Operation: Origin Fallout
Doctor, doctor gimme the news, I got a bad case of Origin Blues.
It’s been a long time between drinks for the New South Wales faithful, and if you’re anything like the Crystal Ballboy, you kept those drinks coming late into the night and throughout the Socceroos match.
Needless to say, Thursday was a sleep deprived hungover haze, and I’m still suffering today. Unfortunately, this column is also likely to suffer as a result, so I apologise up front.
While Laurie and his Blues celebrated an 8 year Maroon streak-ending series win, it’s the NRL clubs, and more importantly, the NRLCEO’s who have been left singing the blues.
Looking at the Origin casualty ward, there are plenty of big names occupying beds, and then there’s a few doing time in NRL jail. Does anyone know if Progressive offer Fantasy Football insurance? I have a few claims I’d like to make…
But looking forward to Origin III – who is likely to step up and fill those now vacant positions? I’m not 100% certain who is going to play, but the odds are that I have them in my NRLCEO team, and will struggle without them.
That also means that some of the nuffies that I’ve had to recruit to cover the bye weeks and my Origin players, are now likely to be the players that are going to cover those injured and suspended players NRL absences. On one hand, I have them in my squad, but on the other hand – they offer very little scoring wise.
I say legalise peptides, steroids, and whatever medicinal drugs it takes to get my blokes back on the damned field, and more importantly on the virtual scoreboard.
Anyway – onto this weeks predictions.
Raiders v Bulldogs
Canberra have a Friday night game at home? What is this, 1994?
I don’t remember the last time the Green Machine rolled on a Friday. I think it was back when Croker missed that penalty goal in 2010.
Despite sitting third last, I predict that if Canberra can win this match, they will go excruciatingly close to making the top 8 at the end of the year. They couldn’t have come up against the Dogs at a better time either, with Canterbury having an understrength backline, halves backing up to play their second game in three days, and a pack of forwards who are missing Tolman.
Canterbury Bankstown will have to get through a mountain of work, so there will be a few forward tries on offer. But I foresee that there is too much going against the Dogs, and Campo will star for Canberra, celebrating the 20th anniversary of their GF win over Canterbury with another win.
Warriors v Broncos
Warriors at home. Several Broncos backing up from Origin. Warriors win.
Shaun Johnson and the Warriors poms will combine well this week, and make everyone start questioning if McFadden’s side (who are 4-2 under the new coach) are the real deal. Quick tip – they’re not, but this game will ensure no one takes them lightly.
Traditionally, the Broncos used to suffer post Origin. This torch has been passed to Melbourne, but they are still feeling the effects of a depleted and overworked team. Ben Hunt will have to be zeroed in to keep the Brisbane boys in the – pardon the pun – hunt. If you can afford to, take a gamble on Andrew “Workhorse Machine” McCullough’s replacement Jake Granville. Someone will have to step up to cover his workrate, and it could be him.
Sharks v Sea Eagles
Something is certainly peculiar when you start thinking that the Sharkies are actually a chance of toppling the Eagles.
Any other day of the year, it’s a no-brainer – Manly. But with the return of many injured players to the first grade squad, and Captain Gallen buzzing after a historic Origin win – you can’t discount Cronulla. Finally, all those blokes you drafted and have considered dropping all year will get a run. Look to Carney to have a big game, but don’t expect Gal to make a workhorse try. It’s high time Brett Stewart and the Manly backline stood up too, so beware.
The belief in the Shire will be at an all-time high, and will either be the catalyst of their resurgence, or the end of their 2014 hopes.
I foresee this being a clash for the ages, with Cronulla holding a slim lead into the final 10 minutes. Wether or not they get the money is uncertain, the Crystal Steeden is foggy, but I will be backing the Sharks with the start.
Slater v Hayne II: Eel-ectric Boogaloo
Hayne took the honours in Round 1 on Wednesday – but this time, it’s personal!
There are more Storm players backing up, but the Eels rely more heavily on Hayne. I’m tipping Melbourne in this one, because they’re at home, and for no other reason. Parra can certainly win this one, and it won’t surprise me if they do. What I am looking forward to most in this match is the Waqa/Tonumaipea vs Radradra/Toutai clashes out wide, where there are plenty of points on offer.
I predict there are CEO points a-plenty in this game, in the forwards and the backs, so play ‘em if you got ‘em!
Titans v Dragons
Unless you’re a fan of either team, or have an abundance of their players in your NRLCEO squad, you won’t care about this game.
If you’re in a smaller league and missing players due to injury and bye, chances are that you’ve resorted to recruiting Titans players. Not that the Dragons are going much better, but they have scored more points this year – just.
If after this match, Benji Marshall isn’t firing on all cylinders, he never will. He went pretty good against what was essentially a NSW Cup Sharks team, and struggled a bit against the Panthers. To be a real finals contender, the Dragons MUST win this match. Otherwise, they like the Titans, will only be a speed bump on other teams road to the top 8.
The Crystal Steeden has provided me with no insight into this match, so I’m resorting to my Magic 8-Ball.
Will the Titans win? “Yes”
Will the Dragons win? “Signs point to yes”
Will Benji set up any tries? “No”
Will William Zillman have a big impact? “My sources say yes”
Is Mark Minichiello worth recruiting? “My sources say yes”
Is Ben Creagh done for the year? “Please ask again”
Is this ball full of shit? “No”
There you have it – I guess it’s gonna be a draw!?
Knights v Cowboys
How are the Knights so terrible? I feel like I ask myself this every week.
There are 7 blokes backing up, and 2 ruled out (so far) from this game. So it will be up to blokes like Mason, and Smith to step up for the Knights, and Thompson and Kostjasyn for the Cowboys.
With Gidley back in the 9, he should be good for a workhorse effort, and his teammates will also be in contention if they are to stand a chance. Which they don’t.
Cowboys SHOULD win easy. I emphasise SHOULD because this is exactly the type of game, that teams as crap as Newcastle are this year, are likely to win – just to screw your tips up. If you like yourself a bit of an underdog, consider putting a bit of cash on the Knights (if you can afford it) – but don’t necessarily expect a return.
There you have it for Round 15. I’m off to get a Berocca and an egg and bacon roll.
The Crystal Ballboy
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