I’ve got a few grand final tips wrong in my time but not this one – Souths will smash the choker’s tag, end their 43-year drought and trounce Canterbury by 16 points.
Sunday night’s title decider will start out tighter than a video ref’s squinty eye and finish with a red-and-green explosion that would put Sydney’s world-famous New Year’s fireworks spectacular to shame.
I believe the Rabbitohs have it all over the Bulldogs in all aspects of the game except one: grand final experience.
That might pose some anxious moments early on but by the 20-minute mark, I expect Souths will be settling into their groove and relaxing with the knowledge that 2014 will be their destiny year.
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I feel they have more points in their speedy and creative backline, a variable game plan to combat anything the Dogs can produce but more than anything, they have a hungry and mean forward pack seemingly assembled for grand final success.
I think that Canterbury is the opponent Souths preferred more than any other in the ‘Big One’.
Why? The Rabbitohs know they have the artillery in the forwards to meet and greet the physicality Canterbury will use as an intimidation tactic.
Money for jam for the likes of the Burgess Boys, Ben Te’o, Dave Tyrrell, Ben Lowe, Chris McQueen and Kyle Turner.
These guys blitzed the defending premiers last week, demolished Manly in their previous game and have pretty much dominated every pack they have met over the course of the season.
Livewire hooker Issac Luke was there for the bulk of those games but he’ll be missing this one due to suspension. I have a big wrap on his likely replacement, Api Koroisau.
Penrith-bound next year, this kid (shunned by the Bulldogs but picked up Souths’ feeder club, North Sydney) can really play. Don’t be surprised if he stars after his late call-up to the grand final stage.
After studying the respective bullets each team can fire, I keep coming back to Souths. They have firepower to spare both up front and out wide.
Inexperience at this level can be fatal and yes, Rabbits can freeze in headlights.
But I cannot see where the Bulldogs will be getting their points when the grand final acid is applied. Recent history and the stats show they are pretty much impotent in the second half which just happens to be the time when the red and green men get their roll going and are lethal.
The Dogs’ best hope might be through their kicking game, bombs and grubbers, but they will essentially be feeding the likes of Greg Inglis and Alex Johnston who can trigger and score long-distance tries in a twinkling.
There will be some fantastic match-ups in this game, perhaps none better than Pom against Pom – Sam Burgess versus James Graham.
I cannot wait to see these guys literally go at each other’s throats. Different styles, yes, but gee they have football motors fuelled by high-octane passion and adrenaline.
Canterbury’s menacing hooker and captain Mick Ennis has been named in the team despite bone breaks in a lower leg. I expect him to come on with 10 or so minutes to play whether the Dogs are within or without a sight of victory.
This will be the last chance for Ennis to pull on the famous blue and white jumper. If he can somehow raise a trot, Des Hasler will give him a glimpse of the action.
I’d like to see it happen, along with some other mouth-watering possibilities.
Greg Inglis won two grand finals but the premierships were stripped because of salary cap rorting at the Melbourne Storm. A player of his stature, definitely deserves to run a fair dinkum victory lap. Anyone agree?
Looking at Canterbury, I would like to see a big game in which unsung heroes such as Sam Perrett, Aiden Tolman and Corey Thompson get the kudos they so richly deserve.
This trio has done so much to get the Dogs to the ultimate game yet they have hardly rated a media mention.
I would like all of us to witness a rugby league title decider where the match officials are not the major talking point when it is all said and done.
And finally, I feel it would be great if Souths’ army of long-suffering and supremely loyal fans had a chance to celebrate something really big. Their team could start a party that goes for yonks.
I think they will and I’ll have a stab at the winning scoreline. Souths 26-10.
Pot Stirrer
Guest
Im not so convinced on Souths form. They got some prettty fortunate calls against the Roosters that allowed them to keep the momentum in that match. I still think they will win but with out issac luke its a much tougher assignment. Il be cheering for the Dogs. No one is giving the dogs a chance and weve seen a couple of times this year how that can turn out.
Muzz
Guest
I hope James Graham bites S Burgess on the pecker. Off-topic Trent Merrin a Rooster (strong chance)
Elma Dudd
Guest
A Dirty 80 minute underhanded grubathon,
Worlds Biggest
Guest
This will be close, 6 points in it I reckon. This has ambush written all over it, Dogs were big underdogs in 1995 and to a lesser extent in 2004. Wouldn't surprise me at all if they win. That said the Rabbitohs will take some beating, Madge will have them chomping at the bit to put in a complete 80 minute performance. I think the packs cancel each other out, the Rabbits backs have more points in them but the Dogs are no slouches either with Origin halves, two strong centres and a vastly under rated fullback. This could be a cracker. Come on Bunnies !
Muzz
Guest
This game will have more niggle than SOO 2.
BrumbyJack
Guest
Tim youre spot on in all points of your article. Only the margin could be a lot, lot greater than 16 points...
The Barry
Guest
Albo - you need to be consistent mate. You talk about injury ravaged manly and Penrith. Manly had three out injured. G Stewart, Ballin and Buehrer. The dogs also had first choicers out Kasiano, Browne, O'Hanlon and Stanley. Hodkinson injured his knee in the 24th minute. We heard all about manly, nothing about the dogs. Penrith had Wallace, Peachey and Taylor out. Other than that there injured players were either guys with a couple if games experience or not in the starting side (Cartwright and Grant). The dogs were missing Kasiano, Stanley and O'Hanlon. Lost their hooker and skipper at half time and had their halfback on one leg. The narrative out of that game is the panthers were brave and the bulldogs were lucky. It was that Penrith couldn't attack not that the dogs kept them out. Against Melbourne we played the whole second half with 15 players and had major re-shuffles because of losing a winger through injury before half time. O'Hanlon broke his leg on his first hit up. Again the narrative is the dogs started well but fell away in the second half. No mention of their injuries. I'm stoked the media is ignoring this stuff, bagging the dogs and pumping up souths tyres.
Dr Yes
Guest
Souths are morals. By plenty squared. What could possibly go wrong???
Paco
Guest
I want to see Hodkinson scoot of the line & score the match winner in the dying minutes. Is twice in one year too much to ask for?
Paco
Guest
I want to see Hodkinson scoot of the line & score the match winner in the dying minutes. Is twice in one year too much to ask for?
Albo
Guest
The Dogs were great against Melbourne for 30 minutes. They battled hard with a fit number 9 and team leader, and just got enough breaks needed against Manly & Penrith who were both down on troops & form on those nights. They now come up against a fully fit and fully firing Souths team that out matches them in every position on the field. They have lost their key leader at number 9 and they have big queries on the fitness of their 7 & 4. Surely only Rabbit nerves will stop this from being a slaughter on Sunday ?
Jono
Guest
Very cocky article!! You shld never be so confident - remember parra 2001? Anything can happen on game day and dogs will lift and be ready after not getting there in 2012. dogs beat souths already in 2014 and robbed by refs in the 2nd game. If we get a decent amount of ball and evenness of penalties, doggies will win.
Bones506
Roar Guru
Given how the Bulldogs can start a game I expect at the 20 minute mark the Bunnies are staring down a 3 try gap and wondering what is happening. GO DOGS
CK
Guest
I hate both sides but Souths look clear morals to me. They have more points in them, their defence is outstanding and they have that ability to adapt to tough situations. Souths by 32-6.
ranga
Guest
Go doggies, only because my wife follows them.
Ben Gibbon
Roar Guru
Go
catcat
Guest
hopefully this negative media against the dogs is wrong too. go dogs!
The Barry
Roar Guru
negative media? This article says that Souths will be drinking champagne and will win by 16. Souths fans really do have a persecution complex if they think this is negative media!
Steve Kerr
Roar Rookie
Well said Mr. Prentice: your points are solid enough on paper, so stick by them. Even if the Bunnies do manage to stuff this one up, your predictions can't possibly be any further off than those of your fellow journos about the AFL GF!
MAX
Guest
Tim, You must be as befuddled as Gerard Sutton when put his arm up the wrong way. Never mind, Josh Reynolds knows the rules .He thinks straight and is on hand to help.