Reece Simmonds has been one of only a few Dragons to avoid big injuries this season

No. I’m not blaming Reg Reagan. Everyone football fan I’ve ever known has liked a good toe-to-toe stoush. When the adrenaline runs a little too high and a tackle becomes a little too personal, a game can erupt. Frustration and emotion tangle with physical aggression and the result is a release of energy. And to me, that’s what Reg is about. He’s the embodiment of that little part inside each one of us that is responsible for the cheer that goes up in the crowd when mid-field turns to fisticuffs. The piece of us that will stop to watch the TV when they show historical rugby league punch ups on “Boots ‘n all”. He’s not talking about Danny Williams walking up to a guy looking the other way and whacking him.

Regardless of claims he was suffering from post traumatic amnesia, the league should make an example of Williams’ actions. They weren’t in the spirit of the game. Adjourning the case for two weeks will do nothing but delay the inevitable. And possibly push the idea that stalling tactics may allow acts of stupidity to give the offenders more time on the park than they deserve. Just like Greg Bird who viciously kneed South’s Shane Marteene in the head while Marteene was held in a tackle, Williams should go for double digit weeks. And if Danny Williams is so unstable that can’t take a hit without biffing someone, then he’s probably better off on the side lines.

Wests v Canterbury
It’s been a year of mixed fortunes for Friday night Football and the Tigers. After getting out of the blocks well to almost over come premiers Penrith, they were caned by the Roosters without reply. Now the Tigers play one of the teams they have had the wood on in recent time, competition front runners Canterbury. The Bulldogs have a clean bill of health at the moment with rookie sensation Sonny Bill Williams, Jonathan Thurston and Ben Harris doing the rounds in the VB Premier League. Wests good win against a 12-man Melbourne at Leichhardt is nice, but getting the chocolates against a full strength Bulldogs will be a different story at Campbelltown. It’s not impossible and you would be wise taking the start on offer but the ‘Dogs are looking just a little too classy. The Tigers have beaten the Bulldogs in three of their last four meetings. Prediction: Bulldogs by 8.

Brisbane v Manly Warringah
Brisbane returns to Suncorp Stadium without kicking ace Michael De Vere in the ranks. The fringe NSW Origin and Australian representative damaged a medial ligament in routine training and will need reconstruction surgery. When the Broncos play lower ranked sides it is often the case of “we’ll score more than you” and defence goes south. This match could be a 70 point ball game if Wayne Bennett decides to take the easy approach. But as the hard yards of the finals draw closer, steeling his men for the conflict ahead may tighten up the Broncos defensive line to the Sea Eagles detriment. With only contenders left to play, it would seem that Manly’s hopes of avoiding the wooden spoon rest with their round 24 match up with the Bunnies. Prediction: Broncos by 26.

Melbourne v Parramatta
With it being a matter of “how long” for Danny Williams, Craig Bellamy has made just the one change to the side that lost to the Tigers last weekend. Brian Smith meanwhile has again named an extended bench for the toughest road trip in the league right now. The high of beating the Roosters was lost as the Eels crashed in Townsville, and with the Storm likely to rebound well from their loss, the Eels should be worried. There are quality battles all across the park, but the halves should be the difference. With Parramatta’s tendency to lose focus in defence, the league’s most potent attacking side may push their claims for a home final again this weekend. Parramatta need to win if they hold hopes of the finals series. Watch for another Billy Slater length of the field effort. Prediction: Storm by 36.

Sydney v South Sydney
The Rabbitohs gave the Roosters a scare in their round one encounter. They have the capacity to do so again if Sydney play below par or underestimate their Southern cousins. Willie Manu’s loss through injury is compensated for by the return of former Rooster Shane Rigon. On the other side of the ledger, Adrian Morley’s suspension makes room for the return of Maroons’ forward Michael Crocker. Chris Flannery’s journey through the positional chart continues as the utility starts in the centres this week after running on at full back last week and the back row the week prior. Joe Williams meets his former club for the first time in the top grade giving Brett Finch plenty of work to do. The scheming halfback and junior Kangaroo no doubt will want to show Sydney what they have lost. Arthur Kitinas’ style has given a new found enthusiasm which is sure to boost his side to better things. But after the performance against St George, the score could be anything. Prediction: Roosters by 24.

Newcastle v North Queensland
Steve Simpson’s return to the NRL lasted a week as Newcastle’s injury plagued season continued against the Broncos last week. Simpson will be sidelined for six weeks with a broken jaw while tests are ongoing for Robbie O’Davis who suffered a fracture in the same area. After a steadying win over the Eels, the Cowboys find themselves one point adrift of the top eight and with a reasonable chance of playing finals footy for the first time in the club’s history. Matt Bowen returns after a week out with injury in a Cowboys side that looks settled although under strength. The Knights are in the unusual position of being below North Queensland on the table and will want to take the opportunity to leap frog the perennial strugglers from the top end. Prediction: Cowboys by 8.

Canberra v New Zealand
The New Zealand Warriors are yet to string two wins together this season and taking on the Canberra Raiders in the Nation’s capital won’t make the feat easy to achieve this weekend. Voted in a fan poll as 2004’s biggest under achievers, the Kiwis play five of the top seven teams in the run home. Their only saving grace in avoiding the wooden spoon is that they have a bye up their sleeves. Canberra’s capitulation to the Panthers gives the boys from the shaky Isles hope, but the Raiders have a great run home and a win this weekend would set them on the right track to cementing a place in the post-season. The loss of Monty Betham is a blow to the visitors but Louis Anderson has given good value off the bench in recent weeks. Prediction: Raiders by 12.

St George-Illawarra v Cronulla-Sutherland
You can smell the blood in the water as the Southern Sydney derby approaches. St George-Illawarra and Cronulla-Sutherland have a tradition of ding-dong battles and upset results. No matter where the two teams reside on the table they both lift a notch to take on their local rivals. Mark Gasnier and Shaun Timmins will both be missing for the match with long term injuries and the form of Lincoln Withers shunts Mark Riddell into the number eleven jersey for the encounter. David Peachey has been named on an extended bench and rumour again surrounds the return of Brett Kimmorley. This is another weekend where the Sharks will go into the match firm underdogs with the capacity to upset the Dragons who are on the same competition points. Stuart Raper is an astute coach who will have his charges at their peak for an encounter which is sure to be brutal. Prediction: Sharks by 7.

The betting agencies think it’s a clear cut weekend … and we all know how easily a clear cut weekend can become upset central. Good luck picking the upsets and the run-away victories.

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source: MasterTips