The Armchair Expert - Round 12

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Performance of the Round

It may not have been from this round of footy, but Josh Dugan needs even more applause for his performance in Origin 1. With the state split about whether he or Matt Moylan should be fullback, Dugan once and for all has made the position his own. At stages in the second half when the Blues where under the pump in what seemed like an eternity, Dugan was our one shining light. When Fifita and Klemmer couldn't get New South Wales out of their own 20m zone, Dugan was the man time and time again that would tuck the ball under his arm mid set and carry the Blues north.

He has always been known as a skilfully brilliant player, but only know is his best quality finally being recognised by the media and fans; his toughness. He had a go all night for his state, when at times it seemed the others weren't. Let's hope Laurie Daley asks his team to roll up their sleeves in game two and be more like the skinniest player in the side.


Paul Carige Award for Worst Performance of the Round

This is probably the first and last time this team will receive this award, so take a screenshot because it will be historical. The Melbourne Storm delivered well, a completely un-Melbourne Storm like performance on Monday night. For a side that prides itself on defence, they missed nearly 40 tackles and gave away some stupid penalties. This fed through to their attack where errors and poor execution meant they never really threatened the Roosters defence; they didn't manage a single line break let alone try. Billy Slater was out with his reoccurring shoulder issue and is a huge loss, he was brilliant in origin 1 and probably one the Maroons the game with his organisation skills and combination play with Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk. Don't fear though Storm fans, your side will still be up around the top 4 to 6 come September.


Surprise Packet

It was the battle of the west in which Parramatta was expected to just make up the numbers. The Eels saved one of their best performances of the season for their rivals and finally managed to get a win to take some pressure off Brad Arthur. For a month or so there it looked like the club had forgotten how to win with their inability to close out games. It helped that the Panthers lost Matt Moylan early in the game and Jamie Soward was off the field with a shoulder injury for some time.

The polarising Chris Sandow had a blinder. If we cast our minds back to early in the season when the Eels upset the Rabbitohs he was man of the match. If Sandow is on, the Eels are electric. It is well documented that he is off contract at seasons end and obviously the club cant give him the pay packet he is on now for next season, but why not reduce it by a fair bit and try and re-sign him?

I know that is a controversial call considering his career at the Eels, but think in advance. Keep him at halfback next season with the stable and classy Kieran Foran at five-eight, throw Corey Norman back to fullback because he was an outstanding number one at the Broncos, and then Will Hopoate can go back into the centres where he is more of a threat. With Nathan Peats at hooker, this would be one of the most deadly spines in the comp that could lead around some exciting youngsters Parra have coming through at the moment such as Kenny Edwards, John Folau and Tepai Moeroa. Just a thought…


Russel Packer Medal for WTF Moment of the Week

Isn't Ryan Hinchcliffe one lucky man, he was pencilled in to take this gong home up until today. But with the news of Daly Cherry-Evans back flipping on his Titans deal, it has left the hole of the rugby league community thinking ‘WTF'. The Titans had signed the greatest player in their short history, or so they thought. Cherry-Evans was the man they could have reshaped the culture of the club around and built a dynasty on top of. Himself and Kane Elgey in the halves meant that they were going to be a threat for years to come. This is no longer.

The Titans have already lost Aidan Sezer to the Raiders next year (barring another backflip) and look awfully shallow in the halves department now. Thank God the NRL has acted and abolished the round 13 rule, it was an absolute joke. The Titans must now act swiftly to build a competitive team with the big bucks they have left over from Cherry-Evans, whilst the man himself must try and restore his reputation that has been dragged through the mud over the last few months.

Ahhh bugger it, have a laugh at Hinchy anyway…

Around the social Media Traps

This week Josh McGuire shows some love to his Broncos and Queensland teammates and Paul Gallen enjoys a sporting spectacle.

I got to live a dream last night and share it with theses top blokes. @samthaiday1 @mattgillett23 @coreyjparker13 hodgo and Darbs. Great day to be a queenslander best feeling ever. #qlder
A photo posted by Josh McGuire (@joshmcguire90) on
No better stadium when it's full atmosphere is amazing. Thanks ANZ stadium. #chelseavssydney
A photo posted by Paul Gallen (@paulgallen13) on
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