Monday 15 August 2011

NRL 2011 - Round 23 NRL Results Blog. Highlights Stats Injuries Pressers NRLTweet Player of the Year Votes

ROUND 23 RESULTS BLOG
2011 NRL PREMIERSHIP SEASON

THE NRL TWEET's ROUND 23 REVIEW
Here on www.wdnicolson.com we've got all the Game Results, Match Reports, Game Highlights, Game Stats, Injury News, Press Conferences and NRL Tweet Player of the Year Award Votes in the one place. This Round Review also integrates our NRL Injured List - which if you haven't bookmarked by now - I suggest you do so.
- THE SUNDAY INQUISITION - 
Will be added as part of Review Monday Night
Player of the Year Votes are added as awarded by our panel and all votes are usually up to date by Tuesday. Fantasy League Leaderboard is updated Monday and Tuesday.
SPECIAL FRIED RICE ROUND 23
- Waz 12/23: Storm; Matt 19/23: Sea Eagles; Dave 16/23: Tigers; Nic 18/23: Dragons -
Note: The order in which Special Fried Rice (the game we guarantee that team will win) is chosen rotates - this week Nic had 1st choice, Waz 2nd, Matt 3rd and Dave 4th. So it isn't as easy as it sounds to tip correctly each week.
You can check out who the NOT The Footy Show Experts picked for the 2011 Premiership via this link.
NOT The Footy Show Podcast is available every Thursday - subscribe now on iTunes so you don't miss out.

THE NRL TWEET's ROUND 23 REVIEW
ROUND 23 RESULTS
11/08 Odds are courtesy of Sportingbet Australia
16 - 34Fri @ Dairy Farmers | LINE: NQL +2.0 GAME STATS
18 - 32Fri @ Centrebet | LINE: PEN +6.5 GAME STATS
20 - 12Sat @ Mt Smat | LINE: NEW +6.0 GAME STATS
20 - 26Sat @ Parramatta | LINE: PAR +10.0 GAME STATS
16 - 40Sat @ Skilled | LINE: GLD +16.5 GAME STATS
18 - 47Sun @ Canberra | LINE: CAN +2.5 GAME STATS
12 - 20Sun @ WIN | LINE: SYD +17.5 GAME STATS
12 - 19Mon @ Toyota | LINE: CRO +2.0 GAME STATS
NRL TWEET PLAYER OF THE YEAR VOTES
The Leaderboard has gone silent (as of Round 18) but we will however still be posting the Votes each week in the Results Blog.
FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
16
              V
34
7:45pm (Local) 12 August @ Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville. 
NRLTweet Game Summary: The Broncos are good but the Cowboys are wasteful - Brisbane's early 12-0 lead proves the difference as Lockyer's 350th finishes with a 34-16 win for Brisbane.
Injuries: James Segeyaro (Ankle)
GAME STATS
2011 @NRLTweet Player of the Year Votes 
Judge: Matthew Duncan
4 - Josh Hoffman, BRI
Was strong at the back all night, scored 3 tries, 2 of which he created out of nothing.
2 - Josh McGuire, BRI
Really stood up in Hannant's absence. Ran with purpose and had the Broncos on the front foot. Also defended with plenty of vigour.
1 - Matthew Bowen, NQL
Very good in a beaten side. Kept the Cowboys in the match. His try was another one for the highlight reel.
Judge: Matt Spillane
4 - Josh Hoffman, BRI
Awesome game at the back, and followed the ball around all night and grabbed 3 tries for his effort.
2 - Matthew Bowen, NQL
Looked dangerous each time he touched the ball. Ran for 130m, 2 linebreaks and scored a great solo try.
1 - Corey Parker, BRI
Busy night for the fantasy king. 21 hit ups for 150m, 34 tackles and offload and 7/7 with the boot.
COWBOYS - Neil Henry and Johnathan Thurston

BRONCOS - Anthony Griffin and Darren Lockyer
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FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
18
              V
32
7:45pm (Local) 12 August @ Centrebet Stadium, Penrith.
NRLTweet Game Summary: The Tigers cruise past the Panthers 32-18 at Penrith. Robbie Farah is outstanding as the premiership 'dark-horse' wins 5th straight.
Injuries: Robert Lui (Arm)
GAME STATS
2011 @NRLTweet Player of the Year Votes 
Judge: Nigel Wilbow
4 - Gareth Ellis, WTG
Made 33 tackles and had 9 hitups for 104 metres. Great defence and was on the spot for 2 tries.
2 - Liam Fulton, WTG
Had 36 tackles, 10 hitups for 143 metres. Underated player, he kept the Tigers rolling forward all night.
1 - Robert Lui, WTG
Produced some good inside balls, controlled the Tigers attack and directed the team well.
Judge: Maria Tsialis
4 - Robbie Farah, WTG
Was fired up and is doing it at the right time of the year. One of his best performances all season.
2 - Chris Heighington, WTG
Something must be bothering Heighington because as of late he's become a real angry ant. Done wonders for his footy.
1 - Trent Waterhouse, PEN
Showed shades of his former representative star self.
PANTHERS - Steve Georgallis and Petero Civoniceva

TIGERS - Tim Sheens and Robbie Farah
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SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
20
              V
12
7:35pm (Local) 13 August @ Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland.
NRLTweet Game Summary: The Warriors come back from 12-4 down at halftime to beat the Knights 20-12 and open the Top 8 door slightly for the Bunnies & Dogs.
Injuries: Junior Sa'u (Hammy), Joel Edwards (Groin), Neville Costigan (Calf)
GAME STATS
2011 @NRLTweet Player of the Year Votes 
Judge: Craig Buchanan
4 - Aaron Heremaia, WAR
A quality game from the hooker. Ran well and hit the line with purpose, tackled like a machine, and his line break to set up the winning try was great.
2 - Jarrod Mullen, NEW
Commanded his troops well, he was the backbone of the Knights first half dominance, and out played his Warriors counterparts in the halves.
1 - Sam Rapira, WAR
Judge: Rob Neilsen
4 - Sam Rapira, WAR
Damaging runs making 15 hit ups for 140 metres, as well as racking up somewhere in the vicinity of 20 tackles.
2 - James Maloney, WAR
A crucial kicking game in the second half saw the Warriors fortunes turn around.
1 - Akuila Uate, NEW
Devastating first half saw several blockbusting runs and a try to boot.
WARRIORS - Ivan Cleary and Simon Mannering

KNIGHTS - Rick Stone and Kurt Gidley
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SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
20
              V
26
7:35pm (Local) 13 August @ Parramatta Stadium, Parramatta.
NRLTweet Game Summary: Parramatta turn up to play this week but two errors early in the 2nd half essentially hand Manly victory. Sea Eagles winners 26-20.
Injuries: Justin Poore (Head - failed to get on the field), Will Hopoate (Knee)
GAME STATS
2011 @NRLTweet Player of the Year Votes 
Judge: Justin Davies
4 - Daly Cherry-Evans, MAN
Manly were disjointed in the first half but DCE sparked them with an individual try and then did the rest to get them home.
2 - George Rose, MAN
Forced to take up the leader of the pack tag with Jason King hurt and delivered alongside Brent Kite.
1 - Reni Maitua, PAR
Continued his good performances for the Eels and it sure doesn't look like he's been out of the game for two years.
Judge: Greg Delaney
4 - Daly Cherry-Evans, MAN
Took control of the game when it was on the line. Set up a try and ran for 120 metres which is huge for a halfback. Looked dangerous all night.
2 - FuiFui MoiMoi, PAR
Ran a massive 189 metres and kept the Eels going forward. Racked up 23 tackles as well.
1 - Anthony Watmough, MAN
Tireless performance in his 200th game. Ran for 111 metres and made a team high 44 tackles.
EELS - Stephen Kearney and Nathan Hindmarsh

SEA EAGLES - Des Hasler and Jamie Lyon
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SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
16
              V
40
7:35pm (Local) 13 August @ Skilled Park, Gold Coast.
NRLTweet Game Summary: Melbourne have a tough fortnight ahead of them but there was nothing tough about their 40-16 victory over the Titans tonight.
Injuries: Clinton Toopi (Head), Justin O'Neill (Back), Dane Nielsen (Ankle), Maurice Blair (Shoulder), Cooper Cronk (Ankle)
GAME STATS
2011 @NRLTweet Player of the Year Votes 
Judge: Matthew Vickers
4 - Billy Slater, MEL
Does he ever have a bad game?  2 tries, 3 offloads, 13 tackle breaks, 2 line breaks and a try assist to go with 137 metres from 12 runs.
2 - Cooper Cronk, MEL
Another dominant display from the half back.  Controlled everything and scored a hat-trick.
1 - Cameron Smith, MEL
80 minutes is the big statistic here.  Means he is refreshed and ready to make an assault on the competition.  Oh and the three try assists didn’t go unnoticed either.
Judge: Michael McLucas
4 - Billy Slater, MEL
Looked like he was swatting flies all night. Scored two tries and had a hand in most of the Storm's big plays.
2 - Cooper Cronk, MEL
Was hard to split Cronk and Slater. Cronk got himself a hat-trick and a hand in everything, although Storm fans wait anxiously on the extent of his late ankle injury.
1 - Cameron Smith, MEL
Typical Smith performance. Created room for his forwards around the ruck and the Storm weren't hard-pressed to capitalise.
TITANS - John Cartwright and Preston Campbell

STORM - Craig Bellamy and Cameron Smith
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SUNDAY AFTERNOON FOOTBALL
18
              V
47
2:05pm (Local) 14 August @ Canberra Stadium, Canberra.
NRLTweet Game Summary: South Sydney do their playoff chances the world of good by hammering a badly outmatched Canberra 47-18. Merritt 3 more tries.
Injuries: Josh Miller (Shoulder), Mick Picker (Shoulder), Greg Inglis (Knee)
GAME STATS
2011 @NRLTweet Player of the Year Votes 
Judge: Haylen Southon
4 - Chris Sandow, SOU
Several line breaks and had a hand in a few tries as well. Kicked a field goal to put the result beyond doubt and provided spark all over the park for the Rabbitohs.
2 - Issac Luke, SOU
Kept the Rabbitohs on the front foot and continues to be lethal around the ruck.
1 - Nathan Merritt, SOU
Scored 3 more tries after picking up 5 the week before. Kept popping up in all the right places in the second half.
Judge: Warrick Nicolson
4 - Ben Ross, SOU
HUGE. The roll on he provided early was superb but he made a bunch of defensive plays in the second half that rubbed out any thought of a Canberra comeback. Deserves to go around next year - and be paid well to do it.
2 - John Sutton, SOU
Involved himself by running the ball early then knew when to pass, kick and run thereafter. Plenty of Try Assists and a great kick for Nathan Merritt's hat-trick (but seriously if this was a semi Merritt would have been ruled offside). His biggest flaw is the game after games like these when the scoreline is close... must stand up in back to back games.
1 - Chris Sandow, SOU
Is a million times the player he was this time last year. Still has the odd brain fade and error in his game but the quality is what has improved out of sight in Chris Sandow version 2011. Is finally a difference maker in the positive.
RAIDERS - David Furner and Alan Tongue

RABBITOHS - John Lang and Michael Crocker
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SUNDAY AFTERNOON FOOTBALL
12
              V
20
3:05pm (Local) 14 August @ WIN Stadium, Wollongong.
NRLTweet Game Summary: The Dragons get beaten... again. This time the Roosters, almost friendless coming to Wollongong, leave with a gutsy 20-12 victory.
Injuries: Jamie Soward (Back), Shaun Kenny-Dowall (Groin - late withdrawal)
GAME STATS
2011 @NRLTweet Player of the Year Votes 
Judge: Ben Hoese
4 - Jake Friend, SYD
Added a lot of Spark around the ruck with some darting runs. Created several very good opportunities, two of which produced tries. Backed it up with his usual large amount of tackles (43). Easy to see why Anthony Mitchell struggles for game time.
2 - Mitchell Pearce, SYD
His strong running game and good kicking game took a lot of pressure off Anasta reverting back to five-eighth. Above all, the kid has great vision when it comes to spotting opportunities - as evidenced by his kick for Joseph Leilua's game breaking try.
1 - Braith Anasta, SYD
I was one of the first to vote Anasta as "most overrated player" but he earned some respect in this game. Strong attacking game and the passion of a true leader easily made up for the errors that snuck into his game.
Judge: Justin Davies
4 - Mitchell Pearce, SYD
Todd Who? Pearce steered the Roosters around the field with an expert passing and kicking game.
2 - Braith Anasta, SYD
Truly a captain's knock from Braith, he was in everything and made a difference.
1 - Mose Masoe, SYD
Since he's stopped with the crazy haircut, he's been a wrecking ball, proving that with his try. Was in the Dragons faces all game.
DRAGONS - Wayne Bennett and Ben Hornby

ROOSTERS - Brian Smith and Braith Anasta
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MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
12
              V
19
7:05pm (Local) 15 August @ Toyota Stadium, Cronulla.
NRLTweet Game Summary: How many chances did Cronulla want in that 2nd half? Bulldogs don't waste their chances and stay alive with 19-12 win.
Injuries: Jayson Bukuya (Ankle), Wade Graham (Head)
GAME STATS
2011 @NRLTweet Player of the Year Votes 
Judge: Dane Neville
4 - Trent Hodkinson, CBY
Produced the goods for Canterbury with an on-song kicking game and he ran the ball well too. Set up the match winner with a deft kick.
2 - Ben Barba, CBY
Rock solid under the high ball - despite being tested early and often by Cronulla's kickers.
1 - Nathan Stapleton, CRO
Was good for the Sharks despite finishing on the losing team.
Judge: Haylen Southon
4 - Sam Tagataese, CRO
Had 2 line breaks, a try and churned out more minutes and higher a workload than normal - making his impact when the Sharks needed it.
2 - Frank Pritchard, CBY
Despite being put on report, Frank had one of his 'on' weeks. A high workload and damaging runs.
1 - Ben Barba, CBY
Scored his routine 'back up a forward in the middle of the ruck try'. Safe at the back under the high ball
SHARKS - Shane Flanagan and Paul Gallen
BULLDOGS - Jim Dymock and Andrew Ryan
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ROUND 23 BYES
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FANTASY LEAGUE SCORE UPDATE
PHASE THREE LEADERBOARD AFTER 5 ROUNDS (RD19-26)


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2011 TIPPING TIPS:
This year not only do you get The NRL Tweet's Tips each week but the whole NOT The Footy Show team will have their picks listed by Thursday so you can back a smoky or a favourite by seeing who we all picked (or didn't pick). Truthfully there is no perfect formula but here's a vital tip to help you cope with the copious amounts of NRL Tipping Comp's
@NRLTWEET's 2011 TIPPING RECORD 
TOTAL AFTER 23 ROUNDS - 100/168 @ 59.5%
The NRL Tweet finished with 125 correct tips from 192 Games in 2010 at a strike rate of 65%.
NOT THE FOOTY SHOW's EXPERT TIPS:

ROUND 23 SELECTIONS
Warrick Nicolson, The NRL Tweet + NTFS Host
Cowboys
Tigers
Warriors
Sea Eagles
Storm
Rabbitohs
Dragons
Sharks
5/8 | SEASON 100/168
Nic McInerney, NTFS Co-Host
Broncos
Tigers
Warriors
Sea Eagles
Storm
Rabbitohs
Dragons
Bulldogs
7/8 | SEASON 113/168
Broncos
Tigers
Warriors
Sea Eagles
Storm
Raiders
Roosters
Bulldogs
7/8 | SEASON 103/168
DC Chapman, NTFS Co-Host
Broncos
Tigers
Warriors
Sea Eagles
Storm
Rabbitohs
Dragons
Bulldogs
7/8 | SEASON 107/168
Maria Tsialis, Big League Magazine
Broncos
Tigers
Warriors
Sea Eagles
Storm
Raiders
Dragons
Bulldogs
6/8 | SEASON 95/168
Andy Raymond, Fox Sports Commentator
TBA
| SEASON 87/160
Eyes, The Kid Who Sees All
Cowboys
Tigers
Knights
Sea Eagles
Titans
Raiders
Roosters
Bulldogs
4/8 | SEASON 86/168
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]-[ There are just 3 weeks left in NOT The Footy Show's Tipping Competition and the outright winner walks away with an Official Steeden Match ball.
Full Leaderboard after MNF
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NOT The Footy Show Episode 77
- Round 23 Preview Released August 11, 2011 -
Right Click Save Target As This Link if you don't have iTunes.
Kevin Campion talks to us about Darren Lockyer as the champion reaches 350 NRL Games, Five Try Merritt Tribute and the Round 23 NRL Preview.

In Round 23 Darren Lockyer makes his 350th First Grade Appearance...
Here is a tribute from YouTube - Tag your tweets with #Lockyer350
By Warrick D. Nicolson