Season 2010: Round 9

From The Couch

AAMI Park: This writer was lucky enough to be at both the first match and the official opening of AAMI Park last weekend and there is no doubt that it is the best stadium I have ever watched rugby league at. There is not a bad seat in the house. The viewing is great and everyone is right on top of the action. The playing surface looks a treat. The amenities are plentiful and easy to get to. Getting to the ground and in and out of the stadium is no hassle at all. It is a tremendous thrill as a repatriated New South Welshman in Victoria to be able to watch rugby league at a proper rugby league stadium. On Friday evening, I was lucky enough to score a gig in the corporate area and the facilities are first rate. On Sunday, back in a more natural setting, I sat in the outer and watched with a hot dog and brew and cheered on the over. The view was top notch, the atmosphere electric and the seats comfortable. There are going to be plenty more Melbourne punters open to the idea of watching rugby league now there is a decent stadium to watch it in. It was a monumental weekend for Melbourne and for rugby league.

Tales from the Top End #1: Grudges do not die at Canterbury. Nor should they. Those who turn their back on the family do so for life and there will be no forgiveness. That is what I thought when I saw Dean Pay at the same function as myself. I spotted him before dinner and thought to myself, "You're mine". I have waited 15 years to get at Pay after he turned on the Bulldogs with Jarrod McCracken, Jim Dymock and Jason Smith, signing with the Dogs and Super League before knifing the club in the back and taking court action against the Bulldogs so he could turn out for Parramatta and the ARL. That treacherous bastard has had it coming for many a day. Time does not heal all wounds and few words and many days could never cover up such a vile act of betrayal. Post-dinner and post-match I cornered Pay, made a quick introduction and jumped straight into it. I demanded details and answers and what could probably best be described as an explanation. He was going nowhere and he knew it so he bunkered down and did the best he could. He said that he had to look after his family, which I understood and that he had been lied to by the Bulldogs hierarchy, something I refused to believe seeing as Bullfrog Moore was in charge and Chris Anderson was coach. He sadly noted that he has never been back to the club since. He has never been welcomed back, he said. Neither has McCracken or Smith. I must admit that I was secretly thrilled at that.

He wouldn't elaborate on why Jim Dymock was now coaching at Canterbury. I told him that he had no right to do what he did. He didn't appear regretful but he seemed to understand the hurt he caused. He said he remained friends with McCracken, something I found intolerable. I noted how I had framed and mounted a Daily Telegraph article and picture after he was dumped on his head by Stephen Kearney and Marcus Bai; such was my loathing for McCracken. I was there on the hill burning McCracken's book at Belmore, I lied, and we both laughed at the memory of that wild day at Belmore when effigies were set alight and pure hatred ran deep and fierce. I could see him edging for the exit so I decided to leave it on a positive note, for myself at least: "So how about that Paul Carige game, hey?" Hoho. I laughed and laughed. He was still hurting. He has never watched it since. He didn't lynch Carige but he hinted that it perhaps wasn't the wisest thing that he was riding the pine at the death, a shot, seemingly, at Brian Smith. We both talked about how we thought Polly's field goal shot went over. I offered a replay of Robert Relf's big run that set up the comeback. I must admit, fifteen years on, I am now starting to feel a little better about Dean Pay.

Tales from the Top End #2: Dean Pay was not the only one to cop it in the Olympic Room at AAMI Stadium on Friday night. Finally, Bob McCarthy's path crossed mine and I was not going to let the opportunity slip. The full-time siren had long gone and I was returning from an overpriced Stuyvesant Classic when out of the elevator popped Bob McCarthy, a man who has been in my gun for a significant period of time. I had little time. He would not have to deal with an elongated diatribe or smorgasbord listing of his wrong-doings and failures as a selector, rugby league personality, man and human being. This would have to be short and sweet. Hardly lucid, I got in his grill, forwent the introductions and let fly: "Give Jamie Soward a run ya bum. It is a joke that he is continually overlooked. You are unaccountable and the main reason New South Wales has lost four straight." He looked at me, dropped his stare and walked past in silence. The shame was evident, the desperation obvious. He knows that we know that he is a fuck up of the highest order. He knows the hammer is closing in. And very soon it will slam down on his skull as he is helpless against his own stupidity.

Farewell, Krisnan Inu and Feleti Mateo: Word has filtered out of Parramatta that Krisnan Inu and Feleti Mateo are fleeing for Auckland next season on big deals that are sure to lead to the kind of buyer's remorse felt after signing the likes of Denan Kemp, Michael Witt and Richie Blackmore for his second stint in Auckland. Mateo is reportedly on a deal worth $400,000 a season with Inu's deal closer to $250,000. Both seem to be on significant overs considering performances in recent times. Mateo became an NRL regular in 2007 but did little to inspire in his first season with his name not really made until the 2008 season where he was one of the best backrowers in the competition with State of Origin and international honours tipped. He failed to go on with it in 2009 where he had 16 handling errors and 48 missed tackles in 16 games. He has not fired a shot this year and it has reached the stage where Mateo is playing only 56.4 minutes per game, a drop from 76.9 two years back. He is still going at an error a game and has had a hand in only two tries this year. Inu was lively in his debut year in 2007 but has spent significant time in the NSW Cup since due to his god-awful defence and general lack of enthusiasm. Only three players who have played for Parramatta over the last seven years miss more tackles per match. Both are bound to be massive flops. They have struggled under the discipline of Daniel Anderson. Under the freedom of Ivan Cleary (or more likely his successor), Mateo and Inu will be at their catty, stupid, most infuriating best.

Heritage Round: The NRL Heritage Round is one of the highlights of the season, seeing traditional rivals take on each other with the history of the game and past legends of the code honoured. Below are a few interesting notes of the history between the two teams:

Canterbury v St. George-Illawarra: Canterbury entered the League in 1935 with St. George joining in 1921 and Illawarra in 1982. St. George beat Canterbury 91-6 in the first ever match between the two clubs, a record that stands to this day. The Saints had 11 different try scorers and 13 different point-scorers that day. The Saints won the first ever finals match between the two teams 25-12 in 1942 but the Berries subsequently downed St. George in the Grand Final 11-9 with aboriginal fullback Lin Johnson kicking what was described as the worst winning goal in the history of the game, Johnson slipping over as he took the shot though the ball scrambled over the crossbar. The Saints won 27 straight matches against Canterbury between 1954 and 1967 but it was Canterbury who ended the Saints record 11 straight premiership wins with a 12-11 win in the preliminary final in front of 50,000 punters at the SCG. The teams met in the 1979 Grand Final where the Dragons won 17-13 on the back of George Grant's boot. It was to be the Dragons last premiership. The Bulldogs got revenge in 1985 when an Andrew Farrar field goal was the difference in the decider, the Warren Ryan led Dogs downing Roy Masters Saints 7-6. The Bulldogs and the Saints met three times in finals football in the nineties before the merger with the Saints winning the major semi-final in 1993 and the Bulldogs eliminating the Dragons in 1995 in an infamous upset and in 1998. The Bulldogs won the first ever clash with Illawarra 23-10. Illawarra never defeated Canterbury outside of Wollongong but the Steelers 44-4 win in 1991 was the biggest victory between the two teams. Craig Polla-Mounta's field goal in the last match between the two teams in 1998 gave the Bulldogs a 25-24 win and put the Bulldogs into the semi-finals where they would go on to lose to Brisbane in the Grand Final. The Bulldogs won the first match between the merged teams 24-18. A Willie Peters drop goal was the difference in the only semi-final match between Canterbury and the merged club, eliminating the Bulldogs in 2001. The Dragons beat Canterbury 30-0 the weekend Sonny Bill Williams walked out on the Bulldogs. All up St. George has a 74-52-5 edge over Canterbury, Canterbury owned Illawarra 22-5 with the Bulldogs having a 12-7 advantage over the merged team. Premiership winning Bulldog coach Ted Glossop also coached St. George while Luke Patten, Kevin Ryan, Mick Potter, Steve Gearin, Johnny Greaves and Josh Morris are some prominent players who played for both clubs.

Brisbane v Gold Coast: Brisbane and the original Gold Coast team, the Giants (who subsequently became known as the Seagulls and then the Chargers), both entered the League in 1988 with the Titans joining in 2007 after the Chargers were excluded following the 1998 season. In the first match between the two teams, the Giants shocked the Broncos to win their first ever match 25-22 in what was the upset of the season. A 25-12 win in round 2 of the 1992 season was the only other time the original Gold Coast franchise defeated Brisbane. Brisbane won the first match against the Titans in 2007 28-16 with the Broncos having a 4-3 edge over the Titans in seven matches played. In their only ever finals match, Brisbane downed the Titans 40-32 in 2009. Broncos and Queensland icon Wally Lewis played and then captain-coached the Gold Coast from 1990-92 after being sacked by Brisbane. Other prominent players to have played for Brisbane and a Gold Coast franchise are Dale Shearer, Brad Meyers, Ben Ikin and Scott Prince.

Warriors v North Queensland: Both the Warriors and the Cowboys entered the League in 1995 as part of the four-team ARL expansion. The teams have split the 26 matches played 13 apiece with the Warriors winning the first match 28-10 in Townsville. A 28-point haul from Gene Ngamau, the Warriors point-scoring record which still stands, gave the Warriors a 52-6 win in their only clash in 1996. The Cowboys won the only finals match between the two clubs, eliminating the Warriors in 2007 with a 49-12 win with retiring Cowboy legend Paul Bowman kicking a goal. Players who have played for both clubs include Micheal Luck, Kevin Campion, Nathan Fien, Jacob Lillyman and Sione Faumuina.

Canberra v Melbourne: Canberra entered the League in 1982, becoming the first club outside of Sydney and New South Wales to join the competition. Melbourne were born in 1998 as part of the post-Super League peace deal, a bastard child of the Hunter Mariners and the Western Reds though the Storm have no official ties to those teams. Melbourne won the inaugural match between the two teams 16-12 at Olympic Park and then went on to eliminate the Raiders with a 24-10 victory in the semi-finals. Melbourne also defeated Canberra 30-18 in the 2003 semi-final series and indirectly led to the Raiders being eliminated in 2008 when the Raiders finished 6th but were ousted when the Storm lost 18-15 to the Warriors in a shock 1 v 8 upset. The Storm won 14 straight matches between the two sides between 2003 and 2009 but that run was ended when the Raiders pulled off a famous 26-16 upset at Bruce Stadium last season. Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy played 145 games for the Raiders while Ryan Hoffman is the son of former Raider Jay Hoffman. Glenn Lazarus won premierships with both clubs while Brett Finch and Ben Cross have worn both the purple of the Storm and the lime green of the Raiders.

Roosters v Newcastle: The Roosters were a foundation member of the League, forming in 1908 while the Newcastle Knights entered the League in 1988. A team from Newcastle did play in the original competition and lasted two seasons before withdrawing due to travel costs. Easts won both matches against the inaugural Newcastle outfit with Dally Messenger scoring 2 tries and kicking 6 goals in the first ever match between the two teams, won 34-17 by the Tri-colours. Easts won their first match against the Knights in 1988 26-10 with future Knighs fullback Gary Wurth scoring for the Roosters. The Knights then didn't lose to the Roosters until 1993 with a 7-7 draw in 1991 the best match of the era. The teams met in the finals for the first time in 1998 where the Roosters won 26-15. The teams then met in finals football every year from 2000 to 2003 with the Andrew Johns led Knights downing the Roosters 40-6 on their way to the 2001 premiership with the Brad Fittler led Roosters winning 26-20 in the 2000 preliminary final, 38-12 in the 2002 semi-final and 36-8 in the qualifying final. The Roosters win in the 2000 preliminary final came after the Knights led 16-2 at half-time. One of the two clubs was in every Grand Final between 2000 and 2004. The Roosters won 8 straight against Newcastle between 2002 and 2005. The Roosters-Knights rivalry was one of the top rivalries in the late nineties and early part of this decade with two of the finest modern day players on each side of the war. Former Knights coach Brian Smith left the club in acrimonious circumstances last year to sign with the Roosters. Players who have played for the Knights and Roosters include Gary Wurth, Adam MacDougall and Mike McLean.

Wests Tigers v Souths: South Sydney, Western Suburbs and Balmain were all foundation clubs founded in 1908 with the Magpies and Tigers merging in 2000. South Sydney was the game's first powerhouse, winning the first two premierships. Western Suburbs didn't defeat Souths until 1917 including suffering the 5th biggest defeat in the history of the League with Souths winning 67-0 in 1910 with 11 different try scorers and 7 different goal kickers. Balmain did not fair much better in those early days with Souths winning the first five matches between the two not including the infamous 1909 Grand Final, where Souths and Balmain both agreed not to play before Souths showed up, kicked off and were handed the title. Balmain won their first finals match against Souths 5-3 in the 1916 final that was won on the boot of Charles "Chook" Fraser. Souths and Wests did not meet in a final until 1927 when Souths rolled the Magpies 38-6 after the great Benny Wearing ran rampant in an era where Souths won 7 of 8 premierships between 1925 and 1932. Wests beat Souths only once during the twenties but they did eliminate Souths from the finals in 1930 and went on to win the club's first premiership. Balmain fared little better winning only three times against Souths between 1922 and 1934 though Balmain beat Souths 3-0 in the 1924 decider. Balmain again rolled Souths in the final in 1939 when the Frank Hyde led Tigers bested Souths 33-4. Souths and Wests met in the 1950 and 1952 deciders with Souths winning 21-15 in 1950 before Wests won 22-12 in 1952 though that match was shrouded with controversy after referee George Bishop disallowed a Souths try to Ken Macreadie early in the match that still infuriates South Sydney fans of the era.

In 1969, Balmain caused one of the greatest Grand Final upsets when beating a Souths team who would win in 1967, 68, 70 and 71 11-2 in what would prove to be Balmain's last premiership. Souths went into the match over-confident and combined with their refusal to kick the ball on the last tackle; Balmain dominated field position and possession and established a 9-0 lead. Whenever Souths picked up rhythm in a comeback attempt, Balmain players allegedly feigned injury with the match still referred to as the "Lay-Down Grand Final". Souths and Balmain would play again in semi-finals in 1986, 1987 and 1989 with Balmain eliminating Souths in '86 and Souths knocking the Tigers out in '87. The only final Wests and Souths played in post-1957 was in 1974 when Wests rolled Souths 24-8 with John Dorahy reportedly outstanding for the Magpies. Since merging, the Tigers have won 8 of the 14 matches and have put 50 points on Souths on four separate occasions including a 50-4 win in 2004 when Kevin McGuiness scored 4 tries. In the 2009 Heritage Round clash, Nathan Merritt kicked a field goal from near touch and 30 metres out to give Souths a win over the Tigers. Alf "Smacker" Blair is the only man to coach Souths and Wests while Ron Willey was the only man to coach both Souths and Balmain. Players who have played for Souths and either Wests, Balmain or the Wests Tigers include Ian Moir, Bob Grant, Dennis Pittard, Jim Sedaris, Jacin Sinclair, Brandin Costin, Tim Brasher, Owen Craigie, Harold Holmes, George McGowan, Des Bryan, Bernie Purcell, Bob Nielson and Bill Tonkin

Cronulla v Penrith: Both teams joined the League in 1967, edging out the bid of Wentworthville as the league expanded. Ironically, prior to joining the League, Cronulla's predominant colour was brown while Penrith's prominent colour was blue. Penrith won the first five matches between the two clubs including a 13-10 win in the first ever clash between the two at Shark Park. 25,000 turned up to watch the Sharks down the Panthers 35-9 in the SCG match of the day in round 5 of 1978 where a Dave Chamberlin double was the highlight. Chamberlin also scored a double in their second meeting that year, the Sharks winning 43-4. A Brad Izzard hat-trick lead Penrith to their biggest win over Cronulla in 1986 with the Panthers winning 50-14. A Jarrod Sammut field goal was the difference in a 21-20 Panthers win in 2008. Despite each being in the League for 44 seasons, Cronulla and Penrith have never met in finals football. Current Souths coach John Lang is regarded as the Sharks most successful mentor while he led Penrith to their second premiership in 2003. Lang's son Martin played for both clubs as did Preston Campbell, Craig Greenhill, Ben Ross, Bryan Norrie, Paul Aiton, Kevin Kingston, and Ben Pomeroy (hoho).

Manly v Parramatta: Both Manly and Parramatta entered the League in 1947 and have been fierce rivals ever since, having played 123 times since with Manly winning 76 times and Parramatta getting the points on 43 occasions. Manly won the first ever clash between the two teams, 15-7 in a five-try to one performance. In 1951, a 2 try, 9 goal performance from Ron Rowles led Manly to a 57-10 win over Parramatta at Brookvale Oval. Parramatta did not beat Manly between 1956 and 1961 with Parramatta winning only three matches against the Eagles between 1951 and 1963. Parramatta then only won 3 times against Manly between 1966 and 1975 with Manly downing Parramatta 22-12 in their first ever finals match in 1975 with Manly's win eliminating Parramatta. The teams met again in the 1976 finals with Parramatta downing Manly 23-17 in the major semi-final but the Eagles turned the tide on Grand Final day to win 13-10 despite Parramatta outscoring Manly two tries to one. The 1976 decider was the infamous Neville Glover Game where the Eels winger dropped a pass with the line wide open that would have provided Parramatta with the match-winner and their first ever premiership. The two teams drew 13-all in the minor-semi of the 1978 season with Manly winning the Tuesday night replay 17-11 on the back of Graham Eadie's boot with Manly going on to win the premiership that season. In both 1982 and 1983, Manly defeated Parramatta in the semi-finals before Parramatta turned the tables in the Grand Final. Parramatta rolled Manly 21-8 in 1982 and 18-6 in 1983 with Brett Kenny scoring doubles in both. The teams would not meet again in a finals match until 2005 when Parramatta eliminated the Eagles 46-22 with Luke Burt scoring 18 points. In 1988, Manly rolled Parramatta 64-12 at Parramatta Stadium with Dale Shearer and Cliff Lyons both scoring hat-tricks and Michael O'Connor scoring 24 points. A Ben Walker penalty goal gave Manly a 36-34 win over the Eels in what would be the first ever golden point match in 2003. Parramatta's biggest ever win over Manly came in 2004 when the Eels won 52-12. Parramatta controversially won the first match-up of the two teams this season with a forward pass providing the winner for Parramatta after they trailed 20-0. 300-gamer Geoff Gerard played for both Parramatta and Manly as have Jamie Lyon, Ron Willey, Scott Donald, Mike Eden, Alec Tennant, Tony Williams and David Liddiard.

Steven Clark is an Idiot: Penalty tries are usually a reason for celebration. Their rarity makes them a diamond in the rough, a living expression of the triviality that makes rugby league so enjoyable. That wasn't the case on Sunday, however, when Steve Clark gave a ridiculous penalty try to the Broncos after Billy Slater was adjudged to have led with his feet. Slater certainly led with his feet but he didn't lash out and kick and at any rate a Broncos player had done something nearly identical when Slater nearly scored a try at the other end, knocking the ball on as legs came through. Clark has no sense of consistency or feel for the game. The quicker he is out of rugby league, the better off we all will be.

Fun Fact #1: The Canberra Raiders main colour of lime green was chosen in homage to the first rugby league team ever formed in the ACT, Hall.

Fun Fact #2: The original colours of Cronulla before they entered the premiership were brown with a gold v but after gaining admittance in 1967 they selected the blue, black and white in honour of the Cronulla Surf Club. Legendary coach Warren Ryan played in Cronulla's first match.

Fun Fact #3: The moniker Eels was adopted by Parramatta after former top league scribe Peter "Chippy" Frillingos noted that Parramatta in aboriginal meant "The place where Eels lie down". Parramatta has turned out to be a remarkably accurate name for the place.

Fun Fact #4: The Illawarra Steelers adapted a scarlet coloured jersey after the colour of the Illawarra flame tree.

Fun Fact #5: The St. George club were initially colloquially known as both the "Saints" and "Dragon Slayers" before becoming the Dragons in what can only be described as a somewhat ironic twist.

Fun Fact #6: Manly were the first club to adopt an official emblem with an emblazoned Sea Eagle on their jerseys from day one. Many writers and fans of the day, however, referred to them as the "Seagulls".

Note: Thanks to Sean Fagan and his brilliant www.rl1908.com website for providing many of the above facts. Any student of rugby league history should spend 72 straight hours reading everything Sean has written on the site.

Rumours of the Week: The mill has it that the Titans will be thrown out of the NRL this week. Four Corners has apparently uncovered plenty of evidence to suggest the Titans knowingly cheated the cap. Only time will tell, I guess, but many in the gambling industry expect the Titans to cop the Storm stick before this week comes to an end. There has been plenty of speculation over the last week that Brett Kimmorley may return to Newcastle for a farewell season in 2011 though the Dogs are still favoured to retain him. Much will depend on outstanding young prospect Trent Hodkinson, who the Dogs are chasing hard and are believed to be on the verge of offering a big-time 4-year deal too. A division is forming in the playing ranks over the salary cap and player payments with the likes of Steve Price and Brett Kimmorley recommending a measured approach while players like Jarryd Hayne and Cameron Smith are seemingly calling for a player uprising. Those players outside the top tier are well in support of Price and Kimmorley and the position of the RLPA as they know that they have it reasonably well and that they cannot afford any sustained strike action. Johnathan Thurston is expected to announce he is remaining in rugby league this week. Israel Folau will announce he is not over the coming weeks.

Willie M Medal Voting: Paying homage to the klutz, the gibberer, the stutterer, the physically handicapped, the mentally infirm, the stupid, the dumb, the droppers, the thugs, the cheap shot merchants etc etc etc…

Australia-New Zealand:	3-Bronson Harrison (NZ)
	2-Jared Waera-Hargraves (NZ)
	1-Ben Matulino (NZ)
City-Country:	3-Mark Minichiello (City)
	2-Greg Bird (Country)
	1-Joel Reddy (City)
Manly-Dragons:	3-Ben Hornby (Stg)
	2-Ricky Thorby (Stg)
	1-Michael Lett (Stg)
Newcastle-Gold Coast:	3-Scott Dureau (New)
	2-Joseph Tomane (GC)
	1-Keith Lulia (New)
Melbourne-Brisbane:	3-Billy Slater (Mel)
	2-Todd Lowrie (Mel)
	1-Dane Nielsen (Mel)
Roosters-Cowboys:	3-Anthony Minichiello (Roo)
	2-Shaun Kenny-Dowall (Roo)
	1-Sam Perrett (Roo)
Leaderboard:	10-Chris Sandow (Sou)
	8-Greg Bird (GC), Todd Carney (Roo), Denan Kemp (Brs)
	7-Trent Barrett (Cro), James Maloney (War), Josh McCrone (Can), Ben Roberts (Bul), Joseph Tomane (GC)

 

Power Rankings:

Rank	Team	Record	Last Week	High	Low
1	Dragons	7-2	1	1	2
2	Manly	6-3	3	2	10
3	Gold Coast	7-2	2	2	5
4	Penrith	5-3	4	3	11
5	Parramatta	4-4	6	3	13
6	Wests Tigers	4-4	7	3	7
7	Souths	4-4	8	6	16
8	Roosters	5-4	5	4	9
9	Canterbury	3-5	9	5	10
10	Canberra	3-5	10	10	15
11	Brisbane	3-6	14	7	15
12	Cowboys	3-6	13	12	14
13	Warriors	3-5	12	7	13
14	Newcastle	3-6	11	10	14
15	Cronulla	2-6	15	12	15
*	Melbourne	6-2	*	*	*

 

Where the Melbourne Storm Would Be If: The Storm would have dropped to 4th place after their shock loss to the Broncos, a loss that would be hard to fathom had the Storm been playing for keeps. They would still only be a win off the Dragons and Titans, however, breathing down their necks like an open-mouthed pedo at the school athletics carnival.

Game of the Year Nomination, Round 9: Newcastle-Gold Coast, 36-38. It wasn't what you would call a hallmark weekend for rugby league despite the importance of a new stadium opening up in Melbourne. The Test match turned into a dour struggle thanks to eighty minutes of heavy rain and while the remainder of the weekend was a little more free flowing, the quality was not spectacular. The Eagles-Saints game didn't live up to its billing. The Storm were hideous against Brisbane and the Roosters were worse against the Cowboys. At least the Knights-Titans game was close. Defence was nonexistent as the Titans tied the Hunter Mariners and Canterbury Bulldogs for putting up the highest losing score. 13 tries were scored in all in what turned into a somewhat heroic game. The match should hardly be lauded, however, as such piteous defence is nothing to be proud of. Regardless, the game of the round.

Stats from the Penguin: In 95 first grade matches for Penrith and Cronulla, Ben Pomeroy has made 125 handling errors at an astonishing 1.32 per match. Ladies and gentlemen, the one, the only, Retarded Penguin.

Coaching Stocks:

Wayne Bennett [5] Tough loss but it was to a good team and they did not get the breaks. Likely had an easy week.

Des Hasler [4.5] Have rolled the Storm and Dragons now. They are flying particularly considering 8 rep back-ups.

Craig Bellamy [4] Hugely disappointing effort at opening of AAMI Park. Tough road ahead.

John Cartwright [4] Shocking defensive performance but got the two points so still ticking over nicely.

Kevin Moore [3.5] BYE

Matt Elliott [3.5] BYE

Tim Sheens [2.5] BYE

Brian Smith [2.5] Humiliating defeat to Cowboys sans Thurston. Really need Pearce back. Lacked cohesion.

Daniel Anderson [2] BYE

John Lang [1.5] BYE

David Furner [1.5] BYE

Neil Henry [0.5] Huge win on the road without Thurston. Finally showed some heart in defence. Best 2010 win

Ivan Henjak [0] Best win of the year against Storm. Turned it on for 80 mins. May prove a turnaround game.

Rick Stone [-0.5] Letting in 38 points at home is just not good enough. Needs to look at defensive attitude.

Ricky Stuart [-3] BYE

Ivan Cleary [-5] BYE

The Queanbeyan Kangaroos 2010 Campaign: The Kangaroos 2010 campaign is back on track after their loss to the Gungahlin Bulls last week with the Pride of Queanbeyan downing the Goulburn Workers Bulldogs 33-22 at Freebody Oval. The Bulldogs, coming off wins against the Queanbeyan Blues and the Yass Magpies, were viewed as a formidable opponent and they put up quite a fight but in the end the Roos were too strong, putting up a final margin of 11. It was also pleasing to see the Kangaroos nail their first field goal of the year with Aaron Gorell dropping one to put the Roos up by 11. The highlight of the match was winger Adam Misios running 100 metres to pull down a flying Goulburn centre centimetres short of the line after the Roos had thrown an intercept. Good work lads.

Obscure Score of the Week: Parkes 86-Cobar 16. The Parkes Spacemen kicked off their 2010 campaign with a huge win over Cobar at Tom Knight Oval in Cobar as Parkes reasserted themselves as short-priced favourites for the 2010 group 11 title. Led by Fijian contingent Ilsoni Vonomateiratu, Semisi Tora and Alipate Noilea, all of whom represented Fiji in the 2008 World Cup, the Spacemen ran rampant over a hapless Cobar outfit.

Fantasy Team of the Week:

• 1. Ben Farrar (Man)
• 2. Akuila Uate (New)
• 3. Willie Tonga (Cow)
• 4. Israel Folau (Brs)
• 5. Tony Williams (Man)
• 6. Greg Bird (GC)
• 7. Todd Carney (Roo)
• 13. Corey Parker (Brs)
• 12. Ben Teo (Brs)
• 11. Sam Thaiday (Brs)
• 10. Dan Hunt (Dra)
• 9. Anthony Watts (Cow)
• 8. Trent Merrin (Dra)

Waiver Wire Advice: Storm hooker Ryan Hinchcliffe is going to be helpful over the next month with Cameron Smith sidelined. The former Raiders rake played 65 minutes against the Broncos, making 38 tackles and 61 metres on 8 runs in a top notch performance. At $183k, he is going to be a nice cheap filler for the next month and will prove good use throughout Origin when Smith is out. You will certainly be able to sell him for more soon at any rate. Make no mistake about it: Matt Duffie is going to be a superstar. You want ever get him at $88k again. Snap him up. Now is the time to be wary of byes, particularly if you are more concerned with total score than head-to-head results. My advice here: get your priorities right. The only thing that matters is the league.

Beard Watch: The Manly club are once again blazing the trail on beards but unfortunately it is their injured contingent who are blessed by the facial follicles at present. Fox Sports cameras shot to the injured Brett Stewart and David "Wolfman" Williams and both had made very nice progress with their beards. Wolfie's was, of course, a free flowing cascade of beautiful beard while Stewart looks like he is ready to lay it down to the Wolfman. The only bad news is that we are unlikely to see either beard on the field this year. Stewart has already been ruled out for the season while Williams is suffering further complications from his collarbone injury and may not be back this year.

Lazy Long Bay Days, Part 10: Chris has a parole hearing and fancies his chances of getting an early release. That is until the biker gang who have made him their prag mess it all up. Hours before the parole hearing, pandemonium rains supreme in D Wing, where Houston is kept. One of the bikers has shivved another but all fingers point towards Houston. With an ongoing investigation into the stabbing, Houston'a parole application is quickly rejected. Houston swears revenge but is quickly beaten to a pulp by the taunting gang who amuse themselves with Houston's misery.

Watch It: Matty Johns has got a funny new little skit going called Tim and Tom, the life and times of two die-hard Manly dropkicks, Click Here Well, like all good fiction, it has its grounding in reality and I don't want to draw unsubstantiated parallels but I dare say Matty is taking the piss out of Theo, this Manly fan Click Here Theo doesn't seem like a creep at all. Anyone who cares to hazard a guess of what was in Adam Cuthbertson's package; feel free to send it in. I am guessing the head of a baby penguin adorned in miniature headgear smeared in the ejaculate of his mate George. But that is just a guess. This column has never been fond of Adam Cuthbertson but one can't help but feel sorry for him as he may have had to file a restraining order against Theo, who never seems to blink.