Supporters League Semi Finals Previews
With just two rounds to go until the Supporters League Grand Finals, it’s time to preview each of the competitions.
Supporters League I
In the first week of finals the Raiders were comprehensively beaten by the Roosters 71-24 and coach Nute was so ashamed he hasn’t been seen since. The reigning Supporters League champions from last year, the Eels were also beaten 43-23 by the Sharks and coach Shags can only console himself knowing that he stole a title last year. The Broncos and Bulldogs were the other winners this week and earned themselves a bye and then a free progression to next round. I only tipped two from four in this comp last week.
The first semi final sees one of NRLCEOs original CEO’s Bona taking the reigns of his mixed squad known as the Titans. As we mentioned last week, he only has two remaining Titans and has entrusted Ryan James with the skippers double point responsibilities. A pretty easy call to make. He’ll take on coach Gal’s Sharks who find themselves floundering at the wrong end of the season. They’ve now lost three of their last four and I don’t think it gets any better for them here. Titans 13+.
The second match sees two teams outside the top eight on the real NRL table but doing well in fantasy land. Incudan’s Tigers were on a three game winning streak before last week’s loss to the Broncos but they are still floating up around the 50 point mark each week. Skeeny’s Roosters were on fire last week as the demolished the Raiders by almost 50 points! With Latrell Mitchell going well with the boot, Jake Friend workhorsing every week and Boyd Cordner finding form again I think they’ll win 13+.
Supporters League II
Last week we said goodbye to the Storm and the Eels. So a good season for Josh and Brettskees but better luck next year. The Broncos and Bulldogs won their respective battles and now have the bye so we’ll talk about them next week.
The first knock out semi final is between JP’s Roosters and JB’s Raiders with a great rivalry already. The Roosters scored 913 all year and the Raiders 910 so it’s evenly poised! But in the head to head stakes the Roosters are up 2-0 this year, but the most recent match was in the last round of the regular season and was one on stats revisions. The Roosters have been active in the free agency market and the Raiders had to replace Josh Hodson, but the Raiders could put a cricket score on the Eels if they are on. Of course I’ll have to back myself, so Raiders 13+.
The second semi final is a second chance for the Minor Premiers the Cowboys after losing the first week of the finals. Coach Deano has been active in the free agency market dropping big names Jake Granville and Iosia Soliola this week knowing that a loss will knock him out in straight sets. He takes on a fellow Queenslander in Bish and his mighty Eels. Based on last weeks scores the Eels would have won 52-39, but I’ll back JT and the Cowboys to win this one, also 1-12.
Supporters League III
There were two upsets out of four games in this competition last week but the games saw the end of Russ’ Raiders and Suthodan’s Sharkies. Both keen rugby league brains and bloggers, but it just wasn’t enough to get them over the line with each focusing on other competitions. The Cowboys and the Roosters earned themselves the bye and a free passage to next week.
Tigers coach Matt has just this competition to focus on so it’s no great surprise he is contending for the final four spots. He will take on the Cabeman and his Broncos in this knockout contest. The Tigers are on a decent run lead by Mitch Moses and James Tedesco, but losing Teddy could prove to be the downfall. The Broncos were the highest scoring team of the round in this competition last week and I fancy their chances – 1-12.
The Minor Premiers, the Storm, coached by Melb suffered a minor stumble last week against the Roosters but despite the Storm only scoring eight points in real life, they still managed to post 42 NRLCEO points. As the Storm now focus on a Sea Eagles side with nothing to play for and a fuming coach, I think they’ll post a high score this week. Warriors coach Pokerface86 has been keeping to his name and giving nothing away. He very rarely posts anything on the sledge board and goes about his business quietly. Still worried about no recognised kicker though and therefore I predict the Storm 13+.
Supporters League IV
I tipped three out of four results in this competition last week, but that doesn’t make it predictable! We farewelled Jez’s Knights and Moneyball regular Rhys’ Cowboys after both disappointingly only scored 30 and 31 points each for the round. The Bulldogs and Warriors earned a week off.
The Storm versus Raiders was great to watch in the NRL and I’m sure this battle will be great too! Coach Jamie’s Storm need to overcome a two match losing streak in order to get up in this one. The fact they even came withing eight points last week was a testament to staying true to Corey Oates. The Raiders are coached by Rocky7st and will be hoping it’s seventh time lucky after winning their last six games. With the Raiders playing the Eels in real life expect Jarrod Croker to lift, but he has the flexibility of throwing the kicking to Nathan Cleary too. I’ll back the Raiders 13+. Sensing any bias here?
The very last semi final out of all four competitions sees Czerny’s Eels up against Cara’s Broncos. Strangely enough these two teams have managed to avoid each other all season, so it’s hard to predict who wins this one. The Eels were poor last week scoring only 25 NRLCEO points and to be honest I can’t see them doing too much better this week. The Broncos on the other hand have plenty of improvement left in them and with Coote, Roberts, Milford and Hunt running around in their squad I think they’ll also win 13+.
Good luck to everyone, except JP playing against me!
JB
Latest posts by JB (see all)
- 2022 NRLCEO Position Updates - August 24, 2022
- NRLCEO HQ – No Pride in Manly (Ep #273) - July 27, 2022
- NRLCEO T-Shirt Competition - May 10, 2022
