The Cronulla Sharks are the big high fliers of Round Three after a demolition of the woeful Warriors 28-4. Their only loss this year was to the co-competition leaders South Sydney Rabbitohs by two points in Round 2.
Round Three began on Thursday with a blockbuster Grand Final re-match of the Melbourne Storm and the Canterbury Bulldogs in Melbourne. Both sides were lacking key players but the Bulldogs have clearly missed at least 4 of their best in Ben Barba, Sam Kasiano, Frank Pritchard and the infamous James Graham. Added to that the loss of Steve Turner so early in the season.
Whilst most fans of the Dogs are aware that their team can pull it together and have a chance to win, the mood amongst many were that an 18-20 point loss was most likely on paper.
But the Dogs hung in there in the first half and really controlled much of the Storm players. They constantly found holes and made good yards right down the middle of the Storm defence. The 10 nil half time scoreline was quite respectable but almost an inflated indication of the difference between the two teams on the field.
The Bulldogs broke their 2013 hoodoo when they scored first in the second half. Previously the Bulldogs had been scoreless in both second halves played so far in 2013. The Storm soon took control and converted their opportunities and the scoreline blew out to 22-6. There was still a quarter of the game to go and it could have become a whitewash, but the dogs dug deep and with some brilliant plays against some careless negligence from the Storm in defence, they got the score back within four points and had opportunities to actually win the game in the final stages. Whilst in the end they lost 22-18 much was won that night for the Bulldogs.
The round continued Friday night when the Eels handed the Tigers the two competition points in an interesting scoreline of 31-18. The Eels have already lost their way in 2013 and the Tigers may have two wins on the board, but they are far from being a force this year either.
In other games, the Roosters surprised all with an 8-nil win over the Broncos, Titans edged out the Sea Eagles 16-14 thanks to a Dale Cherry-Evans master-kick out of touch on the line drop out, Rabbitohs defence was less than impressive in their almost choking 44-32 win over the Panthers, and the Raiders had their first win of the year against the Dragons 30-17 in a game only the respective fans gave a damn about.
The round concludes tomorrow night when the Knights host the Cowboys, the way my tipping is going, I am not even going to speculate on who will win that one.
Easter has the football schedule all over the place. Thursday night is Manly vs Tigers, then I will be at the first Home Game at ANZ for the Bulldogs vs Rabbitohs where I hope the return of some brilliant Bulldogs will break the unbeaten Rabbitohs streak at 4pm on Good Friday, there is another game in Brisbane Friday night, only one game on Easter Saturday, three games on Easter Sunday and two games on Easter Monday.
Hope you enjoy the footy.
J G S
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