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Rugby league tipsters have been working on dangerous ground in recent weeks as amazing form swings have tripped up many ‘sure things.’
The final premiership round saw upset losses by Canterbury, Manly, New Zealand and to a lesser degree, Souths, but I’m willing to examine the first week of finals footy and give Roarers my tips and victory margins.
I may well end up looking like a genius. On the other hand, I could finish looking like a galoot. So here goes:
Storm v Rabbitohs
A very difficult but interesting finals match-up with both teams showing patchy form.
Souths haven’t beaten Melbourne this year and I don’t feel they are going well enough to chalk up a win in week one.
The Rabbitohs looked overawed by the big occasion against the Roosters last Friday with their star halves Adam Reynolds and John Sutton way too quiet.
They will need to be right at their top to trouble the Storm, a team which knows how to win the big stuff in September and October.
Melbourne really struggled to get past the gallant Titans in the final round but they found a way in golden point extra time and that’s their habit in games of high importance.
The Turner Tip: Storm by 6.
Sharks v Cowboys
I cannot see the Cowboys losing here. They have built incredible momentum with six straight wins to reach the finals and have their key men in superb form.
Johnathan Thurston thrives on these big occasions as he has a bigger bag of tricks than most players in the game. I think the Cowboys are extremely dangerous coming down to Sydney with a nothing-to-lose mentality.
No-one expected them to be here a couple of months back but they have found their missing mojo and are playing some great football.
The Sharks should have a number of stars returning from injury but their stirring season looks to be ending in disappointment. Losing rampaging forward Andrew Fifita to injury last Sunday night will hurt them really badly.
The Turner Tip: Cowboys by 10.
Roosters v Sea Eagles
I’m still scratching my head over Manly’s sloppy loss to Penrith at Brookvale on Sunday and I appreciate they will be a much better outfit with Brett Stewart, Anthony Watmough, Brenton Lawrence and Jorge Taufua back in business.
But I’m learning towards a Roosters win, I loved what I saw from them – especially Sonny Bill Williams – last Friday night.
They have beaten the Eagles in both of their meetings this season, so I am figuring they have worked out the right tactics to bring the maroon and whites down.
Who wasn’t impressed with the class and combination of Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney against Souths last week? I think they have the confidence to take the game right to Manly and their highly-rated halves pairing of Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran.
This game will be a beauty: highly physical early on and spectacular when the gaps begin to appear due to tiredness.
Both sides will be desperate for the win and a precious week’s break.
The Turner Tip: Roosters by 4.
Bulldogs v Knights
The Bulldogs disappointed with a late loss to the Broncs in the final competition round but the boys took plenty of confidence from their defence in that game.
Three of Brisbane’s tries came from kicks and there was some stirring goal-line tackling to keep them out on other occasions.
With the exception of Greg Eastwood, coach Des Hasler has all of his key players available for the game and that count for a lot at this exciting time of year.
The Knights, to me, are a funny side. When they are on song, they can destroy any team after setting a big, physical platform before handing things over to their speedy and talented backline.
On other days, the Knights can appear flat and devoid of points.
They have done exceptionally well to get this far but I am not completely sold on their ability to play hard for the entire 80 minutes and win a finals game.
The Turner Tip: Bulldogs by 8.
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