Daniel's Round 2 Preview
What a round we had lst week, there were upsets, there were thrashings and there were the good old hard fought, blood stained slogs.
What does the round 2 have for us I hear you ask, well I didn’t hear you I ask but let’s not get side tracked.
Game 1: Cowboys vs Bulldogs
A huge home crowd after a dramatic final series for the cowboys will surely the rev the bumpkin team up. They have beaten the doggies before and I wouldn’t write them off yet.
However arguably the form team of the opening round, the Bulldogs should get home easily and cement their spot as the team to beat.
Daniel's Tip: Bulldogs by 12 +
<hr>
Game 2: Raiders vs Knights
The Raiders have been widely tipped as a spoon contender. They had an opening round bye and trial form is often not indicative of a sides metal and quality so they are the only real unknown entity of this round.
They surprised a few in their trials and with the Knights looking like the contenders for the spoon the Raiders may sneak away with a win.
The knights have a forward pack better suited to bridge or knitting and even with the likes of Johns and Gidley in their line up, they just don’t have the go forward.
Hardest game of the round to pick.
Daniel's Tip: Raiders in a tight one
<hr>
Game 3: Dragons vs Storm
This has the potential to be a blockbuster of a game. The Storm was nothing short of brilliant last weekend and they should continue the high into this match.
Saints however always have the ability to surprise and I wouldn’t write them off without having a good hard think.
If I were a betting man I would back the Storm for a top 4 finish on last weeks form, you may not pocket much but its a safe bet if Slater stays around and Orford continues to fire.
Daniel's Tip: Storm by 10+
<hr>
Game 4: Bronco's vs Warriors
Some of you may have heard me talk down the broncos as fakers this year. However round one showed that you can not afford to underestimate lockyer, the guy is a great player and any team with him in it is a good team.
Their forwards still seemed to pack a punch even if they are ageing. Their outside backs did their job and did it well but can they stand up to the power of the warriors and can they literally keep the blood out of their eyes when they match up against the Power house warriors.
There is no doubt that the Warriors are going from pretenders to contenders this year, however they need to prove it soon or their supporters will drop off. They have something to prove and this week I think they will prove it and give the broncos a drubbing.
Daniel's Tip: Warriors by 15+
<hr>
Game 5: Sea Eagles vs The Sharks
Go You Mighty Eagles!!!
The Sharks had a great game last week and showed that they have worked hard in the off season and are on their way up despite what many thought from the end of last year.
They put away the Panthers in a display of quality football.
However they suffered a massive blow this week when they lost the little garden gnome and the nuthead, this added to the already missing Stevens has dramatically reduced the Sharks chances in this match. As much as I dislike noddy like any other maroon blooded Manly supporter, I can not deny he is a quality player and fortunately for us, one that the Sharks team revolves around.
The Eagles, well none of us need to hear much about them, we already knew that they would come out going berserk and put away the warriors. They showed us that defense has been worked on and that it isn’t the problem that has plagued us in previous years.
I need not say anymore on the Eagles, they should win and win comfortably.
(One note, if you’re a betting man, get a bet on the sharks, the odds are tidy)
Eagles by 10+
<hr>
Game 6: Panthers vs Roosters
This is very much a who knows game. Panthers were out played by a surprising quality performance from the Sharks and the Roosters struggled to put away the fairy's (south’s).
Panthers have been widely tipped as minor premier material, but I disagree, Top 4 maybe but not if they play the kind of crap they tried last week.
The Roosters, well whilst they are still quality they showed just how much Freddy meant to the team they looked lost and disorganised. Finch is still out and Firman is taking the halfback reigns. These teams both need to improve a lot. The Panthers should over power the lack luster Roosters and this could be the beginning of the end of the Roosters dominance
Daniel's Tip; Panthers in a tight one 14 - 10
<hr>
Game 7: Rabbitohs vs Eels
Look it’s pretty simple the Rabbits are cats and the eels have over spent on cats.
Rabbits put in a good performance against the Roosters, but it was more the Roosters playing poorly than the Rabbits playing well.
The Eels snuck away with a win but were very lucky that the Tigers decided to play against themselves as well as the Eels.
The Eels have potential and definitely have the names, but they don’t look like they are ready to put this together into a winning performance yet. It shows that money can’t buy you a good team, only the pieces of the puzzle, clearly no one there can put the puzzle together yet. No surprise with Smith and Fitzy at the helm though.
They should win this against the rabbits but I am hoping for an upset here and if there is going to be one this round, this will be the game for it.
Daniel's Tip: Rabbits by 6.
<hr>
Bye: Tigers
After last weeks effort and their trial form the tigers should be worried about this game. I hope they have trained well or the worst performing team last year (BYE) may sneak one over on them.
<hr>
Just remember guys I am not a writer, so go easy on me, I hope you enjoy it. The Rabbits is my upset, I pick one every week.
Enjoy.
Daniel
<span class='smallblacktext'>[ Edited ]</span>
What a round we had lst week, there were upsets, there were thrashings and there were the good old hard fought, blood stained slogs.
What does the round 2 have for us I hear you ask, well I didn’t hear you I ask but let’s not get side tracked.
Game 1: Cowboys vs Bulldogs
A huge home crowd after a dramatic final series for the cowboys will surely the rev the bumpkin team up. They have beaten the doggies before and I wouldn’t write them off yet.
However arguably the form team of the opening round, the Bulldogs should get home easily and cement their spot as the team to beat.
Daniel's Tip: Bulldogs by 12 +
<hr>
Game 2: Raiders vs Knights
The Raiders have been widely tipped as a spoon contender. They had an opening round bye and trial form is often not indicative of a sides metal and quality so they are the only real unknown entity of this round.
They surprised a few in their trials and with the Knights looking like the contenders for the spoon the Raiders may sneak away with a win.
The knights have a forward pack better suited to bridge or knitting and even with the likes of Johns and Gidley in their line up, they just don’t have the go forward.
Hardest game of the round to pick.
Daniel's Tip: Raiders in a tight one
<hr>
Game 3: Dragons vs Storm
This has the potential to be a blockbuster of a game. The Storm was nothing short of brilliant last weekend and they should continue the high into this match.
Saints however always have the ability to surprise and I wouldn’t write them off without having a good hard think.
If I were a betting man I would back the Storm for a top 4 finish on last weeks form, you may not pocket much but its a safe bet if Slater stays around and Orford continues to fire.
Daniel's Tip: Storm by 10+
<hr>
Game 4: Bronco's vs Warriors
Some of you may have heard me talk down the broncos as fakers this year. However round one showed that you can not afford to underestimate lockyer, the guy is a great player and any team with him in it is a good team.
Their forwards still seemed to pack a punch even if they are ageing. Their outside backs did their job and did it well but can they stand up to the power of the warriors and can they literally keep the blood out of their eyes when they match up against the Power house warriors.
There is no doubt that the Warriors are going from pretenders to contenders this year, however they need to prove it soon or their supporters will drop off. They have something to prove and this week I think they will prove it and give the broncos a drubbing.
Daniel's Tip: Warriors by 15+
<hr>
Game 5: Sea Eagles vs The Sharks
Go You Mighty Eagles!!!
The Sharks had a great game last week and showed that they have worked hard in the off season and are on their way up despite what many thought from the end of last year.
They put away the Panthers in a display of quality football.
However they suffered a massive blow this week when they lost the little garden gnome and the nuthead, this added to the already missing Stevens has dramatically reduced the Sharks chances in this match. As much as I dislike noddy like any other maroon blooded Manly supporter, I can not deny he is a quality player and fortunately for us, one that the Sharks team revolves around.
The Eagles, well none of us need to hear much about them, we already knew that they would come out going berserk and put away the warriors. They showed us that defense has been worked on and that it isn’t the problem that has plagued us in previous years.
I need not say anymore on the Eagles, they should win and win comfortably.
(One note, if you’re a betting man, get a bet on the sharks, the odds are tidy)
Eagles by 10+
<hr>
Game 6: Panthers vs Roosters
This is very much a who knows game. Panthers were out played by a surprising quality performance from the Sharks and the Roosters struggled to put away the fairy's (south’s).
Panthers have been widely tipped as minor premier material, but I disagree, Top 4 maybe but not if they play the kind of crap they tried last week.
The Roosters, well whilst they are still quality they showed just how much Freddy meant to the team they looked lost and disorganised. Finch is still out and Firman is taking the halfback reigns. These teams both need to improve a lot. The Panthers should over power the lack luster Roosters and this could be the beginning of the end of the Roosters dominance
Daniel's Tip; Panthers in a tight one 14 - 10
<hr>
Game 7: Rabbitohs vs Eels
Look it’s pretty simple the Rabbits are cats and the eels have over spent on cats.
Rabbits put in a good performance against the Roosters, but it was more the Roosters playing poorly than the Rabbits playing well.
The Eels snuck away with a win but were very lucky that the Tigers decided to play against themselves as well as the Eels.
The Eels have potential and definitely have the names, but they don’t look like they are ready to put this together into a winning performance yet. It shows that money can’t buy you a good team, only the pieces of the puzzle, clearly no one there can put the puzzle together yet. No surprise with Smith and Fitzy at the helm though.
They should win this against the rabbits but I am hoping for an upset here and if there is going to be one this round, this will be the game for it.
Daniel's Tip: Rabbits by 6.
<hr>
Bye: Tigers
After last weeks effort and their trial form the tigers should be worried about this game. I hope they have trained well or the worst performing team last year (BYE) may sneak one over on them.
<hr>
Just remember guys I am not a writer, so go easy on me, I hope you enjoy it. The Rabbits is my upset, I pick one every week.
Enjoy.
Daniel
<span class='smallblacktext'>[ Edited ]</span>
