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After a short hiatus from writing, there is no better time to return to The Roar than on the eve of the 2016 NRL finals series, for it is shaping up to be one for the ages.
Though there are undoubtedly a few teams that have elevated themselves above the pack, a number of clubs enter the business end of the season with serious momentum, courtesy of some impressive victories on the weekend.
Should they continue with that momentum, fans shall be in for a treat in seeing high-quality football when it matters most.
Conversely, some teams are spluttering at the finish line, entering the finals without putting much fear into their opponents. (Click to Tweet)
Cronulla blew a chance at the minor premiership – along with the opportunity to announce themselves as the team to beat – while the Bulldogs’ recent woes mean they’ll be lucky to survive Week 1.
I wrote back in June that Cronulla won’t win the 2016 NRL premiership, and based on their performance against Melbourne on Saturday night, I see no reason to be nervous about that prediction.
The Sharks had their chances, and created more than enough opportunities to score plenty of points. However, a lack of composure and luck – not to mention some scintillating Storm defence – halted a number of attacking raids, and left Cronulla with little to show for some promising play in the first half.
In contrast, the Storm’s crisp execution saw their pressure rewarded with some fantastic tries, and in the blink of an eye, the game was all but over.
While the final score didn’t do justice to the competitiveness of the game, or the potential the Sharks showed in the first-half, one cannot ignore the fact the finals started a week early for Cronulla, and they were found wanting.
The minor premiership was on the line, and though it means very little in the grand scheme of things, Cronulla desperately wanted to win that game, but were outclassed. They ended up losing by 20 points to a standard of opposition they’ll need to beat in order to win the competition.
Chad Townsend again gave ammunition to those who think he’s a weak link for the boys from the Shire. Paul Gallen again spent more time whingeing to the referee than leading his team out of adversity. Andrew Fifita’s preparation was again disturbed by questionable decision-making. Michael Ennis again put himself in a position to be suspended with a shoulder charge that sat firmly in the ‘brain fart’ category. Not sure how he got off, but that’s a topic for another time.
That’s four times the word ‘again’ was written in one paragraph, and highlights the sentiment that Shane Flanagan’s men still have plenty of issues that may prevent them from finally ending the club’s premiership hoodoo.
The Sharks face Canberra on the weekend, and the Raiders looked scary and rampant against the Wests Tigers on Sunday. Though Cronulla will provide much stiffer defence than Mitch ‘Turnstile’ Moses and his teammates, the Green Machine racking up 52 points was ominous.
I think Canberra will push Cronulla one step closer to their off-season.
The Sharks aren’t the only team to enter the post-season without putting their best foot forward. In fact, compared to the Dogs – who have lost three straight games – Cronulla’s outlook is quite rosy.
Last Friday night’s game pitted two teams against each other, with polar opposite motivations to play for. One team should have had top-four aspirations on their mind, while for their opposition, Mad Monday celebrations should have been the preeminent thought.
Who won? The team nursing a nasty hangover today.
The Rabbitohs finished their disappointing season on a high, and only strengthened a perception that Canterbury are making up the numbers in the final eight.
The Bunnies are a much better side than their final position on the ladder would indicate, and there is no shame is losing to a side that looks as good on paper as Souths do. However, just like the Sharks’ performance against the Storm, the Dogs’ efforts on Friday night served as a reminder of all that is wrong with the team.
A hot-headed captain who can lose his cool, halves that lack the game control of the serious premiership contenders, a misfiring backline, and an overall inconsistency that drives fans crazy. It’s a subjective opinion, but the Bulldogs have also played some of the ugliest football in the competition this season.
Not exactly the narrative you want surrounding your team come finals time.
Make no mistake about it, Des Hasler’s side can win the 2016 premiership. They have a forward pack made for finals football, plenty of talent and experience, plus a coach who knows how to win.
Yet all those positives are consistently outweighed by the negatives, and it would shock no one to see the Dogs lose to Penrith, and bow out of the finals with a whimper.
Ironically, if the Dogs can beat the Panthers, they’ll face the Sharks in Week 2 – should Cronulla lose to Canberra, as expected.
Such a match-up would ensure that at least one campaign that showed so much potential and promise during parts of the season, would end in a disappointing fizzle.
She’s a cruel beast, finals football.