By Alan Nicolea
August 28th 2008 @ 12:05am
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Loading ...Could we see headless chooks in the finals?
As the Roosters tumble from a possible home final, the Melbourne Storm are now beating teams up in convincing fashion. Panthers captain Petero Civonvieva said after his side’s loss that Melbourne will win this year’s premiership. Again.
So who can stop them? Some of this weekend’s matches will give us a good indication.
Sydney Roosters Vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
This is it for the Roosters. They must win this game to ensure a home semi-final and maintain hope of causing a stir come September. Winning fourteen from their past sixteen games against the Rabbitohs will give Fittler’s men confidence. What will not though is the fact South Sydney have won five of their past six matches at the Sydney Football stadium. Judging by the Roosters form, this will be a close contest and one the Rabbitohs will be eager to win to rub salt into the wound of a faltering rival come the finals.
Wests Tigers Vs Cronulla Sharks
The Greg Bird incident has sadly overshadowed what should have been a terrific week for the Sharks. They knocked off the Roosters in very convincing fashion and are in a position to perhaps even claim a minor premiership. They are a team playing with unison and strength. Their record against the Tigers though will give them a chill or two. They have lost the last nine matches against Tim Sheens’ men and have not beaten them since 2003. Despite the Tigers form lapses, this has danger written all over it for Ricky Stuart’s men.
Newcastle Knights Vs Melbourne Storm
Danny Buderus’ loss for the Knights is huge. There is no denying it will dent Newcastle’s capabilities against a Storm side who are really forming clouds over the NRL. Newcastle have had a horrible time of it against Melbourne in recent seasons, losing eight of the past ten matches including the last two at Energy Australia stadium. As much as the Storm deserve favouritism, the Knights will be eager to display the aura left by Buderus and will no doubt be cheered on by a big crowd to farewell their hero. But Melbourne will not guarantee a happy ending for the Novacastrians.
St George Illawarra Dragons Vs Parramatta Eels
The most critical game of the round in terms of the makeup of the top eight. The Eels have strung three wins together for the first time this season, albeit they did do it in unconvincing fashion against the Bulldogs. The Dragons clearly look more muscled-up for the finals after they beat the New Zealand Warriors in terrific fashion with Jason Ryles having a great game. ANZ stadium holds no fears for either side heading into this clash. The Dragons have won their past four games there while the Eels have won six from seven. The Eels must win to stay alive.
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We were talking about the important things in life, mainly sport.
oikee said | August 29th 2008 @ 4:22pm | Report comment
I tend to think if the Dragons could get to the final then we are going to see a good contest. Apart from that if the Roosters make it this will also be a good game along with Manly if they make it again, they would not want to lose that one. I have not written off the Broncos yet, all depends on their last 2 games, good wins will give them lots of confidence going into the play-offs, Bring on the Roosters Bunnies game tonite, that will be a cracker.
Alan Nicolea said | August 30th 2008 @ 11:01am | Report comment
Oikee
The Roosters and Dragons no doubt have the individual talent to cause the Storm problems. it all comes down to attitude. If the Warriors or eels make it into eight position on the NRL ladder, it seems Melbourne could play them in the first week of the finals. That would be the most enticing 1 v 8 clash in the history of the NRL because, on their day, both the Eels and Warriors can be class opponents.
oikee said | August 30th 2008 @ 11:12am | Report comment
Thought you might mention these 2 sides, i rather think they have left their run to late, i picked the warriors this year to win the final. I have written them off now because they might be 7 or 8th. Not a good time to be making a late charge for the final. I did mention the bunnies roosters game was going to be a cracker.
Alan Nicolea said | August 30th 2008 @ 12:12pm | Report comment
Oikee
Any thoughts on next week’s game against the Dragons? The Roosters got home just last night and really need to improve their defence and attitude. They just can’t seem to get on with things like Melbourne or Manly. The chooks must be ruthless and show no mercy. I hope the Warriors do make it into the eight. I would love to see them in the finals because they offer entertainment value for me. Likewise the Eels. The Parramatta - Dragons game tonight should be a cracker
oikee said | August 30th 2008 @ 2:10pm | Report comment
The dragons will keep winning, they wil beat the eels tonite and also clean up the chocks next week leaving brisbane with a home final, something we all want. Unfortunately brisbane will go down in that game and the winner will go on to play storm in the final. Thats entertament.
Alan Nicolea said | August 30th 2008 @ 3:31pm | Report comment
Oikee
Brisbane always seem to lose the first game of a finals series when at home. They lost to the dragons in 2006 at Suncorp and lost the previous two encounters with the Melbourne Storm in 2005 and 2006. You just cannot underestimate Brisbane though. They know how to win grand finals. They are 6-0 at the moment.