Round -14 - Bye week Part 1

As with every year, I get quite put out by each bye round. I have nothing to plan my weekend around. I always put the Manly game first, and do not like giving up watching it live for much at all. So this weekend, what am I to do?

I could re-live last years Grand Final win, or several games from this year that I have recorded, but there is something wanting when you already know the outcome of the game. It doesn't carry the same tension and suspense as a live game and I probably will end up critiquing the team - as if I know any better or could actually play any better.

So instead of criticising my own team, why not pick some of the teams I dislike the most, watch their game and revel in their mistakes, cheering on the opposing team just because I hate them a little less. Perhaps a challenge is needed to motivate me, and I think I may have just the challenge. 

I'm going to watch as many games as I can over the weekend - there is only four or five - and from those games I have to pick one outstanding player and say some nice things about him. 

So I didn't publish this before the first game, but I will now.... and I'll also give credit to some great players from tonights Melbourne vs Wests game:

First and foremost, what a great game from Beau Ryan. Man of the match in my eyes, as well as Keno's apparently. He played well at fullback considering he normally plays centre, Tim Moltzen was out injured, actually Tim Moltzen was ruled out after warm-up, so a great effort to play so well with so little prep.

Secondly, I thought that both sides played well considering they were missing players. Tigers have been on a winning streak and it did not surprise me that they won. I thought there were a few shady calls, but games are fast and sometimes you see things differently. I thought that Melbourne played well without their little trio of players and those filling in really stepped up to the challenge.

Finally, I don't think there could have been a finer example of the challenge I set than tonights game. I tipped Tigers to win but I am not a fan of that team at all. So there I was, torn between wanting to tip a good round and wanting Storm to win just so I could see the Tigers lose. I'm sorry to all the Wests fans out there, being a Sea Eagles supporter I understand what it is like reading about how much somebody else hates your team, but try as I may I don't know if I could ever cheer on the Tigers, please accept my apologies. Ahh, yes, I think that will do it for the Melbourne vs Wests review.

OK, so game two of the weekend was Newcastle Knights vs Canberra Raiders. Two teams who have not been fairing particularly well over the last few weeks. It was an interesting game and I thought it was a very even match. The commentating was focusing on the poor defence efforts by both teams. In contrast I think that the Raiders did a much better job of defending their own goal compare to the Knights. The score at the end of the match was 32-16 to the Canberra Raiders.

Outstanding player? This was a hard one, I didn't feel as though many players really 'stood out', but if I had to pick one it would be Willie Mason. He proved to be one of the best defenders for the Knights and scored his first try for the season and first try as a Newcastle Knight. This try as well as his many runs really seemed to lift Newcastles spirit and through the TV, an otherwise quiet crowd of 15000, was heard.

Unfortunately I had picked Newcastle, but I have no beef with either of these teams and was disappointed for Newcastle - and my tipping streak - as much as I was pleased for the Canberra Raiders win. I think either team could have used the confidence boost from a win and unfortunately for Newcastle that was not the case.

Stay tuned for my 'outstanding player' for the rest of the games to come this weekend....