BROWNIE: The Storm to rain on the Bulldogs parade

30th September, 2012

It’s great to see the teams that ran first and second in the premiership are now playing in the Grand Final. It shows the new finals format has worked effectively and provided a just ending to the competition.

Both sides are vastly different: one moves the ball from side-to-side, the other relies on their 9-7-1 axis to provide a platform for their efficient forward pack to punch holes in the opposition defence down the middle third of the field.

At Canterbury, their big men are their ball players; whereas, at Melbourne, the small men are their creative hubs.

Fittingly, the match also pits the two best coaches in the game head-to-head.

Both coaches are fastidious in terms of preparation and both have large off-field teams, who all have roles are managed well by the head coaches in preparation for all their games.

The game off the field really has gone so far ahead in recent years.

So who will win?

Well, this is what I do know…

I know that Cronk, Smith and Slater will all play very well. That is definitely going to happen. At the same time, some of the Bulldogs’ well performed players in key positions this season haven’t been tested yet in this pressure environment.

How they will perform on this big occasion is unknown.

Melbourne’s key players have done it year in, year out in Origins and finals series.

It’s going to be a fantastic finale to what’s been a quality season of rugby league. What’s been particularly impressive this year is the rise of clubs who struggled last year, but under new coaching, became genuine contenders in 2012.

The most notable examples, of course, are Souths and the Bulldogs.

I expect the same thing to happen next season with a fresh injection of new coaches into the NRL and more player movement to come in the off-season.

But first, we have a Grand Final to get through.

I’m tipping the Storm in a close one.

The Crowd Says:

2012-09-30T10:52:35+00:00

Red Rooster

Guest

Well picked Brownie!

2012-09-30T09:18:02+00:00

JR Salazar

Guest

Sweep avoided! Here's to you, parity. Barassi Line be damned!

2012-09-30T08:16:16+00:00

JR Salazar

Guest

Union though, not League.

2012-09-30T07:18:49+00:00

Bee Bee

Guest

Very true. A Canadian Rugby player helped the Swans win yesterday.

2012-09-30T06:35:04+00:00

JR Salazar

Guest

To me, anyone from anywhere can beat anybody. You just need the right players and the right coaches/managers, period.

2012-09-30T04:50:20+00:00

Bee Bee

Guest

Thanks JR. Intersting stuff. Storm winning doesn't make the Barassi line a joke at all. The battle is fought on many fronts. There are benefits for NRL in a Storm victory. Gives a boost to NRL deep behind the Barassi line. Just like Sydney winning gave AFL a boost in enemy territory. Happened in the early 2000s when Lions were a force. Suddenly little kids all around Brisbane were dreaming of becoming Lions not Broncos.

2012-09-30T04:33:27+00:00

JR Salazar

Guest

You held the AFL Grand Final on a Saturday and not a Sunday, so I will get back to you later because I am watching the whole thing via torrent. In the meantime: read this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barassi_Line

2012-09-30T04:23:59+00:00

Bee Bee

Guest

What is a Barassi Line? No sarcasm here.... I really don't follow.

2012-09-30T04:07:58+00:00

JR Salazar

Guest

To be frank, I was hoping that Hawthorn would win so that Melbourne would have a shot. Now I'm not so sure. If the Storm win, this ghastly thing you call the Barassi Line is a complete joke.

2012-09-30T04:06:35+00:00

JR Salazar

Guest

We Yanks have our own preferences and we stick by them. Of course you know that too.

2012-09-30T04:02:56+00:00

Bee Bee

Guest

Thats Okay. I wasn't coming over so you can keep the broom locked up. Good luck with your sweeping today. You'll need it. Storm by 20.

2012-09-30T04:02:37+00:00

Matt

Guest

I'm aware what fall is, that's not what the Aussies call it though