The Adjudicator was back to his brilliant best in round 24 with a man-of-the-match performance of six from eight.
The back-to-life Broncos have again managed to upset the apple-cart as the Dragons went missing in action for the second week in a row. And don’t even get me started on Mr MIA himself, Terry Campese.
I’m unhappy to say Mrs A has finally let me out of the doghouse and back into her life - for this week at least. Needless to say, I’m a little apprehensive about having to impress the old ball and chain.
But the show must go on punters and I’m ready to chase perfection in this most difficult of rounds.
South Sydney Rabbitohs v St George Illawarra, Saturday 7.30pm, ANZ Stadium
The Adjudicator says: “The Rabbitohs may talk up their chances here against a team with a minor dose of finalitis, but who are they kidding? They have a raft of injuries, nothing to be play for and a ticket firmly stamped for the back end of the table , so do you have a whiff on an upset? I didn't think so! The only thing Saint Benny is sweating on is the rumour Darius Boyd is considering walking away from the game to become a public speaker. Darius’s stirring pre-game speech didn’t work against the Broncos, but his Martin Luther King impersonation won’t have to be as inspirational here. I’ll be expecting Jamie Soward to restore world order with a star performance that’ll send the Rabbitohs home to Redfern in tears.
Agree/disagree with The Adjudicator? Tell him, in 100 words or fewer, why your team will win this match. Email The Adjudicator, including your full name and where you're from.
LATEST COMMENTS FROM FANS
Rabbitohs fan Harry says: "Hello there Mr Adjudicator , It's kinda like this , losing those four experienced campaigners last week means absolutely nothing again. The newcomers gave it their all and came up short , how does this happen ? When you have a pivot who is not even on the radar for most of the game , and for that matter the entire season it causes a lot of friction among the fans and team mates . So on this occasion ( and this really is a one off ) I expect St Merge to win on the back of a Benny charged Soward led assault . As for tears going home to Redfern , hardly , that's for the CEO & coach . Souths by 7 , in an upset of course , maybe just maybe , Soward and his opposite swap jumpers before the game.”
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North Queensland Cowboys v Brisbane Broncos, Friday 7.35pm, Dairy Farmers Stadium
The Adjudicator says: “Maybe it's the smell of September in the air but the Broncos have been pretty good of late. But be careful - three consecutive wins don't make a season. I've seen too many limp Broncos performances to be smitten just yet. Months and months of inadequacy still burns brightly in the Adjudicator's mind. This is the last throw of the finals dice for the Cowboys and there's no better setting for a final flurry than in front of a parachial Dairy Farmers Stadium crowd. Desperation will rule the night and delay Brisbane's finals party for at least another week.”
Agree/disagree with The Adjudicator? Tell him, in 100 words or fewer, why your team will win this match. Email The Adjudicator, including your full name and where you're from.
LATEST COMMENTS FROM FANS
Broncos fan Luke of Victoria says: "The Broncos just keep proving you wrong Mr A, I was just wondering will this week be the week you back them? The broncos this week will find many holes in the Cowboys defense especially with the possibility of Folau being back from injury which will mean the broncos will be a full side. Broncos by 20!”
Broncos fan Ryan says: "Your nuts adjudicator why cant you sports writers admit when ur wrong for months u clowns have been trashing the broncs every year you guys say the broncos will miss out on finals but we never do and yet you refuse to admit ur wrong ur full of your selves insted of admiting ur a clown and you were wrong about the broncos falling out of finals race you cough up crap no one said we'd beat the sharks or the panthers or Saints but we did while were not their yet nor are we faves for comp but we are back and we will get past cowboys by 8 to 12 points just admit u were wrong clown!”
Broncos fan Damian of Brisbane says: "What is it with your hate for Brisbane? They beat Cronulla 30-10. That game for me looked like a round 1 game for Brisbane. They were rusty, but got the job done. Against Penrith, a side that was above them on the ladder, they let in 4 soft tries early, but then slammed the Panthers defense with a 40-0 flogging in the next 40 minutes. Last week, they kept the competition leaders to 2 points. TWO! Not a single try conceded.. In fact, no tries conceded in 120 mins of footy. If you cant wake up and smell the roses yet, well, you Sir, never will. Broncos by 14!”
Broncos fan Phil of Sydney says: "Mr Adjudicator, I think you underestimate the team that is the broncos. Yes we had some extremely poor performances, but we are clearly close to our top game again. With our forwards playing well, the likes of Lockyer, Wallace, Hodges and Hunt are sure to take advantage against the cowboys. I do not even need to mention big Dave Taylors performance as of late. This team has a lot of points in them, and now with our defence back on track, they are a real shot of the premiership! Broncos by 20.”
Broncos fan Chris of Milton says: "Here's the adjudicator picking against the Broncos again. Understandable against St-Benny, but not the Cows. I lambasted Mr A for making assumptions about Broncs fans being too one-eyed to see the truth last week. I was proved much right - a lot of us didn't think we'd beat the Dragons. We are happy we did and proud of the nasty mood of the forwards (I am eating a slab of humble pie about Sims - man he was cranky). The only way the dose won't be repeated this week, is if they read and believe this week's Broncos-Bum-kissing press. Other than that, the score could be like Michael Clarke's Ashes batting average. Go out boys and be nasty against little brother. Sorry little brother, it's your turn to be beaten up.”
Broncos fan Luke of Brisbane says: "I love you Sydney residing, Broncos hating foe. Accept the fact that the Broncos ARE BACK and are ready to do damage, we have won 6/20 premierships which is a sickeningly high strike rate…2009 is our year. We don’t accept losing in Brisbane…”
Broncos fan Ozman of the Sunshine State says: "I aint sure what Mrs A is feeding ya champ but you should get off the gear. The cowboys havent looked like winning a game in 4 weeks when they should Have won comfortably. Bronx only team to hold the comp leaders tryless this Year. No Matty B and mail is there is a rift in townsville u could white water raft On. Bronx by 30 and you back into the doghouse for your outlandish comments..;)”
Broncos fan Watto says: "I reckon the Cowboys without Bowen are far less potent in attack, and so can’t see them beating a resurgent Broncos pack who’ve started believing in themselves all of a sudden (probably coinciding with the great form of Dave Taylor, and the no-nonsense return of Nick Kenny). Broncos in a close one – let’s say 4.”
Cowboys fan Fraden says: "May the best team win. I'm a massive cowboys fan and hope they win but if they don't win this game I wish the Broncos best of luck in the finals. To Ozman from the sunshine state, I heard the same thing about the broncos about a month ago. Lets hope a Queensland team wins the NRL premiership!!!!!!!!”
Cowboys fan Craig of Rockhampton says: "The adjudicator is spot on with this one with the Cowboys at home to get the cash. The desparate defence the Cowboys showed in their 10-0 win over the Broncos in their first ever home final will once again be on show to get them over the line 'you name it to nil'. A win the following week and they can squeeze into the eight. It could very well come down to either the Cowboys or Broncos making the eight depending on the result of the Bronco's game in round 26.”
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Parramatta Eels v Penrith Panthers, Friday 7.35pm, Parramatta Stadium
The Adjudicator says: “Mrs A was over the moon with her loyal fencesitter’s ‘vision’ to back the Eels against the Tigers. The floor wasn’t as comfortable as our bed, but it was nice to be back in the master bedroom. Meanwhile, I just can’t get the Panthers second-half capitulation against the Broncos out of my head. Who cares how good they looked against the depleted Bunnies! Word around town is Daniel Anderson will rest 16 of his players to allow Jarryd Hayne some solo time on Friday night. Unfortunately for Penrith, Hayne v 17 Panthers is still a toss up.”
Agree/disagree with The Adjudicator? Tell him, in 100 words or fewer, why your team will win this match. Email The Adjudicator, including your full name and where you're from.
LATEST COMMENTS FROM FANS
Panthers fan Tim of Penrith says: "There is an old saying that you are as only as good as your last effort! As a Penrith fan I will run with that and hope the boys stick to a simple game plan of hitting it hard up the middle and shifting it wide late in the count to Jennings and Tighe, who for mine has been one of Penrith’s best for the last month or so, and get the 2 points against Parra. There will be points galore down Grothe’s side and it should be a long night for the bloke who regards himself as a musician, not a football player. If the Black Cats can shut down Hayne, Parramatta are gone. He has single handily carried the Eels during and after the origin period. Solid defence, such as last weeks and a kicking game not allowing Hayne to dominate possession will see Penrith’s forwards and far more exciting backs be too much for the one man band Eels.”
Panthers fan Mark of Neutral Bay says: "Are you serious… I hope the other teams in the competion think as little of Penrith as you do, that will go a long way in helping us win the premiership this year. Penrith to beat Parramatta by 4 in a nail bitter!”
Panthers fan James says: "You have under estimated the Panthers Mr Adjudicator. If you look at where Penrith got their points last week were on the edges that is a long away from Hayne. Frank Puletua this week made 276 metres this week, which is a huge amount. Hayne is sure to have an off game and this is the one with Jennings out classing him. Penrith are red hot and have some excess energy to burn. Frank Pritchard was good against the Dragons, the Broncos and the Rabbitohs so he will have no problem getting through Parramatta's defence. Penrith will beat the "flukey" eels and will stop Hayne early on. Penrith by 12.”
Eels fan Brendan of Marooka says: "There is an old saying that if you do as you've always done then you'll get what you have always got, Parra will do what they've done the last 6 wks and claim the 2 points, shout out to all you tigers supporters from last wk, what happened? Unlucky, next yr maybe. Parra to win this one by 10 and Matthew Elliot's hair to get abit thiner. Go Robson!!”
Eels fan Gaz of Lane Cove says: "Hey Mr A, The Panthers aren't too bad a team but unfortunately for them the Eels are in a rich vein of form. With Master Hayne guiding the battleship the whole team is going gangbusters and will give the Panthers a Premiership reality check to remember. It will be close for awhile but the Eels will cut loose as only they know how and reduce these so called men from the mountains to mere shadows of their former selves. Eels by at least 13 points.”
Eels fan Joel of Baulkham Hills says: "The Parramatta Eels will take this game out fairly comfortably. Jarryd Hayne and the Eels are the form team of the comp, everyone in the team is doing their job and playing great!! The Blue & Ggold army will be out in force at Parramatta Stadium on Friday and will give the Eels an enormous lift and even more motivation than they already have to make the finals and play for their fans!!! Daniel Mortimer for man of the match and the Eels by 14!!”
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Gold Coast Titans v Wests Tigers, Saturday 5.30pm, Skilled Park
The Adjudicator says: “Beautiful beaches, all the best amusement parks and more stunning bikini-clad women than you can poke a stick at. Now those selfish Titans go out and guarantee themselves a home semi-final. Can it get any worse? Yes, they could win the premiership - but that's a sneaky tip from the Adjudicator to expand on another time. The Tigers' finals push has simply run out of steam. Benji Marshall may be ready to put on a magic show for the bronzed Gold Coast faithful but the home side has it's own genius in Scott Prince. Granted, it will be tight, but the Titans are on the path to greater things this season.”
Agree/disagree with The Adjudicator? Tell him, in 100 words or fewer, why your team will win this match. Email The Adjudicator, including your full name and where you're from.
LATEST COMMENTS FROM FANS
Tigers fan Frank says: "May beat a depeted Tigers ,but come the Semi Finals , Titans will be the 1st team out, and good ridance. Love to see them play the Bulldogs and Rogers became an Idris speed bump again.”
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Melbourne Storm v Sydney Roosters, Saturday 7.30pm, Olympic Park
The Adjudicator says: “What better way to boost your confidence than by playing the Roosters. Bellamy and the boys must have had a good chuckle when they realised the Chooks were heading south this weekend. Even Billy Slater would have felt a little more at ease after he threw the game away against Manly with a serious case of white-line fever. With club legends Freddy and Fitzy on their way out through the turnstile, you would assume the Roosters would show a little more passion? If Melbourne don’t put on 50+ at Olympic Park there’s something wrong.”
Agree/disagree with The Adjudicator? Tell him, in 100 words or fewer, why your team will win this match. Email The Adjudicator, including your full name and where you're from.
LATEST COMMENTS FROM FANS
Storm fan Sachin of Melbourne says: "With their current form, Storm cannot be backed these days, however even without their edge they will be stronger than a breeze that the chooks can withstand. Big Willie has played his one-big game of the year against Dogs, so he is ready for his pension fund. Who else is left - Nate Myles? We can always show him the extraordinary bars of Melbourne and let him make good use of his Friday and Saturday evening. Storm by 24.”
Storm fan Brendan says: "Adjudicator is spot on. The Storm will bounce back and seek revenge on the birds from Bondi. They will be feeding on roast chook for Sunday dinner.”
Storm fan Josh of Canberra says: "Mr A - so one week you turn your tip around against Storm, even though ended up correct, and now this week you say if not 50+ then there is something wrong. I'm sorry, but where are the Dogs coming and why didn't they beat the Roosters by 50+? One week you say Storm are done and dusted and the next you say they should beat a team by more than teams going better than them! You sure you didn't knock your head hard on the floor when you slept on it? Storm to win.”
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Manly Sea Eagles v Cronulla Sharks, Sunday 2pm, Brookvale Oval
The Adjudicator says: “The nightmare continues for the Sharkies against a Sea Eagles outfit moving menacingly towards September. Here’s hoping the Brookvale crowd are fans of the Mexican wave because this one’s destined for a cricket score. Sharkies fans should avoid the dreaded trip across the Spit and just watch the replay at Northies. The Sea Eagles have one eye on the top four and are starting to believe they can go back-to-back. Don’t worry Ricky, only two weeks of this car wreck of a season to go.”
Agree/disagree with The Adjudicator? Tell him, in 100 words or fewer, why your team will win this match. Email The Adjudicator, including your full name and where you're from.
LATEST COMMENTS FROM FANS
Sea Eagles fan Dandy says: "Can Manly win without Jamie Lyon? Is Brett Stewart back? Are the questions in mind of every Manly fans. It is not going to be easy if Manly only rely on Orford's kicking. Kieran Foran need to step up and kick more to take pressure off Orford. If Brett Stewart back and the kicking game of Manly are spot on, it will be a cricket score in the Brookie Fortress. I still believe is going to be hard game. Go Manly by 6+”
Sea Eagles fan Geoff of Terrigal says: "I can't see The Sharks successfully lifting for this one - they may try hard but Manly will be hungry in another MUST WIN game. We should play as rough as we legally can and dominate from tackle zero. Is Lyon OK? - I haven't researched. Stewart B? I say play him off the bench. We must hope Storm will fail, so we head for a home game Elimination Final against them. Cronulla won't do us any favours! Manly 30-18.”
Sea Eagles fan Helen of Manly says: "the Sharks will receive their last rites on Sunday courtesy of a lethal Manly cocktail spiked with Snake poison. GO THE MIGHT MANLY SEA EAGLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You know you love them Adjudicator! Ha”
Sea Eagles fan Robbie D of Gold Coast says: "I have the inside scoop Adjudicator, Ricky Ponting and his boys will be at Brookvale oval on Sunday afternoon to see what a cricket score actually is. Rumour also has it that Luke Covell will be shifted to middle of the park as by the time he kicks off and runs over to his wing, it will be time to run back to the middle and kick off again. Last week I made a prediction with and without B. Stewart, this week who cares! Expect several Sea-Eagle backs to push for ACB contracts this up-coming season as the fittest person on the field will be the score board operator, Manly “Bradman” Sea-Eagles by 42.”
Sharks fan Wobbegong says: "We are gone unless David Gallop changes the scoring system this week to include: 6 pts for dropping the ball on the first tackle (lock in 30pts) 4 pts for kicking out on the full (lock in 40 points) 3 pts for every TV shot of Ricky kicking the ground in frustration (another 30pts) 2 pts for Gallen doing something silly (another 100 pts) Manly to win by 38 points!!!”
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Bulldogs v Warriors, Sunday 3pm, ANZ Stadium
The Adjudicator says: “Hopefully the Bulldogs haven’t lost too much bite after persevering with a boring 80-minute training run against the Roosters. But there’s not too much to worry about this weekend as the predictably-bad Warriors make their way across the Tasman. Kimmorley has always been one of Mrs A’s favourites, and I’ve got to say little Noddy is starting to grow on yours truly as well. The Bulldogs' last-to-first fairytale is potentially one of the season's best stories - and it could well hit the best sellers' list by the end of this weekend.
Agree/disagree with The Adjudicator? Tell him, in 100 words or fewer, why your team will win this match. Email The Adjudicator, including your full name and where you're from.
LATEST COMMENTS FROM FANS
Bulldogs fan Ian of Mount Colah says: "While the Dragons and the Eels get all the publicity the Dogs continue to fly under the radar towards yet another date with destiny on October 4. Hazem’s farewell, the minor premiership a distinct possibility and Steve Price returning home. All of which guarantees a huge 35,000 plus crowd and a big win for the Dogs. Last week I predicted the Dogs by 24 and I got it spot on. This week I expect a win by at least 30 as we farewell the greatest Bulldog of all time (and I don’t mean Daniel Holdsworth).”
Bulldogs fan Rezkalla of Punchbowl says: "Bulldogs to win with HAZEM EL-MAGIC crossing over for three tries. Bulldogs will win this game easy just as we beat Warriors with half our regular squad missing. Bulldogs to win by 20 if Daniel Holdsworth plays and Bulldogs to win by 30 if Ben Barba plays.”
Warriors fan George of Auckland says: "Although the Warriors gave us something to cheer about last week, expect an abysmal performance this week. Steve Price was instrumental in our victory vs. the Raiders, and his presence will be sorely missed, along with Mr Consistent Simon Mannering, one of our truly reliable players. Expect more erratic under-6 footy, and an angry bunch of Warriors supporters after the conclusion to the Kimmorley, Morris and Goodwin show, who will terrorise the out-of-position Lance Hohaia, and the miniscule Kevin Locke down the left. Bulldogs by 30+”
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Canberra Raiders v Newcastle Knights, Monday 7pm, Canberra Stadium
The Adjudicator says: “Is this one of those weeks where Campo sets the world on fire? Or will Campo go MIA again? Canberra will be hoping it’s the former because they are nothing without him. Knights coach Rick Stone must be loving life at the moment, but surely no one can be loving a trip to Canberra on a frigid Monday night. The Raiders love playing at home and have the added incentive of derailing the Knights’ finals charge. Call me crazy, but I get the feeling it will be the good Campo that turns up to gate-crash the now two-week long party for Stone.”
