Round 22: Haiku Roast

An unwelcome consequence of ongoing increases in the speed and intensity of NRL matches ― as well as the stagnant salary cap and its meagre concessions ― has been a phasing-out of the canny veteran, the wily older player. He may have lost a step or two and may slur his words every so often but can still be highly valuable for young and impressionable team-mates.

If you look closely, some teams still have these older players, and while they are almost always highly appreciated on their teams, the game as a whole probably doesn’t give them the respect they deserve. One only has to look at the relatively poor recognition for Brett Kimmorley’s 300th game a few weeks back or that still-valuable players such as Colin Best, Luke Priddis, Mat Rogers, Luke Patten and Adam MacDougall will struggle to find a club (or be forced to play for Cronulla) next season.

These players deserve far better. Every team should have a few such players, if not in first grade then at the very least mentoring up-and-comers in the lower grades. No-one wins when these older players run off to England or start media careers prematurely. There’re only so many comic talents like Brad Fittler out there…

Hence, this week’s Roast will draw from the culture which is perhaps the most respectful towards wisdom, age and experience: the Japanese. Yep, it’s Haiku time.

Gold Coast v. Parramatta

Parra started strong
But Gold Coast’s play was regal
Hayne Plane on tarmac

The round started with a potentially riveting match-up between the desperate Eels and the resurgent Titans. A 12-nil lead to Parramatta suggested a bounce-back for one of the NRL’s most enigmatic teams, but Gold Coast responded with 34 unanswered points, many of which came from the boot of Scott Prince. Prince’s speed and elusiveness may have waned but his craftiness hasn’t, nor has the accuracy of his kicking game.

After looking unlikely a few weeks ago, the Gold Coast is now back in contention for a top-4 spot, while for Parramatta, they are increasingly swapping scenarios with the Gold Coast…

North Queensland v. Brisbane

Brisbane’s task was tough
After Saints, but Feral’s loss
Helped; an easy win

Of the teams who have beaten the Dragons this season and played the next week, only the Gold Coast had won in their next match. Throw in a short turnaround and a ‘local’ rival keen on disrupting solid momentum and this match in Townsville was quite a prospective challenge for the Broncos.

However, the Broncos confirmed their standing as one of the most improved teams in the NRL with a robust performance. The injury to Feral Thurston probably lowered their motivation, if anything, and made this game closer, but Brisbane was not a risk of losing.

Manly v. Melbourne

Storm away from home
Put them out of their misery
Yawn – they just don’t care

After repelling some early Storm attack, Manly crossed for several well-worked tries…and this game was basically over. Melbourne clearly couldn’t muster the enthusiasm to stop Manly’s solid but hardly world-beating attack (with the possible exception of Jamie Lyon) and showed few signs of mounting a comeback.

Sadly for the gallant Rabbitohs, Melbourne will probably put in a better effort this Sunday and deprive a hard-working, popular, legal team of points.

South Sydney v. Wests Tigers

Injuries galore
For Souths; but Tiges’ focus gone
SS marches on!

The incredible run of success for Souths’ coach John Lang against Tigers’ coach Tim Sheens looked set to come to an end on Saturday night, with Souths missing almost a full team of regular first grade players, while the Tigers were almost at full strength and in need of a strong performance.

But Souths still had their ‘spine’ and although they allowed the Tigers to score some hilariously easy tries, they gave some easy tries back to stay close enough. With about 20 minutes to go, the Tigers’ focus slipped terribly and Souths started their comeback. They were aided by numerous Tigers’ errors, missed tries and premature field goal attempts and incredibly eliminated a 16-point deficit with 3 minutes left in normal time.

The usual mess that is extra time ensued, with missed or charged down field goal attempts and several thousand offences not penalised by gutless referees, and a draw seemed certain. But then Rhys Wesser – of all people – somehow broke through a tackle on what looked to be one of the slowest line breaks in history to set up an incredible match-winning try.

This was one of the more famous victories in Souths’ long history and especially so because they had shown nil signs of getting a win under pressure in recent years. But for the Tigers, the charmed run they had pulling lucky wins out despite playing poorly against struggling or under-strength teams finally came to an end (and deservedly so).

Cronulla v. Warriors

Sharks were due a win
For new coach, but still rubbish
Warriors too good

After some very bad luck received in last week’s loss to the Tigers, many looked at Cronulla’s first home under new coach Shane Flanagan as a great chance for a rare win. This was especially so with the Warriors looking poor against the Gold Coast last week after their long run of wins.

But after a solid start, Cronulla fell away in this one and the Warriors cruised to an easy win. It’s hard to see how, even with heaps of salary cap cast-offs from other teams, that Cronulla can be competitive on a consistent basis any time soon.

Newcastle v. Canterbury

Newcastle’s good form
Continued; these Dogs appear
To have had their day

It may end up being a case of ‘too little, too late’ but Newcastle’s overdue run of form continued on Sunday as they thrashed the Bulldogs (whose run of form appears to be over). Many teams struggle to back up after a Monday night win and also to back up after playing Manly, but Newcastle achieved both of these in style, putting the game out of reach by half time.

Sydney Roosters v. St George Illawarra

Attack v Defence:
The classic battle, Roosters
Lost but not shamed

It was to be the toughest test yet for the white-hot Roosters; cracking the best defensive team (by some margin) in the NRL. Ultimately, they probably lost this game not by failure in the points-scoring area of the field but due to too many errors in possession. Still, it was a brave effort, especially in defence, where much Dragons possession only rarely led to points.

It has been an unfortunate mix of circumstances for the Dragons in the last month: the loss of Weyman, the return of Gasnier as well as the draw serving up four teams either running into form or at/near their best against big-name teams. That the Dragons have come out of this stretch with a solid buffer intact should give them strong impetus for the remainder of the season.

Canberra v. Penrith

Two strong teams Monday
While Penrith impressed; the win
Given to the Refs

This game featured some entertaining moments and some strong periods of play, more so from Penrith than Canberra, but it left an unsavoury taste in the mouth: referee decisions played a significant role in this game. Not necessarily the final score or the winner, but the momentum shifts in the game were mostly driven by penalties given.

Canberra certainly lifted their game after half time, with the end of the season staring them in the face if they lost, but they certainly received a solid leg-up from the referees. Penrith failed to cope with a more desperate Canberra, but they benefited somewhat in their excellent first half from dubious referee calls.

Once it became apparent that Canberra was on a roll in the second half, their comeback was almost expected; as such, Canberra probably can’t take as much from the game as Penrith, who looked very strong against a good forward pack and at a difficult venue.

See you next week.