Round 5 already? Doesn’t time fly when you’re having fun. Well maybe some Sharks fans aren’t feeling the time slip away as fast, but before we know it, it will be State of origin time in the heartland of rugby league – Melbourne.
Talking of the Origin whilst we’re at it, the prices announced for the origin games in Sydney and Brisbane beggar belief for a game which prides itself on being the man on the street’s game. Anything other than a sold out Suncorp Stadium will be a good indication of where the public are with watching rugby league live. Premum game or not.
Maybe they should give a game to New Zealand, lord knows that deserve it as much as Melbourne. Either that or keep a game between two state in the two states rotating the 2 games.
WHAT POSSIBLE THINGS DID WE LEARN FROM ROUND 4.
– South Sydney are not invincible, and do they miss John Sutton more than they realise. Also, the stoush between Sandow or Isaac Luke was good viewing.
– Despite all the negatives, golden point is a great way to finish games, with two games played on the weekend. It looks like it is here to stay, so we must put up with it, but does an NRL game really need to be decided by an extra time. We think no – but yes for all origins.
– Newcastle aren’t just early season smokies, they outplayed high flying Penrith, and looks the goods for a late season run if inujuries spare them the usual.
– Roosters v Canberra gave a good insight into either ends of the ladder come September, although the injury to Blake Ferguson is a concern, the Roosters are cruising. The Sharks – Titans match gave a very insight into dead last.
– Brisbane v NZ always produces great fixtures, and this time was no difference. Hopefully Channel 9 can bring themselves to give a few more sides a better go this year.
– NQ Cowboys are on the board with a win at the expense of Melbourn through some golden point magic from Johnathan Thurston.
WHAT DOING THIS WEEK?
It’s getting late, so we haven’t got any previews available, but our friends at Nothing But League have plenty of Rugby Lgue news and views. Join them for the best in League on the web. Including some Queensland Cup news.
We’ll still provide our best bets for this weekend’s round.
BULLDOGS +8.5 start v Souths
BRISBANE to win v Titans
CANBERRA +8.5 start v Manly
DRAGONS +8.5 start v Newcastle
ROOSTERS win by 13+ v Sharks
TIGERS +6.5 start v Parramatta
NZ +8.5 start v Melbourne
NQ +10.5 start v Penrith
$1 multi pays $38
STATS THAT SORT OF MATTER
| TRIES | TOTAL | GAMES | AVG | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 |
| RABBITOHS | 19 | 4 | 4.75 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
| PANTHERS | 17 | 4 | 4.25 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 3 |
| EELS | 18 | 4 | 4.5 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 5 |
| STORM | 15 | 4 | 3.75 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 3 |
| ROOSTERS | 18 | 4 | 4.5 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 6 |
| BULLDOGS | 16 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 4 |
| NZ | 14 | 4 | 3.5 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
| BRONCOS | 15 | 4 | 3.75 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 4 |
| KNIGHTS | 14 | 4 | 3.5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| SEA EAGLES | 10 | 4 | 2.5 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| TIGERS | 12 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| CANBERRA | 9 | 4 | 2.25 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| COWBOYS | 10 | 4 | 2.5 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 3 |
| TITANS | 10 | 4 | 2.5 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| SHARKS | 9 | 4 | 2.25 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| DRAGONS | 7 | 4 | 1.75 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 |
| PENS FOR | TOTAL | GAMES | AVG | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 |
| SHARKS | 43 | 4 | 10.75 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 10 |
| DRAGONS | 37 | 4 | 9.25 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 8 |
| PANTHERS | 33 | 4 | 8.25 | 9 | 11 | 8 | 5 |
| TITANS | 31 | 4 | 7.75 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 6 |
| TIGERS | 33 | 4 | 8.25 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 |
| COWBOYS | 28 | 4 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 3 | 5 |
| BULLDOGS | 32 | 4 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 5 | 9 |
| SEA EAGLES | 26 | 4 | 6.5 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 4 |
| BRONCOS | 27 | 4 | 6.75 | 10 | 6 | 6 | 5 |
| STORM | 26 | 4 | 6.5 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 4 |
| NZ | 27 | 4 | 6.75 | 10 | 4 | 8 | 5 |
| RABBITOHS | 28 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 4 | 6 | 7 |
| KNIGHTS | 32 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 11 |
| CANBERRA | 26 | 4 | 6.5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 |
| EELS | 26 | 4 | 6.5 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 9 |
| ROOSTERS | 17 | 4 | 4.25 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| PENS AGIN | TOTAL | GAMES | AVG | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 |
| STORM | 35 | 4 | 8.75 | 9 | 8 | 13 | 5 |
| KNIGHTS | 33 | 4 | 8.25 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 5 |
| TIGERS | 35 | 4 | 8.75 | 10 | 10 | 6 | 9 |
| TITANS | 36 | 4 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 7 | 10 |
| EELS | 33 | 4 | 8.25 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 |
| BRONCOS | 30 | 4 | 7.5 | 11 | 11 | 3 | 5 |
| RABBITOHS | 32 | 4 | 8 | 10 | 4 | 9 | 9 |
| CANBERRA | 29 | 4 | 7.25 | 9 | 4 | 10 | 6 |
| DRAGONS | 26 | 4 | 6.5 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 4 |
| ROOSTERS | 29 | 4 | 7.25 | 10 | 4 | 8 | 7 |
| PANTHERS | 32 | 4 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 11 |
| SEA EAGLES | 28 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 8 |
| NZ | 25 | 4 | 6.25 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 5 |
| SHARKS | 25 | 4 | 6.25 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 |
| BULLDOGS | 26 | 4 | 6.5 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 8 |
| COWBOYS | 18 | 4 | 4.5 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 4 |
| LINE BREAKS | TOTAL | GAMES | AVG | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 |
| NZ | 21 | 4 | 5.25 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 3 |
| STORM | 21 | 4 | 5.25 | 1 | 7 | 10 | 3 |
| ROOSTERS | 24 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 6 |
| RABBITOHS | 20 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 3 |
| KNIGHTS | 22 | 4 | 5.5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 |
| PANTHERS | 22 | 4 | 5.5 | 4 | 8 | 4 | 6 |
| BULLDOGS | 21 | 4 | 5.25 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 6 |
| CANBERRA | 18 | 4 | 4.5 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 3 |
| EELS | 18 | 4 | 4.5 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 4 |
| BRONCOS | 15 | 4 | 3.75 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 3 |
| SEA EAGLES | 11 | 4 | 2.75 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| SHARKS | 12 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| DRAGONS | 12 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 3 |
| TIGERS | 11 | 4 | 2.75 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 2 |
| COWBOYS | 13 | 4 | 3.25 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 5 |
| TITANS | 9 | 4 | 2.25 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| RUN METRES | TOTAL | GAMES | AVG | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 |
| NZ | 6080 | 4 | 1520 | 1513 | 1608 | 1547 | 1412 |
| DRAGONS | 6272 | 4 | 1568 | 1481 | 1389 | 1630 | 1772 |
| RABBITOHS | 5375 | 4 | 1343.75 | 1394 | 1448 | 1537 | 996 |
| KNIGHTS | 5612 | 4 | 1403 | 1523 | 1328 | 1450 | 1311 |
| STORM | 5568 | 4 | 1392 | 1333 | 1515 | 1381 | 1339 |
| COWBOYS | 6110 | 4 | 1527.5 | 1386 | 1468 | 1362 | 1894 |
| TIGERS | 5804 | 4 | 1451 | 1277 | 1539 | 1365 | 1623 |
| PANTHERS | 5573 | 4 | 1393.25 | 1317 | 1531 | 1307 | 1418 |
| SHARKS | 5616 | 4 | 1404 | 1362 | 1513 | 1273 | 1468 |
| BULLDOGS | 5714 | 4 | 1428.5 | 1391 | 1379 | 1347 | 1597 |
| ROOSTERS | 5567 | 4 | 1391.75 | 1296 | 1374 | 1443 | 1454 |
| CANBERRA | 5314 | 4 | 1328.5 | 1220 | 1360 | 1503 | 1231 |
| BRONCOS | 5245 | 4 | 1311.25 | 949 | 1319 | 1556 | 1421 |
| EELS | 5001 | 4 | 1250.25 | 1163 | 1247 | 1250 | 1341 |
| SEA EAGLES | 4828 | 4 | 1207 | 987 | 1262 | 1338 | 1241 |
| TITANS | 4670 | 4 | 1167.5 | 1258 | 986 | 1148 | 1278 |
| MISSED TACKLES | TOTAL | GAMES | AVG | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 |
| TITANS | 131 | 4 | 32.75 | 18 | 47 | 36 | 30 |
| COWBOYS | 109 | 4 | 27.25 | 29 | 22 | 47 | 11 |
| PANTHERS | 144 | 4 | 36 | 41 | 25 | 31 | 47 |
| ROOSTERS | 117 | 4 | 29.25 | 30 | 41 | 20 | 26 |
| SHARKS | 116 | 4 | 29 | 24 | 27 | 35 | 30 |
| KNIGHTS | 126 | 4 | 31.5 | 43 | 25 | 14 | 44 |
| EELS | 112 | 4 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 30 |
| CANBERRA | 108 | 4 | 27 | 23 | 18 | 37 | 30 |
| SEA EAGLES | 102 | 4 | 25.5 | 25 | 33 | 16 | 28 |
| BRONCOS | 93 | 4 | 23.25 | 26 | 28 | 20 | 19 |
| STORM | 98 | 4 | 24.5 | 20 | 14 | 32 | 32 |
| NZ | 92 | 4 | 23 | 30 | 22 | 13 | 27 |
| TIGERS | 94 | 4 | 23.5 | 21 | 24 | 20 | 29 |
| RABBITOHS | 82 | 4 | 20.5 | 13 | 33 | 16 | 20 |
| DRAGONS | 76 | 4 | 19 | 17 | 13 | 32 | 14 |
| BULLDOGS | 82 | 4 | 20.5 | 30 | 13 | 14 | 25 |
| ERRORS | TOTAL | GAMES | AVG | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 |
| TITANS | 69 | 4 | 17.25 | 10 | 18 | 11 | 30 |
| COWBOYS | 50 | 4 | 12.5 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 11 |
| PANTHERS | 86 | 4 | 21.5 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 47 |
| SHARKS | 67 | 4 | 16.75 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 30 |
| RABBITOHS | 57 | 4 | 14.25 | 12 | 9 | 16 | 20 |
| NZ | 63 | 4 | 15.75 | 16 | 15 | 5 | 27 |
| BRONCOS | 54 | 4 | 13.5 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 19 |
| DRAGONS | 48 | 4 | 12 | 5 | 18 | 11 | 14 |
| TIGERS | 62 | 4 | 15.5 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 29 |
| EELS | 62 | 4 | 15.5 | 13 | 13 | 6 | 30 |
| CANBERRA | 62 | 4 | 15.5 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 30 |
| BULLDOGS | 57 | 4 | 14.25 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 25 |
| ROOSTERS | 58 | 4 | 14.5 | 16 | 5 | 11 | 26 |
| KNIGHTS | 74 | 4 | 18.5 | 13 | 11 | 6 | 44 |
| SEA EAGLES | 57 | 4 | 14.25 | 7 | 8 | 14 | 28 |
| STORM | 58 | 4 | 14.5 | 11 | 10 | 5 | 32 |
| MATCH STATS | HOME | AWAY | TOP 8 | BOTTOM 8 | LEAD 1/2 | BEH 1/2 | DRAW 1/2 |
| BRONCOS | 50% | 100% | 67% | 100% | 100% | 0% | |
| BULLDOGS | 100% | 67% | 50% | 100% | 100% | 0% | 100% |
| CANBERRA | 0% | 50% | 0% | 33% | 50% | 0% | 0% |
| COWBOYS | 33% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 50% | 0% | |
| DRAGONS | 50% | 50% | 0% | 67% | 100% | 33% | |
| EELS | 100% | 0% | 50% | 100% | 0% | ||
| KNIGHTS | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |
| NZ | 50% | 50% | 50% | 50% | 50% | 0% | 100% |
| PANTHERS | 100% | 0% | 33% | 100% | 100% | 0% | |
| RABBITOHS | 100% | 50% | 75% | 100% | 50% | 100% | |
| ROOSTERS | 100% | 50% | 67% | 100% | 75% | ||
| SEA EAGLES | 50% | 0% | 50% | 0% | 100% | 0% | |
| SHARKS | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | |
| STORM | 100% | 33% | 0% | 67% | 100% | 0% | |
| TIGERS | 50% | 50% | 0% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 0% |
| TITANS | 0% | 50% | 0% | 50% | 0% | 33% |
