Weekend Sports Wrap
Picture: lisas cakes
NRL Wrap Round 11 – Nick Underhill
Eels 16 drew Rabbitohs 16
Tigers 18 lost to Broncos 20
Sharks 4 lost to Dragons 26
Panthers 48 def Roosters 6
Bulldogs 26 def Storm 10
Raiders 38 def Warriors 12
Titans 18 def Sea Eagles 17
Cowboys 36 def Knights 10
Game of the round: Tigers and Broncos by an inch. The game was played in horrid conditions in Sydney, with the Broncos pulling off the great escape after being behind at half time. However the game was marred by two referring curve balls, particularly the sin binning of Benji Marshall at a key point in the game, following 5 straight penalties from the Tigers. On the topic, referring was again called into question throughout the round, with a howler of a decision handing the Titans victory over the Sea Eagles. Don’t get me wrong, I hate Manly as much as everyone else on the planet, but that was a poor call two minutes from time. The Sharks snowball keeps on rolling and getting bigger, and their season wasn’t made any better with a thumping at the hands of the Dragons. The game was soured by Paul Gallen racially abusing Mickey Paea. Gallen has since been fined a measly $10k, but as far as I’m concerned that sort of thing should be stamped out of the game. Frankly, the competition would be better off without the Sharks. In the words of Kevin Rudd: Adios.
AFL Wrap Round 9 – Anita Theodorou
Geelong 17.14:16 def Western Bulldogs 17.12:114
North Melbourne 14.14:98 def Fremantle 12.13:83
Adelaide 15.14:104 def Carlton 8.12:60
Collingwood 12.16:88 def West Coast 9.12:66
Essendon 19.11:125 def Richmond 12.13:85
Sydney 18.15:123 def Port Adelaide 10.8:68
St Kilda 14.13:97 def Brisbane 13.3:81
Hawthorn 17.12:114 def Melbourne 13.14:92
Game of the week: St Kilda and Geelong remain undefeated on top of the table, but both teams were given a run for their money in round nine. Geelong’s game against the Western Bulldogs provided one of the highlights of the year so far in an evenly matched thriller. Gary Ablett was exceptional for the Cats in his return, racking up 38 touches, and, as expected, Jason Akermanis showed his skills off in his 300th game, scoring four goals in the best on field performance for the Bulldogs. Had Brad Johnson’s shot on the siren soared through the posts, the Cats’ early season dominance would have come to an abrupt end. A special mention must also go to the St Kilda/Brisbane game. The Lions were up by nine points part way through the final term, but the Saints clawed back through sheer determination to win by 16 points. Both teams were very lucky, but it’s reassuring to see the four-win buffer closing.