August 2009quandlespoulesaurontdesoreilles

The Dragons have played some flawless NRL rugby league this year but with the finals looming is the pressure starting to catch up with them? They have been sitting on top of the NRL ladder for most of the year but have now suffered two consecutive losses. A loss to Canberra followed by one to the Brisbane Broncos now sees St George on the same number of points as the Bulldogs.

Although South Sydney won't be in the finals this year, they have been playing some good NRL rugby and have had some good NRL results in 2009. Thus they will test the Dragons this weekend when they meet.

Another good game this week is the Western Derby of Parramatta against Penrith. Both currently have 27 points and Penrith are in the eight by virtue of a superior points difference of just five points. NRL betting has them as favorites but its even money. With two weeks to go in the home and away season, this is your classical four point game and the loser of this will find it very hard to make it to the finals.

There are three teams level on 28 points. Manly has had a great year rebounding from its horrendous start to where it currently sits in 5th spot. This week they play the Cronulla Sharks in what should be a walkover for the Sea Eagles. The Sharks have had a horrible year and can't wait for it to be over quickly enough.

Sixth placed Newcastle have a tricky assignment this weekend going on the road to play Canberra. The Raiders have been very hot and cold this year and could trouble the Knights on Monday night. The Knights have bounced back well following the departure of coach Brian Smith.

Seventh placed Brisbane have a huge match ahead of them in the form of the North Queensland Cowboys. These two always produce a passionate encounter and this one should be no different. It is often very feisty and usually no love is lost between the pair.

By its lofty standards, Melbourne has had an up and down year. It plays the Roosters this week and a loss this weekend could consign the Roosters to their first wooden spoon in 50 years.

The Wests Tigers are in 10th place but could sneak into the finals. This weekend they have a difficult match against the Gold Coast at Skilled Park. The Titans are in third place and at home will be tough to beat.

David Wiseman likes to write about sport for this blog. When not doing that he is looking towards the upcoming Cox Plate.

Another Scandal Rocks Rugby League

It has been that kind of year for rugby league. Ever since the season launch and the Brett Stewart incident, NRL League has found itself going from one controversy into the next. There has been some great NRL Rugby League played but unfortunately the scandal has overshadowed the NRL results.

Greg Inglis is an out and out star of the competition. He is a champion for the Melbourne Storm and Queensland sides and is still only 22 years of age. Still so young, he has achieved everything there is to do in the game. Who knows how this incident will affect his career and reputation.

St George has been playing some great NRL rugby and looks to be a real chance of winnings its first premiership since 1977. It has been a long wait for one of the sport's most famous clubs and they have lost a number of Grand Finals since then; most notably in 1985, 1999 and 1999. Wayne Bennett has brought some steel to the Dragons and they sit on top of the NRL ladder.

Also playing good football are the Bulldogs. For most of the year they have been the quiet achievers and looking to bounce back after an off year in 2008. It will be interesting to see how they fare over the remaining weeks of the competition.

Two sides who are struggling are the Brisbane Broncos and the Sydney Roosters. The Roosters look to be a realistic chance of winning their first wooden spoon in 40 years. They have had a horrible year and it has resulted in the sacking of Brad Fittler as coach. He will be replaced by Newcastle's Brian Smith.

The Broncos started well but have since slumped and will have a battle on their hands in order to make it to the finals. At least the other Queensland flags are waving the flag for the Northern teams. Both the Gold Coast and North Queensland sides will be in the playoffs and could potentially go quite deep.

West Tigers and Penrith are also in the mix. The two both won premierships this decade but have since haven't had much to be happy about. This could be the year they rectify that.

Teams already looking towards next year are South Sydney, Parramatta, Canberra, the Warriors and Cronulla. Souths and the Eels might make the finals but they are a very slim chance.

David Wiseman writes about NRL and Horse Racing. He has a particular interest in the Cox Plate.