Three rounds to go, and another edition of Kick to Come.
The announcement last week of the NRL TV deal makes a lot of sense now, given the bonanza AFL deal announced this week, the NRL had to get something out before then.
The NRL can only hope for those kind of numbers, and without a few new teams, a decent fair draw (has been promised but we’ll see), removal of the tedious play the ball wrestling, and finding some consistency in the rules making and enforcing. The way the shoulder charge has been handled of late is deplorable, but in line with the NRL’s previous efforts. For all the good of the NRL TV deal, if the running of the day to day and games aren’t improved, it’ll be a dud product. Still better than rugby union, but still a dud.
Anyway that’s way too far in the future to care about right now, let’s run the rule over this week’s action.
THURSDAY – 7:45pm-ish
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA V PENRITH
Woolongong get their taste of NRL football this weekend as Penrith come to town. Penrith beat busted arse NZ last weekend, whilst the Dragons looked busted arse against the Broncos. Benji Marshall’s absence could explain some of that, and that excuse will be invalid this week as he is playing. Why the backup halfback was left on the bench until the loss was guaranteed is hard to figure.
GURGLER MULTI TIP: PENRITH +10.5 start
FRIDAY – 7:45pm-ish
SOUTH SYDNEY v BULLDOGS
A home game for both sides and a return to the scene of ugliness earlier in the season. That game ended in arguments, one good enough to send Bulldogs to the sin bin, bottle throwing, punching of Souths fan which has since earned a ten year ban for one fan, and somehow a Souths win despite being outplayed throughout. Hopefully everyone plays nicely this time.
GURGLER MULTI TIP: SOUTHS to win
SATURDAY – 3:00pm
CRONULLA SHARKS V WESTS TIGERS
If Mick Fanning had of encountered the Sharks from Monday Night he may have not even left the water, but it was against a bogey side in Melbourne who had to get cabs to the game after team bus broke down. The Sharks face another bogey side this weekend in the Wests Tigers who have a very good record against the Sharks. A loss could see them looking down towards 8th instead of being within reach of fourth.
GURGLER MULTI TIP: WESTS TIGERS to win
SATURDAY – 5:30pm
NEW ZEALAND v NORTH QLD COWBOYS
Both of these teams are on a late season slide – NZ at least have an excuse – they are missing their star playmaker Shaun Johnson. Cowboys are at full strength but are not quite firing at the moment. That Top 4 spot they need to reduce a controversial finals exit in Sydney is starting to look less certain than it did a few weeks ago.
GURGLER MULTI TIP: NZ +16.5 start
SATURDAY – 7:30pm
ROOSTERS v BRONCOS
You have to wonder that with Channel 9 insistence of having the Broncos on as many Friday nights as they can, how this blockbuster was deemed not good enough for FTA selections. Channel 9’s loss is everyone else’s gain, as the no ad break coverage of Fox Sports, and the lack of Channel 9 will make a better night for all. Some key match up are on offer too. In addition to Round Two of the Thaiday-JWH battle from earlier in the season, there is RTS v Boyd, Hodges v Jennings, and the future of origin Ben Hunt v the past of origin Mitchell Pearce. Can’t wait for this one.
GURGLER MULTI TIP: ROOSTERS to win
SUNDAY – 2:00pm
GOLD COAST V CANBERRA
One for the fans this game. Canberra will at least be happy to be somewhere that doesn’t have minus Four degree starts to the day, and given their home record in 2015, anywhere is better. Gold Coast weren’t too bad last weekend against the Bulldogs, surely their many fan deserve something to cheer about.
GURGLER MULTI TIPS: GC +8.5 start
SUNDAY – 4:00pm-ish
MANLY v PARRAMATTA
Manly continue their charge to the finals, and will be one to worry the other teams if the current form remains. Probably lucky to Canberra last weekend though. For Parramatta it’s all about Semi Radradra at this point. He is the only interesting thing that happens in a Parra game, and is well worth the effort put in to watch an Eels game. And don’t the commentators love saying his name. Who doesn’t.
GURGLER MULTI TIP: Manly to win.
MONDAY – 7:00pm
Hopefully a more upbeat experience for all than the last time this game was played in Melbourne, and hopes that 60 minutes aren’t there for the follow up. Highly unlikely given Channel 9’s reluctance to show them on FTA, although giving the constant wrestling in the play the ball who can blame them.
GURGLER MULTI TIP: MONDAY NIGHT KINGS (Melbourne) to beat Newcastle Knights
SUPER GURGLER NRL MULTI for all 8 legs above:
$74 from $1 spent.
