We are entering the pointy end of the NRL season, which means teams are starting to show whether or not they’re good enough to win the premiership.
The opinion that any team in the top ten on the ladder has a chance at glory is so far from reality. This article will explain whether or not the following teams can win the Provan-Summons Trophy.
I’m going to cut straight to the point. The Sharks aren’t winning the premiership this year and will only scrape into the top eight. Their run home is tough and according to proven stats, they’ll win four of their last six games. This would be a lucky ending to the year.
Most teams would take this result in the final stretch of the season, however, the reason why the Sharks are likely to win four of their last six is due to their record against the top eight teams vs the bottom eight teams. Cronulla has played six teams in the top eight this year and only won once.
Nicho Hynes. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
The Sharks’ ultimate kryptonite has been the top half of the competition for four straight years, and this was proved last September as they were knocked out in straight sets.
The positive for the Sharks has been the fact that they’re able to dominate the bottom eight sides, therefore, they will still reach the finals, however they’d be lucky to win a game.
Brisbane are playing their best footy since finishing runner up in 2015. The Broncos are arguably the most entertaining team to watch, for many reasons. Their young guns are coming through the system rapidly, and their style of football is very modern.
They don’t always stick to traditional structures, which means they’re able to flip games on their heads. They’ve had many complete performances, although they’re yet to beat a current top four team besides the Panthers in round one. They’ll be put to the test in the final matches of the season, as they have the chance to prove themselves against teams like the Rabbitohs, Raiders and Storm.
The game against South Sydney on Friday night on the Sunshine Coast is Brisbane’s biggest game of the season and one of their most challenging so far. When these two clubs met in round nine, Souths dominated them in every area of the game. Excuses can be made, as both Ezra Mam and Payne Hass were absent in this fixture.
This won’t be the case on Friday, which means Brisbane have every chance to win this match and get a huge confidence boost if they’re able to do so. The Broncos have the potential to win the premiership, but not as good a chance as the media claims as they’re yet to make a statement against one of the top dogs in the league (besides the opening match).
Corey Horsburgh. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
The Raiders’ season began dreadfully, losing four of their opening five games. Since then, they’ve soared their way into the top four by winning ten of their last twelve fixtures. It’s been another typical Green Machine season, and they’ve become the ultimate dark horse and may even be a real contender.
Canberra has a moderate run at the back end of the season, their toughest test coming against the Storm. The top eight is tight, every game has a lot at stake. Many teams are contesting a finals position and trying to take their season one step further by importantly finishing in the top four.
I have a big feeling that Canberra won’t know whether they’ll finish in the top four or not until the completion of their battle against the Sharks in the final round of the competition.
The Raiders have the proven capability to go deep into the finals, although there are some top teams I think they’ll have trouble beating.
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