The Gurgler has our weekly preview of NRL Round 23 – the Kick to Come – which has our thoughts about rugby league this weekend in the NRL.
After a round of upsets and loads O Hayne last weekend, NRL Round 23 has a lot to live up to.
Below are the five things we’re looking out for this weekend for NRL Round 23.
PARRAMATTA COULD GIVE THE BRONCOS SOME LESSONS
If it wasn’t for the well deserved (and possibly more) points reduction the Parramatta Eels would be on equal points as the Broncos heading into this game.
But the Eels are a world away, 12 points and in 13th, the Broncos are 6th. The Broncos look likely to make the eight, whereas Parramatta are effectively out of the finals race, which can be confirmed this weekend if they lose.
Parramatta, however are a world away in a different facet.
Given all the off field turmoil this season, which has left them down two overpriced marquee signings, down several key players like Semi Radradra and Corey Norman in addition to the points deduction the Eels team spirit and performance has been magnificent.
Any other team would have packed their bags for Mad Monday ages ago. The Eels have put in every week, and last weekend against Manly was the epitome of their on field season. There’s been no excuses, just got on with things and wins.
The Broncos meanwhile have been poor of late with State of Origin the main excuse. One could also use the drop in form of Anthony Milford and / or Ben Hunt. Also there’s the inexperienced bench, or the fact that they have had to play on a night not Friday. Plenty of excuses, but surely the Broncos teams they had on the field over the last few months is better than Parramatta’s on paper. Brisbane only have victories over a poor Souths and piss boring Dragons to show for their last two months. If they put in every game like the Eels they’ll be a good shot at staying in the top 8. As it is they are on the slide out of the eight with their current form and the improving teams below them.
WILL THE HAYNE CAM RETURN?
Fox Sports ramped up the Hayne love last weekend with a dedicated camera all focused on the Hayne Plane.
Whilst it was fascinating when he was on the park, the 20 minutes+ of bench was a reasonably large slice of overkill. We hope it all calms down soon.
WAS LAST WEEKEND THE LOSS THE SHARKS “HAD TO HAVE” OR THE START OF THE ROT?
Like Boom Rookie and Origin Bolter earlier in the season, the cliché of “the loss you have to have” gets a healthy run at this time of the year.
Canberra’s convincing win may well have been coming for the Sharks – a preview was on show the previous week in the draw with Gold Coast – but another win may be a temporary loss of form at the most inconvenient time of the year. Those who have been advising against the Sharks being a “real deal” have their I Told You So’s ready.
If the Sharks can’t get up for a local derby, and beat a side who were very ordinary last weekend, then they will move from Real Deal to Finals Also ran quickly. As it is, the loss last weekend may have cost them the minor premiership.
MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL IS ANOTHER GEM
With Channel Nein picking their TV Games based on geography rather than performance, Fox Sports gets another leg up this weekend with the game of the round on Monday night.
Canberra 3rd take on competition leaders Melbourne in a game that looks very interesting. Canberra are a mathematic chance of making the top 2, but they can cause damage in consecutive weeks to the current top two and consolidate their top 4 position. Melbourne are Melbourne and just seem to win football games.
All for the Fox Sports fans though, as Canberra is the no go zone for the commercial network.
FIFTH AND LAST – F.U. FOR CHANNEL NEIN FOR NO HAYNE
Plenty of bitching about Channel Nein this week, but their refusal to show the Gold Coast Titans has come back to bite them on the arse.
I’m sure the folk at Nein would love to be going large on the return of Hayne, but their usual programming as highlighted above has now exempted them from showing any of the Titans games.
But they don’t deserve to be sharing in the Hayne spoils. I mean they can’t even find room for the Shire derby this weekend. So if they aren’t willing to budge from their current ways, they’ll eventually pay the price like this year where all their favourites including teams like Roosters, Parra, Manly, and Broncos are playing awful and most of them are unlikely to make the too 8.
