Manly Sea Eagles vs New Zealand Warriors – Sunday afternoon – ANZ Stadium
If the Warriors win on Sunday they'll be the first Premiers to win from outside the top four since 1995. Through the finals series they will play every single top four team in three different cities - all of them overseas. This team and their off-field support staff have made seven international flights in the last four weeks, and eleven international flights in the last six weeks. Despite that astonishing workload, their last 40 minutes of football was the best they have played all season. If they bring that form on Sunday they win again, but boy oh boy they have had to work hard to make it to the Grand Final. They have to work even harder if they are to win their inaugural premiership. I don't want to say that Manly have had an easy path to the final, but it has been an easier path. They have played less games than their opponents, and they haven't had to leave home for a month. On their way to the final they faced the seventh placed Cowboys who, on reflection, were on wobbly legs by the time they got to September; they then defeated the Broncos without their captain and conductor. Easier...a lot easier. And the Sea Eagles have had some luck along the way. Brett Stewart has been lucky to be there at all. Had his attempt to take out Adam Blair with a twenty metre run-up connected he would have been suspended for the season. He should thank Mr Blair for ducking. And I don't think Steve Matai or Tony Williams should be playing this weekend, but the last time I checked I wasn't on the NRL judiciary so they'll be lacing on the boots. Lucky...very lucky. In any case the Sea Eagles are playing very good football. Daly Cherry-Evans has been tremendous in the latter half of the season and he has stepped his game up again during the finals. He will be peppering Manu Vatuvei with pin-point bombs all game. I do hope Manu brings his catching hands - it could get a little bit ugly out there without them. Those of you reading between the lines will have realised I'll be cheering for the Warriors on Sunday - they have been a joy to watch this season and I think they deserve it more. But the Sea Eagles have been blessed by good fortune all year and I suspect they'll find more of the same on Sunday. I honestly hope I am wrong.
Verdict – Sea Eagles 26 Warriors 12
Result - Sea Eagles 24 defeated Warriors 10
Wally Lewis - Grand Final selection (in bold)
Note: tips from Wally will be published on Thursday night or early Friday morning.
- SEA EAGLES vs Warriors
Comments
Submitted by Craig on
Im with you mate, go the Warriors, Manly in my opinion have had a hand picked run this year, they played the tops sides during the origin period when they were weak, they've had the judiciary and refs on side all year as well, the refs were an absolute disgrace in the Broncs game, Bris were denied any chance to win that one. NZ deserve to win, ive been loath to tip the eagles all year but my head says they will be the winners, my tip, refs will penalise the Warriors out of the game, NZ will have at least 2 disallowed trys, with final score Manly by 1-12. (if i was Cleary i would turn on the biff early, Watmough/Stewart have the hearts of frogs, get in an smash em an they'll be quiet.) Cheers for a good year Thinker.
Submitted by Shelley on
Yes as Craig said - thank you for a good year of tipping. Like to see Warriors get up but think the Sea Eagles dream run will continue.