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I’ve got a few grand final tips wrong in my time but not this one – Souths will smash the choker’s tag, end their 43-year drought and trounce Canterbury by 16 points.
Sunday night’s title decider will start out tighter than a video ref’s squinty eye and finish with a red-and-green explosion that would put Sydney’s world-famous New Year’s fireworks spectacular to shame.
I believe the Rabbitohs have it all over the Bulldogs in all aspects of the game except one: grand final experience.
That might pose some anxious moments early on but by the 20-minute mark, I expect Souths will be settling into their groove and relaxing with the knowledge that 2014 will be their destiny year.
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I feel they have more points in their speedy and creative backline, a variable game plan to combat anything the Dogs can produce but more than anything, they have a hungry and mean forward pack seemingly assembled for grand final success.
I think that Canterbury is the opponent Souths preferred more than any other in the ‘Big One’.
Why? The Rabbitohs know they have the artillery in the forwards to meet and greet the physicality Canterbury will use as an intimidation tactic.
Money for jam for the likes of the Burgess Boys, Ben Te’o, Dave Tyrrell, Ben Lowe, Chris McQueen and Kyle Turner.
These guys blitzed the defending premiers last week, demolished Manly in their previous game and have pretty much dominated every pack they have met over the course of the season.
Livewire hooker Issac Luke was there for the bulk of those games but he’ll be missing this one due to suspension. I have a big wrap on his likely replacement, Api Koroisau.
Penrith-bound next year, this kid (shunned by the Bulldogs but picked up Souths’ feeder club, North Sydney) can really play. Don’t be surprised if he stars after his late call-up to the grand final stage.
After studying the respective bullets each team can fire, I keep coming back to Souths. They have firepower to spare both up front and out wide.
Inexperience at this level can be fatal and yes, Rabbits can freeze in headlights.
But I cannot see where the Bulldogs will be getting their points when the grand final acid is applied. Recent history and the stats show they are pretty much impotent in the second half which just happens to be the time when the red and green men get their roll going and are lethal.
The Dogs’ best hope might be through their kicking game, bombs and grubbers, but they will essentially be feeding the likes of Greg Inglis and Alex Johnston who can trigger and score long-distance tries in a twinkling.
There will be some fantastic match-ups in this game, perhaps none better than Pom against Pom – Sam Burgess versus James Graham.
I cannot wait to see these guys literally go at each other’s throats. Different styles, yes, but gee they have football motors fuelled by high-octane passion and adrenaline.
Canterbury’s menacing hooker and captain Mick Ennis has been named in the team despite bone breaks in a lower leg. I expect him to come on with 10 or so minutes to play whether the Dogs are within or without a sight of victory.
This will be the last chance for Ennis to pull on the famous blue and white jumper. If he can somehow raise a trot, Des Hasler will give him a glimpse of the action.
I’d like to see it happen, along with some other mouth-watering possibilities.
Greg Inglis won two grand finals but the premierships were stripped because of salary cap rorting at the Melbourne Storm. A player of his stature, definitely deserves to run a fair dinkum victory lap. Anyone agree?
Looking at Canterbury, I would like to see a big game in which unsung heroes such as Sam Perrett, Aiden Tolman and Corey Thompson get the kudos they so richly deserve.
This trio has done so much to get the Dogs to the ultimate game yet they have hardly rated a media mention.
I would like all of us to witness a rugby league title decider where the match officials are not the major talking point when it is all said and done.
And finally, I feel it would be great if Souths’ army of long-suffering and supremely loyal fans had a chance to celebrate something really big. Their team could start a party that goes for yonks.
I think they will and I’ll have a stab at the winning scoreline. Souths 26-10.
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