Segment 1: Introduction:

Big program as usual tonight as we analyse, dissect and bisect all the major rugby league news stories, grapple with the top issues from the week, panel will predict the top 8, the wooden spooner in the game of snakes and ladders leading to the 2018 grand final and joined by Macca at 6.40 to hear his selections for the top 8, wooden spoon and preview round 23 of the NRL so let’s get started with local rugby league this evening:

Local rugby league:

• Women’s and girl’s grand finals in SCGRFL and SEQ last weekend:
  • SCGRFL win to Caboolture 38-20 over minor premiers Kawana -7 tries to 4 –Claudia Nepson a double and Latisha Hoek 5 goals; Melanie Watherson try and goal for Kawana - 28-20 midway through 2^nd half
  • SEQ:
    • 1 on Saturday Burleigh d Panthers 14-0 to claim their 4^th straight title. Played in front of a growing crowd before the NRL Women in League Round 22 match between the Gold Coast Titans and Penrith Panthers fans were treated to what turned into an impressive display from both sides after their initial nerves early in the game subsided. (Rona Peters, Amber Pilley, Tarnisha Lyons tries; Keri-Jade Robertson goal); Player of the Match: Rona Peters (Burleigh Bears)
    • Sunday at Emerson Park
      • 2- 16-14 to Souths over Southport; Div. 3 Mt Gravatt d Flagstone 28-16   
      • Girls' U18:  Pine Central Holy Spirit (22) def Brothers St Brendans (16); Girls' U16:  Redbank Plains (40) def Waterford (22)
      • Girls' U14:  Beenleigh (30) def Waterford (16) 

Vantage Homes Cup: Round 20: Division 1

Caboolture d Nambour 34-4-Scott Maddick 3 tries and Ben Maddick 2 in their total of 7 tries and 3 goals; Beerwah over Gympie; Kawana too strong for Caloundra and Maroochydore 24 d Noosa 16

Ladder leading into the final round of the competition season  

Round 21 this weekend: 2 great games with 1 v 2: Beerwah/Caboolture and 4 v 5 to determine the semi spot with Nambour/Noosa both on 53 points; other games Caloundra/Gympie and Maroochydore/Kawana 

Div. 2A: Semi finals this weekend: Maroochydore/Stanley River and Kawana/Beerwah-Coolum waiting in the wings as minor premiers

Last competition rounds in Div. 2 B, U’18’s Divisions 1 and 2 

Brisbane Rugby League:

Defending champions Valleys remain in the top four despite slumping to their fifth consecutive loss at the hands of the Panthers in Round 18. No changes were made to the competition ladder in Round 18, as the top three sides defeated the bottom three sides, but the Tigers and Magpies remain in the chase thanks to Wests' 40-20 victory over the Diehards

Segment 2:

NRL:

• Review round 22: Cowboys 34 d Broncos 30; Warriors easily over Knights, Roosters 18 d Rabbits 14, Panthers 17 d Titans 16; Manly 18-6 over Dogs, Eels 40 d Dragons 4 and Tigers 22 d Raiders 20
• Predict top 8 and wooden spooner
• Ladder
• News/snippets:
  • JOHN Hopoate suspension
  • Coaching merry go round- best entertainment in years- beats player movements and transfers-
  • The Knights are poised to continue their build-up for 2019 by signing powerful Souths winger Hymel Hunt. Would join Edrick Lee and Jesse Ramien (both from Cronulla) to their roster.
  • Souths are looking at several outside backs themselves, headed by Broncos giant Corey Oates but it is believed the Rabbitohs are considering switching Oates to the back row to replace NSW State of Origin star Angus Chricton, who is off to the Roosters in 2019.
  • Canterbury have been handed a $5000 fine after trainer Tony Grimaldi was alleged to have verbally sprayed an NRL referee during their round 21 win over Brisbane. The NRL confirmed the Bulldogs were issued a breach notice on Monday and have five days to decide whether to appeal the fine. It is believed Grimaldi said "Why don't you ref the game fairly?" to referee Ben Cummins at halftime of the game at ANZ Stadium.
  • New Parramatta chairman Sean McElduff who replaced Max Donnelly delivered his gold-and-blueprint for the Eels as the club is four weeks into a review of the club after a year to forget. It's the first time in a long time they have conducted a review which is expected to be finalised next month but the results have already started filtering back to the board, reaffirming some of the concerns that had already been raised.
  • Expected to offer Jarryd Hayne a contract for next season after recently informing him of their desire to keep him at the club. The Eels and Hayne had agreed to hold off discussions until after the season however Hayne's irresistible form over the past two months has already convinced the club he can add value in 2019. Hayne, who is off contract at the end of the year, hasn't put pen to paper however the club is confident of retaining his services despite a possible lure to chase a spot in Fiji's squad for next year's rugby union World Cup. Will Brad Arthur join the circus
  • It's expected Valentine Holmes will follow in the footsteps of Cameron Munster and put off all discussions around his future until after the season. Holmes has attracted interest from North Queensland, but Cronulla want to extend his Sharks deal which expires at the end of 2019. The Cowboys were hoping the Sharks would lure Ben Barba back to the Sutherland Shire and in turn would acquire the services of Holmes. However, Shane Flanagan last week ruled out a play for Barba, leaving the Cowboys on the lookout for a fullback and potentially could open the door for Barba at the club.

Segment 3: Macca

NRL:

• Top 8 and wooden spoon
• Preview round 23