David EdwardsThe Road To The Finals - NRL
August 29th 2006 14:08
Well with only one round to go in the NRL and AFL regular seasons, we are about to embark on the best part of all the calendar year, the finals.
I think we can freely admit that 2006 has been one of the most exciting seasons in both codes. Former champions went down, new teams made their mark, and most importantly the competition was fair enough that it made tipping for the most part a nightmare!
The NRL was definitely a fierce contest all season. Halfway through the season, it did look like the Brisbane Broncos would take the premiership, then after they fell through it seemed to be Melbourne Storm’s year. Now no one can really see how the competition will end up.
Even with a round to go, there are still six team vying to get those all important spots in the top four. The ladder has Storm and Bulldogs locked in first and second positions, with Manly, Brisbane, Newcastle and St George all sitting within a game of each other for the remaining two spots. There are many factors in how the ladder will end up but each team will be trying their best to first of all get in the last two spots for the second chance.
Of the four teams, it is Manly with the hardest game to try and win. Not only do they have to go down to the Olympic Park graveyard to square up against the minor premiers Storm, but they also have to consider if they should risk two of their stars to try and beat the dominant side. Whilst the Sea Eagles have a huge challenge on their hands, this is nothing compared to Newcastle, who in fact have the bye (and means the two points), but have to see how the rest of the round unfolds until they can see who they are facing in the finals.
Of the four teams trying to fight for the second chance, the money is squarely backed on the Brisbane Broncos to turn up the goods. Not only have they been playing superbly over the past two weeks, scoring 73 points unanswered against the Bulldogs and the Eels, but they are going up against the New Zealand Warriors, a side that they will comfortably go up against as favourites. Same goes for the Dragons, as they face up against the Roosters who currently have no coach, no direction, and in reality no strength in opposing the cruising Dragons.
With the eight teams already locked in, lets see how each team will fare in the finals
Melbourne Storm (currently: 1st, will finish: 1st) – going up against Manly this week, they will probably finish the season with yet another home victory. This team is strong, fierce, and most of all hungry for more wins. They will definitely be there for the final game.
Canterbury Bulldogs (currently: 2nd, will finish: 2nd) – should cruise in with a victory against Penrith, they are looking a little less tougher than three weeks earlier. Injuries and suspensions have paid their toll, but their squad has enough depth to cause a major stir in the finals.
Manly Sea Eagles (currently: 3rd, will finish: 5th) – the Sea Eagles do have a challenge on their hands in Melbourne this week, and will not be able to overcome it. Personally I think that they will be around for the semi finals, but not much further than that.
Brisbane Broncos (currently: 4th, will finish: 3rd) – Going strong in a great way to start the finals. The hype around them is not an exaggeration, and do look like they could have a premiership winning season.
Newcastle Knights (currently: 5th, will finish: 4th) – The Knights do have to pray for a number of upsets due to their bye, but won’t get the result they ultimately desire. With legendary captain Andrew Johns back for the finals, could cause a few upsets along the way
St George Illawarra (currently: 6th, will finish: 7th) – Even though they are against the Roosters having a horror year, there is a unwritten rule that you never back against the team who just lost their coach. I think an upset in on the cards, and could set a hurdle for the Dragons for the finals.
Parramatta Eels (currently: 7th, will finish: 6th) – The Eels had an unprecedented fantastic second half of the season, and should finish it off with a strong win against the Cowboys. But I think that’s where their dream run will end.
Canberra Raiders (currently: 8th, will finish: 8th) – Will win against the Sharks for a good way to enter the finals, but just don’t have the strength to go further than that.
As for my result for the premiership, you cannot look away from the Storm. They are strong in both attacking and defending, and have proven time and time again that they can win games any way necessary. I do think that this year is definitely the year of the Great Storm.
Until next time, sport minds.
I think we can freely admit that 2006 has been one of the most exciting seasons in both codes. Former champions went down, new teams made their mark, and most importantly the competition was fair enough that it made tipping for the most part a nightmare!
The NRL was definitely a fierce contest all season. Halfway through the season, it did look like the Brisbane Broncos would take the premiership, then after they fell through it seemed to be Melbourne Storm’s year. Now no one can really see how the competition will end up.
Even with a round to go, there are still six team vying to get those all important spots in the top four. The ladder has Storm and Bulldogs locked in first and second positions, with Manly, Brisbane, Newcastle and St George all sitting within a game of each other for the remaining two spots. There are many factors in how the ladder will end up but each team will be trying their best to first of all get in the last two spots for the second chance.
Of the four teams, it is Manly with the hardest game to try and win. Not only do they have to go down to the Olympic Park graveyard to square up against the minor premiers Storm, but they also have to consider if they should risk two of their stars to try and beat the dominant side. Whilst the Sea Eagles have a huge challenge on their hands, this is nothing compared to Newcastle, who in fact have the bye (and means the two points), but have to see how the rest of the round unfolds until they can see who they are facing in the finals.
Of the four teams trying to fight for the second chance, the money is squarely backed on the Brisbane Broncos to turn up the goods. Not only have they been playing superbly over the past two weeks, scoring 73 points unanswered against the Bulldogs and the Eels, but they are going up against the New Zealand Warriors, a side that they will comfortably go up against as favourites. Same goes for the Dragons, as they face up against the Roosters who currently have no coach, no direction, and in reality no strength in opposing the cruising Dragons.
With the eight teams already locked in, lets see how each team will fare in the finals
Melbourne Storm (currently: 1st, will finish: 1st) – going up against Manly this week, they will probably finish the season with yet another home victory. This team is strong, fierce, and most of all hungry for more wins. They will definitely be there for the final game.
Canterbury Bulldogs (currently: 2nd, will finish: 2nd) – should cruise in with a victory against Penrith, they are looking a little less tougher than three weeks earlier. Injuries and suspensions have paid their toll, but their squad has enough depth to cause a major stir in the finals.
Manly Sea Eagles (currently: 3rd, will finish: 5th) – the Sea Eagles do have a challenge on their hands in Melbourne this week, and will not be able to overcome it. Personally I think that they will be around for the semi finals, but not much further than that.
Brisbane Broncos (currently: 4th, will finish: 3rd) – Going strong in a great way to start the finals. The hype around them is not an exaggeration, and do look like they could have a premiership winning season.
Newcastle Knights (currently: 5th, will finish: 4th) – The Knights do have to pray for a number of upsets due to their bye, but won’t get the result they ultimately desire. With legendary captain Andrew Johns back for the finals, could cause a few upsets along the way
St George Illawarra (currently: 6th, will finish: 7th) – Even though they are against the Roosters having a horror year, there is a unwritten rule that you never back against the team who just lost their coach. I think an upset in on the cards, and could set a hurdle for the Dragons for the finals.
Parramatta Eels (currently: 7th, will finish: 6th) – The Eels had an unprecedented fantastic second half of the season, and should finish it off with a strong win against the Cowboys. But I think that’s where their dream run will end.
Canberra Raiders (currently: 8th, will finish: 8th) – Will win against the Sharks for a good way to enter the finals, but just don’t have the strength to go further than that.
As for my result for the premiership, you cannot look away from the Storm. They are strong in both attacking and defending, and have proven time and time again that they can win games any way necessary. I do think that this year is definitely the year of the Great Storm.
Until next time, sport minds.
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