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!
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Who are the hardest working big men in the NRL?
Buzz Rothfield from NRL 360 has also questioned why the bunker wasn't involved in looking at the off-side as it ended up costing the…
Graham Annesley has admitted the match officials got it wrong and the Titans should've been given a set restart after a Raiders player was…
Cranky old coaches Des Hasler and Ricky Stuart reportedly engaged in a post-match argument outside Canberra's dressing room following the Titans' controversial golden-point loss…
Ricky Stuart says Gold Coast coach Des Hasler is "on another planet" after the Titans boss blasted the refereeing in his side's golden point…
1. Sea Eagles see no evil The Manly Sea Eagles are a loveable bunch, which is why they famously don’t have to carry banners…
