Innholdsfortegnelse for 2019 - Round 17 i Big League Weekly Edition

SIX weeks ago, Penrith’s season was on life support with coach Ivan Cleary admitting his team were ready to be ‘put down’. Now, after five-consecutive wins and a bye, the Panthers have the same number of competition points as the eighth-placed Sharks. A win at home against Gold Coast on Friday night will see them move into the top eight for the first time this season, and if results go their way, they’ll remain there at the end of the weekend. Skipper James Tamou is proud of his side’s drastic turnaround, but said they can’t get carried away by ladder positions with so many rounds left to play, knowing how quickly things can change. “It’s been a great switch of form. We weren’t in a good place just over a…

How are you finding your first year at the Knights? I’m really enjoying it. It’s been a refreshing move for me. As much as I enjoyed my time at the Dragons, where I made some great mates and have great memories, it’s been a good move and I’m enjoying it. We’ve seen you play a number of different positions this year Where do you prefer to play? Anywhere in the spine. My body isn’t big enough for the outside backs or in the middle, so I guess the spine is where I’m meant to play. I don’t mind moving around, but the one thing I’d love to do is start each week and then if I’ve got to move mid-game, so be it. This year I’ve even found myself on…

I feel so lucky this week to be calling the milestone double of two superstars.The feats of Cameron Smith have been incredible. On Saturday night not only will we broadcast his 400th game, but following the match we’ll have a special presentation that covers his life in rugby league. Then on Sunday, it’s Benji Marshall’s 300th. What a privilege it has been to follow this amazing talent’s career. It feels like only yesterday I called his very first match on television, playing for Keebra Park State High in the Schoolboy Cup at Suncorp Stadium. The highlights reel from that match still makes me say “wow”! I’m living the dream folks. I hope you’ll tune in to celebrate these big moments.…

Panthers v Titans Knights v Bulldogs Rabbitohs v Sea Eagles Broncos v Warriors Storm v Sharks Roosters v Cowboys Wests Tigers v Eels Dragons v Raiders David Middleton League Historian Panthers Knights Rabbitohs Broncos Storm Roosters Wests Tigers Dragons Michael Carayannis The Sunday Telegraph Panthers Knights Rabbitohs Broncos Storm Roosters Eels Raiders Maria Tsialis Big League Panthers Knights Rabbitohs Warriors Storm Roosters Eels Raiders Michael Chammas NRL.com Panthers Knights Rabbitohs Warriors Storm Roosters Eels Raiders Rebekka Wake Reader Tipster Panthers Bulldogs Sea Eagles Warriors Storm Roosters Wests Tigers Raiders Footyhead Little League Panthers Bulldogs Sea Eagles Warriors Storm Roosters Wests Tigers Dragons…

WHEN Sam Burgess returns from a shoulder injury, not only will he have a giant impact with his actions on the field, his presence around the squad will boost his team-mates for the remainder of the campaign. We all know the impact the South Sydney forward has had on the game since he arrived in Australia in 2010, but it’s the little, unseen things that have left a lasting impression on his team-mates. Take Junior Tatola for example, the dynamic 22-year-old forward with just 39 NRL games under his belt. He says Burgess has already had a major impact on his career. “He’s had a massive impact on me personally – he’s really helped me with my game and the mental side of things,” Tatola tells Big League. “When I’m…

YOU know you’ve suffered a gruesome injury when your name pops up in the YouTube search bar for medical enthusiasts and thrill-seekers who enjoy seeing bones bending in unnatural ways. Knights forward Aidan Guerra recently joined that unwanted list following a sickening injury against the Sea Eagles in Round 5, when his right ankle twisted in a way that shouldn’t be humanly possible. The general consensus was that he’d broken both his tibia and fibula and was set to miss the rest of the season, but scans proved positive, allowing him to make his return via the Canterbury Cup recently, leading to his NRL comeback against the Warriors last Saturday. “I definitely felt something wasn’t right,” Guerra tells Big League of the night back in April. “I could feel my…

WITH the bye rounds mercifully behind us, the last big challenge for Fantasy coaches is getting through Round 17 with a number of Fantasy guns running around in Origin III on Wednesday night. After this, it’s simply a case of managing whatever trades you have left and trying to dodge injuries while consolidating your team into the best 18 or 19 you can for the run home. For this week, keep a close eye on players like Damien Cook, James Tedesco, Daly Cherry-Evans, Cameron Munster, Mitch Pearce, Cameron Murray and the Trbojevic brothers, and cross all your fingers that whichever ones are in your side didn’t get hurt and are named to back up for their clubs. We’ve already seen it this series – players appear to get through an…

Form: Disruptions during the representative period have hit the Rabbitohs hard, with injuries and suspensions adding to the burden of leading players missing through their Origin commitments. Although a run of four-straight losses has been a disappointment, it has not cost the Rabbitohs their place in the top four. That could change this week if they go down to Manly in this clash of traditional rivals. The Sea Eagles have climbed to fifth after successive wins over the Cowboys, Dragon and Titans and with the Trbojevic brothers and Daly Cherry-Evans to slot back into their line-up, their outlook is positive for the rest of the regular season. History: After 73 seasons of head-to-head battles, the Sea Eagles hold a decisive lead in winning results (77-65) but the Rabbitohs are always…

Form: The Roosters overcame Wests Tigers’ second-half fightback last Friday to claim only their second win from their past six games, but it was enough to return to second place on the competition ladder. Their eight-game winning streak earlier in the season has allowed the Roosters to absorb a lean run during the rep season and with the Origin series now over, coach Trent Robinson will be able to prepare his men for their ‘spring campaign’ without distraction. The Cowboys are labouring under a three-game losing run and after putting themselves back into the finals picture a month ago, they are now looking an unlikely play-offs contender. History: The Cowboys managed a single victory in their first decade of contests with the Roosters but this fixture has been played on…

SOUTH Sydney and Penrith have shot back to the top of the ladder with crucial victories last weekend. Penrith leap-frogged the Bulldogs with a convincing win, while the Rabbitohs secured the two points over high-flying Mounties, with new recruit Jaydn Su’A marking his club debut with a try. The Dragons missed an opportunity to join the top teams on 20 points, losing to Newtown despite a fast-finish at Henson Park. North Sydney sent Western Suburbs bouncing out of the top eight with a big win. Billy Smith and Tom Freebairn finished with doubles. In other games, Wentworthville held on to beat Blacktown, while Newcastle snapped their losing streak against the Warriors. SOUTH SYDNEY 30 (M Hiroti 2, J Paulo, J Su’A, B Sironen tries; Hiroti 5 goals) D. MOUNTIES 18…

ST MARYS have tipped the competition on its head following a stunning win over ladder-leaders Wentworthville. In a classic ‘fourpointer’, the Saints surged to victory behind doubles to winger Jake Maizen and fullback Jake Toby. The result also helped Asquith and Mounties keep the pressure on, after they swept aside Glebe-Burwood and Blacktown respectively. Asquith were dominant in their 26-point win, led by a Michael Pearsall hat-trick, while Eddie Aiono helped keep Blacktown at the foot of the ladder. Guildford also closed the gap on the top four, and their win over Cabramatta had the added benefit of putting four points between the Owls and Two Blues in the race for finals places. Hills have a tenuous grip on eighth-place after their big win over Brothers, led by doubles to…

DESPITE my youthful looks (ha!), I’ve worked in rugby league as a journalist and editor for almost a decade. When I started out, Cameron Smith was only just beginning to regularly captain the Storm and Maroons. Since then, he’s won every accolade in rugby league; been part of teams at club, state and international level who’ve consistently trounced their opposition; broken more records than you can poke a stick at; and Big League has featured yarn upon yarn on his incredible career. It’s remarkable he will become the first person to play 400 first grade games, especially when you consider how many representative matches he has taken part and excelled in. As footy fans, we’ve been very fortunate to witness his career first-hand. He’s still such an influential person on…

HE may have retired from the representative arena, but when Cameron Smith heard Kalyn Ponga had been ruled out of the State of Origin decider, he knew Cameron Munster was the right man to play fullback. Munster has spent the best part of three seasons playing five-eighth for Melbourne but has made no secret about the fact he wants another shot in the No.1 jersey after he burst onto the scene in that role in 2015 and 2016. The Storm are spoilt for choice at the back, with Jahrome Hughes and Ryan Papenhuyzen sharing the role this season, while Munster is no slouch in the halves, having been named the Dally M Five-eighth of the Year in 2018. However, the custodian role would allow Munster to play both sides of…

ROUND 17 Jul 12-14 Panthers v Titans Fri, 6pm, PanthersKnights v Bulldogs Fri, 7.55pm, McDonald JonesRabbitohs v Sea Eagles Sat, 3pm, ANZBroncos v Warriors Sat, 5.30pm, SuncorpStorm v Sharks Sat, 7.35pm AAMIRoosters v Cowboys Sun, 2pm, Central CoastWests Tigers v Eels Sun, 4.05pm, BankwestDragons v Raiders Sun, 6.10pm, WIN ROUND 18 Jul 18-21 Broncos v Bulldogs Thu, 7.50pm, SuncorpWarriors v Sharks Fri, 6pm, Westpac, WellingtonPanthers v Dragons Fri, 7.55pm, PanthersRoosters v Knights Sat, 3pm, SCGRaiders v Wests Tigers Sat, 5.30pm, GIOCowboys v Rabbitohs Sat, 7.35pm, 1300SMILESTitans v Storm Sun, 2pm, Cbus SuperSea Eagles v Eels Sun, 4.05pm, Lottoland ROUND 19 Jul 25-28 Sharks v Cowboys Thu, 7.50pm, PointsBetKnights v Wests Tigers Fri, 6pm, McDonald JonesRabbitohs v Dragons Fri, 7.55pm, ANZEels v Warriors Sat, 3pm, BankwestTitans v Broncos Sat, 5.30pm, Cbus…

WHILE names like Cameron Smith and Benji Marshall gaining most of the attention this weekend as they celebrate their milestone games, Gavin Cooper’s milestone will be a quieter one. The North Queensland back-rower will play his 300th NRL game this weekend at the unfamiliar Central Coast Stadium, but he doesn’t mind letting others steal the limelight. In fact, he prefers it that way. Cooper has made a career out of being reliable, hardworking and dedicated, and although he’s been supremely successful, he’s never been a player to demand the spotlight. “It’s a bit of a weird one being on the Central Coast – and on the same weekend Cam Smith becomes the first player to play 400 games and Benji plays his 300th – hopefully I’m not forgotten,” Cooper laughs.…

PANTHERS CAPTAIN James Tamou is unsure what Penrith’s halves pairing will be for Friday’s game against Gold Coast The Panthers are looking to make it six wins on the trot and potentially enter the top eight, but are sweating on the fitness of both James Maloney (pictured) and Nathan Cleary. Maloney plays an Origin decider less than 48 hours before the Titans clash, while Cleary is racing the clock to return from an ankle injury, and Tamou could not confirm if either would be fit for Friday. “We’ll have to wait and see with them [the halves],” Tamou said. “Hopefully ‘Jimmy’ gets through Origin and is right to play, and we’ll see with Nathan. Originally we thought he’d be out longer so we wouldn’t want to rush it. “Jarome [Luai]…

Form: The Panthers will be hoping that the bye week has not slowed their momentum after a run of five-straight wins has breathed life into their 2019 campaign. Languishing in last position after a six-game losing streak that started with a 30-24 loss to the Titans in Round 5, the Panthers have recovered impressively to climb to the fringe of the top eight. They sit on 16 competition points alongside eighth-placed Cronulla and ninth-placed Wests Tigers. The Titans appear well out of finals reckoning on 10 competition points and they face a challenge to avoid being saddled with the wooden spoon for the second time in their 13 years of existence. History: These teams meet for the 20th time since the Titans were admitted to the NRL in 2007 and…

Form: The Broncos’ 2019 campaign was headed for the rocks before last Sunday’s epic victory over the Sharks. With most of their biggest-name players sidelined through injury or rep duty, the Broncos’ spare parts team crafted a win that will echo for years to come at Red Hill. Although they remain in 14th position, they have given themselves a timely shot of confidence. The Warriors continued a strong run of away form when they held off the Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium last Saturday. Stephen Kearney’s men survived some rough calls to win 24-20 and claim their fourth successive away win. History: The Warriors did themselves proud in their maiden premiership match back in 1995, threatening a huge upset against the powerhouse Broncos before falling 25-22. It was a performance…

Form: Wests Tigers have shown signs of developing into a genuine finals contender in recent weeks, toughing out a golden point win over the Cowboys in Townsville before shading second-placed South Sydney in Round 15 and fighting back strongly after half-time against the Roosters last Friday. They’ll need to win consistently in the run to September for that to happen but they have placed themselves in a strong position to challenge. With victories in three of their past four games, the Eels have one more win to their credit than the Tigers but their status as potential finals contenders is not much different. History: The Eels hold a tidy advantage in winning results against the Wests Tigers since 2000 and they landed a major psychological blow on opening day at…

REDCLIFFE secured a remarkable comeback over Ipswich to go clear of the Jets in eighth place. The Dolphins trailed 22-6 with just eight minutes remaining, before Justice Utatao scored a rapid-fire hat-trick and Tyson Gamble kept his composure to slot three sideline conversions, including one after the siren. Sunshine Coast bounced back from their first defeat of the season in crushing style, thumping Northern Pride 52-8, with winger Jonathon Reuben scoring a hat-trick. Burleigh and Wynnum Manly are both keeping the pressure on the Falcons, though. The Bears edged past Souths Logan, with a Troy Leo double helping secure the result in captain Luke Page’s 150th game. Meanwhile Wynnum held on in a tense finish over Tweed in the battle of the Seagulls. Townsville are in fourth following their win…

WESTS Tigers halfback Luke Brooks says his side will use the hurt of their 51-6 loss to Parramatta in the opening of Bankwest Stadium to motivate them for the rematch there this Sunday. After the Tigers declared the new stadium as their ‘jungle’ ahead of the opener, they were embarrassed with their biggest loss of the season, but have the chance to reclaim pride this weekend when the sides meet again. “It obviously wasn’t our best start to Bankwest but we have the opportunity to turn it around this time,” Brooks told Big League. “That result did hurt, after such a big build-up to the game, so we’ll use the memories of that to help us this time.” Although Bankwest Stadium has received much praise since its opening, there has…

BLOW it up! Blow up the Bunker! So said my co-commentator Brett Finch last Saturday during our Fox League coverage of the controversial Knights v Warriors game in Newcastle. I’m sure Finchy’s sentiments were shared by many. The Ken Maumalo no try stopped us in our tracks. However, as perplexed as I am when clangers are made – and we’ve been going through a bad run – the Bunker still has my support. It is an undeniable fact the Bunker makes far more correct calls than incorrect. I’ve made the sincere and pertinent point before that our officials love the game and no-one deliberately makes mistakes. I hate making them in commentary – I’ll beat myself up all week when I do – and I’m sure it is the same…

Tears flow Jersey presentations can be emotional at the best of the times, but Round 16 provided some tear-jerkers. On Thursday, Queensland coach Kevin Walters took time away from camp to present his son Billy with his jersey ahead of his Storm debut in Wollongong. Former team-mate Gorden Tallis broke down on Fox League’s coverage as he recalled everything the family had gone through over the years. A couple of days later, Broncos players and officials were reduced to tears when Xavier Coates, Herbie Farnworth and Keenan Palasia (pictured) received their jerseys from family members ahead of the game against Cronulla. Origin may take its toll on the competition, but it also delivers some heart-warming moments that we’ll never forget. Away days Winning away from home isn’t an easy task,…

THE humble anagram has little place in rugby league, but when it comes to Cameron Smith and his impending milestone, it’s a wordsmith’s favourite tool. Rearrange the letters in his name and you get the phrase ‘storm machine’ – and nothing sums Smith up better ahead of his record-setting 400th appearance on Saturday against bitter rivals, the Sharks. Since he made his debut against the Bulldogs in 2002, Smith has graduated from boyhood halfback to the best player in the world, who seemingly shatters a new record each week. Wearing the unfamiliar No.18 jersey against the star-studded blue and whites, the Bulldogs ran away with a 22-6 win at Olympic Park in Melbourne. The Storm were never in the contest, but Smith picked up some valuable lessons which have stayed…

EVERYONE in rugby league knows the story about Billy Slater and how he rode trackwork for legendary trainer Gai Waterhouse before he went on to forge a glittering career at the Melbourne Storm. History could be repeating at the Broncos in the form of young gun Jake Turpin, whose family has years of experience in the harness racing industry, with his sister Chantal and her husband Peter McMullen considered two of the best in the business in Queensland. “I did the mini trotters, which is the mini version of harness racing, with my sister when we were growing up,” the former Storm under-20s star tells Big League. “I did a bit of trackwork back home before I moved to Melbourne to start playing footy professionally, so I’m very familiar with…

You come from the mid-nort coast, right? I was born in Albury, but when I was six I moved up to Dorrigo. It’s a small town, 1,200 people, so they have to combine with Bellingen to make a footy side. What did you get up to there? It was pretty quiet. I used to hang out with mates on their properties and we’d ride bikes round town, and our skateboards. Who were your toughest opponents? Kempsey were hard, or Coffs Harbour and Sawtell. They were the bigger clubs in the area. Did you dream of playing NRL? Yeah, always. I enjoyed cricket in the summer and thought about doing that for awhile — but footy was always the one for me. How did you make the journey down from Dorrigo?…

Form: Without a handful of their best players, the Knights went close to toppling a near full-strength Warriors side; a result that would have lifted them to the brink of the top four. A late try from a ricochet spoiled that opportunity but the Knights remain well-positioned in the top eight and will have the chance to push for a top four placing over the final nine rounds. The Bulldogs went into last weekend’s bye round in high spirits after their shock defeat of Cronulla in Round 15 but they have been unable to back up a winning performance with another victory this season. In fact, all three previous wins have been followed by multiple defeats. History: Canterbury won six consecutive games against the Knights between 2014 and 2018 to…

Form: The Storm made it seven wins on the trot when they held off St George Illawarra last Thursday. For the second week running it was a two-point result, the Storm again proving their ability to close out a tight game. The Sharks made history of the unwanted kind at PointsBet Stadium last Sunday when they suffered their third-straight defeat when scoring more tries than their opposition. The results might have highlighted some woeful goal-kicking but they also exposed glaring problems that rookie coach John Morris needs to deal with, in particular the effort levels of some of his most experienced players. History: This is a game when the Sharks’ experienced men will need to stand up or their team could be overwhelmed. The night will be all about Cameron…

NRL Preview Form: The Dragons fought hard for 80 minutes against Melbourne last Thursday night but starved for experienced playmaking options, they lacked the polish to finish the job in the championship minutes. Consistency has deserted the Dragons after a four-game winning sequence early in the season and their last four results have followed a win-loss-win-loss progression. The Raiders lost a game they should have won at their last start when they fell 22-16 to Parramatta in Darwin after leading 16-0 late in the first half. A victory would have placed the Raiders on equal footing with the Roosters and Rabbitohs, instead their place in the top four is under threat from several teams. History: This fixture has provided plenty of intrigue down the years and for a time Dragons…

THERE was plenty of late drama last week, with two matches finishing as draws.CQ Capras were second away from a win over Easts, before the Tigers stole a point thanks to a late penalty goal. There was also nothing between Ipswich and Redcliffe after the Jets missed a late field goal attempt. The Mustangs caused a huge boilover and got off the bottom of the table with a stunning win over Norths. They raced out to a 26-0 lead but had to hold their breath as the Devils fought back to 26-24 in the dying stages. Burleigh and Wynnum Manly are still battling it out for top spot, with a one-point lead over third-placed Townsville. The Bears scored three late tries in their win over Souths Logan, while Wynnum held…

Cameron Smith will become the first player in history to appear in 400 NRL games. Rabbitohs halfback Adam Reynolds requires one goal to reach 600 career goals. James Maloney has kicked a field goal in his past four games for Penrith. The Sea Eagles haven’t lost a daytime game so far in 2019. Roosters centre Latrell Mitchell has scored four tries from four games against the Cowboys. Eels winger Maika Sivo has scored six tries in five games at Bankwest Stadium. Wests Tigers five-eighth Benji Marshall will play his 300th NRL game. The Warriors have won their past four away games.…