Nrl 2004

[Seabiscuit]

I have mentioned in the past that Souths were hapless and had no attack (Serious Sports Bettors thread). Well they have finally found a player with some attacking ability - the Wagga Whiz. The work of the Wagga Whiz led to their win over Melbourne last week (although it was also first game for a new coach which is always dangerous). I think Souths might have changed and so might be worth a dollar to beat Manly this weekend in a match that is crucial in the race for the Wooden Spoon.

[jb]

Dont forget the warriors - i`d be dirty of they miss out on the wooden spoon.

[Seabiscuit]

Yes the Warriors are hot contenders for the Wooden Spoon. If Souths win this weekend then the Warriors will be looking good for it. But if Souths lose then Souths would still have to be favoured for the coveted Wooden Spoon.

I just think the Wagga Whiz might be able to have a major impact on Souths and lift them just clear of the Wooden Spoon.

[Seabiscuit]

Souths 34 Manly 30. Strange game with Souths leading 28-8 early in the second half. Then Manly hit the front 30-28 but lost a bit of momentum. Souths scored a late try and held on to win.

Souths have improved their attack with Williams and Craigie as their halves. A few weeks back they would not have won this game. But Manly's defence was very poor.

Souths are now off the bottom of the table accounting for byes and it does look a 3 way tussle for the Wooden Spoon with Manly, Warriors and Souths. Could go either way. But definitely Souths odds should lengthen a bit and the other two teams come in a bit in the betting for the Wooden Spoon.

[Fighting Tiger]

No doubt Seabiscuit you are a keen Souths fan. You poor unfortunate soul !
They have really hit some form now since King Arthur has taken over haven't they.
It will be shame that your glimmer of hope for a promising finish to the end of the season will come to a sudden halt at Leichhardt on Aug 8th.

[Seabiscuit]

Yes you picked it Fighting Tiger. But it does seem Souths have turned the corner as I predicted on this thread before the Manly game. A thumping win over the Panthers on the weekend. If they beat the Warriors on Sunday then they are pretty much sure of avoiding the spoon.

The Tigers might be a good longshot bet for Wooden Spoon honours.

[Fighting Tiger]

You are correct Seabiscuit - I was actually initially going to congratulate you on your superb tipping that Souths would improve markedly once the Wagga Whiz established himself in 1st grade but being new to this forum I was unsure how to reply to an old posting.
I hope you took some of those juicy odds re the wooden spoon on both Warriors & Manly at that time.
The real test will come for Souths this weekend against the Warriors in NZ I feel. For the 1st time in many years they may actually start favourite for a game they should (on recent form) be entitled to win. As I have learnt on many occasions being a Tigers fan that this is a great test for an improving side. This is their first real test of pressure this year - they are actually expected to win this weekend. How will they cope?

[Seabiscuit]

The Warriors have basically the same team that ran 3rd or 4th last season so I suppose they can win it if they fire up to avoid the Wooden Spoon. But I don't think this will happen. I think the Warriors just don't care about this season and look content to run last (unlike Manly who have never got the prized Wooden Spoon in their proud history). They just drop the ball all the time and are turnstiles in defence. The Wagga Whiz and the crafty Craigie will weave their magic and Souths will win probably eased down.

Melbourne should extend the Tigers losing sequence to 5.

[cheesebeast]

What happened to the bunny rabbits?

[Seabiscuit]

It was blowing a gale in the land of long white cloud and this magic wind favoured the Warriors. Warriors played well in fact. Souths continued their improvement from the Langers days but were not good enough to beat the Warriors at their best. It will be close for the Spoon now between Souths, Manly and the Warriors.