Round 4 kicks off with the worst possible news – Semi Radradra threatening to move to Rugby Union in relation to Origin availability. Say it ain’t so Semi, and to go to Rugby Union? That’s just rubbing your absence in. Surely cooler heads, and beards will prevail. Sure we don’t want the premium rugby league games of the year diluted, but we also don’t want our best stars heading to the collar up 15 man game. And you only have to look at the back catalogue of foreign born players who have graced origin – Uate, Lam, Tamou just to name a few – to see that it has been done in the past. But if we let in Semi just because he is tremendously entertaining for fans and commentators where does it stop. Arguments either way, we just want Semi to stay in League. Although if they do open up the borders for Origin, I hope Queensland send out the call for PNG’s Willie Minoga.
Away from Semi news, there’s a whole Easter weekend of NRL, including two blockbusters on Good Friday, making it a rather excellent Friday. Plus a triple treat on Monday to allow a day of Easter sloth before trudging back to work.
Here’s our brief game by game thoughts.
FRIDAY – SOUTHS v BULLDOGS
A clash which is starting to grow as a great Good Friday tradition, and last year’s game had enough action and incident to fill the entire round by itself. Hopefully there’s a little less controversy this time around. Hopefully too, that Souths aren’t behind by two points in the dying minutes and they look for another field goal. Whilst mistakes happen, it is hard to think that a score could be forgotten since there was no change for 50 minutes. Thankfully Sam Burgess’ injury isn’t as bad as it looked. Based on their performances without him last season, he needs to be back ASAP.
GURGLER TIPS – Either side to win by less than 12.5 points
FRIDAY – BRONCOS v COWBOYS
A real premium fixtures and a great way to make a Good Friday great. Having played in what was widely acknowledged as the greatest Grand Final of al time, expectations will be high again. Nothing suggests that it won’t be with both sides starting the season well, despite chalking up one shock loss in their first three games. So much to look forward to, and with all the pubs shut it should be a full house at Lang Park.
GURGLER TIPS – BRONCOS to lead at Half Time
SATURDAY – CANBERRA V GOLD COAST
Canberra will wonder how they didn’t win their game in Newcastle, although it is hard to argue that a draw wasn’t a fair result. Gold Coast shocked Wests tigers and TV viewers who gave up on the game last weekend with a huge come from behind win. The Gold Coast do tend to go better in the first half of they year, and you just never know when Ricky Stuart aka Carlos Smearson aka Angry Any will blow up and lose it for all. We say this week.
GURGLER TIPS – GOLD COAST +8.5 start
SATURDAY – ROOSTERS v MANLY
Many league fans were hoping that both these sides were heading into Week 4 on zero wins, but Manly spoilt their fun by beating the Sharks on Monday night. The Roosters could barely have started the season worse, and are every chance of being 0-4 to start 2016. Although the Cowboys turned that around last year, it is hard to see the Rosoters doing so, or making the Top 4 at this stage.
GURGLER TIPS – MANLY -1.5 start
SUNDAY – DRAGONS v PENRITH
Penrith finally opened their 2016 account, and with a much better side after some tweaking of the line up to allow Te Maire Martin to play for the Panthers instead of the tried and true halves of Soward and Wallace. Wallace has been a revelation at hooker, and whilst there are injuries and even if they are not, should stay there. Dragons did well to limit Souths on Sunday, and another dour struggle lies ahead. What a surprise though, that the Channel 9 decided Sunday afternoon game in being played in Sydney. Obviously Rabs doesn’t like to travel with just about every game being played in Sydney..
GURGLER TIPS – PENRITH +6.5 start
SUPER MONDAY 1 – NZ WARRIORS v NEWCASTLE
How on earth is a team like the NZ Warriors, who have lost 10+ in a row, starting as such a short price favourite. Maybe it is because the Knights are the worst team in the competition. And after the attempts at field goal – one of which hit the arse of their own player – it’s hard to argue. But at least Newcastle are playing with one of the most youthful and inexperienced sides in recent years. The NZ warriors with their stars and the return of Shaun Johnson, and recruited RVS ad Isaac Luke have no such excuse. One to watch and not to bet.
GURGLER TIPS – No tip – too hard.
SUPER MONDAY 2 – WESTS TIGERS v PARRARADRA
So, Parramatta finally worked it out, give Semi Radradra the bloody ball, and he is amongst the highlights of the game with a bag O try. Wests Tigers have looked good for all their wins this season, but can they contain Semi, who is keen to impress rugby suitors, apparently.
GURGLER TIPS – SEMI RADRADRA to score anytime
SUPER MONDAY 3 – SHARKS v MELBOURNE
What a way to end the big week.. It probably won’t be a great game, and I can foresee a low scoring dour affair. Or it’s 11pm and I just can’t be arsed writing any more. But that’s lazy, and this really is a sleep for game of the round with two sides that look capable of Top 4.
GURGLER TIPS – SHARKS to win
GURGLER SUPER MULTI
Either side to win by less than 12.5 points
BRONCOS to lead at Half Time
GOLD COAST +8.5 start
MANLY -1.5 start
PENRITH +6.5 start
SEMI RADRADRA to score anytime
SHARKS to win
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