Wests Tigers v St George Illawarra Dragons
Make no mistake, this game will be played at sudden death speed and will keep you enthralled until the final moments are played out. Put simply, that’s just what the Tigers do. Coaches Sheens and Bennett, with two lifetimes of rugby league experience, have their respective clubs at peak fitness for this match. It is no coincidence that both clubs essentially have their best 17 available on Friday night at Homebush to kick of the 2011 finals.
Form has proven less important than fitness for the Dragons and the Tigers so tune in to see the fittest and the fastest go head to head. Watching Beau Scott go face to face with Benji Marshall and probably instigate two or three ‘dust ups’ will be a highlight as will round two of the ‘race riot’ between Robbie Farah and Dean Young. NRL footy at its finest and in the end, the Dragons defence is again the winner in an absolute pearler between two ‘traditional’ Sydney teams. Always a winning formula.
My tip: St George Illawarra 16-14
Brisbane Broncos v NZ Warriors
A big test for the many youngsters in this game as the Warriors travel to Brisbane on Saturday night to face the Broncos. Names like Beale and Reed... Locke and Johnson.... may well be superstars in the future but semi final football has a very different learning curve. They will be under pressure and that is when the cream rises to the top. Or is it when we separate the men from the boys? Will we get rocks or diamonds? I’m rambling due to semi final excitement.
Either way – the experience in the Broncos team will shine brighter in another close match between these clubs. Lockyer, Hannant, Hodges and Wallace keep their heads when this game is decided in the final 10 minutes but no doubt it will be a classic. With James Maloney and Feleti Mateo leading the way, the Warriors have plenty of weapons and will put a scare through the 50,000 screaming Queenslanders at Suncorp, but will not be able to hold on.
My tip: Brisbane 22-20
Manly Sea Eagles v North Queensland Cowboys
A huge ask for the Cowboys. Winners of only 1 from their past 5 and losing their most dangerous ball runner in Tariq Sims, they face the Sea Eagles with their season on the line. The only saving grace for the visitors is that their captain and superstar Jonathan Thurston is possibly the only man capable of overcoming these odds and combined with the venue change away from Brookvale, the Cowboys do have a sniff.
Manly’s defence is second best in the competition and their attack is outright first. With the return of Kieran Foran, they will be brutal, they will be potent and they will start with a ferocity saved especially for the finals. The Cowboys will match this intensity early but won’t have enough to last the 80 minutes. Rookie of the Year Daly Cherry-Evans plays his first ever post season match against the best halfback in the world and this will be a highlight among many.
My tip: Manly 24-18
Melbourne Storm v Newcastle Knights
The Knights have nothing to lose and will give this game an almighty crack on Sunday afternoon at AAMI Stadium. Early in the match, they win the battle of the forwards when experienced hitters like Neville Cositgan, combined with the youthful animosity of Joel Edwards, give the Storm a few headaches during the opening exchanges: until the wrestling begins and Melbourne slow things down to a crawl.
Unfortunately for Knights fans, the Minor Premiers’ defence holds strong and come the final quarter of this match, Cameron Smith will take over and ensure Melbourne’s week off. A courageous finish to a difficult season for Newcastle but they will go out with a bang. Keep an eye on everyone’s favourite footballer, Akuila Uate in this one – he will no doubt be launching himself into the best defence in the competition and you won’t want to miss it.
My tip: Melbourne 23-10
For live updates throughout the weekend - go to http://leagueunlimited.com/
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