The Rabbitohs and Panthers have been afforded the luxury of a week off, as the Roosters, Cowboys, Sea Eagles and Bulldogs fight for the right to play them for a berth in the big one on October 5.
While we should expect some decent rugby league to be played, there are a few other things this week that are as sure as death, taxes and excessive exposure for KFC due to “decisions pending”.
Here are four things that we might expect to see in the two elimination finals this week.
Late kick-offs
The scheduled start times for this week’s matches are 7:55pm and 7:45pm, but the chances of either kickoff happening at that time are about as realistic as a 100-metre intercept try by Greg Eastwood.
Budding young fans who normally go to bed at 8:30pm will be lucky if their parents let them stay up until half time.
A Cowboys conspiracy
You know how it goes, the NRL do not want North Queensland to win the premiership – ask any Cowboy.
Seven tackles, timekeeping debacles, whatever it takes, they will make sure the team from Townsville isn’t in the decider.
The Cows have already cried foul over Tariq Sims’ lengthy suspension for his very late shoulder charge on Justin Hodges. At least we may get to see JT with a skinful telling us all how it is again.
Ennis niggle
If you’re not a Bulldogs fan, you’re among the majority who become incensed with the on-field tactics of Michael Ennis.
We all know he is going to do it, but we still act aghast every week when it happens.
The scoop is he will be up to his old tricks again this week, and there is little doubt that he will be getting as good as he is giving.
A Steve Matai injury
It is the newest sensation sweeping the nation, Steve Matai injury lotto. Try and predict in which minute the robust Kiwi centre will first need attention from the Sea Eagles trainers.
He will probably look as though it is a career-ending injury or, at the very least, as though he will take no further part in the match.
However Matai is likely to not only finish the game, but also be one of his team’s best.
What are your predictions for this week?
Follow Rob on Twitter @robshots
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