Last Friday produced two good games of footy, although the scores were a bit unexpected both games had the chance of going either way.
It was nice to see the Brisbane Broncos mark Darren Lockyer's 350th NRL game with a win but as I watched the Wests Tigers beat the Penrith Panthers, something really stood out.
It was not something that the team did during the game but rather something about their faces which seemed familiar, the facial hair.
Once again NRL followers are seeing a team charge towards the finals with some thick growth around the jawlines. And once again it appears to have some mysterious, winning affect.
The Wests Tigers have now won their last five games and this weekend play the second last Parramatta Eels, who could have threatened the top eight, if they themselves could have wrapped up some good early leads. Round 24 could be the continuation of an excellent run to the finals for the Tigers. Their last two rounds are to be played against, the probable wooden spooners, Gold Coast and another low table sitter the Cronulla Sharks. Particularly handy for the Tigers is Friday night's game featuring the Melbourne Storm at home to the St George-Illawarra Dragons.
With a Dragons loss, the Tigers could jump two places into fifth and would be looking further ahead at a top four spot with a good run over the next few weeks.
The Tiger's new look is reminiscent of two teams, who in seasons past have also donned the facial fuzz. The coincidence being that they too found relatively good form whilst abandoning the razor.
Firstly were the New Zealand Warriors. Who could forget their late season charge towards the finals in the 2008 season. After losing some 'aerodynamics' the Warriors charged home to win 7 of their last 9 matches in the regular season. This culminated in a finals berth with the Melbourne Storm in the first week of the finals. The eighth placed team had never beaten the first placed team since the 'McIntyre' system had come into effect but the Warriors managed to be the first. That season they fell just one game short of the Grand Final.
In season 2009 the Penrith Panthers also went through part of the season looking like the Warriors. Although the Panthers were growing their facial hair for a charitable cause (Breast Cancer), they too found good mid-season form. Leading up to their dates with the clippers, the Panthers won 7 from 10 games and 8 from the first 14 rounds when the due date arrived. Even though they had a good start to the season, in 2009 they missed the finals.
If the Wests Tigers win this season, could it be power to the beard?
Maybe, but with what looks to be a close finals series in 2011 we will have to wait and see.
It was nice to see the Brisbane Broncos mark Darren Lockyer's 350th NRL game with a win but as I watched the Wests Tigers beat the Penrith Panthers, something really stood out.
It was not something that the team did during the game but rather something about their faces which seemed familiar, the facial hair.
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| Gareth Ellis touches down against Penrith Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images AsiaPac www.zimbio.com | |
The Wests Tigers have now won their last five games and this weekend play the second last Parramatta Eels, who could have threatened the top eight, if they themselves could have wrapped up some good early leads. Round 24 could be the continuation of an excellent run to the finals for the Tigers. Their last two rounds are to be played against, the probable wooden spooners, Gold Coast and another low table sitter the Cronulla Sharks. Particularly handy for the Tigers is Friday night's game featuring the Melbourne Storm at home to the St George-Illawarra Dragons.
With a Dragons loss, the Tigers could jump two places into fifth and would be looking further ahead at a top four spot with a good run over the next few weeks.
The Tiger's new look is reminiscent of two teams, who in seasons past have also donned the facial fuzz. The coincidence being that they too found relatively good form whilst abandoning the razor.
Firstly were the New Zealand Warriors. Who could forget their late season charge towards the finals in the 2008 season. After losing some 'aerodynamics' the Warriors charged home to win 7 of their last 9 matches in the regular season. This culminated in a finals berth with the Melbourne Storm in the first week of the finals. The eighth placed team had never beaten the first placed team since the 'McIntyre' system had come into effect but the Warriors managed to be the first. That season they fell just one game short of the Grand Final.
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| Warriors skipper Simon Mannering. Source: Getty Images www.couriermail.com.au |
In season 2009 the Penrith Panthers also went through part of the season looking like the Warriors. Although the Panthers were growing their facial hair for a charitable cause (Breast Cancer), they too found good mid-season form. Leading up to their dates with the clippers, the Panthers won 7 from 10 games and 8 from the first 14 rounds when the due date arrived. Even though they had a good start to the season, in 2009 they missed the finals.
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| Petero Civoniceva combines beard and pink for charity. Picture: Gregg Porteous. Source: The Daily Telegraph |
If the Wests Tigers win this season, could it be power to the beard?
Maybe, but with what looks to be a close finals series in 2011 we will have to wait and see.
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