Shaun Timmins kicks NSW to a 1-0 lead in the 2004 origin series.

Someone asked me about golden point this week. Golden point was brought in to football for one simple reason, a reason that many seem to have lost sight of. Golden point’s single purpose is to get a result. Shane Webcke said that a draw would have been fair and that all of the players deserved to get something out of Origin I. But games aren’t always about what is fair. A draw wouldn’t do in a grand final, nor does it cut it in SOO, arguably a biggest rugby league stage. Origin uses golden point to make sure that there won’t be another tied series. We’ve had two in the last five years and they’ve left the players and the fans frustrated. No one wants to be judged by last year’s series. And golden point at the end of game III isn’t the way to go either. We need to get a result in the drawn game on the merits of that night with those conditions and those personnel.

Some say golden point extra time becomes all about the field goal and that it takes away from try scoring. Were those people not watching the final ten minutes regular time? Both sides spent it positioning for a field goal to win the game before 80 minutes were up. The 9-8 score line would have been the same had Craig Gower slotted a field goal instead of dropping the ball in the 77th minute, the only difference being that I wouldn’t need to write this piece. No one would have called it unfair. The easiest way to get rid of golden point is to execute well enough to win in regular time. If you can’t do that, then use the method derived from kids playing in the street. Mum’s just called us for dinner and the scores are level. Let’s finish it quick to get a result before we go inside. “Next score wins”. At the end of the day, golden point is a survival of the fittest and if a team can go the extra distance they’ll take the win. The fans love it because it is cut throat and builds intense excitement. And I would still love golden point even if Queensland had won with two Wednesdays ago.

What is being touted as a blockbuster on Friday night could end up being a repeat of the 35-nil drubbing the Roosters handed the Bulldogs in round three. Coming off the back of a 58-6 victory over the Warriors, Sydney has only increased their stocks returning the disgraced Craig Wing and Anthony Minichiello to the starting line up. With Braith Anasta pulling out, Canterbury are just below full strength and their form this season has been patchy at best with all bar one of their season victories coming over bottom six teams. Brent Sherwin and makeshift five-eight Corey Hughes will need to be at their best if they hope to combat the consistency of Bondi’s finest. All seventeen men from both sides have something to bring to the game. And if they deliver it could be close. Prediction: Roosters by 20.

Melbourne’s shaky grip on form comes under pressure as the Tigers visit the Olympic Park stronghold. Melbourne has a sizzling record at the boutique Victorian ground which is only enhanced under lights. Although under an injury cloud, Matt Orford has been named at half back and will need to be scheming from the get-go as he matches skills with the ever-improving Scott Prince. The Maroons’ half has been leading Wests with a precision kicking game. Add to that a new found confidence in his running game and the brilliance of Benji Marshall outside him and Prince becomes a very dangerous man. For Orford and Scott Hill it’s the chance to push for Origin selection. Against the incumbent Queensland halfback both can provide each other a helping hand to impress selectors. Two underrated packs will give the fans value for money. Prediction: Melbourne by 4

I said it two weeks ago and I’ll say it again this week. If Parramatta wanted a good chance to turn their form around it’s this weekend. With several name players returning from injury the Eels side reads far more comfortably than last week’s list. Dykes and Witt as the half pairing is an interesting mix of skill and experience, but both players have historically played more in the other fellows’ jersey. Luke Burt returns to the top grade as does John Morris. Newcastle’s forward line is bolstered by the return of Ben Kennedy and Josh Perry from injury and suspension respectively. Rumours have also circulated that Timana Tahu may run on in 18 on Saturday night. Brian Smith’s men will probably be thankful to be playing away after being booed off the park last start at home. At least they expect it from the Novocastrians. It’s hard to believe they’ll win though. Prediction: Knights by 12.

WIN Stadium plays host to the North Queensland Cowboys for whom Matt Sing is back on deck. Even a semi reasonable performance from the accomplished flanker should see him displace Justin Hodges for Origin II in a fortnight. For his team mates though, Saturday night will be a struggle to end for two competition points. Recent victories have come against those around them at the tail end of the table and the Dragons are a very different proposition. After being humbled by the boys from the Far North at Oki Jubilee last year, the joint venture returns to the fortress in Wollongong with the staff on board to rack up plenty of points. But the red V will need to be strong in defence to deny just as many being chalked up against them. Flyer Matt Cooper takes his position in the centre after several weeks on the sidelines. Prediction: Dragons by 10.

With Souths having the bye this weekend the Warriors are staring down the barrel at last place, if only temporarily, should they lose to Canberra this weekend. What a way to put former Newcastle forward Tony Kemp in charge of the Kiwi contingent after Daniel Anderson’s resignation midweek. Capitulation has been the order of the day for the New Zealanders in recent times having 28 second-half points put past them in their last two losses. And Canberra scored 32 second-half points last weekend contrary to their recent trends. The Raiders shrugged off recent poor form to record a comprehensive win over the Sea Eagles and will be at full strength should Luke Davico be passed fit. The Warriors are welcoming back a couple of their own too this weekend with Francis Meli and Tony Martin reunited on the left wing. Along with their counterparts, the pair will need to produce the goods to get past the rejuvenated team from the nation’s capital. Prediction: Raiders by 16.

Penrith had little dealing with injury in 2003 but in four days it has all gone horribly wrong for the club at the foot of the mountains. Craig Gower, Preston Campbell and Ryan Girdler will watch from the grand stand at Brookvale after each injured a leg last week. Buy of the year Amos Roberts moves into the unfamiliar role of halfback while Cougars talent Daniel Russell is promoted to the top grade to fill in at five-eighth. But this is another game where the forwards will have a large say in the outcome of the match. Six of the finest back-rowers in the game today will be on show with only Anthony Watmough not pulling on a representative jersey this season. But it should be the quiet domination of Luke Priddis that swings the balance the Panthers’ way. Unless Manly hooker Nathan Hollingsworth can play the game of his life, the two-time premiership winning number nine has the capacity to play maestro. Prediction: Panthers by 4.

Shaun Berrigan will play rake and dummy half for the Broncos when the Sharks visit Suncorp Stadium on Sunday afternoon. One of the standouts for Brisbane in 2004, Berrigan fills in for the injured Michael Ryan against a man slightly less familiar to the hooking role. Cronulla’s Matt Hilder is more at home in the lock or five-eighth role but has the hands needed to distribute from the ruck area. All Blue eyes will be on Brett Kimmorley to show his worth against a large chunk of the Queensland Origin side and cement his play for Wednesday week’s big game. The big Broncos pack should outmuscle the Sharks before the class of the backs finish the flowing movements. Cronulla will be in danger of a blow out score if they start poorly. Prediction: Broncos by 14.

New coaching staff seems to bring the best out of players, so watch for a dramatic improvement from New Zealand. Best of luck as the NRL reaches the halfway mark.

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source: MasterTips