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The final round of the NRL season is upon us as the Parramatta Eels celebrate a big milestone for Will Penisini and farewell one of their favourite sons in Dylan Brown. The Tip Sheet breaks out the big guns for a big preview podcast as Chris Ricketts joins the boys from Chicago for the final five-game docket of the year.
Parramatta are sending their Jersey Flegg Cup and NSW Cup squads to the finals and the boys run through their respective rosters. It is sudden death for the Flegg and they welcome back Chris Petrus as they take on the Panthers. The Cup face the Dragons and are bolstered by the return of Ronald Volkman and the debut of Isaac Jim.
The HNWP are hunting an 8th straight win as they host the winless Dragons while the NRLW are hunting a win of any kind in their game against the Tigers. Finally in the NRL, it will be an emotional day for the Eels with a milestone for Will and the big farewell for Dyl. Can they see off their storied five-eighth with a win and in doing so secure their 10th victory of the season?
Great shows gents, thank you.
Playing Dylan sends a good message to potential new signings, it shows our club is not bitter or vindictive and respects player’s to the end.
Chris, I loved your prediction of a Dylan Brown return. It’s a recipe in the making. Not that I wish it on him however I see it going to shit quickly for both Dylan and especially the Knights. I wouldn’t be surprised if Dylan returned midseason next year.
The Knights are in all sorts, no coach, fighting to avoid the spoon with no notable signings outside Brown who is expected to turn the club around. Only Jesus could turn that club around and we know that Brown with all his talents cannot walk on water.
Newcastle will be under enormous pressure from its fans and the media, I can see them losing 6 straight games to start the season.
I haven’t been this emotionally neutral in a while. So what’s there to look forward to this weekend? For me, I’m hoping the Titans roll the Tigers and of course I’m hoping the Eels put an AFL score on the Knights. I’d be happy if this happens. We jump the Tigers while handing the spoon to the Knights. For me it would be some sort of revenge for offering our boy the dumbest and most desperate contract in NRL history. The Knights will quickly learn that paying stupid money for any player digs holes rather than fills them.
Playing Dylan Brown at five eight for his last game in blue and gold is something I really hoped we would see, and to Ryles credit, he has selected him there. Dylan was a great servant of this club (noting I said “great” and not “loyal”!) but I can’t really blame him for accepting the crazy money he was offered. Of course, with a great amount of money comes a great level of expectation. Because of his huge salary, Dylan is going to be under enormous pressure to perform each week, and that, in my opinion, could be his downfall. He is being paid as a marquee signing – someone who would be expected to show leadership, on field organisational strategy and, generally, a high level of footy IQ. I think we all know that Dylan isn’t that kind of player, but is rather, a “follower” – hence why his best performances were when he partnered Mitch Moses in the halves, with Mitch calling the shots. Anyway, I hope in his last outing for Parra, playing in his preferred position, he puts in a blinder. It would have been good to have seen how far he could have developed at Parramatta but it’s equally going to be fascinating to see how (or if) the Knights are going to transform Dylan into a top shelf elite footballer.
I saw Jack Williams getting an MRI yesterday. He didn’t look to be injured so maybe just precautionary, but he might be a late omission. Hope not. He deserves to play.. i