NRL Finals Week 2 teams: Bunnies boosted by big returns, Storm stick with losing side

Still trying to fathom why the media never mention Craig Bellamy as "Coach of the year"? Winning the Minor Premiership by 6 points with a Differential of 331 pts is really amazing when you consider that he has had to re-engineer his spine. His Storm will underline just why he is THE outstanding coach in 2019. :silly: His opposing Coach Brad Arthur deserves special mention for his season also, but if the media are so hung up on the quality of player lists compared to how they finished then on my ratings the Bulldogs had easily the 16th best list and still won 10 games. Take a bow Dean pay.

No one expects Manly to win, so no expectations, expected loss = perfect formula for Dessie. But Sou ffs will be too strong with the return of the Squirell gripping, hair pulling slammin Sam. Bunnies by 10 in a close match upto the 70th minute. A very, very angry Storm to wack a brave but mismatched Parra.

Burn :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

Yep it will be considered a relatively successful year. And no amount of emojis will convince us otherwise ning nong.

Yep your right if you don’t improve on last year it will be deemed a success fully sick year :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

Looks like Croft is on the way out at the Storm if they are happy to run with a spine that only got one try from a kick with Pappenhuyzen not really setting up his wingers too often & Hughes not dazzling. Pap goes himself a lot which isn't how Slater played it. Scott might also be on the market if he can't push into the centres for them. He'd be an OK pickup for the Broncos. Interested in how Gagai handles centre because he's really struggled in defence there on many occasions, this year he seems to be playing a bit angry for Souths and Qld. Wouldn't surprise to see him at the Cowboys next year, I think uncle Wayne sees him as a winger but doesn't like smaller bodies out there & his money is big for a winger. With Burns back next season you'd think he's a lock for one spot and Wayne loves Roberts no matter what he does.

Nope. Souths will also be happy with a relatively successful season. Finishing top four after missing many key players for big chunks of the season for different reasons. New coach in his first year at the club with all the media scrutiny. The rise of Cam Murray, Doueihi returning well, Tatola and Knight playing like seasoned pro’s. The list is long. But whatever you reckon Insider. No surprises from you as usual.

As much as my heart is screaming out for me to tip a blue and gold upset; I just can't quite manage it. I can't let my hopes get too high. I think the Rabbitohs should get over the top of Manly; the returns of Burgess and Gagai will be huge, they'll be out to prove that they didn't fluke their way into the top 4, and each player will be smarting after being humiliated by the Roosters. As good as Manly have been, and as impressive as they were last week, I just think Souths will be that little bit stronger. A Manly win wouldn't surprise me, but I'm tipping Souths in a close one. As far as Melbourne and Parramatta goes... Well the only possible way the Eels can win is if they reproduce the style of play that they used against Brisbane. If they get spooked and try and shut the Storm out of it, they'll be gone by half time. Conservative and clinical football won't work against the Storm, especially in Melbourne. If they can play like they did at Bankwest, if every player puts in an A+ performance, and if Moses' kicking game is absolutely flawless, they might just be able to spring an upset. Unfortunately, the Storm will be furious after letting a home prelim slip away, they'll be furious about having to play a semi final, and they'll want to prove a point that they are still very much in the premiership hunt. If anything goes wrong for the Eels, the Storm will be relentless and punishing. On the other hand, the last time Melbourne lost a qualifying final was in 2013, and they were upset in the semi final by a seventh placed Newcastle 18-16. Here's hoping history repeats itself! Heart - Rabbitohs, Eels. Head - Rabbitohs, Storm.

Mmmmm nah, agree Souths should have Manly covered disagree however with Parra, Melb won’t concede like the Broncs , no way, to methodical, precise and way to disciplined Parra down to earth with a thud

I think Souths will do the Eagles, and Parra will get over the top of the storm. Why. I think Souths have got their selections right and the Storm have struggled to win convincingly for a few weeks - look tired.

manly have upper hand - a large centre Suli - souths have two small centres gagai and roberts - move kyle turner to centre - leave roberts out

If Manly lose it will be a considered a successful year Des will be hailed a hero, should Rabbits lose it will be an epic failure., either way Manly go into this game already knowing where they are as a team, Souths on the other hand ,,,, well they have a poet who likes to write nursery rhythms and very high expectations, anything other than a premiership is FAILURE