While the phenomena of second-year syndrome has been plaguing sophomore speedsters since Luke Patten was a boy, the emergence of NRL finals second week slump is something that has become more apparent to footy fans over the years.
To put it simply the second week of the top eight finals system is the hardest to sell.
The first week everything is shiny and “Geez Rabbits it’s finalsssss!,” the third week has all the drama of playing to get into the big one, and the fourth week has interpretive dance numbers and footy players being driven around on the back of utes.
The second week though? It’s a bit like the stop you make to your estranged Great Uncle Neville’s place on Christmas Day in between opening your presents and going to the big lunch with the entire family.
It has to be done, certainly, and is not completely unenjoyable. However often it’s a somewhat impatient wait for bigger and better things as you try to muster suitable enthusiasm when Nev buys you another Brut 33 gift pack to line the back of your cupboard with.
For mine the enjoyment factor of this weekend’s rugby league all hinges on the performance of one team, the Newcastle Knights.
Manly versus Cronulla? This will be a tough contest between two hard-ass teams, and there’s enough history between the two clubs to at least get some decent grainy montages of blokes going the biff at the SCG. Practically takes care of itself.
But with the Knights at Melbourne I’d be lying if I didn’t say the prospect worries me enough to have my That’s Rugby League DVD on standby just in case.
Like a good custodian of the game, I have dutifully cleared my Saturday evening schedule for the match, and have no doubts that the slick Melbourne Storm machine will be on song for fear of being trapped in a confined dressing room with an irate Craig Bellamy for the second week in a row.
By choosing the fast finishing Knights as opposed to the Storm’s 2012 grand finals nemesis in the Bulldogs, the Football Gods have really gone for a chip kick in their own twenty.
And I’m totally fine with that… provided the Knights put up a fight.
You look at the teams who have had to play against the Storm on their own turf in September, and unless your team knows all the words to ‘Slice of Heaven’ by Dave Dobbin, then the overall record is poor.
Poor in the same way Anthony Watts on-field discipline, or Blake Ferguson’s input at Canberra team meetings could be described as poor.
It’s been a carve up basically.
The talk coming out of the Knights camp this week has been reassuringly positive, as a team they’re managing to peak at the right time and they do still have wily old Wayne pulling the strings.
But a Saturday night blow out will be about as welcome as the next batch of Brut and twice as smelly.
So come on Newcastle, from a neutral’s perspective, make your second week performance a good one.
You ended your own finals slump last week, now it’s time to end ours!
Lemuel
Guest
I made that prediction on the impression that Bret Stewart would be playing and I gave them no hope without Todd Carney. The Sharks are indeed a tough team with or without Carney. Anyway how good were the Knights? Hope they do not experience a NRL Finals 3rd week slump against the Roosters. :-)
john badseed
Guest
How about '97 Knights? Puts peptides to shame.
PNG Rabbit
Guest
Then try sitting down, KV.
Distant Knight
Guest
Exceeding the salary cap due to injury and circumstance is a lot different to having players sign 2 sets of contracts...
Dennis
Guest
In 2000, the Newcastle Knights were fined $158,800 but did not have any points deducted after club officials revealed that they had exceeded the salary cap by a total of $454,100 and failed to disclose third-party payments during the 1998 and 1999 seasons. It 2006 Newcastle have breached the salary cap since the 2006 season, when they were fined almost $20,000 for a "technical" infringement of the rules.The Knights were also hit with fines of close to $200,000 for the 2000 season. In 2013 ,5 July the Knights were fined $88,749 on Friday for breaching the salary cap last year.The Knights were one of seven clubs ordered to pay financial penalties after the NRL announced it had completed its annual salary cap audit and issued a total of $503,407 in sanctions. The Knights are one of the biggest salary cap cheats in the NRL
Dennis
Guest
In 2000, the Newcastle Knights were fined $158,800 but did not have any points deducted after club officials revealed that they had exceeded the salary cap by a total of $454,100 and failed to disclose third-party payments during the 1998 and 1999 seasons. It 2006 Newcastle have breached the salary cap since the 2006 season, when they were fined almost $20,000 for a "technical" infringement of the rules.The Knights were also hit with fines of close to $200,000 for the 2000 season. In 2013 ,5 July the Knights were fined $88,749 on Friday for breaching the salary cap last year.The Knights were one of seven clubs ordered to pay financial penalties after the NRL announced it had completed its annual salary cap audit and issued a total of $503,407 in sanctions. The Knights are one of the biggest salary cap cheats in the NRL
Knight Vision
Guest
Lets hope so, they should of been made to clear their entire roster after being found out, instead they won 2 years later, just like the Dogs did in 2004. I just cannot stand a cheat.
Wozza
Guest
Agreed , I cant see any advantage for the MP's ....Top seven makes sense
Ryan
Guest
Newy will smash those dirty cheats!
Me too
Guest
I like a top 7 - minor premier gets a reward off a weeks break. 2v7, 3v 4, 5v6 Week 2 - highest ranked vs lowest ranked in the prelims Week 3 - the final.
Magic Sponge
Guest
How boring if the Storm make the GF. Go the knights but unfortunately I think you will get a touch up tonight Wattsy style.
Linedropout
Roar Pro
Or better yet flick over to Hawthorne v Geelong tonight which will be unreal.
Chris Chard
Expert
Sorry Tom I just didn't want anybody to think I was talking about the cruddy John Travolta film
Christian
Guest
Indeed, but Sonny Bill's contribution last week was probably the most direct and eloquent post-match rugby league interview I believe I've ever heard.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
I would like a top 6 with a straight knockout. First and second get a week off. 3rd vs 6th, 4th vs 5th in week 1, week 2 the highest ranked winner vs 2nd, lowest ranked winners vs 1st, week 3 grand final. I think that is much better.
Christopher. Vassallo
Guest
To Rick may the best team win on Saturday go the Knights thank you for your support
Tom Hunt
Guest
Chris, please. One phenomenon, many phenomena....
john badseed
Guest
Mix with fruit in a garbage bin good old white lightning
Chris Chard
Expert
Old Spice? Are you talking about Geri Halliwell on Australia's Got Talent?
Chris Chard
Expert
Hope you're right Lemuel...at least if the Fri game is over by half-time I can flick over to 'Friday Night Lights' on Channel One, no such luck on a Sat