If you are looking for an argument going into League’s penultimate finals round, simply declare who you think is the best tactical kicker still alive in the premiership race.
Of the four primary kickers on show, my No. 1 choice is Newcastle’s Jarrod Mullen from Adam Reynolds (Souths), Daly Cherry-Evans (Manly) and Mitchell Pearce (Roosters).
That’s the order in which I rank them. All can be match-winners on any day – feel free to chip in with yours.
Each of these players has been a driving force for his team in 2013 and another massive contribution will be needed to help snare a grand final berth.
Mullen, the Knights maestro, got my vote because he has more variety in his kicks than anyone playing the code.
He has worked incredibly hard to fine-tune his skill set over the past three or four seasons.
Jarrod is deadly when he kicks, short or long; his high balls are invariably bang on the money, while his banana kick looks far and away the best in the business.
Mullen is the Knights’ best hope of securing a place in the decider. On Saturday at Allianz Stadium, Newcastle will need him at the peak of his powers if they are to topple minor premiers, the Roosters.
A grand final finish would be a fairytale result for the Novocastrians, in particular the retiring Danny Buderus, but I suspect their giant-killing run will come to an end.
The Roosters look to have more potential match-winners on board and with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Boyd Corder returning, they might be a tad stronger up front.
It shapes as a tremendous contest between veteran coach Wayne Bennett and the exciting newcomer, Trent Robinson but I’ll tip the Roosters to power home by 10 points.
Friday’s Souths v Manly preliminary final at ANZ will be incredibly physical early on but don’t be surprised if it develops into a free-running spectacle.
The Manly team has come through searching tests against Easts and Cronulla and even though history shows the Eagles thrive under finals pressure, they will obviously be a little worse for wear.
Souths will try to tire the Sea Eagles with a combination of brute force up the middle and speed out wide.
I’m really looking forward to the battle of the halves in this one.
Adam Reynolds got hurt midway through the corresponding finals game last year and that was the end of the road for the Bunnies.
He will be keen to get over that disappointment and win his duel against the in-form Daly Cherry-Evans, the Eagles’ shining light last week.
John Sutton versus Kieran Foran! Each is a vital component of his team and their duel will be memorable.
The week’s rest would have been welcomed by Souths fullback Greg Inglis, who has been carrying a knee injury for much of the year. He will carry the hopes of the South Sydney faithful yet again and I’m hoping Manly’s spearhead, Brett Stewart, is cleared to play.
This will be one of the year’s most exciting battles. Forced to tip, I predict a Rabbitoh win by 6 points.
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
your right Brad, stats mean nothing on the day but I thought that it was interesting to see what had happened in the past. I don't believe this rubbish about Manly being tired. They are fit and raring to go and Souths will have to play great to win
Devout Saint
Guest
The last time Manly played Souths. I thought that Souths were very lucky. The refs kept them in the game for 60 minutes. Souths continually received penalties to get them out of their own half. Souths also received a penalty just before half time for Manly stealing the ball, when it was a blatant dropped ball. Souths then scored off the next set of six. I think that Matai's disallowed try was a try. I thought it was one of the worst refereeing performances ever. Now Manly may not have beaten Souths or Easts this year, but every game they played against them was a very tough hard game and Manly was right in them, they certainly were not smashed by them.
Brad smith
Guest
I wouldn't be relying on stats for rabbitohs to win a grand final....
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
A quick look at the last 15 years stats shows: 11 out of 15 Minor Premiers have made the GF but only 5 of them have won it. If this year follows recent history then chances are that the Roosters will be in the GF but will lose to the winner of Souths V Manly
PatheticNRL2013
Guest
A souths vs roosters GF? Wouldn't be surprised considering all the rubbish the referees seem to be dishing out willy nilly to any other team outside Sydney. Melbourne & the cowboys were robbed this finals so no surprises there. An appalling disgrace. You would think two referees plus one in the video stand would get critical things right. Anyway still makes a thrilling finish for a seemingly rigged competition this year!
Phil Coorey
Roar Pro
Thanks - ok, that makes sense. Carry on my friend , I'm going back to watch the baseball now anyway
Phil Coorey
Roar Pro
"I think you’re right on this one, as much as i’d hate it because channel 9 are going to blow their lid over it…. the media will get the grand final they want in Souths vs Easts. " Well the referees control the game , and Thurston has every idiot fan he can relate to calling this whole comp a conspiracy Maybe I should have been clearer , and before you get the shits, I am not calling you an idiot
Knight Vision
Guest
I'm hoping for a Knights v Manly GF. I think the Roosters will be in for a surprise this weekend as will the Rabbits. Both teams will choke. Manly will need to get ahead early as I think the Rabbits will come strong at the back end. I have a feeling that the Knights could win and win well but will need Mullen to be kicking better than the Storm game and the Knights will have to take advantage of the penalties the Roosters will give away through deliberate professional fouls inside their own 40. Pearce to do the usual and choke and crawl under his rock.
tooveys right hand
Guest
Agree Dave manly will take it to them and they will get rattled... Manly vs knights!!!!
DMW
Guest
Has the thought ever crossed your mind that the Roosters are not playing for repeat sets of six? Valuable?, only if you're not scoring in the first set of six tackles champ. 74% of the time the Roosters score after 6 tackles within oppositions 20m.
Dave
Guest
Bunnies to choke and fumble. This week off will mess with their rhythm and form, will be gittery and Manly will be straight up in their faces. Souths were in trouble early against storm, overawed by the occasion. If it weren't for the Storm mistakes and that 'gift' tinny try to Farrell, Souths wouldn't have got into any rhythm. If Manly keep it tight and error free early, Souths will loose it themselves, they've already been playing this game in their heads for two weeks now.
Christopher. Vassallo
Guest
Knights. Vs. Manly grand final. Lets stick. It. Up. Nine. And. The. Media. GO THE. MIGHTY. KNIGHTS. Roosters and souths. Suck.
Thor
Guest
Both games will be close ones. Roosters' defence will be the difference while GI will rise to the occasion for Souths - his kick return. DCE and Foran will have to kick the ball dead which will be a disadvantage to Manly's attack.
db swannie
Guest
The words Tactical Kicking & Mythcell pearce should not be in the same sentaence EVER. if the roosters are to win it will be defence not due to pearce. he has no idea how to get a repeat set.& in high pressure games they are extremely Valuable..His short kicking game is on par with a uncoordinated under 7 player.
chrisn
Guest
Yeah im a Newcastle fan and that was probably mullos worst kicking performance this season so if we play as well as we have been and mullen gets his kicking game in order roosters could be in some real trouble.
DMW
Guest
Not without the ball they can't.
DMW
Guest
If I was Manly I would be hoping FOR Hayne to be named ref. Or do you all think he's not feeling the heat after a number of prominent articles were written about his stats and performances this season... A club owner more than willing to open his cheque book, Toovey in the box and Lyon on the prowl. Watching, waiting...
DMW
Guest
42 years of the same dream doing the rounds... let me know when you have 6 winning Lotto numbers Saint.
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
It'll be a close one - Toooooves will have the eagles fired up and the refs will be under pressure. There's a lot of responsibility on Reynolds and Sutton to get the Rabbits firing. They can do it.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Looks like Stewart is right to play, big coup for the Sea Eagles. I don't know why so many are writing them off. I hope the week off serves the Bunnies well, come on Rabbitohs !