Let’s get it on because we don’t get along

Well the people who said the first game was boring (not that I agreed with them) aren’t saying that anymore. A few scattered thoughts from this one.

• There were an inordinate amount of 50/50 calls with both sides copping a few. Queensland seemed to cop most of it, the GI no try call being the most obvious, but the NSW forward pass, the Morris try and every time Aaron Woods carted the ball up and was stripped/dropped it (depending if you see through Maroon or Blue glasses) were some of the others. In the end (disclosure – I see through Maroon glasses), NSW deserved the win and Queensland’s goal line defence just wasn’t good enough to win. They will tell you that themselves I’m sure.
• GI played himself back into form. He was immense. I’ve watched him a lot lately and I am convinced he has been carrying a lower leg or knee injury for the first half of the season. Just didn’t look like GI until this game. He might be still on the mend as he shelved the goanna celebration.
• The NSW forward pack were unstoppable throughout. Gallen et al really owned the middle third.
• The League of Extraordinary Gentleman is totally unconvinced with DCE. The League hypothesises that DCE’s reputation has been bolstered by the presence of Kieran Foran and I must say the case is building against DCE. He wasn’t totally convincing on Wednesday night and his form has been inconsistent this year. I’m not writing him off yet at this level but the jury is still well and truly out.
• Loving these Cam Inman pieces (here and here) on State of Origin from an American perspective. Cam Inman is a Bay area journalist who covers the San Fransico 49ers. He has been writing some stuff on Jarryd Hayne as well. It is a symbiotic kind of thing. I always enjoy a bit of cross-pollination.

What is sweeter than Jelly Bread?

• The Dubs. NBA Champions. Nice.
• The PNG Hunters. I have a massive soft spot for these guys (as regular readers of TGOS will know). Big crowd at the new stadium at Port Moresby (circa 15,000) and winning their way towards the top of the ladder. I am hoping that they can hold it together financially but on the field they are doing everything they can.  

Bill James Award 

For the statistically superior NRL human being.

Martin Taupau – Tries – 2, Run Metres – 126m, Try Assists – 0, Tackle Breaks – 11, Tackles – 22, Offloads – 1, Line Breaks – 2, Line Break Assists – 0, Errors – 0, Penalties Conceded – 1 and Distance Alex Johnston landed after being shunted by Marty ‘Kapow’ Taupau – 100m.

NRL Tips Round 15

Sea Eagles vs Tigers – Sea Eagles (It has been an abysmal season for the Eags this year but slowly getting their side back on the park. Tigers will miss Robbie Farah but were unstoppable against Souths. I’m counting on the Brookie factor tonight)

Raiders vs Cowboys – Cowboys (Raiders are attacking savants, are playing at home (where it is a million degrees below zero) and the Cows are full of Origin players backing up but the Cows have forgotten how to lose. Paul Green is the right level of intense too so there’s that)

Titans vs Warriors – Titans (Just drinking the Titans Kool Aid at the moment. They are growing in confidence. Warriors are still a week to week proposition. Next year might be a different story for them)

Bulldogs vs Panthers – Bulldogs (This will be an interesting match and should be close. See the Bulldogs gutting this one out)

Knights vs Sharks – Knights (The Knights have been diabolical of late but Sharks are away from home and missing Gal by all accounts so the Knights should have enough. They are getting some key players back too)

Storm vs Broncos – Broncos (Storm missing Billy and Cooper and some or all of the Origin players for both sides will or won’t back up depending on last minute calls but Broncos (like the Cows) keep finding a way to win. It’s a Bennett thing)

Dragons vs Roosters – Roosters (This will be a defensive bash-a-thon with the odd line break. Figure the Roosters will avenge their round 8 loss)

Last week

1/4

Season so far

62/103

Current Position

6,167 of 216,449

NRL Fantasy Round 15

Trades

James Segeyaro (Panthers) for Nathan Peats (Eels) – To get my playing numbers up closer to 17 after Peats’ injury (plus he is on a bye this week). Plus Segeyaro is averaging more.

Starting Team

James Segeyaro (Panthers), Martin Taupau (Tigers), Sam Lisone (Warriors), Shaun Fensom (Raiders), Tohu Harris (Storm), Ethan Lowe (Cowboys), Mitch Moses (Tigers), Shaun Johnson (Warriors), Jack Bird (Sharks), Iosia Soliola (Raiders), Euan Aitken (Dragons), Edrick Lee (Raiders) and Lachlan Coote (Cowboys)

Bench

Dene Halatau (Tigers), Jackson Hastings (Roosters), Solomone Kata (Warriors) and Mitchell Aubusson (Roosters)

Balance of the squad

Kierran Moseley (Titans), Richard Fa’aoso (Eels), George Burgess (Rabbitohs), Chris Grevsmuhl (Rabbitohs), Manu Ma’u (Eels), John Sutton (Rabbitohs), Semi Radradra (Eels) and Delouise Hoeter (Tigers)

Round 14 Score

681

Current Points

11,047

Current Position

2,711 of 113,037

Stay Tuned

Stay tuned for the next exciting episode on Friday, 26 June 2015 titled ‘7 things the NBL must do to rule the Universe’