Daniel Nichols – Monday Night Blockbuster

Jul 15, 2014 Daniel Nichols Featured Guest Writers, National Rugby League 0

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Last night’s game between the Panthers and the Broncos was without a doubt the best Monday Night game of the season. It may even be THE game of the season.

The Panthers suffered injuries to in form winger Josh Mansour as well as livewire backrower turn five-eighth Tyrone Peachey yet had just enough in the tank to get the job done.

Penrith looked as though they would run riot early, only for the Broncos to take the lead and look as though they were about to run up a score, only for the Panthers to take the lead late, only for the Broncos to even it up with two minutes to go, only for Moylan to slot a field goal.

… deep breathe …

What we saw last night was a brilliant game of open, attacking football with multiple lead and momentum changes.

The large Monday Night crowd who braved the cold saw 12 tries, 10 conversions from all around the park, and a last minute field goal.

The game featured one of the tries of the season late in the first half as Matt Moylan broke through the line and put Jamie Soward into a gap. Soward showed great speed but looked as though he would be run over the sideline, only to flick a magical ball to Kevin Naiqama who found the line.

Surely Soward has now done enough to repay Gus Gould’s faith in signing him after a disappointing 2013. His partnership with Peter Wallace has turned into one of the game’s best halves pairings.

Anyone who missed last night’s game, I really recommend checking out a mid week replay on fox, it was a beauty.

Barba Bust
Broncos fans are openly calling for their superstar recruit Ben Barba to be dropped to QLD Cup.

Trumpeted as the solution to their attacking woes of 2013 during the off season, Barba has been a shell of his 2012 self so far this season.

Rumours have emerged that the Sharks are ready to table a mega money offer for Ben Hunt, meaning Barba may be forced to move into the halves regardless of Milford’s presence or not.

The Broncs need their number one to fire… and quickly.

Moylan vs Tedesco
Due to similarities in their spectacular starts to their young careers, a lot of comparisons have been drawn between Matt Moylan and James Tedesco.

Both have shown incredible form at times and both have been earmarked as long term replacements at fullback for NSW for Jarryd Hayne.

Although Hayne is a long way from finished, the future is bright at the back for the Blues.

Who’s got the brighter future? Would be an interesting discussion.

I Would Not Want To Be A Titan This Weekend
Although they’re a mile ahead of my poor Sharkies on the table, I would not want to be a Titan this weekend.

I have a feeling they are walking into an almighty ambush at the hands of the Knights.

On the back of news that Wayne Bennett would be leaving them at season’s end, they towelled up the Sharks on Sunday despite allowing the home side a big first half lead.

Add to that the emotion of the #RiseForAlex round, I think the Knights will rack up a big score against the struggling Gold Coast side.

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• Alex McKinnon, Ben Barba, Daniel Nichols, Guest Writer, James Tedesco, Jamie Soward, Josh Mansour, Matt Moylan, Tyrone Peachey, Wayne Bennett

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