Round 19 – Stiff-Arm Sunday Previews
Overview
We have the pleasure of being able to watch three of the top four teams in the competition this Sunday, and unfortunately the team running last too.
Game one sees third place take on fourth place, the Roosters and Warriors. Two teams in red-hot form that could cause the earth to open up and swallow us all if the game lives up to the hype of these two teams. Game two sees the Broncos take on the Tigers on a rear Sunday at Suncorp.
Players to watch
Shaun Johnson – The way he has been playing over the last six weeks, it is hard to ignore the Golden Boot holder. Johnson laces up for the 100th time this weekend and needs his golden run of form to continue to be able to get the bikkies.
Martin Taupau – If there is one bloke strong enough to take on a whole team while carrying his team on his back, it is Martin Taupau. During the week we found a video that showed him deadlifting the equivalent to a small house with a family of four inside. Incredible stuff.
Results and score prediction
About a month ago, the Roosters travelled to Auckland, minus a couple of Origin players and beat the Warriors at the death. The fans were distraught and want redemption. So long as the Warriors forwards can get over top of their Roosters counter-parts they will get their redemption. Warriors by 12.
There is only one way game two can go, and that is a heavy win to the Broncos. The Tigers get their beloved halfback Brooksy back but this won’t be enough. Hunt and Milford are going to run free like a Otis and Milo did. Broncos by 30.
Most likely to shy away from contact
When the Roosters beat the Warriors in Auckland, Jonathan Wright was at the centre of the drama. A confidence player at the best of times, confidence seems very hard to come by for this young gentleman. If the game is on the line and the Warriors need a big play, definitely don’t look to Wright.
Most likely to be asking for autographs after the game
If you take a look at the Broncos starting line-up, you can see super stars left right and centre…and at left and right centre. They are riddled with Internationals, and Origin stars. When the final whistle blows, don’t be surprised to see the young blokes like Luke Brooks and Mitchell Moses running up to Corey Parker asking him to sign their shirts.