everything rugby league
September 3 2018
The title contenders, who will be the last team standing? - photo: source - www.zimbio.com
It was apt that the madness that is the NRL finished the regular season with a freaky final round ricocheting a fast-moving feast of for and against mayhem and momentum shifts. Each try, missed conversion, every penalty, changed the playoff permutations. By late Sunday afternoon the Broncos were playing the Dragons in Sydney, five minutes later at Suncorp, six tackles later back in Sydney, after another Corey Oates four pointer the Warriors were changing tactics and flights. After the dust had settled and a buggered Buck the Bronco reshoed trying to keep up with the other Big Horse, Corey, the NRL bookings office climbed out of the catatonic foetal position the final standings and venues had been decided.
The Roosters took out their fourth minor premiership in six years - photo: source - www.abc.net.au
In the tightest competition in living memory the Roosters scraped in as minor premiers, the top four decided on points differential and just two points separated 1st from 8th! The entrée is done now for the main course, a new comp begins as the race for glory gets underway. Plucking the Premiers from the remaining bunch is nigh impossible, we are set to witness the best finals series in history, buckle up and bring it on!!
The pathway to the NRL pleasuredome - photo: source - www.nrl.com
For two teams Mad Monday beckons, let’s hope they behave better than the bare arsed Bulldogs who took off their jocks in the Rocks! NRL CEO Todd Greenberg wasn’t pleased the NRL finals, the season’s jewel in the crown was hijacked in the headlines by Canterbury’s crown jewels. Todd also doesn’t get why footy players love getting their gear off, be like the players mate don’t think, just go with it and get on board, I’m typing this preview starkers! While the Bulldogs scrape themselves off the pavement and the front page, let’s find out which clubs are heading down the royal mile aiming to be King and rule the NRL roost.
Who let the Dogs out? Buck naked Bulldogs singing to Neil Diamond, it must have been 'Love on the Rocks' from the Jazz Singer - photo: source - www.thechronicle.com.au
Billy Slater hoping to put Souths to the sword - photo: source - www.gobet.com.au
Melbourne Storm v South Sydney Rabbitohs
2 v 3: Qualifying Final - AAMI Park, Melbourne
Just over a month ago Souths smashed the Storm with a performance that if bottled would sell out faster than one of Russell Crowe’s Hollywood blockbusters - excepting Cinderella Man, The Water Diviner, Noah, Robin Hood… Okay like Gladiator did on opening weekend! Since that devastating display the Bunnies have dipped until last week warming up at the right time trouncing the Tigers. The Storm tripped on the last hurdle missing out on the JJ Giltinan Shield as an undermanned side fell to the Panthers gift wrapping the minor premiership to the razzle dazzle Roosters (spoiler Chooks fans it was only the Eels) but in a silver lining the loss may have been a blessing in disguise. They dodged the form team of the comp Cronulla and have fresh troops returning with big guns Billy Slater and Cameron Munster leading the charge, the two champions love this time of the year and will reinvigorate the Storm, Slater’s last finals series inspiring him to go out in style while Munster is a big game player and the Storm need his game breaking instincts if they are to go back to back. The versatile Jahrome Hughes had grabbed the coveted number 7 jersey in front of Ryley Jacks and Brodie Croft but Bellyache has switched Croft in late playing a bit of finals ducks and drakes with Anthony Seibold but expect the old stager Cameron Smith to jump into first receiver often taking control.
GI on the fly - photo: source - www.rabbitohs.com.au
Smith is the key player in this contest and officiating will be crucial as the Rabbitohs game plan revolves around the Burgess boys gaining momentum, in good news Sam has been passed fit after a hammy twinge last week, and fast play the balls allowing Damien Cook to bolt out of dummy half like a bullet. If the referees pocket the whistle a la Origin than it favours the Storm who will control the ruck led by Smith slowing the game to snail’s pace until they have the ball, then Smith hits fast forward and the ball whizzes out to the flying flankers Josh Addo-Carr and the returning Suliasi Vunivalu. The Bunnies have plenty of pace themselves and if the Burgi can dominate the excellent halves Adam Reynolds and Cody Walker will create havoc and space for speedy Alex Johnston at fullback and the rampaging Greg Inglis. GI looks fitter than ever and primed for a huge finals series, he will give Curtis Scott nightmares. With a second chance a loss isn’t fatal for the Bunnies and if they walk away, even in defeat, with a great showing they can still rebound and take the title but a Bronco banana skin is potentially awaiting. For the Storm a loss here and they’re adrift in perilous waters as their champions are not getting any younger, Smith would love a week off and will get it, the home ground advantage and sea of purple pride sways this the Storm’s way.
Storm by 7
The Panthers pounced on the injury hit Storm - photo: source - www.abc.net.au
Penrith Panthers v New Zealand Warriors
5 v 8: Elimination Final – ANZ Stadium, Sydney
The first sudden semi sees the Panthers hoping a first win in Melbourne since 2005 will give their waning title hopes a confidence kick heading into the finals. All the draining off field dramas must get ditched the season is on the line. Just two weeks ago the Warriors walloped the Panthers when it looked like the Penrith were flatlining, but the Storm win combined with this being played in Sydney changes everything, although it is at ANZ Stadium so no home ground advantage for Penrith. A major difference is James Maloney didn’t play in Auckland and he is a key man for the Panthers and a proven big game match winner. Maloney and halves partner Nathan Cleary have only played half the season together but must gel for the Panthers to go deep into September. Look to Maloney to unleash the Panthers lethal left side weaponry of Viliame Kikau and Waqa Blake, in return the Warriors brilliant back rower Tohu Harris, the ex-Storm man with plenty of finals experience, will try keep Kikau quiet. Discipline must be the mantra for Penrith, they were hammered by the referees against the Storm pushing boundaries in the official’s minds, replicate that and it’s Mad Monday for the mountain men – hopefully clothed.
In with the good air... The Warriors back in the finals for the first time since 2011 trying not to hyperventilate... breathe - photo: source - www.wwos.nine.com.au
The Panthers on line defence was excellent against the Storm, it had to be, and must be on point to hold out a Warriors side jampacked with skill and strike weapons. Blake Green returns to partner the magic man Shaun Johnson and the halves match up opposite the Panthers Blues brothers will go a long way to deciding this contest. Green’s assured game management frees Johnson to turn on the run and gun off-the-cuff genius, that duetted with the magnificent twinkling toes of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, hands the Warriors the aces who can step past the Panthers on the way to the Big Dance. The Panthers big men must stand up as you know Adam Blair and Agnatious Passi are going to come at them all guns blazing, interim Penrith coach Cameron Ciraldo will hope his men kick their bad habit of starting slow or they’ll be booted out the backdoor faster than his fledgling first grade NRL coaching career will last. Both teams can score from anywhere on the park, expect plenty of second phase footy in what shapes as the most exciting and unpredictable contest of week one. The Warriors haven’t been to the finals since 2011 and they will want to ensure their visit to the playoffs isn’t an overnighter. Both sides have shown steel and frailty in equal doses in 2018 and this could come down to the sharp shooters and the Panthers edge that stat. Or the Warriors could win by 30, flip a coin!
Panthers by 2
Teddy is ready to boost the Roosters all the way - photo: source - www.nrl.com
Sydney Roosters v Cronulla Sharks
1 v 4: Qualifying Final – Allianz Stadium, Sydney
The Sharks want the underdog status as they finished fourth and the Roosters minor premiers but it’s all smoke and mirrors, Cronulla are the form team of the competition and are the bogey side of the Roosters. There are highlights everywhere and the clash of the custodians brings together the two form players of the NRL in Valentine Holmes and James Tedesco who are also vying for the Kangaroos No.1 jersey for the October Test against Tonga in Auckland. Both are racking up enormous numbers influencing their sides fortunes. Tedesco is breaking tackles and making breaks for fun as part of the Roosters awesome back five who ruck the ball out of danger better than any other side. Winger Blake Ferguson is hitting the line with power and penetration and though the occasional error gets thrown in, Fergo is in barnstorming form and the Eels recruit will want to finish his Roosters career as the reigning premiers with obligatory ink. Holmes has become the Sharks go to man, when they need something he is delivering in spectacular fashion showcasing his blinding speed, getting over the stripe with immaculate timing.
Andrew Fifita has the game to wreck the Roosters - photo: source - www.foxsports.com.au
For all the flashiness out wide, finals are won up front and the elephant in the room is the Roosters forwards. The jury is out on whether the Chooks pack has the hide to weather the oncoming Sharks hurricane led by the wrecking ball Andrew Fifita, who is in destructive form on the paddock and on podcast where he drops in on the UFC Halfcast show and drops F-words and C-bombs with such regularity and bile it'd make Craig Bellamy blush. If he’s in the mood Fifita and friends will batter the Chooks into submission. The Sharks play tough finals footy, love to get in the grind and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Sio Suia Taukeiaho better bring it or it’ll be a TKO for the Sharkies. With Aaron Woods and James Segeyaro adding thrust off the bench and setting a platform for the ever-improving Matt Moylan to start a Sharks feeding frenzy out wide. This game really is on the Roosters forwards, if they can hold the Sharks it’s game on, if they get on top Latrell Mitchell and Joseph Manu will shred the Sharks. The Roosters will be looking to the experience of Cooper Cronk to guide them home in a tight one, though Cronk hasn’t set the world on fire thus far at Bondi, he was bought for this time of year and these moments.
Roosters by 1
Corey Oates was exceptional in a four try crowd thrilling and Sea Eagles killing performance - photo: source - www.nrl.com
Brisbane Broncos v St George Illawarra Dragons
6 v 7: Elimination Final – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Look out the Broncos are building! They slaughtered the Sea Eagles in a Suncorp demolition job on the back of a brick wall defence, Anthony Milford’s magic and finished by the Big Horse, Corey Oates, everything he touches turns to gold or four points, if you like a flutter and don’t have him down as first try scorer this week give yourself an uppercut and as the NRL always says after the endless betting agency adds, gamble responsibly. The master coach, Wayne Bennett, loves the smell of Spring, his nostrils flare as we step into September and he struts in and out of the training ground and pressers with an air of arrogance, bitterness and infamous bluntness. He loves this time of year, loves a challenge, and has his Broncos prepared for an all-out assault on the title starting with slaying St George. If any team can make history and take the trophy from outside the top four it could be the Broncos. Patchy and inconsistent a month ago they are now looking a fine tuned irresistible force. In marked comparison the Dragons collapsed into the finals thankful for their brilliant beginning to the season. Only the most zealous Red V faithful will have bought tickets for week two, but this is rugby league and a two-horse race, this game can turn on a dime, a contentious call or the bounce of an oval pill. The fact no one fancies them may galvanise the Dragons.
The Dragons need some of James Graham's fire to burn the Broncos - photo: source - www.theaustralian.com.au
Gareth Widdop returns refreshed but an anvil of pressure placed on his back as he is seen as the saviour to save the Saints season. Without Widdop and injured prop Paul Vaughan the Dragons have looked all at sea and need Widdop’s wizardry to steer the ship and guide the side. Ben Hunt, every Red V members favourite punching bag, will appreciate having Widdop back beside him and it might free Hunt up to rediscover his mojo and what better time to do it than the playoffs playing your ex-team mates. Hunt and Widdop will be swimming against the tide if the Dragons pack don’t impose themselves on this game, firing for the first half of the year they’ve dropped off in energy and intensity and the engine room must deliver in the Suncorp cauldron or another searing start to a season ends up in flames. St George might have half the Blues Origin pack that sealed a famous series victory, but that must feel like light years ago for the puffed Dragons. The Broncos have momentum and off the back of enforcers Josh McGuire, Matt Lodge and the unstoppable Tevita Pangai Junior amped up to 11 by the wily old fox Bennett, it’s the Broncos to continue their roll and march the Saints out of the finals.
Broncos by 16
Twitter: @stick_beetle
Souths surprised many by making the finals and Damien Cook was my most improved player of the year - photo: source - www.playersvoice.com.au
BONUS SEALED SECTION!
No it's not the dirty Dogs doing the Lambada, the forbidden dance, up Kings Cross although who knows what they got up to once the sun went down, they were XXX rated while the big yellow disc was still high in the sky!!
For those interested here were my 2018 NRL Season Prediction finishes and where they ended up in brackets, for the record I got 6 of the Top 8 correct and put the mock on the Eels and Cowboys, sorry JT!!!
Farewell JT, you'll be missed - photo: source - www.theaustralian.com.au
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