BY ROB
It is now on like Donkey Kong. We’re sliding further down the blade to the sharp, pointy end of 2015. Having conducted some basic calculations on the supercomputer here at the Sportress we’ve figured out that the cut-off for entry into the top 8 will most likely be 30 points.
With five games remaining Manly, in 11th spot, are the lowest ranked team capable of making the cut, as they currently have 20 points. Below them the Panthers, Eels, titans, Tigers and Knights are now just making up the numbers and avoiding the spoon.
Above Manly sit the Raiders on 10th, also wielding 20 points. Neither team can afford to drop a game between now and round 26. Blink and you’re gone.
The Raiders this week clash with the Tigers, in a home game on Monday night. The Raiders fell apart against a re-energised Cowboys side last week, while the Tigers sprang an ambush on the Storm. While the loss to the Cowboys was tipped by most folks it was the injury fallout that ultimately proved more damaging.
Soliola is gone for the year, as he needs to have his cheekbone worked on, while Hodgson is out for 1-2 weeks with a high-ankle sprain. You can also add Edrick Lee to that list, suspended after an early guilty plea for tripping.
Waqa returns from injury as winger, while Buttriss fills in at number 9 (All you have to do is pass it Glenn, nothing else).
Youngster Mitch Barnett gets a chance to impress from the bench as Kennedy joins the starting 13.
Come Monday night two teams go head to head; one fighting for finals survival, the other one simply trying to stay off rung 16.
Big Three – Raiders
Josh Hodgson: Notable simply because his absence will hurt the Raiders big time. Hodgson was crucial in setting up the Raiders 18-0 lead over the Cowboys last round, and the game fell apart after he left the field. From his canny kick for a 40/20 in the opening salvoes to his perfect passes Hodgson is the try best buy for the Raiders in 2015.
Sisa Waqa: Waqa returns to add some seniority to the Raiders backline, taking up Lee’s vacant spot on the wing. Waqa will need to demonstrate excellent defensive judgement to help repel a Tigers attack which is starting to gel.
Shaun Fensom: Fensom somehow managed 108 metres and 54 tackles against the Cowboys despite being 8 minutes short of his usual 80. Arguably the lynch pin of the Raiders defence, expect him to muscle up against Wests.
Big Three – Tigers
James Tedesco: Tedesco was instrumental in the Tigers routing of the Storm, with 163 metres, 2 line breaks, 2 try assists and 2 tries to his name.
Aaron Woods: Woods, along with Galloway, was one of the two big boppers for the Tigers last round. He hammered out 180 metres from 19 carries in the middle, causing many headaches for the Storm.
Mitchell Moses: Moses ran for an average of 10 metres 9 times and laid on two try assists. His looming battle with former team rival Austin should be a good one.
You Wot Mate?
SKD has resumed training. I seriously don’t get this. I realise that the NRL and Roosters have assumed the stance of innocent until proven guilty but the guy has no less than five different charges against him. Bloody NRL.
Crystal Ball
The Raiders keep the dream alive for one more week. Baptiste finally unlocks his chakra allowing him to play 80 minutes, saving us all from the slightly-less-bad-than McCrone horror that is Butters.
The Sportress 