How Sunday's NRL games will shape the top eight

... so could I ask for your timely opinion on this subject, as no one is going to listen until debacles like this are protested against. If the Dragons were to win today, they should rightfully be holding a home game at Kogarah next week, just like the Storm, Cowboys, Broncos, Titans, Warriors, Raiders, Knights, Roosters, Rabbitohs, and now Eels are entitled to whenever they finish the higher. Likewise, if Manly were to finish in 6th, then rightfully they should be hosting at Brookvale. Its so much more than seats for people to sit. It's blatant discrimination, because everyone knows 1300Smiles Townsville only holds 25k at a stretch.

Going to grab a Kebab n put on my cowboy hat n cheer the mighty Dogs on today. Nothing could make me feel as dirty as cheering on Manly last night. Dogs owe a big performance for Reynolds n Graham!!!

We might be watching that statement as we speak :)

Agree with all you've said mate and yes I am a supporter ? But I do genuinely think we will see a different Sharks side in the semis.... I'd hate to be the team playing them in week one.

Scott, as far as I understood, neither Manly, Cronulla, St George, Penrith, or Tigers were entitled to home ground finals any longer. Are you able to confirm or otherwise? There won't be games played at Southern Cross or Brookvale next week and that means Manly fans would have to travel all the way across the bridge and we know how many who think that's too far.

Nice one BigJ,enjoy n take care mate!

Good luck Scotty.

I should have said "I can't see the Sharks losing to the Knights by 22 points". Which is the basis for Equation 4. I actually think the Sharks need a big win today. I think their supporters just believe they will turn it on come Finals time. But I'm yet to see defending premiers do that after bumbling their way through a season. It usually doesn't end well. So many other factors at play when you're the hunted, and the Sharks are no different. They look tired. I imagine Flanno would want a statement today. They can't move higher than 5th, but a bit of momentum would certainly help.

Two things about the scheduling of the finals: 1. I think it's an absolute disgrace that Cronulla have to take their home final to either Allianz or ANZ. You put it at Southern Cross you'll get a sell out crowd of screaming Sharks fans and give Cronulla a bonus for finishing in fifth and earning a home elimination final. No way will Allianz sell out and ANZ has no chance in hell. Let the Sharks host at Cronulla and the Sea Eagles host at Brookvale, for that matter; for all the same reasons. Suburban grounds deserve the finals; granted I wouldn't give them a prelim, but there's no good reason they can't have an elimination final. 2. The Storm v Eels is the first qualifying final yet will be played on Saturday afternoon at 4:10 (no doubt kick off at around 4:40) while the second qualifying final (Roosters v Broncos) will be played on Friday night at 7:55 (no doubt kicking off at around 8:30). Logic :P

But they have been and can be beaten , the Roosters went awfully close in Melbourne against a run a dubious refereeing decisions. The history of league is littered with unbeatable teams coming unstuck on grand final day . They aren't even in the GF yet , and I think you'd struggle to get too many people willing to put their life savings on them from here .

Can't compare 2009,to this. Penrith had key players in Edwards and Moylan out injured yesterday. Whare played fullback. If Penrith fields the same team as yesterday,they will lose the first week of the finals,no matter who they play.

As a Dragons supporter I'd be happy to (...make the finals) play Manly week 1 because we clearly match up well against those boys. The games this year were both blowouts and I think the last 2 finals we played were 28-0 to the Saints as well (not that relevant but still nice to bring up!) But I can understand a Manly supporter also preferring us to the Panthers 2 weeks in a row. Too much chance of the result being reversed. I think the last time that happened was 2009 when the Dragons played the Eels 2 weeks in a row. Dragons toweled them up in rd 26 (36-0?) and then Hayne caught fire week 1 of the finals for the Eels to win week 1 of the finals.

I actually think the Knights could win EJ, Sharks have absolutely nothing to play for.... the game doesn't matter to Cronulla (they'll be 5th regardless) but it sure will for the knights on old boys day. The Sharks will be wanting to avoid injury and get through this match with as little effort as possible with an eye on next week... mentally I don't think they'll be up for this and I would not be surprised with a loss.

Agree with all of that, but we won't be playing at Brookie again unfortunately

Yeah the more I think about it, the more I'm leaning towards wanting to play the Dragons! Aaaargh. Oh well whatever happens I reckon both games will be tight. No blowouts in either scenario. Good luck to your lads today mate. No doubt you'll be hanging out for 4pm all day!

St George have always been a bit of a bogey team for Manly. Manly will have the upper hand v the Panthers who they will meet again at the Fortress. And after Peachey's ridiculous comment that the Panthers were the better team (maybe he was including Perrenara in the Panthers squad?), I am sure Walker and co will be keen to serve it up again to the men from the mountain. So on that basis I will be cheering on the dogs today too. It looked to me like the Manly defensive line really missed Siro there and it's good to see him back fit and firing.

I think the Dragons will get home, but it will be tight. It also wouldn't surprise me if the knights get up.