Verdict - Eels <12. The battle of the west will be an exciting contest. Somehow the Eels will win.

Bulldogs vs Storm

Matchup - Another pair of fullbacks, this time it's two from the far north. Ben Barba and Justin O'neil are both excitement machines, with a shared love for open pastures.

Key player - Sam Kasiano has shown how hard he is to tackle. With Aiden Tolman and James Graham extremely solid props, Kasiano will bend the line and provide a bit of x factor

Keep an eye on - Ben Hampton getting a start at halfback for the Storm. In his last outing, Hampton's potential was there for everyone to see. That was at fullback, how will he go with the seven on his back.

Verdict - Bulldogs >12. The Bulldogs are largely unaffected by Origin so expect them to put on a very entertaining display.

Cowboys vs Sea Eagles

Matchup - The centres. Antonio Winterstein/Kane Linnett vs Steve Matai/Jamie Lyon. Two very good young players vs two extremely good veterans.

Key player - Robert Lui has to shine for the Cowboys to revive their season. He has the ability but has to dominate games as all good halves should do.

Keep an eye on - A) Anthony Mitchell returning at hooker.

B) Jason Taumalolo getting a start. Haven't seen as much of this young gun as we would have liked. 

C) Peta Hiku starting at seven for Manly. Hiku featured in the halves for the junior Warriors, how will he do in first grade? 

Verdict - Manly >12. Heart wants the Cowboys to win, head says Manly have too much class across the board.

Decoding SBW and Benji

Two Kiwis are dominating the Sydney media as they decide their futures. Both Sonny Bill Williams and Benji Marshall are weighing up their options in two very different situations. One is at the height of his powers, while the other is struggling to regain the glory days.  It isn't quite on the Dwight Howard level, but it's pretty hard to understand what either SBW or Benji are going to do. We'll have a look in to their current situations and try decode the mystery surrounding their future.

Sonny Bill Williams has made it clear that he loves a good old one year deal. No one else in Australasian sport has the ability to do this but SBW's talents are that rare. Both rugby (the Chiefs and the All Blacks) and rugby league are in a PR battle to secure his signature. Every time you hear a headline 'SBW to play rugby' or something alike, be smart. Don't take it at face value. This is simply a ploy by the New Zealand rugby union to throw a little bit of mayhem in to the mix. The same can be said for the NRL and the Roosters. 

My approach is based simply around common sense. SBW did not sign a two year contract with the Roosters because that would mean that his boxing fights would fall under the salary cap. If he signs two, one year deals, his boxing bouts will fall in between the two contracts. Thus allowing him to best utilise his talents as well as a healthy pay check. This will enable him to play in the rugby league World Cup with the Kiwis, then return to the Roosters next season. Following this he will make his rugby comeback in a bid to win another world cup. Should all this fall in to place, we could witness one of the greatest athletes of all time just generally f&@k shit up. How can anyone complain with what he is/will doing/do. The critics were out in force before both his stint in rugby and his return to rugby league. He has shown rather clearly how wrong those critics were. 

No matter how hard the NRL try, I don't believe they will be able to keep SBW in league. Considering not only how successful he was in rugby but also how much fun he appeared to be having, being one of the boys at the Chiefs, he will want to go back and lead the All Blacks to another World Cup victory. He may even try his hands at sevens. He won't play for any team except for the Chiefs though. So don't expect to see him staying with either code for an extended period of time. Just be grateful that you got to witness such an athlete. 

Benji Marshall's situation is a bit more confusing however. Up until recent years, everything appeared honky dory at the Tigers. The constant drama of being a joint-venture club (Balmain/Wests) will always be present so we'll bypass that. Then came the departure of Tim Sheens along with many of the tight knit groups personalities in Beau Ryan, Chris Heighnington, Bryce Gibbs and Andrew Fifita.. all to the great Cronulla Sharks. This meant that the core of the team who were serious contenders for many years, was gone. They went from being knocking on the door of the upper echelon, to rebuilding. We saw what happened at the Celtics when the thought of a rebuilding phase become a reality. Doc Rivers, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett gapped the scene quicker than when you employed the five finger discount at the dairy in your hey-day. I'm not suggesting Marshall isn't willing to stick it out and rebuild, but it may greatly influence his decision.

The options for Marshall are: stay at the Tigers, or head to rugby. Either Europe, Japan or the Blues seem to be the go. He has stated that he would not be willing to play against the Tigers in the NRL, so we'll explore what it might take for him to stay. Mick Potter obviously wants Marshall to stay, despite causing a bit of a rift between him and his star when he dropped him to the bench. Potter has voiced this view openly in the media and having Marshall onboard will make his job a lot easier. The Tigers roster is what will sway Marshall. Despite their terrible start to this season, largely thanks to many injuries, the Tigers have a group of players who will excite Marshall. Not only in first grade at the moment, but also in the Under 20s. With Adam Blair's move from second row to prop, the Tigers have looked tougher and Blair has looked more comfortable. Throw in Robbie Farah, Liam Fulton, Braith Anasta, Aaron Woods Chris Lawrence and Blake Ayshford who are all established first graders along with James Tedesco, Curtis Sironen, David Nofoaluma, Ben Murdoch-Masila and Tim Simona who are rising stars and you have a pretty solid core group. 

The real sticking point for me however is the two young halves playing in the Under 20s. Luke Brooks has been touted as the next Joey Johns, while Mitchell Moses is the nephew of Tigers great Ben Elias and was named SG Ball player of the year last season. Both playmakers have been signed by the club for three years which shows what high regard they are held in. This will influence Marshall's decision because Brooks looks likely to be given a chance in first grade next year and could get the call up this year if the stars align. This would mean you have a very talented youngster who is a natural half (Curtis Sironen has always been destined for a move to the forwards) playing alongside Marshall. This should excite Marshall and could take him to the next level. Having two young stars will also mean that Marshall will have to compete for his spot. For too long, Marshall has lived off of his past performances which has meant he can coast around without any consequence. Competition should bring out the best in Marshall.

The other options ofcourse centre around rugby with the Blues being touted as a possible destination as well as the Waratahs. There is a very real possibility of Marshall heading to rugby union once you combine the financial factors along with the boost to his image. The lure of a Sevens gold medal will also be on his mind. I reckon that these constant rumours of a switch to rugby are only serving to drive the demand up in rugby league. If the NRL looses one of it's most marketable stars then shit could hit the fan. There are already discussions taking place in the media of ways to keep the game's superstars with ideas like a marquee player allowance being mooted. With so much drama inside the Tigers boardroom, I believe that Marshall's antics are only serving as a threat. As the momentum of a move to rugby grows, the NRL and the Tigers will do more to keep Marshall. He is merely driving his stock upwards.

NRL Round 17

Storm vs Broncos

Matchup - Brett Finch vs Scott Prince. Two veterans who can both play either a steady hand or have a large impact on the game.

Key player - Maurice Blair will have to do a job defending Justin Hodges, as most of the Broncos attack will come through him.

Keep an eye on - The impact Brett Finch has on proceedings. 

Verdict - Storm <12

Sharks vs Tigers

Matchup - Andrew Fifita vs Aaron Woods. NSW props and former Tigers team mates, these two will duel it out in the middle.

Key player - With Luke Lewis moving to centre, the Sharks

Keep an eye on - Bryce Gibbs making his return against former team.

Verdict - Sharks >12

Dragons vs Roosters

Matchup - Trent Merrin vs Boyd Cordner. Two unforgiving tough nuts who will play in the middle.

Key player - Tyson Frizell has been good all year on the edges, he'll have to make a big impact for the Dragons to have any potency on attack.

Keep an eye on - Charly Runciman getting a start in the centres. Big raps on this kid.

Verdict - Roosters >12

Titans vs Panthers

Matchup - Kevin Gordon vs James Roberts. Two speedsters who look exciting every time they get the ball.

Key player - Greg Bird will have to step up and get the Titans on the front foot, both with and without the ball. 

Keep an eye on - Jahrome Hughes and Hymel Hunt getting a start for the Titans.

Verdict - Titans <12

Raiders vs Cowboys

Matchup - Tariq Sims vs Josh Papali'i. Would not want to be any where near the collision between these two.

Key player - Matt Scott will need to lead this Cowboys pack against a big Raiders unit, away from home.

Keep an eye on - The form of Clint Greenshields. The fullback situation in Townsville is getting pretty confusing so watch for Greenshields to push his case.

Verdict - Cowboys <12

Bulldogs vs Knights

Matchup - Michael Ennis vs Danny Buderus. Two crafty dummy halves who don't take a backward step. Expect Ennis to try get under the skin of Buderus.

Key players - Robbie Rochow and Beau Scott have a big task ahead of them trying to limit the effects of Frank Pritchard and Tony Williams.

Keep an eye on - Josh Reynolds has to continue to give Laurie Daley a reason to pick him for game three.

Verdict - Bulldogs <12

Rabbitohs vs Warriors

Matchup - Adam Reynolds vs Shaun Johnson. Two exciting young halves who will have to dictate proceedings with their kicking games and get their big boys rolling forward.

Key player - Feleti Mateo has been a bit subdued recently which hasn't been an issue. If he is able to offload and provide some razzle dazzle, the Warriors could be unstoppable.

Keep an eye on - Dylan Walker. A very talented young man.

Verdict - Warriors <12. Will be like a home game with all the Kiwis in Perth.

Sea Eagles vs Eels

Matchup - Brett Stewart vs Jarryd Hayne. Two high class fullbacks who have a huge impact on their teams attack.

Key player - Glenn Stewart needs to continue to improve for the Sea Eagles to become serious contenders. What better time to push for NSW selection than against the lowly Eels.

Keep an eye on - Justin Horo coming up against the team that didn't want him

Verdict - Sea Eagles >12

Origin 2 debrief

It's been a week. The dust has settled, so let's look at how Origin 2 played out and why Queensland got the bacon.

It's been said many times over the past week how Queensland turned in a perfect 20 minutes at the start of the game. Their strategy seemed pretty simple in that opening stanza: give the ball to the right edge, Sam Thaiday most notably, and run as hard as you can at James Maloney. This not only occurred in the red zone as Thaiday crashed over for the first try but also in the Maroons own half as Thaiday lined Maloney up, which resulted in a strip.

Queensland were able to attack perceived weaknesses on both sides of the NSW defensive line. On their right, they ran traffic at Maloney, poking through the line, falling on their fronts, getting quick play the balls. As NSW adjusted, they attacked the right where Nathan Merritt was defending and ran in a few tries down his edge. Merritt has taken a lot of blame for these 'defensive lapses' but Laurie Daley came out after the game and accepted blame. Jonathan Thurston's passing game was pin point, as it always is when he is playing well. With Thurston running the ball, Billy Slater out the back and Greg Inglis on the outside one could be forgiven for rushing in to put pressure on. Merritt could have chilled on the side line and let Inglis and Slater run amuck on the inside or push in and force a mistake. Merritt chose the latter and came off second best.

As well as their play makers dictating the game by kicking early and long, backing their defensive pressure, Queensland found what I believe to be the perfect combination of playing personnel. The balance of the team is a lot closer to how it looked when Cooper Cronk came off the bench a few years ago. With Daly Cherry-Evans, Josh Papali'i, Ben Te'o and Matt Gillett coming off the bench, Queensland are injected with youthful exuberance, skill and mobility at various stages of the match. This is important as in game one, Queensland looked predictable. With this combination of players, they have all the bases covered with Te'o and Papali'i playing in the middle offering the muscle, Gillett coming on to an edge and DCE coming in to lock. Worthy of a mention here is Chris McQueen who has gone from Rabbitohs utility back, to Queensland second rower. He is a lot more mobile and athletic than Ash Harrison and allows Queensland a bit of luxury in their use of G.I.

For NSW, they (as I predicted) missed James Tamou. They missed his consistent go forward and muscle through the middle. Tamou and Andrew Fifita is a lot more potent than Aaron Woods and Fifita. This lack of go forward may have had something to do with the NSW halves kicking game. It's not that it wasn't up to par with Origin, it's just that it wasn't up to par with the kicking game of Queensland. I would imagine that Queensland will take note of this and ramp up their pressure on the NSW kickers in game three so Daley will have his work cut out for him to ensure that NSW have an equal share of the territory.  

NSW must take encouragement from the fact that they were still in the game for much of the 80 minutes. This is despite not having as much as possession as Queensland. They couldn't stack up many points as Queensland's defence was what you would expect and NSW seemed to lack potency on attack. Everything appeared a bit disjointed as they struggled to have the same impact as they did in game one. Despite having limited possession in the first half, they had ample opportunities to build their own pressure but lacked a killer instinct. One try could have flipped the script on the Maroons.

Now we are set for an absolute block buster in Sydney. Who knows which way it will go? We have seen both sides to each team in the two games so far so it's pretty hard to say with any conviction what will happen. No, scratch that. I'll tell you all what will happen in my preview in a couple of weeks. 

A true Hollywood story

If you don't know the saying; 'When South Sydney are doing good, the league is doing good' then you don't really know much about rugby league. Many years after being the head haunchos of the league, the Rabbitohs were the laughing stock. While there were many tough years after Russell Crowe bought the Bunnies, his vision along with the vision of many old heads is now becoming visible. 

When Crowe became co-owner of the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2006 with Peter Holmes a Court, he would have dreamt of the South's roster being fill with star power as well as the stadiums being fill with people. Despite many years near the bottom of the league, Crowe has been able to lure big name players to the club. This did not always have the desired affect as the club still struggled to find the right culture that the top teams such as the Melbourne Storm had.

With the arrival of three men, (along with the owners) Sam Burgess, Greg Inglis and Michale Maguire, the Bunnies are now the complete rugby league team. Gone are the days of sub par players and bad attitudes. They now possess one of the greatest teams of the modern era. Whether they are able to turn that in to championships remains to be seen but it is a joy to witness this. 

Sam Burgess's effect is seen both on the field and in the playing roster. On the field there a very few who are as capable, as Sam Burgess. A huge specimen who plays in the middle, Burgess has brought toughness in spades which is an important component of a winning formula. He is also a charming happy go lucky character who constantly represents the Rabbitohs in the media on the Footy Show etc. This can't be underestimated. Neither can the fact that he has brought his three brother with him. Luke and twins George and Tom Burgess have come in to the Australian rugby league environment and are well on their way to be a raving success. They are all huge human beings and to be able to lock in four brothers who all resemble a bulldozer is a great coup. 

The Rabbitohs have always had strong ties to the Indigenous community. In Greg Inglis, they have an exceptional role model for young Aboriginals (can't forget Nathan Merritt here) as well as a freakish athlete. Most importantly the have G.I. in his prime. At the Storm his athletic ability was undoubted, but at the Rabbitohs, a new mature Inglis has emerged. A leader. Now his athletic ability is matched by his leadership. This leadership has bought a sometimes fragmented group together. When players are pondering whether to make an extra effort and the see one of the best players ever doing everything he can to get a win, they will know which choice is best.

Lastly Mr Maguire. Michael Maguire has turned the Rabbitohs in to a tough, defence orientated team which allows their natural attacking ability to flow. Early on in his tenure, the old Rabbitohs mindset was still evident. They would play tough footy for 60 minutes and switch off for 20. Now, with some time to get used to and fully understand Maguire's coaching style, the Rabbitohs are capable of playing other teams out of the contest. Most importantly, the Rabbitohs appear to be having fun. They enjoy training together and enjoy the rewards that playing tough, uncompromising footy can bring.