NRL Finals Fever Weeks Three, Andrew Barry
I don’t want to reach for the hyperbole just yet; and at least on our side of the ditch these playoffs have been overshadowed, only a lot- by Team New Zealand, the yachting’s highs and final crushing low. The Cup campaign was doomed from the moment Townsley Manifesto host Jonny uttered the immortal phrase “Is it wrong I want it to be 8 all?”
So the Auld Mug’s gone to Oracle but the Provan-Summons trophy is still up to be grabbed by somebody.
A fortnight in- these finals are putting up an argument to be, if not the best ever, then the best in recent memory?
There simply hasn’t been a bad game to date, so much sporting theatre, and its set to continue this weekend.
We’ve got two more tantalising match up’s- Manly V Souths, set up by Daly Cherry-Evans playing Ian Ziering, to Cronulla’s Sharknado . It’s a triumph the Eagles found enough tank in the gas to close that one out.
Newcastle V Roosters was brought about because AAMI park’s seagull central was blitzed by a tactical master class from Wayne Bennett, as he ran the ball wide using the skills of his halves, and the power of Uate to edge Melbourne.
Newcastle were also aided by a Billy Slater brain explosion, the evidence is starting to weigh up- is he a choker of team NZ (too soon?) proportions?
So let’s look into the crystal ball, and find ourselves some grand finalists.
Friday Night: Manly V Souths:
To draw on Clint Brown, “let’s get it on, because we don’t get along.”
There’s been historical bad blood between these two sides going back to all in grand final brawls in the 70’s, and those wounds have opened up a little bit this season. The two match-ups’s have been brutal, but both won by Souths, but not without controversy.
And that man Steve Matai’s never been far from it, suspended following a high shot first up, and then scoring the infamous and “ludicrous, there should be an investigation” (TM- Geoff Toovey) no-try in the return fixture.
It was only amplified for Manly fans with the Jeff Lima foul on Anthony Watmough’s ankle.
It goes without saying this one is going to be won up front, if Manly can muscle up the way they did against Cronulla they stand a real chance of getting it done, but the Rabbits possess a pack made of cast iron and no little skill. Brenton Lawrence has been a late blooming find for Manly, and I’m expecting him to have a big one, looking to really make his name against a top opposition.
There’s still a lot of variables in this one- will Brett Stewart be fit? If so hard to argue Manly’s stocks don’t rise dramatically if Snake’s alive.
How will the draw affect the teams, Manly are battered and bruised- but will they be match hardened, Souths are rested after the week off but will they be rusty?
Great 1 on 1’s beckon us too, potentially GI and Stewart if their bodies oblige, and the battle of two fine young number 7’s in Daly Cherry-Evans and Adam Reynolds will be worth a watch.
One can’t underestimate the physical damage the last two weeks have done to the Eagles, but mentally there’s no stronger unit in the competition.
Manly might just have too much polish, yes Souths have won both times this year, but if Manly score first, they’ll win. Out of the last 35 times they’ve done so, they have 32 wins, so watch for the Wolf-man In the corner early, but just maybe we could be seeing the ‘pride of the league’ back in the grand final for the first time since 1971. If so, Greg Inglis will play the pivotal part.
Andrew’s Pick: Manly by 8.
Saturday Night: Roosters Vs Newcastle:
These two have had very different seasons, the Knights flying under the radar, while the Roosters have been the hotshots, minor premiers and always under the Sonny Bill centric media spotlight.
In the build-up however they’ve both been rocked by similarly minor controversies, Newcastle facing a barrage of questions about whether Wayne Bennett will see out his contract now the cowboys are chasing him hard, and the Roosters becoming emerged in the ongoing supplements scandal with Roger Tuivasa- Sheck amongst new names implicated.
I expect the latter to come to nothing, naivety not malevolence would be RTS’s biggest crime, and if Newcastle gain a title from Bennett, they wouldn’t mind him departing in a blaze of glory, allowing Nathan Tinkler’s millions to chase an equally big name.
The match itself is an uncanny one indeed- who saw this coming a month ago?
Let’s get one thing straight, Bennett’s a genius- and if anyone can prime this mix of true oldies and future stars its him, but this is the Roosters to lose.
SBW factor is one thing, but there’s origin calibre across the park, and while BJ Leilua and Dane Gagai won’t be far from those honours in the near future, they won’t be able to run riot this week, the Roosters defence is simply amazing. To hold Manly to nil, two weeks ago was one of the great efforts on D in the modern era.
Danny Buderus has always been a favourite of mine, so it will be a shame for this weekend to be his last game. I was stoked on several levels to see Newcastle dump the Storm out, but I can’t go past the Roosters here.
Jared Waerea- Hargreaves is back, and it’s timely too for him to steel up the chooks as they take on a revitalised Willie Mason, and the equally tough Beau Scott.
I see this one playing out a bit like the regular season match-up at Newcastle’s place. Tight, scrappy hard fought- and the Knights in for the hour, but the Roosters class prevailing to close out a win.
Sonny-Bill Williams will be masterful again and Bondi will be bouncing as their side reach the grand final, whoever they play, the sentimental favourites in Souths or the ongoing force of Manly, we’re in for one hell of a finale next week.
Andrew’s Pick: Sydney Roosters by Unders.
