What will the final eight look like?
Roar Guru
By Steve Kaless, 3 Sep 2010 Steve Kaless is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- Gold Coast Titans, New Zealand Warriors, NRL, Rugby League
To save you all the trouble of sitting through this weekend’s final round of the NRL, I’ve decided to put you out of your misery and let you know what will happen so you can spend the weekend doing whatever necessary in order to then enjoy the finals series guilt free.
Friday night:
Gold Coast v Wests
The Titans will grind away at the injury hit Tigers and get the win through a few shrewd Scott Prince kicks and inside balls. Both teams will finish the evening knowing they have a top four spot locked up, and barring a major upset in week one, a second bite at the cherry.
Brisbane v Canberra
The Green Machine will march into the finals and end the Broncos 19 year streak of playing finals footy. After looking dark horses for the comp, the Broncos have fallen in a heap without Darren Lockyer and the Raiders have clicked at the right time. No one should feel too sorry for the Broncos. Their re-build is already coming along nicely with the additions of Greg Inglis and Ben Hannant.
Saturday night:
Parramatta v New Zealand
Parra will turn on a razzle dazzle display and leave their fans asking what could have been. The Warriors will console themselves with the thought of finals footy and prepare for a match against the Tigers next week at the SFS.
North Queensland v Easts
The Roosters ran dead in this game last season, for what reason, depends on your point of view. They’ll be no such funny business this week (I can’t even see a team taking an early shot at field goal) and the Roosters will lift their confidence with a hammering of the hapless Cowboys. The win will move the Roosters into fifth and they’ll face the Titans in week one.
Penrith v Cronulla
Panthers will warm up the faithful with a touch up of the Sharks and move into second on the table with a impressive for and against.
Sunday:
Melbourne v Newcastle
A fitting send off for the Storm, who have defied expectation by pretty much turning up most weeks. They’ll send out a message and the Knights home with a thrashing.
Manly v Canterbury
Don’t miss the first 20 minutes of this game, that’s the only time either of these teams can score points. The Sea Eagles want to confirm a spot in the finals, the Bulldogs want to send Brett Kimmorley and Luke Patten off as winners. At home, the Sea Eagles’ motivation will see them home the line and they’ll finish seventh and head to Penrith next week.
St George v South Sydney
It will all be over for Souths by the time this game kicks off, but the big question will be whether Wayne Bennett decides to rest some troops. The Dragons won’t want to lose any momentum and I expect them to roll the Rabbitohs at home.
All that will mean that on Monday we are looking at a finals series of …
Friday:
Gold Coast (4) v Easts (5)
Wests Tigers (3) v New Zealand (6)
Penrith (2) v Manly (7)
St George (1) v Canberra (8)
You heard it here first!
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The Crowd Says (9) | Page 1 of Comments
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- Explore:
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Willy said | September 3rd 2010 @ 7:59am | Report comment
I reckon you’re pretty close.
But if the Titans beat the Tigers by more than 8 points then they’ll finish 3rd, and the Tigers 4th.
Tigers v Roosters at the SFS in the Finals will have a few fans up in arms…
(In fact, as a pessimistic Tigers fan, I reckon we’ll go out in straight sets. Lose to Roosters in Week 1 of the Finals then back up to QLD to face the Gold Coast… Ouch.)
Tiger Tez said | September 3rd 2010 @ 9:56am | Report comment
Willy,
Don’t need pessimistic supporters as yourself, we have enough of those.
Maybe go support another team…….
Willy said | September 3rd 2010 @ 12:13pm | Report comment
Unfortunately Tez I was born into the Tigers and I’ll die a Tiger!
I would love to see us win tonight, or lose by less than 8 points. If so we’ll give it a real shake.
Worried about how our injury hit side will hold up if we finish fourth though…
oikee said | September 3rd 2010 @ 8:02am | Report comment
Thanks Steve, but i will be enjoying the round anyhow. Their will be some good crowds this week-end. Any chance of giving us a rundown of the crowd figures early next week. I know the Broncos should go close to 40 thousand, the storm have soldout this game with marketing skills. Parra should get a large Kiwi contingent to this game, and the Panthers mob should turn up in force. Manly and StGeorge are close to sellouts. The only game that might struggle is the cowboys. The Titans game should go close to full. Makes for interesting round i would say.
Gob Bluth said | September 3rd 2010 @ 11:17am | Report comment
Crowds are one reason to hope the Rabbitohs pip the Sea Eagles for a a finals spot. If the Bunnies get in Redfern will empty out en masse while if Manly hang on you might be lucky to fill a mini bus from Dee Why RSL to head over the Bridge (The Spit Bridge!)
The Link said | September 3rd 2010 @ 11:41am | Report comment
Steve – agree with the predictions, but if the Warriors (30 Points +39 diff) lose and the Sea Eagles (28 Points +41 diff) win then unless the Raiders rack up a cricket score its;
Dragons v Raiders
Panthers v Warriors
Tigers/Titans v Sea Eagles
Titans/Titans v Roosters
Steve Kaless said | September 3rd 2010 @ 12:59pm | Report comment
Agreed.
One upset or a cricket score on the for and against could change a lot this week.
The big question might be which of the teams that aren’t in the running actually turn up and give it a shot. Farewelling players is one motivation, but that may change for different player groups.
Dean - Surry Hills said | September 3rd 2010 @ 1:49pm | Report comment
Tips from NostraDeanus.
Titans to roll the West Tigers on their home turf – but not by enough to cover points differential and finish higher on the ladder.
Doggies to upset Eagles in a special send-off for Patten and Kimorley.
Warriors to sneak home against the Eels
Wayne Bennett to rest a few of the lads, and this will make way for a Bunnies win and a place in the eight. Russell will be Crowing.
Bye bye, Brisbane and Manly. This is how the finals will look
4 v 5 Titans v Warriors
3 v 6 Tigers v Roosters
2 v 7 Panthers v Raiders
1 v 8 Saints v Bunnies
Dean - Surry Hills said | September 5th 2010 @ 10:26pm | Report comment
Steve – the Bunnies let me down just when I thought I’d predicted a perfect round.
My crystal ball must have needed a polish !