Premiership dreaming ... Petero is ready to lift the prize. Brett Costello

By The Adjudicator
foxsports.com.au
April 29, 2010

With Melbourne Storm anchored to last place, plenty of teams have begun perfecting their laps of honour. The Adjudicator splits the contenders from pretenders in round eight of the NRL.

The Adjudicator can't be everything to everyone. A master tipster? Yes. Capable of predicting force of nature catastrophes? No.

That's why predicting results like the Sharks total domination of anyone (okay the Knights in this case) or Manly's Brookvale brain explosion are beyond the realm of a mere mortal.

In this week of classic rivalries I too will be pitted against my No.1 nemesis, David Boutros, who is currently storming away atop The Adjudicator's tipping league.

Read on for my early-week musings, but make sure you bookmark this page and return on Friday for my all-important verdict. You see, my friends, you have the power to influence The Great Adjudicator. Get typing if you dare!

South Sydney v Manly, ANZ Stadium, Sunday 3pm (EST)
The Adjudicator says: "Souths got out of jail in Canberra after slipping a large quantity of Ambien into the Raiders' Gatorade at half-time. Coincidentally the Sea Eagles – the NRL's newly-crowned defending premiers - seem to have relapsed into the chronic second-half narcolepsy that beset their two early losses. This one could really be a case of 'you snooze, you lose' but I reckon if Souths don’t get off to a quick start, this could be the Rabbitohs biggest loss to Manly since Craig Field."

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
Craig says: "I was confident at half time against Canberra. Souths knew they needed to score 20 points without conceeding any, and that's what they did. Against Parra, Souths led 8-2 but played poorly in the first half - and as soon as Colin Worst scored, it was all over. Souths always beat Manly once per year. Since the sides play twice this year, this game could go either way. Dave Taylor is in devastating form (although I'm a bit worried that he will star in Robin Hood as a tree and Ian Schubert will be hot on the trail), but Burgess didn't do much last week and Pettyborne had his first game back. I'm expecting more of the same, Souths will be too strong. Souths by 12 (at least as long as you don't put the mocker on any of the players, Jude - you bagged Wesser last week and he got a try). Finally - what's got 26 legs and can't climb a ladder?"

Souths fan Billy says: You know how this is gonna play out. SOUTHS off to a flyer and up by 20 at half-time. Manly click and come home hard in the second half but bunnies pull out plenty in a fight with Sandow delivering again on his outstanding effort against the Raiders. Cant get that image out of my mind of Watmough and Orford spilling their lollies under the posts against a rampaging '09 bunnies outfit. Sandow slayed them then and he will do the same again. Manly are not a happy team. Too many sooks.

Andy in Canberra says: To The Missing Hairline, mate Choc tried that last year and we won by 8. Nothing will change this time around.

The Missing Hairline says: "Mr "A" after seeing the Wabbits somehow win last week and destroy my perfect 8 out of 8, I still wouldn't tip them with Russ Crows Money - I agree with my fellow Manly supporter "The Pumpa", that Sandow with his size 12 feet and 4 foot height is definately the worst halfback in the competition, he's built more like a speed bump than a footy player, which still won't slow Choc down at all, Choc will run at him all day causing more damage than the next Federal Budget and a quick word on Dave Taylor ........ Naaa I won't go there. Eagles by +13"

Manly fan Geoff says: "Simple facts are that the statistics for both teams is very similar and they are adjacent on the table. You can't say Manly 'shoulda' or 'coulda' - quite simply we 'didn't'. Both teams have played very well at times this year. As for those saying Farrah had a shocker - I can only recall one ball catching him out badly on Monday - he'll be fine. Matai is a concern with his chronic shoulder problems, but when he was good he was GREAT on Monday. Good luck Steve. And we can regroup if he's not fit. Going on the stats, and because I'm Fairlight born - Manly by 4."

Rabbits fan Craig says: "Hey Jude, Let's play the two word game.... Isaac Luke. Dummy Half. Line Breaks. Second Half. Manly Choke. Souths Win. By eight."

Glenn H says: "This one is a toss of the coin. Both sides have been hot and cold so far, but the Rabbits are no pushovers. Having said this, they are still without Crocker, Asotasi and tough up-and-comer, David Tyrrell and this could prove decisive as the game wears on. Nevertheless, they did overcome the Raiders at home last week. Manly's halves pairing has been a revelation and Keiran Foran has been a revelation. If Manly do get up, his joust with Sutton may be the determining factor."

Rabbits fan MCG says: "Tough one but the Bunnies have a good record against Manly in recent years. If the Bunnies can turn up at the game fully aware that it will run for 80minutes and not 40 they will be in with a red hot chance. However play like they did against the Raiders in the first half and there will be no coming back this time. My prediction is for a cool fine evening with a strong chance of doors raining down on the Manly players come full time, Bunnies by 8."

Rabbits fan David says: "Your absolutely delusional do you honestly follow football your constant wrong tipping of rabbitohs games is something you should be ashamed of how many weeks in a row do you want to be wrong. The rabbitohs put on one of the best 40 minutes of attacking football you will ever see and you still tip against them. Im bewildered. There is no possible way manly can beat the rabbitohs this week. Rabbits by 13+ would seem a sure bet."

Manly fan The Pumpa says: "Manly are the best bet of the round, Chris Sandow is the worst half back in the comp and this gun forward Dave Taylor seems to be playing in the centres again like the big cat he is, The manly forwards will dominate here and the young halves will have a field day along with Matt Ballin. Des will not hold anything back for this game, he will use all his interchanges and reserves this week just to show people how dominate they can be. The Eagles will win by 20."

Rabbits fan Brian from Brisbane says: "Hi Mr A, you didn't listen to my advise last week when Souths beat the lowly placed Raiders so I am probably wasting my time but I do genuinely want you to improve your tipping, Souths will win after peppering Farrar all day with bombs. Sutton is one of the best in the business, remember the Cronulla game when Kelly had no chance, expect more of the same. Even though the Titans were lucky on Monday, Manly were woeful, they had so much ball they should have won by 20. If Souths come ready to play we should get home by 6."

Rabbits fan sweeper says: "Mr A, if Manly think they just have to turn up to take the two points this Sunday, they better have a look at the score from the last meeting between these two teams. I think you’ll find Souths got up 36-10 at Brookvale. Souths are getting their act together, with big Dave Taylor down to a trim 120kgs, and starting to look as dangerous as Sam Burgess (better known as Pommy Granite). Manly fullback Ben Farrer couldn’t catch a cold on Monday night, and should expect a barrage of bombs from Sandow, Sutton and the NRL’s form player, Issac Luke, on Sunday. The ANZ Stadium carpenter is currently removing the changing room doors in preparation for Dessy’s dummy spit after the Rabbits get up by 12 points on Sunday."

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Brisbane Broncos v Newcastle Knights, Suncorp Stadium, Friday 7.35pm (EST)

The Adjudicator says: "The last time the game was in this much turmoil, these two were the premiers in separate competitions. In fact as the Super League war waged on it was suggested that a match-up between the Knights and Broncos could bring the game back from the brink. So as the NRL and the Storm go head to head in rugby league's latest battle, we look to these two for a showdown that reminds us what we love about the game. My bet? We don't get it."

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
Knights fan HuGzy says: "After watching last week's fantastic performance against the Sharks it's safe to say not even the American Indian Ghost Dance (wululu) can bring this bunch from the dead. So unless Jonathan Thurston is the first out of the tunnel in a blue and red jersey, I’ll enjoy watching my fantasy captain Corey "Man" Parker kick 12 goals and send the Hamburgers up the VNRL ladder."

Broncos fan Simon says: "This should be a good game,with both sides needing a win. The Broncos are playing at home, and were in our home strip.The youth of the Broncos will get us home. Brisbane by 8. Go u mighty Broncos."

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Parramatta v Canterbury-Bankstown, ANZ Stadium, Friday 7.35pm (EST)
The Adjudicator says: "Only a matter of months ago, these two conned the rugby league public into coughing up premium prices for preliminary final tickets as 70,000-plus supporters rocked up to ANZ Stadium. It was worth it too, but as one of the throng who schlepped along I feel like the benefit of hindsight has shown this to be a gross case of false advertising. Still, this could be the game that cements either of these teams' road to redemption."

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
Proud Bulldogs member Mic Cooper from BrizVegas says: Mr A, I just can't pick against my Bulldogs...EVER!! (and it's my birthday this weekend....my wish...BEAT THE EELS!!) Party time!!! Dogs by 8.

Eels fan Pete says: "Dear mr Adjudicator,Those Bulldogs fans are dillusional, Bulldogs to win by 8 + ? Yeah right, still a bit sore at the touch up that they got in the semis last year hey! Maybe if we had half our team out injured it might be a dogs day or night I should say. The mighty Blue and Gold Parramatta army will be there in droves to watch the Eels slide straight past the dogs into the top eight which is where they belong. Eels by 12.

Brett Sullivan says: "Parra v Dogs, always a good tough game. The Dogs are missing some stars but it is still the first half of the year so Parra will be up and down more then a office lift between 7-9am. Tahu will take Man Boobs Idris back to school. Mortimer vs Green - interesting match up, especially as had contracts gone differently this matchup could've easily been happening but with both players wearing the other jersey to the one they will be this time. Fui's bitch Hannant just happens not to be playing, I do wonder if the injury might be a cover-story with BH making a "surprise" return next week. It'll be a close game by the end, Parra by 6 but never really in any trouble.

Bulldogs fan Grant says: "The grudge match every Dog/ Parra fan puts on their calendar at the start of season proper. This rivalry's intensified even more from last years semi Mr adjudicator touched upon. Ennis and the boys will hit hard, and grind it out to put one back over the dirty eels. Despite injuries in the forwards and backs, Barba will get a start, Paea back for Hannant, and I would have said Dogs by 30 if a full squad was available. Either way Dogs guided by the experience of Kimmorley, and grit of Ennis will win by 8."

Bulldogs fan Ian Camlett says: "For Bulldog fans a game against Parramatta is like a visit to the mother-in-laws. You know it happens at least once a year, there is a certain amount of trepidation because you can’t stand the sight of her, but you would give anything to give her a good thrashing. With an injury roster longer than a list of Rudd’s broken promises the Bulldogs are in the worst possible condition to face the great underachievers but I still feel we can spring a bigger surprise than Jarrod Hickey walking past a KFC restaurant. Bulldogs by 4."

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Warriors v Canberra, Mt Smart Stadium, Saturday 3pm (EST)
The Adjudicator says: "So let's go with what we know. Raiders are muppets away from home. Check. Warriors can no longer win at home. Check. Argh that is no help whatsoever. While history shows us that the Raiders have never been big fans of playing away from Bruce I dare say they have become even more opposed to playing after half-time. So that makes the brief easy for the Warriors – just don't screw it up in the opening 40 minutes!"

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
Warriors fan Darren says: "Mr, A This week has been a hard for warriors fans. Two weeks in a row losing by 40 points is not an easy thing to swallow. However this could be our opportunity to restore some faith in fans. This week with hohia in the prefer position of full back and moon moving into 6, expect a dramtic change in the way this team is directed aroud the footy field. Facts are the Raiders travel real bad and the warriors usaully can compete well at home. So this is a no brainer for me, look for a big prefomance from the men from the long white cloud. Warriors by 16+."

Warriors fan Joel says: This should be a very fast paced paced game with both teams playing an erratic brand of footy, Ive seen more from raiders lately as the warriors are unfortunately looking dismal…expecting to see the raiders win this one in a tight but high scoring try-a-thon.

Raiders fan Josh says: "I'm just too scared to watch. We could throw away a 30-point lead if you give us the chance. And the way the Warriors can score when they are on a roll! Whoever scores less than 30 will lose this game."

Warriors fan Gary says: "You are correct in that the Raiders are not the best team when they hit the road and Auckland is a long way from home so the Warriors should win by 10. However we seem to be in groundhog year and our team has gone back to 2009 so who knows what will happen. Go the Warriors."

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Gold Coast Titans v Penrith, Skilled Park, Saturday 5.30pm (EST)
The Adjudicator says: "Few teams are rubbing their hands together in the wake of the scandal in Storm town more than the Panthers. Removing the competition heavyweights from calculations has suddenly made good teams great and average teams premiership contenders; so much so that the usually reserved Petero Civoniceva has been caught practising his 'trophy hoists' in the Panthers dressing sheds. If they are true contenders for the crown then they'll prove it by handing it to the NRL's greatest pretenders, who got out of Brookvale thanks to 10 lucky minutes."

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 Ozpedro says:Your comments relating to Penrith only being a premiership threat because there is no storm are offensive and show you to be nothing but a bitter and twisted storm fan. “Removing the competition heavyweights” the only reason they are competition heavyweights is because they rorted the system what and where would they be if they were spending what the other clubs are? The Panthers are sitting 2nd place on the ladder for no other reason than they have won the games in their own right and deserve to be where they are and they will stick it up your bias storm nose this week when they beat the titans. Go back to Melbourne Mr Adjudicator im sure they will find a way to fund and accommodate you down there.

Panthers fan Sunny says: "Last week I told you why the Panthers would beat the Tigers, this week I will tell you why The Panthers will demolish the Titans. The Panthers offense is clicking, tries close to the line from dummy half (Jet Boot Jennings) – tries from kicks (1st in the comp by miles), tries from line breaks. We have it all. Our offense is really starting to threaten a cricket score. A lovely 7 day turnaround for us, coming to the Gold Coast well rested, and relaxed. The Titans on the other hand have a 5 day turnaround, looks like Harrison will be MIA, Prince has rubbish match fitness and the defence on the right side for the Titans...well, let's just say a cool $50 on Frank Pritchard as first try scorer would be recommended from this Panther fan! The Titans were lucky with two tries coming against the run of play last week and thanks to the pace of Gordon, they won't be so lucky this week. Panthers by 28."

Titans fan Titan Tez of the Gold Coast says: "Pretenders? Adjudicator, you should be praising the efforts of the Titans minus their inspirational skipper beating Manly at Brookie. The sooner you realise that the Titans are a resilient side, who, if they play 80mins of footy, can topple most teams. Luck might play its part, i agree, but you have to make your opportunities count. Luck does not carry you over the line, good attacking play or poor defense gets you there. Manly couldn't play 80mins, that was the problem. Sounds like sour grapes to me. The Titans are still learning about what it takes win premierships, but at least we have learnt what it takes to be a top 8 team. Adjudicator, you should pay respect where respect is due. Titans back at home this week, Princey may be back too, sure the Panthers have some momentum but we'll send those black cats home minus the 2 premiership points. Titans by 4."

Titans fan Karim of Sydney says: "Keep thinking the way you are Adjudicator, you will just lose more and more tips while the titans come back with a never-say-die attitude towards the game. The titans have some work to do in defense but that dosent mean that you should disregard the titans as real contenders for the NRL premiership this year. Titans by 12."

Panthers fan Glen says: "I was the anonymouse panther supporter last week and I was annoyed at how everyone always discredits the panthers,they develop the best juniors in the game apart from the Illawarra,play a modest style of football. i never hear a good thing come out the media about them,they are true underdogs of this league and what ive seen of them this year has really impressed me.i got quite upset last week when you said you don’t know how they won a premiership in 2003.when you love something and everyone keeps kicking them it hurts.they are doing a good job with their youth development so I believe they are what football is all about,not about buying the next teams superstar like other teams do.anyway its going to be a tough time for football in the next coming months and mr A please don’t forget panthers were in second before the Melbourne phasaaade happened.they worked years for that."

Titans fan Shaun Of The Gold Coast says: "This should be touted as the game of the round. Expect Prince to take his spoonful of concrete and harden up and take to the field. This one will go to golden point with the Titans to win it in extra time. Hopefully when the clocks running down on this game Bailey can manage to get on his feet a little faster than last weeks effort with 60 seconds to go against Manly. Keep practicing your trophy hoists Civo but it’ll be for a fifth Origin win. Get on board Adjudicator!"

Titans fan Jarrad of Neutral Bay says: "Keep tipping against the Titans, everytime you do we win so im feeling great about your latest “insight”. I honestly cant see how you could tip agains the Titans who have probably the best record at home in the comp, just beat Manly at Brooky, beat the 700k Storm two weeks before that and will most likely get their best and dominate player in Scott Prince back this week. You must be having a laugh? I think you will find that the Panthers who have only beaten ordinary sides in Canberra, Knights and Warriors and two very up and down teams in the Roosters and Tigers are the pretenders!"

Titans fan Luke says: "Seriously, did you watch the game or just the highlights? The only reason Manly got in front of the Titans was the amount of unforced errors and penalties the Titans conceded in the 1st half (and the fact they have a crap centre call Tomane who lets tries in like a hooker on a bucks night). During the majority of the game the Titans managed to out muscle the Manly pack, or you could say they pulled a Manly on Manly. Granted it wasn’t a pretty win and two lucky tries did see them in front but to say the Titans are the NRL’s greatest pretenders you must be off your face!"

Titans fan Adam Shaw says: "Hey Adjudicator, how about you give the Titans some credit. They got bashed for 70 minutes and even the die hard titans fans would of thought of going to bed early. But we stuck in there and played a great last 10 minutes, Lucky..No, Massive Heart….. Yes. The Titans are not pretenders in 2010 and the sooner you get on the bandwagon the better for you. Titans by 20."

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North Queensland Cowboys v Melbourne Storm, Dairy Farmers Stadium, Saturday 7.30pm (EST)
The Adjudicator says: "It's the battle of two sides with nothing left to play for, though I don’t know if anyone has actually alerted the Cows to the futility of their fronting up each week. Johnathan Thurston is back but from all appearances he has as good as given up on the Northerners just like the rest of us, if that beard is anything to go by he's about to go bush and turn his hand to herding sheep."   

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
Shaun from the Gold Coast: Storm fan for Life please stop with your one-eyed comments and accept the fact that the Storm are cheats and if anything shouldn’t be taking to the field at all this year. As your argument is so childish that “all other clubs are doing it” (breaching the salary cap) then allow me to treat you like a child, if every other team jumped off a cliff then would the Storm follow? Mate, players can go to other codes or clubs for more money the same as anyone else in the working world that is their decision and quite frankly when you have a limited playing life then good on them, for every one of them that leaves another two stars emerge. Every club develops players and every club loses players. Melbourne are cheats and once again we will see what the extra cash gets you when they take out another hollow victory over the depleted ranks of the cowboys. Melbourne by 12+ before being pelted with bottles.

Storm fan Angus says: "Hi Mr A, you didn't listen to my advise last week when Souths beat the lowly placed Raiders so I am probably wasting my time but I do genuinely want you to improve your tipping, Souths will win after peppering Farrar all day with bombs. Sutton is one of the best in the business, remember the Cronulla game when Kelly had no chance, expect more of the same. Even though the Titans were lucky on Monday, Manly were woeful, they had so much ball they should have won by 20. If Souths come ready to play we should get home by 6."

Storm fan Storm For Life says: "Go the Storm is about as good as it gets in this one! Rob from Perth, Congratulations on being the first person to resort to name calling yesterday and having the audacity to then say WE were immature! You fail to acknowledge the fact that this is a ridiculous situation that the NRL have put all clubs in and I bet if you said who your club was, It is involved in salary cap breaches somewhat. If Perth had a Team and was doing such a good job for our game in a Rugby League outpost, You would hate the fact that YOUR team was then bastardised and you lost your players to some other code who flaunts payment systems as little as ours (ie,Western Sydney and Gold Coast AFL franchises offering huge money for our stars regardless of salary cap restrictions relating to all other clubs in non 'outposts'), You would cringe! Believe me I live in Perth too. Well done on yesterdays comment."

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St George Illawarra v Cronulla, WIN Stadium, Saturday 3pm (EST)
The Adjudicator says: "With the Dragons perched on top of the ladder and the Sharks hitting form (we'll call two wins in four weeks form) this clash should do enough to drag the Shire folk away from a Saturday night at Northies and accompany Trent Barrett back home. On the back of their most potent attacking display in about a decade the Sharks will start full of confidence, all of which will be shot by the time Brett Morris clinches a first-half hat-trick."

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
Dragaons fan Tom says: "As a DRAGONS supporter, even I am a little 'worried'. The Sharks did show a little heart last week, and, if they play the way they did against the happless knights, they may give the DRAGONS a good run for their money. Still, i see the DRAGONS on top by 8"

Darin Skinner says: "Mr A did you not see the Sharks game last weekend? They played like a top 4 team. Dean Collis played a wonderful game and Gallen could not be Stopped! If the Sharks can get some early ball, score some early points as well as not drop the ball too much they can win this, however if the Dragons score the first two tries this will be a Demolition job for the Dragons. Sharks by 8 or Dragons by 20+

Sharks fan Ray says: "Now adjudicator, how much do u reckon dragons will win by. because im a massive sharks fan and am going to the game. go the sharkies with 16.5 start. wont be soo lop sided, pretty close. unless the sharks keep dropping the ball. if they do, dragons by 50. if sharks can hold onto the bal, i reckon it will be a close one. and if cronulla attack alright, they might have a chance in this one."

Knights fan HuGzy says: "After a glance at the ladder, it dawned upon the Sharks players that they are indeed better than the Melbourne Storm. With that in mind, the boys put in a performance that matched their high standards against my beloved Knights. Now the next step is for the Sharks to show the Dragons who the real competition favourites are. But just to be safe take the Sharks +24.5 start."

Sharks fan Hammerhead of Canberra says: "The mighty Sharks are specials this week. We are on a roll and not even the white sock wearing St George can stop us. It should be a great game with the Sharks going out hard early and withstanding a late St George fight back. Sharks by 2."

Robert says: "Do I smell another bookie doing the B Moz 4 ½ points start vs the Sharkies to put some interest in this lopsided affair?"

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Wests Tigers v Sydney Roosters, Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sunday 2pm (EST)
The Adjudicator says: "The Tigers will be looking to give the Chooks some suburban hurtin' when they go around old school in Campbelltown on a Sunday afternoon. Personally I'd rather see the battle take place at Henson Park but a scheduling clash with Newtown Jets put pay to that idea. In a bit of a leveller both sides are playing without their first-choice No.7s; the bad news for the Tigers is Todd Carney's had a game or two experience feeding the scrum."

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
John says: "Roosters by a million. I hate to bag my Tigers team again but they haven't learned a thing from not making the finals in the last 4 years (this will be 5). They are slotting Farah in the 7 jumper. They have tried that trick in the past and it hasn't worked. When will they learn that you can't win without a good 7. Also, the fans are very vocal about Sheens playing guys out of position. He put young Lazarus in the 7 jumper but made him play full back. Guess what? Here's a news flash Tim, they LOST. Sorry team but if you keep making the same mistakes, the results will always be the same. Thanks for your time."

Roosters fan Blake says: "Who ARE the Wests Tigers? They play home games everywhere except Townsville. This game might be huge. The Roosters will lead right up until the opening whistle and then SKD will tackle anybody who even looks at the ball, giving away several penalty tries. That nuffy from the Tigers will make some daft remark about the Roosters Hillsong front rowers and there will be a huge all-in in the name of the Lord. When the smoke clears, Carney will slot one over the dot, giving the Chooks a one point win, and he’ll then find a blue #7 jersey waiting for him on the porch. Amen."

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NRL Ladder

* Melbourne Storm have been stripped of all premiership points for the 2010 season