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Well, it’s that time of the year again. Sportsfreak welcomes back our old mates League Freak from across the Tasman, and Blogging it Real from, errr, this side of the Tasman. Blogging it Real will be keen to defend their title, while League Freak will be looking to close the gap. In the meantime, we at Sportsfreak will be happy enough not to be relegated from our own competition. So without any further ado, we bring you to Round 1 of the 2010 NRL season. Friday 12th March Broncos vs Cowboys Blogging it Real says: Broncos by 8 “The Broncos came home with a wet sail once Henjak taught them how to concede fewer points than they scored. Maybe they'll keep that going.” League Freak says: Cowboys by 22 “This is going to be a very long year for the Broncos and this first game of the season will show the way. The Broncos biggest problem is that their forward pack is terrible. The Cowboys should take advantage of this and carve them up!” Sportsfreak says: Cowboys by 4 “Man this is a toughie. The Cowboys have recruited pretty well, and will be looking to make up for a very disappointing 2009. On the other hand the Broncos may have overachieved a little last season, and have a few yawning gaps. A close one.” Eels vs Dragons Blogging it Real says: Eels by 4 “Should be a great game to start the year. The Eels may still be depressed after last year's finale but they showed themselves what they were capable of when in the mood. The Dragons will want to make a statement but it's a bit early for them.” League Freak says: Eels by 10 “While it would be just like the Dragons to look great at this time of the year, I just think Parramatta's pack will be too much for the Dragons to handle. It will be interesting to see how Hayne goes. Can he possibly hope to match up to last year’s form?” Sportsfreak says: Eels by 2 “Many are suggesting that the Eels will go one better this year and win the whole shebang. I’m not convinced. Both of these teams have lost a few from last year, without really recruiting strongly. This should be close, but the Eels should have a little too much up front.” Saturday 13th March Bulldogs vs Knights Blogging it Real says: Bulldogs by 12 “The Knights will need permission for half their team to be allowed out of prison for the day. They've got no chance.” League Freak says: Bulldogs by 8 “If you were writing a movie about the Newcastle Knights this season I reckon it would be called "The Agony and the Ecstasy". Thank you, thank you, I'm here every week! The Bulldogs will be way too good and we'll see the Knights slip back into pub football again.” Sportsfreak says: Bulldogs by 26 “I’m not sure I have ever seen a team whose season is so far over before it began. The Bulldogs to win by default.” Panthers vs Raiders Blogging it Real says: Panthers by 10 “No idea how these teams will go this year so I'll go with the home side.” League Freak says: Panthers by 4 “Penrith have spent the off season putting on weight. All you have heard from other teams is how they have been impressed by players that have cut weight. Still, Penrith should have too much talent, overcoming the Raiders and that horrible dead weight of a coach in Matthew Elliott.” Sportsfreak says: Canberra by 1 “Absolutely no idea.”
Blogging it Real says: Storm by 12 “Yep. New year, same shit.” League Freak says: Storm by 4 “The jetlag will hurt the Storm for the first month and a half. I think the Sharks will look to bash their way to a win. If it works, look for a long start to the season for the Storm.” Sportsfreak says: Storm by 14 The storm aren’t always the best of starters, and if they were up against most other clubs an upset could be on the cards. But the Sharks, who were terrible last season, have lost about a dozen players, and replaced them with not much. Could be a long year Sharks fans………” Sunday 14th March Titans vs Warriors Blogging it Real says: Titans by 8 “We might get a glimpse of how much influence Tony Iro has had on the side early and by God I hope it's a big influence, but away in the heat to a decent side is too much in round 1. I do have a funny feeling though that the Titans might slide backwards this year.” League Freak says: Titans by 22 “When you start the season whingeing about having to wear your traditional black jersey, you know something is wrong. The Titans should be ready to make a step this season, while the Warriors? I think it is gonna be a long year for them!” Sportsfreak says: Warriors by 2 “The signing of Greg Bird will either be a masterstroke or a disaster for the Titans. Distinct overachievers in 2009, I would be surprised if they can step up this season. I need an upset to kick the season off on the right note, so I’ll run with this one. There is a footnote however – it could well be one of the few away wins for the Warriors in 2010.” Rabbitohs vs Roosters Blogging it Real says: Rabbitohs by 10 “The Rabbits should do this easy. Their forward pack looks beasty, just a matter of seeing if the backs can back them up.” League Freak says: Rabbitohs by 10 “This should be a bit of a scrappy game and I think the Roosters will still show that fade they have become famous for over the last few years. I'll be interested to see how the Roosters take advantage of Sam Burgess poor lack of reading in defence.” Sportsfreak says: Rabbitohs by 6 “Some comedians are picking the Bunnies to win the Grand Final – they are kidding themselves. Their three major signings (Burgess, Taylor and Ross) have shored up a few holes, but they are nowhere near Premiership material. The Roosters will improve from last year, but not enough to win this one. God I hate the Rabbitohs.” Monday 15th March Tigers vs Sea Eagles Blogging it Real says: Tigers by 6 “Hopefully Marshall carries on with the more mature and (relatively) injury free football that he played last year and the Tigers set the Sea Eagles off on another 0-4 start to the season.” League Freak says: Tigers by 6 “If they play Tuqiri this week they are complete and utter idiots. The Sea Eagles will have a few things to sort out themselves and the Tigers are a bit further along. Look for Robbie Farah to have a huge year and Benji to play more consistent football.” Sportsfreak says: Tigers by 1 “In recent years, the Tigers have started well and the Sea Eagles poorly - it would be no surprise to see this trend continue. The Tigers may well be the big improvers in 2010, so they will be looking to stamp their mark early. This should be a good battle, in what could be - fearless prediction time – the season’s first golden point game.” Check out our fellow tipster’s sites:- Blogging it Real – a NZ based blog commenting on, well, everything really. League Freak – a terrific Australian based League site.
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