sportsbarNRL youth vs experience
September 10th 2007 04:50
The first week of the NRL finals is over, and the remaining six teams all have the potential to win it. Obviously Melbourne is the team to beat after they systematically dismantled Brisbane, avenging demons from the 2006 decider. The Storm have been the best team over the last two years and are raging hot favourites to take out the premiership.
With so much talk surrounding the ‘mass exodus’ of players from our game throughout the season; it comes with some irony that the focus of the finals is the young guns of the competition. Where it is traditionally seen as a playground for the experienced and seasoned veterans, the finals have exploded with a showcase of youth and exuberance.
Israel Folau is the new buzz word around the water cooler, with everyone tipping him to become as big and successful as Mal Meninga. Truth be told, only his religion could stop this prophecy becoming into fruition. Folau is a devout Mormon and his faith requires him to give two years service. You couldn’t blame the young man for leaving; however it would be a great shame to see one of the brightest stars have his career interrupted.
Parramatta has also unleashed a backline that oozes youth, unpredictability and sheer excitement. Whilst it left senior players (Nathan Hindmarsh) sceptical, the Eels demolition of the Broncos was breathtaking and awe-inspiring. The dynamic duo of Jarryd Hayne and Kristan Inu have stolen all the limelight, after their adventurous performance against the reigning premiers. But there is more to this Eels squad; who boast some of the best backs in the competition. Young halves Tim Smith and Brett Finch have started gelling together and have learned how to unearth Tahu, Growthe and co.
But it was the Eels unheralded defence that won them the game against the Warriors. New Zealand looked to have the game well in control, but the Eels somehow managed to repel wave after wave of attacking raids. They showed great desperation on their own line and this will again be called into overdrive against the Bulldogs. It wasn’t the free-flowing game that everybody expected, but it was the best preparation that Parramatta could have hoped for going into the much hyped battle this week.
The young guns of the competition aren’t having it all their own way, with stalwarts Steve Menzies and Jason Smith showing there is still a lot of bark in the old dogs. Smith’s reverse flick pass whilst surrounded by several players to Thurston was vintage. It was quite simply brilliant.
'The Beaver' also turned back the clock with two tries straight out of the top draw. His first was a solo try featuring brute strength and speed that defied his years. The second showed the determination and belief of the Warringah jersey chasing a kick and planting it just before the in-goal line.
With this mix of youth and experience featuring in the finals, there is something to inspire everybody. The first week of the finals was a huge success, with crowds voting with their feet and showing their support in numbers. This week promises to be just as exciting, with the Dogs-Eels blockbuster tipped to be one of the games of the season. The Warriors travel deep into Cowboy territory and the game could explode into an end to end shoot-out. They are two great match-ups, with conflicting styles set to clash in the do or die nature of September.
Week 1 saw the end of the reigning premiers and the resurgent Bunnies, what will week 2 bring?
With so much talk surrounding the ‘mass exodus’ of players from our game throughout the season; it comes with some irony that the focus of the finals is the young guns of the competition. Where it is traditionally seen as a playground for the experienced and seasoned veterans, the finals have exploded with a showcase of youth and exuberance.
But it was the Eels unheralded defence that won them the game against the Warriors. New Zealand looked to have the game well in control, but the Eels somehow managed to repel wave after wave of attacking raids. They showed great desperation on their own line and this will again be called into overdrive against the Bulldogs. It wasn’t the free-flowing game that everybody expected, but it was the best preparation that Parramatta could have hoped for going into the much hyped battle this week.
The young guns of the competition aren’t having it all their own way, with stalwarts Steve Menzies and Jason Smith showing there is still a lot of bark in the old dogs. Smith’s reverse flick pass whilst surrounded by several players to Thurston was vintage. It was quite simply brilliant.
'The Beaver' also turned back the clock with two tries straight out of the top draw. His first was a solo try featuring brute strength and speed that defied his years. The second showed the determination and belief of the Warringah jersey chasing a kick and planting it just before the in-goal line.
With this mix of youth and experience featuring in the finals, there is something to inspire everybody. The first week of the finals was a huge success, with crowds voting with their feet and showing their support in numbers. This week promises to be just as exciting, with the Dogs-Eels blockbuster tipped to be one of the games of the season. The Warriors travel deep into Cowboy territory and the game could explode into an end to end shoot-out. They are two great match-ups, with conflicting styles set to clash in the do or die nature of September.
Week 1 saw the end of the reigning premiers and the resurgent Bunnies, what will week 2 bring?
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