Narelle's NRL Report 24/9/08

SONNY BILL WILLIAMS
Former Bulldogs player, Sonny Bill Williams is starting to feel homesick and has indicated his interest in coming back to Sydney to play for the Bulldogs. Todd Greenberg, the Bulldogs Chief Executive has blatantly said ‘no’ to their former star, saying the damage is done and he has to live with his decision of a few months ago to leave the Bulldogs and the NRL behind.
Williams has been sidelined with injury recently, and apparently the millionaire Club president of Toulon (Mourad Boudjellal) is not happy about that. This is making Williams more homesick due to the way he is being treated by the millionaire.
Williams paid $750,000 compensation to the Bulldogs when he left midway through the first year of a five year deal. This compensation won’t be enough to allow him to play for them again though – he may as well focus on becoming a good Rugby Union player.

WEEK 2 FINALS REVIEW
The Brisbane Broncos were leading most of the way last weekend against their Melbourne Storm opponents. In the 80th minute, Melbourne came back and ended Brisbane’s season with a 16-14 loss. Brisbane led 12-0 at half time and inside the final two minutes they were still up by 2 points. Ashton Sims gave away a possession and Greg Inglis scored with only 49 seconds remaining. They have now set up a grand final qualifier with Cronulla Sharks this weekend.
The result meant it was the end of the Wayne Bennett era of 21 years. (Broncos Coach)
Cameron Smith…as has often been the case this season with Melbourne Storm and their supposed ‘grapple tackles’, Cameron Smith is now in trouble of losing his spot to play this week due to a ‘grapply tackle’ on Sam Thaiday.

Smith is facing the judiciary tonight to plead his case. If he fails, the Storm will not only be without him for the Cronulla match, but also Jeremy Smith (chicken wing tackle on Thaiday) and Ryan Hoffman who has an ankle injury and needs surgery. All three of these players are International forwards, so it will be a big deal tonight if Smith doesn’t get through. Aiden Tolman and Scott Anderson will replace Smith and Hoffman against Cronulla.
The Storm blame the media for the focus on ‘grapple tackling’, but Ricky Stuart (Cronulla coach) thinks Smith deserves a two week ban saying Thaiday could have become a paraplegic from the tackle around the head and neck.

The Warriors convincingly beat the Roosters, 30-13 in the other finals match in New Zealand. The Roosters actually led the game until half time, but as happened last week, they were kept scoreless in the second half.
The Warriors now face Manly this week. The Warriors finished 8th on the ladder this season, so even making it this far is a great achievement.

WEEK 3 FINALS PREVIEW
Cronulla Sharks vs Melbourne Storm: 7.45pm Friday
Cronulla’s Brett Seymour is out with a knee-injury after hurting it during a game of soccer at training. The five-eighth, Blake Green could be his replacement.
Although Melbourne Storm could lose Cameron Smith, they may have a lot of depth in their side and a very well prepared for this match. Matt Geyer may be Smith’s replacement, but we will wait and see.
Prediction: Melbourne Storm to win.

Manly Sea Eagles vs New Zealand Warriors: 7.45pm Saturday
Although it may be a big upset, there are predictions that the Warriors can win this one – having beaten the Roosters and the Storm over the last couple of weeks. Their confidence is sky high at the moment as well.
However, if I was going to predict, I would go with the Sea Eagles, they’re not a flashy team but they are really solid. Their forwards will have to take any ascendancy away from the Warrior’s forwards, otherwise they could be in trouble.
Prediction: Manly Sea Eagles to win in a close one.

*The 2008 Telstra Premiership Grand Final will be held on Sunday, 5 October at ANZ Stadium in Sydney Olympic Park, NSW. Gates 11.45amVB NSW Cup Kick Off 12.15pmToyota Cup U 20’s Kick Off 2.15pmTelstra Premiership NRL Grand Final Kick Off 5.00pm