I Love My Footy!

Good evening everyone and just how good has the footy been? Last weekend was outstanding, one of the most enjoyable weekends of rugby league I can remember. And, we’re in for even more fun this weekend with the official program, Big League, declaring it as the ‘Round of the Decade’. You can smell the Finals and I think it’s fantastic that so many teams are alive and almost every game from here on in really means something.

Let’s jump back a week and walk through just why the footy was so good. Of course we all know what had dominated the headlines…another, must be around at least the 10th, off-field incident was the talk of the town. But just when you think this great game is at its lowest point you get a whole heap of talented, committed footballers delivering some outstanding skills, resulting in some high-class entertainment.

Friday night I loved the Cowboys v Bulldogs game. And, I learnt a lot from it too. I’m not convinced the Cowboys can make the top eight. For the second week in a row they fell away and I’m not saying this is what happened, but seeing it for the second time in a row had me thinking of a kid throwing the toys out of the cot. The Cows didn’t give up or anything like that; they just ran out of questions and then couldn’t find the right answers.

It also told me that the Bulldogs are going to be right up there as the team to beat. Most knew that anyway; but in Townsville they had nothing going for them and lost three props but still won fairly easily.

I stayed on to watch the Titans game against Souths and of course the biting thing was the sticking point. Watching it ‘live’, I did hear Jamie Simpson yell at the touch judge he’d been bitten as soon as it happened. And on replay it did not look good for Zillman. However it happened and whether or not he bit, for mine there’s a clear second movement consistent with a bite. The vision didn’t look good and I think the 4 week suspension he got last night was about right.

I covered the Manly v Roosters game Saturday night and the only thing worth watching was the tries scored by the Sea Eagles. They’re a really funny team at the moment and I don’t quite know what to make of them. This Sunday in Melbourne is a massive test for them.

I watched the game of the season after that, Canberra v Dragons. This game was exactly what rugby league was about…it had drama, entertainment, big hits, fights, sin bins, great tries, big crowd, terrific comeback…it had the lot. As a viewer it was brilliant to watch, and I reckon people want all of that. I’m sure many fans of the NRL watch to see players doing things they could only dream of doing themselves. How many of us fans could do what Canberra’s Josh Miller did to Weyman…pull off such a hit and then pump his side up?

The sheer entertainment in this game was brilliant, I can’t talk highly enough about it. It does make you wonder where the Canberra Raiders could be. They have a magnificent team of kids and footballers down there and all I think are about ready to peak. I think most of them are sticking around next year and if they stay injury free, the Raiders should be thinking Top 4 in 2010.

The Dragons will be sweet, a loss shouldn’t hurt them much.

Parramatta put the Warriors to the sword so good on them. Their big game is tomorrow night against the Wests Tigers…the winner will just about seal a top eight spot I think. As for the Warriors, bring on 2010!

I had a great time at the Broncos on Sunday. After two months of garbage it was good to see my side rack up a few points. People, even me, quickly forget the talent in the side. When you look down the list there aren’t many dud names there. If the Broncos can play like they did Sunday for the rest of the year they’ll give themselves a shot. If they play like they had been, don’t even bother showing up for the finals.

I felt a bit sorry for the Panthers; they simply had no answer to such a second half onslaught. I’m not giving up on them yet and I think they’ll beat the Rabbitohs quite comfortably in Penrith this weekend.

I didn’t see any of the Sharks v Tigers game but it seemed more of the same…Cronulla decimated and not up to NRL standard while the Tigers were at their attacking best. As before, Cronulla looking to 2010 and the Tigers have it all to do tomorrow night against the Eels.

It was good to see Newcastle have a win (which by the way I predicted before Brian Smith left on Saturday). The Knights are a real unknown here too, big test for them against the Cowboys on Saturday. As for Melbourne, I’m not putting the black line through them yet. They’ll still have plenty to say this season.

Tips this week: Brisbane, Eels, Cowboys, Penrith, Warriors, Titans, Storm, Bulldogs
Last week: 5/8(Total: 94/162)
Winning percentage: 58%

Right so that’ll do it for this week. Keep your emails coming in andrew.keyte@gmail.com and I’ll be back next week.

Cheers,
Keyto