Opinion
I was puzzled to read that Fox Sports writers are still claiming that, “[A] path emerges to end ten-year Tigers curse”.
After they lost to the Warriors in Round 20, and based on their form and the form of the teams ahead of them, their season died that day. Out of their remaining games after that round, the Tigers were only ever a chance to win three out of the five. No matter what anyone thinks, they were never going to beat the Storm or the Panthers.
After Round 20, they were sitting on 14 points. Winning three games would take them to 20 points. With two rounds remaining, they are on 18 points – there are three teams ahead of them already on 20 points and another two on 18 points, all with better points differential than the Tigers.
To make the eight, the Tigers need all the teams ahead of them to lose the remaining two games, which is impossible given that some of them play against each other in the last two rounds and would still be ahead of the Tigers (-162) either on competition points or better points differential.
Or, the Tigers would need to beat the Panthers by 30-plus points and the Bulldogs by 60-plus points – to put it simply, it is impossible.
I think it’s cruel that Fox Sports writers are giving Tigers fans false hope. I was dumfounded when last week Andrew Johns was giving the Tigers a chance to make the eight.
Obviously, mathematics is not Fox Sports writers’ best attribute. Mathematically speaking, there’s only one spot up for grabs in the top eight. The places are settled from 1 to 7, the eighth spot is up for grabs between five teams and the Tigers are not one of them.
Out of the five teams fighting for eighth spot, the Sharks, Titans and Raiders have a better chance if they can win one of their last two games. The Knights are already guaranteed a spot in the top eight – even if they lose both games, the only thing that would change is whether they finish seventh or eighth.
The top eight might be settled this weekend if the Sharks win, depending on other results.
Sorry, Tigers fans, but you have missed on finals yet again. Unless all five teams ahead of you are caught cheating the cap and get all points deducted, your season was over in Round 20 and anyone who tells you otherwise is on some sort of illegal substance.
Let’s hear some comments, Roarers.
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