Melbourne Storm v Manly Sea Eagles NRL match in Melbourne (AAP Image/Action Photographics, Brett Crockford)
For as long as I’ve been following rugby league I’ve heard people making bold predictions about the two teams who will face off in the Grand Final. They bang on about how any other game bar that one is a waste of time. Invariably these people are proven, in a word, wrong.
Most armchair experts are currently proclaiming that the Grand Final will be fought out between Manly and Melbourne.
It’s simply a forgone conclusion – NRL boss David Gallop is showing a complete lack of leadership by not getting on the phone and cancelling the rest of the year, the finals series, and simply playing those two in a decider.
The logic goes something like this:
Clearly, Gallop is only interested in money and it’s a sad indictment on just how far this country has slipped around the s-bend since the halcyon days of the past when the bloke in charge would have been man enough to just pick up the phone and call the whole thing off.
It’s makes me sick to think just how many hard working families will be expected to part with their hard earned to watch games which are clearly going to have no bearing on the teams who will grace us with their presence on Grand Final day.
Of course, the blowhards who now swan around the office talking about the two juggernauts starting with M, were the same geniuses who at the start of the season were telling anyone who’d listen (and even those who were trying not to) about how they were unlikely to ever need to work again after Grand Final day because they had just backed the double of the Raiders meeting the Titans to meet in the big one.
Oh, how those bookies would be made to look like fools and our hero was really going to show them who was boss. I mean, it is the most predictable season ever and you simply couldn’t go past that price. Free money.
Meanwhile, Melbourne were dismissed as being in a “rebuilding phase” while Manly needed to be in one and would never survive with a rookie halfback and ageing pack.
Granted, Melbourne and Manly are likely to go into the finals series as favourites and their winning records so far this year mean the deserve every bit of that favouritism.
But I for one have seen enough from other teams to suggest it will be anything but plain sailing once the finals come around.
Many of the contenders have the star and the supporting cast which could upset the apple cart during the 80 minutes of a finals match.
The Wests Tigers are finishing the season is great form and with Benji Marshall driving the side anything looks possible.
The Broncos have the experience and their drive to send off Darren Lockyer as a winner is lifting them.
The Cowboys toughed it out during Jonathan Thurston’s absence and would have gained a huge amount of confidence. Come finals he should be back to the form he was in prior to his injury the Cowboys could once again be contenders.
I refuse to write off the Dragons simply because I think Wayne Bennett might just be hoping we all stop thinking about them.
Finally, should Souths make the eight well it’s probably likely that society as we will know it will have ended so who is to say what could happen (although one certainity will be one of the most ridiculously hyped up matches in the history of the world).
Bring on the Mad Mondays.
Luke&Hayley Stevens
Guest
we really think that Storm and West Tigers will make it. OR storm and manly!!!
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
I would like to see a grand final with either of the following the Tigers because it would be open and unpredictable,the Storm because I like to see a trio of clas players dictate a game and display their brilliance and for redemption,and the Warriors because of the ad lib style they play and the speed of their youth. If the Bunnies get in , would also be more than happy.The others well,their inconsistency and poor form ,has done little to help their cause.
Nick the second
Guest
If the Rabbitohs are 'on' they could beat any team, shame there 'on', is on as much as the Storm have an off. I have faith in the bunnies and with the Knights losing tonight it leaves level pegging for points on the eight and the Rabbits V Knights meet on the last round of the season. For a Knights or Bunnies supporter the script couldn't be any better for a tense game. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Gilrocky
Guest
Who gives a monkey about the RWC??? let them do their pathetic boring rubbish game - and we'll do ours. BTW this is not an excuse for Rugby bores to start harping on about the "finer points" of ruckmaulkick. Please.
Boomshanka
Guest
Eh up Mr Cool. All reat? Great place Wigan. Where's tha from & what's a moggy?
samsonite
Roar Rookie
im not so sure about whether there is a problem with securing a stadium full of frenetic fans, the issue is whether there is the services to support the game in akld at the same time as the rwc opener
apaway
Guest
If the top 8 was to stay the same as it is now, Manly would play St George in Week 1. Scary thought. If the Warriors get beaten by the Dragons this weekend, they would in all probability slip from 4th to 7th, which would negate the issue of a home semi for them, and would be scant reward for their season. It seems only the Knights or the Rabbitohs will take 8th spot and the Storm will blow either of them away at AAMI Park. Gotta love the finals.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
The indigenous game thanks you for your support over that 25 years.
Gilrocky
Guest
Great to see Kaless back on the Roar peddling his words of wisdom! But I have to say I'm with the so-called experts who think Melbourne manly are a foregone conclusion for the GF. They have been far and away the most consistent and best teams this year. Particularly the cheat - opps, sorry I mean Melbourne. Dunno about the Tigers - aren't they always getting injured? Aren't all their players always having weeks off and throwing the balance of the team out the window? And what if - and this is a big what if - Marshall happens to get injured? I'm sure other teams will be looking to make this horror a reality. Take Marshall out and the Tigers could be beaten by Canberra or the Titans. I think the Warriors are a chance as long as Berrigan and Maloney stay fit - and those goddamn meat-axe forwards stay badass. But then they choke don't they? But other than that, the smart money's gota be with Storm and Silvertails. And great to see one of the best writers on this website back in the saddle. Onya Kaless.
Mr Cool
Guest
thanks Apaway.. After leaving Wigan I was stuck in Melbourne for 25 yrs without a NRL side.. I had to watch that other 'funny game' and lotsa things 'stuck'... SHAME ON ME".... lol
apaway
Guest
Mr Cool They're called referees in this code. :)
Mals
Guest
Oikee - as long as the soft yellow marshmellows from Brisbane get smashed, got no problems with that.
Will Sinclair
Guest
I'm no Dragons fan! My team is flying mate! No problems there. In fact, I reckon we'll take the title on that first weekend in October. First title in six years, it'll be.
M1tch
Roar Guru
Its a issue no doubt, hopefully if the Warriors do finish 4th the NRL could have change of the finals matches
Gaz
Guest
Didn't see the show but SP would know. Its definately on the cards and that would be a real pity but understandable if The AB's were playing at the same time. Don't think the NRL administrators would be considering that conundrum. If that indeed turns out to be the case then the Warriors and their fans deserve better.
Will Sinclair
Guest
Did you happen to see Steve Price on the League Lounge last night? He said that even a home semi final for the Warriors would be completely swamped by the RWC, and that the NRL would have to be very careful with their scheduling if they wanted to get any coverage in NZ. I think the main issue is that - should the Warriors finish 4th - they'll be playing a home semi at the same time the All Blacks are playing their opening game. Price seemed to think the Warriors could be playing in front of an empty stadium!
Gaz
Guest
NZ are playing Canada in Wellington at 3.20pm on the 2nd Oct, I'm sure evan the ra ra Kiwis would take the time to tune in at 5.00pm (Syd Time) to see their side in the Grand Final. Nothing they enjoy more than to beat Australia or Australian teams you know!
Mr Cool
Guest
Yup good one mate!. I will not bother to list the 'snide tactics that Drag tried.. but I guess you never saw them, just like the umpires, Commentators and myself failed to spot the ankle twisting!... gimme a break, this accusation of foul play pop up every year. especially from guys whose teams are going through a 'rough patch'..
Will Sinclair
Guest
Given that the NRL finals will be held during the RWC, I'm not sure anyone in NZ will notice!
Gaz
Guest
May be right Steve, don't think the Broncos have enough games left for the improvement they need to challenge. Warriors and Tigers are warming to the task but can both be hot and cold. Dragons an Cowboys have run out of puff and Knights and Rabbits have left their runs too late. If the two "M"s do come together should be held at the MCG, Melbourne against Sydney. Pack the joint out. What if the Warriors made it to the final, imagine what that would do for Rugby League in NZ. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.