Round 14 - Bye Week Part 2

So I've set myself a challenge for this bye week. I'm to watch as many games as possible over the weekend and comment on the performance of the teams and try to come up with an 'outstanding player' for each game. So far it's proved to be an interesting exercise and if anything has been gained from the challenge it would have to be adding players to my watchlist for Dream Team. I have enjoyed the challenge and enjoyed watching the games and my love and appreciation for Manly has grown. For games 1 and 2 check out part 1.

Game 3 Cronulla Sharks vs Gold Coast Titans. Both sides missing players. Carney and Gallen out for Sharks and Prince and Bird out for Titans. I picked Titans, not realising that Scott Prince was out as well, because they have had a pretty good run in the last few weeks.

I guess in my obsession passionate support for the Manly Sea Eagles, I have really had the blinders on, so to speak, and taken little or no notice of other players in the NRL. So this little exercise has helped me to appreciate the talent there is out there aside from my beloved team.

I couldn't really pick an outstanding player for either side in this game, so instead I'll name a few that I thought played well. Chad Townsend, playing five-eighth for the Sharks did well, kicked well and even scored a try. Colin Best played a good game as well, often finding or creating space and also scored a try for Cronulla. Beau Champion I thought played well for the Titans often running a fair amount of metres and finding small gaps in the Sharks defence. Aidan Sezer was also on my 'well-played' list and I thought Matt Srama did especially well for Gold Coast. Overall there were a few players who I now have on my watchlist for Dream Team. 


So, game 5 - yes I missed game 4 - Penrith Panthers vs NZ Warriors at Centrebet Stadium. The final score was 16-30 to the Warriors. The first half was very interesting, good football and entertaining as well. The Warriors lead 12-0 until a powerful surge of momentum from the Panthers evened out the score line. For awhile I thought the Panthers were in it to win it, but couldn't quite get the win.


I thought there were some good players out there tonight. For the Panthers I thought Josh Mansour, and Travis Burns played well and were consistent throughout the match. For the Warriors the two halves, James Maloney and Shaun Johnson were outstanding, really guiding and directing their team and eventually leading them to the win. No outstanding player as such. I thought there was a real sense of team out there on the field again tonight.


These are just my opinions, I could be talking rubbish. I don't pretend to be an expert and I've only just started really watching football in the last few years so I'm still learning. I listen to a lot of the commentary and try to learn from that. So no hating if you think my choices are poor!

Well Origin II this Wednesday. Looking forward to it, up the blues!

Happy Footballing!