The annual debate over which finals series works better (also known as a one of the most boring debates of mankind, because we hear exactly the same arguments every single year) seems to have been postponed this year as League supporters actually watch the game to see how their top eight settles.
Both Manly and Melbourne still have an opportunity to gain the minor premiership, although you’d be hard pressed to imagine a team as professional as the Storm toss it away against a side like the Roosters.
While Brisbane are guaranteed 3rd place, fourth looks like a real lottery.
I fancy the Tigers (which is incredible given their mid season slump) however one wonders how much good consecutive games against the Titans and Sharks will do them when they then need to play finals footy.
While Friday night footy is an obvious highlight with the battle for eighth between the Knights and the Bunnies, there are a number of other games which could prove fascinating for the league fan looking to get some early indication about who might be contenders or pretenders when the finals kick off.
The Dragons fell over the line against the Warriors at WIN and they will need to build on that against the Panthers for anyone outside the Red and White Army to believe that they could make a serious tilt at the finals.
Their brilliance was there in patches against the Warriors but they really need 80 solid minutes next week.
Speaking of the Warriors, they clash with the Cowboys and both teams will be looking for a win a) to build confidence and b) to ensure they don’t end up in 7th or 8th spot.
Every team from the Broncos down is currently doing everything they can to avoid those two death seats as trips to Melbourne or Brookvale both shape as tall orders in week one.
Manly passed their contender test at home against the Storm and they will be many people’s favourites if they can beat Brisbane in Brisbane when the Broncos look to farewell Darren Lockyer.
The Broncos were in cruise control against the Rabbitohs this weekend but they get a much more thorough examination by the Sea Eagles next Sunday.
For the hell of it, I’ll stick my neck out and predict the Bunnies to make the eight. Any team that throws away a 22-6 lead like the Knights can’t be touched the following week.
Here is how I see the NRL final eight ending up:
1. Melbourne Storm
2. Manly Sea Eagles
3. Brisbane Broncos
4. Wests Tigers
5. St George Illawarra Dragons
6. New Zealand Warriors
7. North Queensland Cowboys
8. South Sydney Rabbitohs
You read it here first.
Sea Eagle of Brisbane
Guest
Back to the kindergarten or to the kitchen, I honestly do not believe you finished primary school... Suppose I won't bother to read this site ever. IQ levels are less than the Neanderthals or the Prime Apes...
Sea Eagle of Brisbane
Guest
Hey guy, only 50 from us, the rest is from the bush. Suppose you take your missus, that makes it 48.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Something to do with having a home semi,when the RWC is on ,I would think. His love of rl is legendary.
Nick the second
Guest
Please get up this Friday South!! -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
oikee
Guest
Bilbo, if Manly fans cant be bothered to rock up to finals, they might as well not be in the comp, hand the batton onto the Bears.
oikee
Guest
No worries Mals, bring whatever grade you feel comfortable with, just dont bring your brawlers, your on the big stage now, not down a back alley somewhere near Bondi. We dont and wont tollerate any misbehaving up here where we attrack the biggest sponsers in the game and have 1.25 million fans, not 6 thousand wet brooky diehards. :) Cheers mate, good luck, your gonna need it. Seems like lady luck is all you have, and your boys will get a chance to meet the ladies again this week, the casualty ward is already getting ready for business, we might as well finish the job Melbourne started.
JCVD
Guest
I dont think he wants the warriors to finish outside the top 4 because he's anti warriors. I think its because if they finish in 4th spot and get a home semi final they will be playing on the same night as the all blacks in the RWC. Fair comment because if they do then there will be maybe 3 people at the game haha
Bilbo
Guest
All sydney club games are to be played at the SFS or ANZ, however let's hope the NRL sees the light if manly play the cowboys. They need to be flexible, as Manly will get a bigger home crowd if they play at brookvale, unless it's against a Sydney club. As for the dragons tigers - it will be played at ANZ. There will be at least 50,000 so it would be foolish to play at the SFS. Anyone know if the NRL will insist the storm play their QF at Etihad? Will probably get a bigger crowd but the atmosphere at MRS would be amazing. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
NF
Guest
'Am hoping the Warriors finish outside of the top 4……' Why's that kovana you got a problem with the Warriors doing well come finals time what's the deal?
Mals
Guest
You sound confused Oikee - the score was a crushing 18 - 4 win to Manly. Billy the Kid added some respectibility to the score right at the death. I have never been a fan of Billy with some of his less desirable on field antics but credit to him for showing such concern for the Wolfman when he was injured - respect. Lucky for the Broncos you will be playing Manly reserve grade this Sunday. Manly have given your boys a hiding the last 2 outings at Suncorp.
NF
Guest
The Cowboys have a good chance of clinching top 4 if they can beat the Warriors at there best and hopefully Tigers lose there last two which would be near impossible against bottom sides such as Cronulla/Gold Coast.
james
Guest
the warriors can't finish 8th. they are currently on points with the rabbits/knights on 26. I love those tigers but at this time of year they have history of losing at the last hurdle to get in the finals or increase our position, even in 05 we lost the last two rounds(storm and panthers) with 2nd place up for grabs.
kovana
Guest
Am hoping the Warriors finish outside of the top 4......
Matt F
Guest
Depending on what happens at the judiciary this week the Warriors/Cowboys might just prefer to finish 7th and play a depleted manly then finish 6th and face a full-strenght and in form Broncos. Well, probably not but the losers of the first two finals matches will be more nervous then usual if the predicted suspensions come through.
oikee
Guest
:) We wiped the floor with the bunnies, now for the next lot of pretenders. Go Broncos, where we have real crowds and a real ground, not a mudpile. P.S,,, hey Mal, i have heard that 5 Manly players will be out for 4-6 weeks, just long enough to get over their injuries, they got owned and had to fight their way outta that one. ;)
M1tch
Roar Guru
What? Jee whiz Manly v Cowboys at the SFS will struggle to pull 15k
Mals
Guest
M1tch - the NRL has already made clear that suburban grounds like Brookvale, Kogarah, Penrith etc will not be used at all during this final series. For their own credibility they can't back track on this.
M1tch
Roar Guru
It would be at brookie - they are more flexible these days Tigers v Dragons on a friday night - surely would get 70kplus again at ANZ and I bet thats where they'll play it
roarr
Guest
Geez, Manly Cowboys at ANZ should be a cracker. At least 5,000 people should pour throw the gates for that one... I think the NRL would be pretty happy with the other 3 games if it falls the way you predicted. Tigers Dragons at SFS on friday, Broncos Warriors saturday night and then storm bunnies on the sunday.
JCVD
Guest
I think the knights will be the 8th team. Playing at home they will not want to disappoint their fans n bunnies will be without gi too. Depending on who gets suspended from the sea eagles broncs have to win by 43 points to claim 2nd spot (highly unlikely though I'm hoping they can do it :) ). But it should be a cracking finals series. I will be watching from over here in the UK :)