What about this NRL finals series so far? I love how all the “experts” put forth their case for who’s going to win each week, as if they know who will get up and why. I reckon they’re all guessing.
We’ve seen the Penrith Panthers upset the Roosters in Week 1. I was at that game, and I thought Jamie Soward was on another level. It’s as if he already knew the result before kick off.
I’ve never seen a player who has had self-confessed confidence issues in the past be so cool calm and collected at such crucial moments. Remember that field goal?
Beau Ryan and I have been doing the ground announcing at the games and it has been incredible. To witness these games whilst being so close to the action is spine tingling.
We flew down to AAMI for the ‘Dogs against the Storm. We were both backing the Storm before we arrived, but then we saw the Doggies run out for warm up. Melbourne had an ‘all knowing, just another day’s work’ look about them as they went about their work.
The Dogs looked violent in demeanour. After they took to the field for warm up, Beau and I looked at each other and started to wonder if we’d tipped the wrong team. Didn’t we what.
The first 20 minutes was akin to some of the action in The Patriot. Talk about an ambush! The big three and the rest of the Storm had zero answers.
Also, I’d like to chat briefly about how Mitchell Pearce has handled himself this season, especially after not being selected for Origin, and watching them finally win whilst not being a part of it. It’s as if this was the best thing to happen to him. His eyes look different. A quiet confidence and an almost silent determination that says to me he has only grown from this years experiences. He’s one of the reasons I’ve tipped the Roosters to go back to back.
After hanging on the way they did against the Cowboys, I can’t see them letting that happen again. But hey… look at the monster they face on Friday!
The Doggies stole victory from a battered and war torn Sea Eagles outfit in Golden Point. True to their history, Manly made it hard, but a poor start saw them bow out in a nail biting finish.
Canterbury face a very well oiled machine in Penrith on Saturday. The Doggies have a momentum that reminds me of our Parramatta squad in ’09. It’s going to be an absolute cracker.
Now… the Bunnies are fresh from a week off, and in today’s game, I think it’s a massive bonus. Players have had time to heal and freshen up. Knowing Coach Maguire, he would’t have exactly let them rest too comfortably. What a match up this is going to be, with perhaps the two strongest sides on paper going at it.
It’s tough for me to tip against the two teams I have, as it’d be no surprise if any of the remaining sides went on to win a grand final. But I think it’ll be a Roosters vs Panthers grand final.
I wouldn’t be putting my house on it though.
Good luck legends, and I’ll see you at the game.
paul
Guest
I cant believ cummins got shs easts he dead set hates easts this bloke . My confidence has just gone out the door. This poor excuse for a reff has hammered easts for years and he was at sths training. The scripts aleeady been written souths the nrl little darlings will get all the calls its a dwad set joke
Mountain Buzz
Guest
Can't work out why the 2nd Prelim is on Friday and the 1st Prelim is on Saturday. Did Souths and Roosters work out between themselves they are above the NRL and the other teams?
moose head
Guest
I think its more about close games and entertainment - eg hayne always has games against the AFL because AFL tends to be blowouts - obviously not this weekend though. Masters has written about it on many occasions but no response from the NRL (assume if they ignore it will go away) but they did give Fairfax the radio rights in Brisbane in 2013 to shut them up... http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/dramatic-licence-whistleblowers-in-danger-of-playing-to-script-to-ensure-theatrical-finale-20120806-23qe1.html
harry Wells
Guest
Joel you cynic but the NQ got a good run to get back into the game.but then the hayne wheel turned against you..
Joel
Guest
Hard to tip when you have bias refs ..... Rooster couldn’t win the match and with 5 minutes to go they had to use the “Rub of Hayne” for victory 1x 100% infringement and 3x 50/50 calls all going Roosters way, then it was the Cowboys turn to ask the question and ask for a little Rub their way as the attacking side at the time the advantage should have gone their way, but alas, no “Rub of Hayne” for the Cowboys as they are from North Queensland and Hayne wants to keep his position within the N(SW)RL Sydneycentric powerhouse,
Benny
Guest
HA, try uneven, cummins-the man spotted at rabbitohs training 3 weeks ago
marco
Guest
Moonlighting?! Cant we stick with some current analogies for the blockbuster of the year.
Clark
Guest
Fridays game just got a bit more even
Benny
Guest
Refs for friday are sutton and cummins, and saturday is hayne and badger
Tony
Guest
Awesome point Barry. I loved Moonlighting but it certainly did turn to crap
Clark
Guest
No idea but I am assuming old Shayne fake tan Hayne will be doing the Souths Roosters so I assume the other one will be Jared Maxwell and either Checchin or Badger probably?
harry Wells
Guest
I am predicting close matches with a second half comeback in both cases. The NRL website says they are prelim finals yet the press call them GF qualifiers?? Who are the refs for Dogs/Panthers??
The Barry
Guest
I hope it's another 43 years. As a non souths supporter the drama and suspense of them not winning is better than the event of them winning. It's like Bruce Willis and Cybil Shephard hooking up in moonlighting.
Clark
Guest
I hope that is the way it goes. It would be good to see Souths finally break the drought potentially (which is what I would tip if this was the GF but with little confidence). However I would like to see the Roosters make it solely because I reckon Penrith have the wood over them. Head says Souths, Heart says Penrith
RBBAnonymous
Guest
Its going to be a Souths vs Penrith final but we already knew that right.
hellz
Guest
I have been saying panthers for weeks. I feel that this is the bunnies year - we haven't seen GI at his best and as he used to play for my Melbourne Storm I have witnessed GI at his best. My tip Bunnies to win. It's been a great finals series.
hellz
Guest
I have been saying panthers for weeks. I feel that this is the bunnies year - we haven't seen GI at his best and as he used to play for my Melbourne Storm I have witnessed GI at his best. My tip Bunnies to win. It's been a great finals series.
The Barry
Guest
I've tipped five from 6. Unfortunately margins are hurting me.