Karma came around this week as I took money of Nathan Friend while he played with one of the guys from management in the weekly golf challenge. I played with “Waltzing” Mat Hilder, and we got up for the win, taking $10 off Friendy, now all I need is another $60 back to square a lopsided ledger

A lot of people have been talking about that tackle on Cory Paterson, truth be told I would have never stopped him if Mark Minichiello didn’t make the ankle tap of the century to slow the big fella down.  Full credit to Mini he played a huge part in the tackle!

This week we have the Warriors and it isn’t going to be an easy task. With the losses of Bull to Origin and Anthony Laffranchi through injury we are going to be fielding a small team, against a huge Warriors side, and I don’t like my chances of stopping a rampaging Ruben Wiki or Manu Vatuvei.

To win this game we have to play smart and look to catch their big men out around the rucks, moving the ball wide. It is an important game for us and if we win it we will have some real momentum. A win could see us in the top four, but a loss will see us near the bottom of the eight.

I hope the sun comes out and we get some hot weather to take the Warriors out of their comfort zone. They are used to average conditions while we are not.

Just to clarify, if I am called upon as a late replacement for Origin then I will play. Jack asked me to, he can’t really remember his old man playing it the first time around, so I made myself available for the game if needed.

Speaking of the kids they are coming up for their school holidays this week, and I am keen to spend plenty of time with them over the next couple of weeks. I miss Jack and Skyla when they are not here, and can’t wait to see them.

I would like to comment on “The Dell” making a return to League. If Wendell does sign with the Dragons, then no one should be able to try and take him down, Wendell has served his time, and if he gets fit again will be a sight to behold. I wish him the best if he does return.

Mat Rogers

Despite the great win over Wests last week, to be honest, it’s been a rough week.
 
It started off so promising: our first big away win of the season over a top side in form. The boys were rapt, and are determined to make sure we carry that form over against the Knights. Especially young Preston [...]

As you can see from my MMS I was out on the golf course again today, at The Palms at Sanctuary Cove, and it is good to live on the Gold Coast, 25 degrees and great golf courses all over the place.
 
Unfortunately I lost to Hilder and Friend again today as they took more of [...]

I just finished one very tough training session. Despite Billy Johnstone being away with the Queensland team we copped it from his assistant Macca.
 
It’s good for us though, just because we had no game to play doesn’t mean we can slack off too much!
 
I’ve had a pretty good week; it started with a win over [...]