Canterbury Bulldogs v Manly Sea Eagles
An epic encounter awaits us all to begin the 2012 Finals
Series from ANZ Stadium on Friday night. Minor Premiers, the Bulldogs, host 4th
place finishers Manly and whilst under the new playoff structure this game is
not sudden death; it will definitely feel like there is no tomorrow for these
two clubs. Especially when all the talk about coaches is over and the players
decide who wins and who loses, rather than the bloke with the headphones on.
And what a mighty collection of footballers we have here.
Two forward packs with almost no weak links and plenty of courage. They play
close to the line and do not take a backward step while also showing class and
amazing skill with ball in hand. But if the forwards don't peak your interest,
keep an eye on the battle between Steve Matai and Krisnan Inu as they resume
their memorable confrontation from last year’s decider. A violent beginning to
the business end with the 'Dogs sneaking home.
My tip: Canterbury 20-18
The Storm's 2012 tilt feels like it’s been years in the
making. Well, actually, it has. They've been through plenty and been stripped
of plenty more. Finally, they come to this time and place to exorcize the
demons of salary caps past. The time and place in question is Saturday night at
AAMI Park and the opponent standing in their way resembles a familiar family
friend. Former Bellamy understudy, Michael Maguire, has led the Bunnies to the Promised
Land.
Unfortunately for the 'pride of the league', they get a
harsh lesson in semi-final football from the best defensive team in the NRL.
Souths have plenty of weapons to turn to but opportunities will not present
themselves often enough for the likes of Inglis, Taylor and Burgess to find the
space they need. The Storm's grinding style will keep them in the driver’s seat
and carry them to a win in front of a raucous home crowd.
My tip: Melbourne 18-8
North Queensland Cowboys v Brisbane Broncos
Part 2 of your Saturday night double header and unlike
the Friday night double headers that make up the regular season, this one will
be live from Dairy Farmers. So sit back, hit the mute button on the one they
call 'bolts' Hadley and enjoy an absolute cracker. The round 15 meeting between
these Queensland rivals saw the boys from Townsville win 12-0 at a time when
the Broncos were on fire, scoring 90 points in their previous 2 games.
Brisbane would only win 3 more games following that match
and have been mired in an attacking slump that has seen their halves come under
criticism and even been dropped. Going to North Queensland to play sudden death
football will not be the remedy they require and it will be Jonathan Thurston
who shows them how to control field position and turn it into points. If he
doesn't get ya, Matt Bowen will. Cowboys too good.
My tip: North Queensland 24-12
Canberra Raiders v Cronulla Sharks
The Sharks are coming off an eventful fortnight, to say
the least. They outplayed the Storm in Melbourne only to lose to a miracle try
in the last second; then good news midweek with securing their financial
future, followed by a complete shellacking from the Cowboys at Toyota Stadium.
Then, if that wasn't enough for their long suffering fans; a circus like
judiciary hearing in the week before their biggest game of the season!
Under normal circumstances, this would be a monumental
mountain to climb, but this week, it's freakin' Everest. Can the Sharks travel
to Canberra for sudden death football; on Sunday afternoon as $2.40 underdogs;
to face a sold out stadium cheering for the Raiders, who, just for kicks, have
won their last five matches? Damn straight. Sharks win on the back of Paul
Gallen who has been through enough pain this year to last a while. He refuses
to let this season slip away.
My tip: Sharks 25-18 for live updates throughout the weekend, go to http://www.leagueunlimited.com/index.php
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