Rugby League - Spy On The Bank

As there was no local football last weekend just a few thoughts on the Vodafone Warriors...
Another game that just got away from them. I feel Tony Kemp made a wrong call making Lance Hohaia a scapegoat to allow Monty Betham into the side. Kemp cut off his nose to spite his face.
Granted, Lance stepped out of line and copped a heavy fine for a misdemeanour, which should have been sufficient in my book. I am still mystified why Betham is captain when Reuben Wiki is the obvious understudy to Steve Price.
Yes, Betham can tackle (not always low) but that's about it. Whereas Lance Hohaia, who pulled off the tackle of the year three weeks ago, has the best pass in the game and has a kicking game that was sadly missing last week.
Tony Kemp gets a pat on the back for the way he is using local boy Awen Guttenbeil off the bench. Awen would be the first to admit he has lost form.
Coming off the bench with all that adrenalin pumping he is a different player and one off-load, albeit a bit hairy, last Sunday ended in a try, which must have given him a great deal of pleasure.
Top eight for the Warriors is a possibility; top four a bit of a dream.
I support any club outside of the NSW district, and for me I can see a Broncos/Queensland Cowboys grand final.
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On the local scene the match of the round will be at Ohaeawai on Saturday when the Moerewa Tigers will get their claws into the wounded Hokianga Pioneers.
I have no doubt Phil Marsh will have his Pioneers in top shape to put the record straight, after the hiccup at Takahiwai. The Tigers will need to be prepared for an all-out assault from a side with its pride just a wee bit dented.
Waitangi Seniors will meet Coastline at Otaika 1pm Saturday as a curtain-raiser to Marist Brothers v Northern Pirates at 2.30pm. This should be a push over for Marist.
Schoolboy football will be on at Jubilee Park on Sunday starting at 9am and precedes the Kaikohe Lions and the top of the table Takahiwai Warriors clash at 2.30pm.
Portland Panthers should have little trouble knocking over Te Hiku who are languishing at the bottom of the table, when they meet on Saturday in Kaitaia.
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The Friday night Footy Show is compulsive viewing for us "leaguies", but it came as a bit of a surprise to see the victorious Canterbury Crusaders, Super 12 winners, doing a "That's Gold" impersonation on the show. The Rah Rah boys continue to copy us in all facets of this modern game of ours called rugby league. But will they go as far as to use the staple gun to stitch up the wounds or is that just going a little too tough for them? I rest my case.
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My picks this week:
Hokianga, Portland, Marist, Takahiwai, Coastline.
Vodafone Warriors to beat the Storm at Ericcson on Sunday.