After a short break for the festive season, the ASRL season returned to full swing with round sixteen and the final State of Origin. Could Roger Bossert's Queenslanders save some face and send him out on a high against an on fire New South Wales team?

PREMIER LEAGUE
The luckless Central Coast Falcons have recorded just their sixth win of the season, and whilst a top eight spot and a shot at defending their crown might be out of reach, the 26-22 victory over Wollongong was celebrated all the same.
Central Coast: Roy Asotasi 2, James Manson, Gareth Hock, and Adrian Morley. Sculthorpe 3/5
Wollongong: Brett Hodgson 2, Stacey Jones, and Ryan Bailey. Patrick 3/4
HT Score: Wollonong 18-10
Penalties: Central Coast 6-5
Completion Rates: Central Coast 61% Wollongong 75%
Possession: Central Coast 51%
PoM Points: Adrian Morley 3, Marc Calderwood 2, and Roy Asotasi 1.

Wagga will be hoping Hornsby drop their game against Surfers Paradise later this weekend following another loss, the Stallions embarassed 28-10 by the Adelaide Attitude and looking like a very real chance of an ignoble return to Division Two.
Adelaide: Stirling Mortlock, Lloyd Johannson, Matt Giteau, and Chris Latham. Carter 6/6
Wagga: Sebastian Azema and Scott Magro. Magro 1/2
HT Score: Adelaide 10-0
Penalties: Adelaide 15-5
Completion Rates: Adelaide 70% Wagga 59%
Possession: Adelaide 58%
PoM Points: Fili Lolohea 3, Rupeni Caucau 2, and Peter Cusack 1.

Central continue to improve in leaps and bounds, the Phoenix cementing their place in the top eight with a tough 24-16 victory over the Melbourne Executioners.
Melbourne: Doug Howlett, Jason King, and Richard Horne. Constipolous 2/3
Central: Luke Burt 2, Hunter Tylerson, and Jonny Maquina. Maquina 4/5
HT Score: Central 16-0
Penalties: Central 8-6
Completion Rates: Melbourne 47% Central 63%
Possession: Central 53%
PoM Points: Darren Albert 3, Luke Burt 2, and Jonny Maquina 1.

Wellington have gone close to breaking the record for biggest victory in ASRL history, the Cougars firing with all cannons on their way to a 66-0 annihilation of the Perth Taipans.
Wellington: Brent Webb, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Clyde Rathbone 2, David Kidwell, Scott Hill, Matt Orford, Smeds Stahl 2, and Nigel Vagana 2. Tai 11/11
Perth: None
HT Score: Wellington 18-0
Penalties: Perth 4-3
Completion Rates: Wellington 76% Perth 54%
Possession: Wellington 63%
PoM Points: Shawn Tai 3, Ali Lauititi 2, and Matt Orford 1.

Capetown's resurgence continued in today's game against rivals Darwin, the Ravens looking slick on their way to a vital 24-6 home victory.
Capetown: Paul Whatuira 2, Peter Hewat, and Brendan Cannon. Way 4/4
Darwin: Adam MacDougall. Cooke 1/1
HT Score: Capetown 12-0
Penalties: Capetown 15-1
Completion Rates: Darwin 63% Darwin 58%
Possession: Capetown 61%
PoM Points: Peter Hewat 3, Kevan Mealamu 2, and Danny Orr 1.

It was a low scoring nail-biter in today's all Sydney clash between the second placed Northern Cannons and the unpredictable Sydney Oilers, with the Cannons scratching out a narrow 8-6 victory to stay in touch with the seemingly unbeatable Gold Coast Crusade.
Northern: Leigh McWilliams and David Howell. Michalak 0/2
Sydney: Benji Marshall. Bennet 1/1
HT Score: Northern 4-0
Penalties: Sydney 7-3
Completion Rates: Northern 62% Sydney 66%
Possession: Northern 52%
PoM Points: David Howell 3, Pennywise Tupanga-anga 2, and Benji Marshall 1.

Parramatta fans will be hoping that the announcement that long serving coach Marshal Boyd may be sacked in the near future will reverse the club's fortunes following a narrow 24-22 home loss to the State of Origin ravaged Brisbane Bulls - with word out that the club might be looking for its first new coach since its inception.
Parramatta: Mark Gasnier, PJ Marsh, Wade McKinnon, and Nathan Cayless. Herdoffer 3/4
Brisbane: Matt Bowen, Shane Tronc, Luke Doherty, and Steve Devine. Thurston 4/5
HT Score: Brisbane 10-0
Penalties: Brisbane 6-5
Completion Rates: Parramatta 45% Brisbane 72%
Possession: Brisbane 54%
PoM Points: Ralph Herdoffer 3, Matt Bowen 2, and PJ Marsh 1.

Despite missing some five players to State of Origin duty, the Gold Coast Crusade's winning run has continued unabated, the Crusade racing in ten tries on their way to a comprehensive 58-0 drubbing of the Auckland Pirates. Stand in halfback Kevin Sinfield was in fine form, scoring thirty four points including four tries.
Auckland: None.
Gold Coast: Julian Santarakista 2, Tommy O'Reilly, Kevin Sinfield 4, Steve Southern 2, and James Stosic. Sinfield 9/10
HT Score: Gold Coast 22-0
Penalties: Auckland 8-5
Completion Rates: Auckland 60% Gold Coast 66%
Possession: Gold Coast 64%
PoM Points: Kevin Sinfield 3, Ben Pomeroy 2, and Julian Santarakista 1.

Hornsby have scored a much needed victory in today's clash against Surfers Paradise, the Mavericks leap-frogging Wagga courtesy of their 28-22 victory.
Hornsby: Shane Millard, Matthew Rieck, Willie Tonga, Steve Snitch, and Reuben Thorne. Roff 4/5
Surfers Paradise: Jonah Lomu 2, Steve Bell, and Tyrone Pau. Deacon 3/4
HT Score: 12 all
Penalties: Surfers Paradise 9-5
Completion Rates: Hornsby 61% Surfers Paradise 70%
Possession: Surfers Paradise 51%
PoM Points: Tevita Vaikona 3, Steve Snitch 2, and Matthew Rieck 1.

Team W L D For Against +/- Points
1. Gold Coast 14 2 0 527 225 +302 28
2. Northern 13 3 0 409 270 +139 26
3. Wellington 12 4 0 431 255 +176 24
4. Central 10 6 0 364 378 -14 20
5. Capetown 9 7 0 397 279 +118 18
6. Melbourne 9 7 0 311 269 +42 18
7. Darwin 9 7 0 331 289 +42 18
8. Surfers Paradise 9 7 0 323 318 +5 18

9. Sydney 8 8 0 329 253 +76 16
10. Wollongong 8 8 0 332 283 +49 16
11. Parramatta 8 8 0 271 305 -34 16
12. Brisbane 7 9 0 283 328 -45 14
13. Adelaide 6 10 0 349 308 +41 12
14. Central Coast 6 10 0 298 298 +0 12
15. Auckland 5 11 0 200 435 -235 10
16. Perth 4 12 0 222 464 -242 8
17. Hornsby 4 12 0 224 467 -243 8
18. Wagga 3 13 0 266 443 -177 6

Good win by the Falcons this week... it sent a shiver down my spine which I hadn't recieved in weeks.

With El Masri and Price returning to the squad this week, hopefully we can chase an unbeatable streak which will lead us to the finals.

Sweet i'm 5th.

Finish the season off now and hopefully get into 4th or 3rd.

Thanks be to Chris.

Woop woop. 2 from 2 and now my origin players is back. My injury problems will be gone in a week and the future feels bright. Now to reimburse my suffering finances. :D

Hope you appreciate Adelaides win Anthony.

Bondi remain a top eight threat despite the coming and going of a new coach, the Battlers' outfit being labelled as 'cursed' by particular zealous members of the media despite their solid 18-4 victory over Christchurch this week.
Bondi: David Vaealiki, Chris Thorman, and Michael Sullivan. Thorman 3/3
Christchurch: None. Davidson 2/2
HT Score: Bondi 6-2
Penalties: Christchurch 6-4
Completion Rates: Bondi 62% Christchurch 61%
Possession: Bondi 50%
PoM Points: David Vaealiki 3, Lee Gilmour 2, and Juan Costilio 1.

Tasmania have proven too strong for Newcastle in what was touted as one of the game's of the round in Division Two, the Devils putting real pressure on first placed Tamworth City with a high scoring 38-20 victory over the home side.
Newcastle: Gareth Ellis, Karl Pryce, and Rob Parker. Harris 4/4
Tasmania: Gene Fairbanks 2, Wes Davies, Mohammed Zian-Ali, Varasiko Tokarei, Richard Gerling, and Joe Mbu. Zian-Ali 5/8
HT Score: Tasmania 18-8
Penalties: Tasmania 13-9
Completion Rates: Newcastle 63% Tasmania 62%
Possession: Tasmania 56%
PoM Points: Mohammed Zian-Ali 3, Gene Fairbanks 2, and Steve Williams 1.

Carnarvon have scored a shock win over in form New England in today's clash in Western Australia, the Grizzlies wowing a small crowd on their way to a 20-12 victory.
Carnarvon: Cameron Shepard and Cameron Dufour 2. Luana 4/4
New England: Matt Cooper and Kees Meeuws. Ferris 2/2
HT Score: 6 all
Penalties: Carnarvon 10-3
Completion Rates: Carnarvon 66% New England 61%
Possession: Carnarvon 52%
PoM Points: Cameron Dufour 3, Steven Wild 2, and Graham Luana 1.

Redfern have pulled off a stunning upset in their visit to Campbelltown today, the cross Sydney rivals clawing away from last position with an emphatic 22-12 victory.
Campbelltown: Chris Hicks, Danny Galea, and Nathan Wood. Hicks 0/3
Redfern: Daniel Floyd, Leo Dynevor, Craig Simmons, and Tim Maddison 2. Thumper-Knox 1/2. Dynevor 0/3
HT Score: Redfern 14-4
Penalties: Campbelltown 6-3
Completion Rates: Campbelltown 64% Redfern 77%
Possession: Redfern 53%
PoM Points: Nathan Wood 3, Tim Maddison 2, and Joe Black 1.

Geelong coach Doug Hess has done his chances of being handed the highly contested Parramatta coaching role a great service today, guiding the Geelong Bengals to a powerful 32-6 away victory over the hapless Liverpool Rockets. Hess is rumoured to be in heavy competition with several coaches, including former Coffs Harbour mentor Ben Piggot and current Darwin head coach, Micky J.
Liverpool: Adam Hayden. March 1/1
Geelong: Craig Frawley 2, Mark Dalle Cort, Travis Norton, and Gary Hall 2. Detreaux 4/6
HT Score: Geelong 18-0
Penalties: Geelong 7-5
Completion Rates: Liverpool 55% Geelong 72%
Possession: Geelong 62%
PoM Points: Craig Frawley 3, Miguel Detreaux 2, and Kit Walker 1.

Canberra have stunned Tamworth City and done Tasmania a great service, the Chargers ending the Titans impressive winning streak with a 30-16 victory over the competition leaders in front of a dismayed Tamworth crowd.
Tamworth City: Graeme Frame, Luke Ricketson, and Edward Hoartshire. Bates 2/3
Canberra: Sean Long 2, Gary Coleman, Lars Ojanssen, Paul Mellor, and Jason Cayless. Long 3/6
HT Score: Canberra 26-6
Penalties: Canberra 5-3
Completion Rates: Tamworth City 72% Canberra 69%
Possession: Canberra 54%
PoM Points: Gary Coleman 3, Caleb Ralph 2, and Sean Long 1.

Port Macquarie have bounced right back from their last stop loss, the Stingrays maintaining their place in the top eight with a hard fought 30-14 victory over the luckless Eastwood Pumas.
Port Macquarie: Anthony Stuart, Alan Tongue, Alfred Songoro, Uri Novavich, Danny Tickle, and Brad Drew. Briers 3/6
Eastwood: Craig Kenniwell, Reece Simmonds, and Nathan Hollingsworth. March 1/3
HT Score: Port Macquarie 20-4
Penalties: Port Macquarie 6-5
Completion Rates: Port Macquarie 68% Eastwood 64%
Possession: Port Macquarie 52%
PoM Points: Jim Gannon 3, Habib El Muktar 2, and Anthony Stuart 1.

Lake Heights have scored a tremendous upset victory during their visit to Townsville this weekend, the Lightning stunning the Dolphins on their way to a crucial 19-8 victory.
North Queensland: Holger Mannhardt and Albert Hommus. Kirchner 0/2
Lake Heights: Rico Gear 2 and Henry Faafili. Kempton 3/4. Grubens 1 fg.
HT Score: Lake Heights 6-0
Penalties: North Queensland 3-2
Completion Rates: North Queensland 67% Lake Heights 74%
Possession: Lake Heights 52%
PoM Points: Rico Gear 3, Willie Talau 2, and James Grubens 1.

A near record losing sequence for the South Queensland Underdogs has come to an end today, the club managing to tough out a 32-22 victory over equally uninspiring Waikato today.
Waikato: Toa Kohe-Love, Paulie Bahtahn, Simon Woolford, and Tommy Saxton. Geyer 3/4
South Queensland: Cameron Durford 2, Bobby Young 2, and Jason Demetriou. Young 6/6
HT Score: South Queensland 20-6
Penalties: South Queensland 11-9
Completion Rates: Waikato 69% South Queensland 71%
Possession: South Queensland 51%
PoM Points: Bobby Young 3, Cameron Durnford 2, and Ben Jacobs 1.

Team W L D For Against +/- Points
1. Tamworth City 14 2 0 411 230 +181 28
2. Tasmania 13 2 1 478 196 +282 27
3. North Queensland 12 4 0 323 237 +86 24
4. New England 11 4 1 401 235 +166 23
5. Carnarvon 11 5 0 351 220 +131 22
6. Canberra 10 6 0 370 296 +74 20
7. Port Macquarie 9 6 1 285 296 -11 19
8. Bondi 9 7 0 295 307 -12 18

9. Campbelltown 7 9 0 292 346 -54 14
10. Newcastle 6 9 1 242 278 -36 13
11. Christchurch 6 9 1 259 306 -47 13
12. South Queensland 6 9 1 239 352 -113 13
13. Eastwood 6 10 0 286 367 -81 12
14. Lake Heights 4 10 2 283 362 -79 10
15. Liverpool 5 11 0 244 441 -197 10
16. Geelong 4 11 1 254 311 -242 8
17. Redfern 3 12 1 246 354 -108 7
18. Waikato 3 13 0 290 415 -125 6

onya All Whites, big Timmy off the bench kills em :D

woot! go you good things!

Why must my team always keep losing during the midseason? :unsure: