w00t, what a fluke win against Brisbane!
Our luck's out, though .. no Gasnier = no win.
Dragons vs Sea Eagles
Knights vs Broncos
I really can't decide the second game, it's a deadset toss of the coin at the moment. Buderus is gone for six weeks, as he deserved to be. But Johns is still a master, and with Thaiday coming into fullback, Gidley at five-eighth, Mullen can slot into hooker and be very versatile.
Broncos will have the advantage up front, but so much depends on Johns and Lockyer here .. I think Brisbane will get over the line, because Buderus is such a huge loss for the Knights.
I'll be going on Friday arvo after my exams finish to watch the Dragons .. in Flegg, Premier League and First Grade, hopefully.
I don't like our chances against Manly, though. They have been very impressive the whole of the last month, beating the Dogs, pushing Melbourne to the end, and same with Newcastle .. if Orford could have kicked truer, they would have won. Kennedy will be fired up for what may be his last game of NRL, and Gasnier out is a huge blow. Matty Head is still not match-fit enough to play most of the game, so he'll only be used again in the last 25-30, I presume.
Dragons should have the advantage up front, Bailey and Ryles are both in-form and are frankly better props than Kite and King. Missing Dean Young hurts our forwards, but Monaghan hasn't been an awe-inspiring hooker this season.
Millard will be targeted by Orford's kicking game, and with the inexperienced Morris on that side of the field too, the Sea Eagles are looking at a goldmine.