Manly Sea Eagles (4th) vs Cronulla Sharks (5th) – Friday night – Allianz Stadium Stadium
I've been questioning the fitness of the Manly Sea Eagles since 2011. During that time they haven't missed the top four, so it might be time I came up with another question. The final nail in my fitness theory was their performance last weekend. They didn't have to do as much as the Roosters, but they did plenty in what was easily the most intense game of the year. Fit they may be, but I wonder if they have enough fuel in the tank to get much further this season. Their first test is a Sharks outfit that will test them physically as much as anyone. It's quite clear that Todd Carney won't be playing, but a halves pairing of Robson and Lewis brings plenty of composure and experience. The Sharks will hope to stay in the contest as long as they can, slow-cooking the Sea Eagles in the belief that they can run over the top of them in the final twenty minutes. If they are within 10 points at half-time I expect that they can. Having said all that, believing it and doing it are two very different things. I have a sneaking suspicion that Manly might come out with guns blazing and kill this game as a contest in the first half an hour. Manly have scored 26 or more points in nine of their last eleven games - and the two games where they couldn't achieve that were against the Rabbitohs and the Roosters. You could give the lads from the Shire seven tackles every set and they wouldn't score 26 points against the Sea Eagles.
Verdict – Sea Eagles by 14
Man of the Match - Daly Cherry-Evans
Result - Sea Eagles 24 defeated Sharks 18
Melbourne Storm (3rd) vs Newcastle Knights (7th) – Saturday night – AAMI Park
One feels compelled to start wondering about the Melbourne Storm - who appear to be staggering to the line at seasons end. Their incredible start to the season (seven wins in a row on the back of the World Club Championship) seems an age ago, and if they have regained that form since then they haven't regained it for long. It shows just how hard it is to win back-to-back premierships in this competition, and if they win from here they'll be the first club to do so in twenty years. I'm tipping them this weekend but not on form. I'm tipping them on the back of their home ground record this season (one loss all year) and their imposing record against the Knights (seven in a row and twice this season - and the last of those was just five weeks ago in Newcastle). Once again the battle of the coaches is worth noting, with the Master and the Apprentice facing off in what could be their last final against each other. The Apprentice to prevail in what I expect to be a tight and entertaining contest.
Verdict – Storm by 2
Man of the Match - Cameron Smith
Result - Knights 18 defeated Storm 16
Wally Lewis - week one finals (in bold)
Note: tips from Wally will be published on Thursday night or early Friday morning.
- SEA EAGLES vs Sharks
- STORM vs Knights
Comments
Submitted by Johnny Ray on
Alright Thinker ! You know how I hate to go against you with your tips but all year I've been saying that it will be Knights - Sharks, Knights - Roosters grand final. I also said that the Dragons will get wooden spoon, so I was wrong there, but yeah I just have feeling that Sharks and Knights are going to get through this weekend beating both Storm and Sea Eagles to get there. Here's hoping for your sake Thinker that I have got it all wrong. Knowing what most people on here will tip, I probably have ! Thanks Thinker ! ;-D
Submitted by The Thinker on
You have had a fine year Johnny Ray. Sharks and/or Knights wouldn't surprise me this weekend.
Good luck
Submitted by Johnny Boney on
My tips
Manly by 8
Storm by 22
Good luck to all and go the Dragons!!!!!!!!
DRAGONS PREMIERS 2014
Submitted by a on
Here are my tips
Sharks 22-18 tires Pomeroy De Gois Ryan Fifita Gorden 3/4 Manly tires Taufua 2 B Stewart Lyon 3/3
Man of the match Lewis
Storm 32-22 tires Hoffman Slater Blair Ryles conversion smith 8/8 Knights tries McManus 2 Hilder Mullen Conversion 3/4
Man of the match Smith
Submitted by cycloneracing on
I'd love to see Newcastle get up. They haven't won GF since 2001 and even then it was the superleague era.
1988 was their other GF.
They have a shocking record at AAMI though. I suppose one might say that "the pendulum has to swing back the other way at some point" but State of Origin has proven that proverb well and truly wrong!
Go Knights, I hope you win, but I'm not holding out much hope.
Submitted by cycloneracing on
I'd love to see Newcastle get up. They haven't won GF since 2001 and even then it was the superleague era.
1988 was their other GF.
They have a shocking record at AAMI though. I suppose one might say that "the pendulum has to swing back the other way at some point" but State of Origin has proven that proverb well and truly wrong!
Go Knights, I hope you win, but I'm not holding out much hope.
Submitted by mark ashford on
100% with the Thinker.
Manly too experienced for Sharks will win by 12 and likewise with the Storm home ground will win by 10.
Submitted by Guru Craig on
Sorry for the late tips boys and girls, The Guru has been researching sharks, that's right, our piscatorial finned friends and I've a few fun facts to share with you all...
Manly - Sharks have no bones at all, not even a spine, they mostly feed on scraps, have six rows of teeth and on rare occasions, seven tackles. Sea Eagles on the other hand look like good things. Manly's defense is every bit as good as The Sharks, important in a game like this. Manly's attack is more fluid, they score try's from midfield more often than their opponents and in these eyes the Sea Eagles back line edges are far superior. The Sharkies forwards have the wood on paper..wait, what? Fafita, G-train, Lewis, says it all really. This Guru believes Manly will be victorious, through sharper attack and bigger hearts, just.
Melbourne - Wayne's world must be a tad less stressful, The Knights are in the semi's, Tiny seems to have found a few $ under the sofa cushions and paid a couple of bills, his side are playing decent football, not great yet, but a solid decent, most weeks and its bonus time, a considerable amount of WBs folding is earned in bonuses, no hate W, the G loves bonuses too. Now The Guru has been pondering what chances the Class of 75 have of winning this game...i cant think of too many. The only way Newcastle win is by outplaying Melbourne for 80 mins at AAMI stadium in a semi final. If you fancy The Nights rewriting history and beating more than the odds...I don't. Melbourne -5.5
MOTM Cronk
Submitted by Kevin Rhys on
This is our first post, though we have been regular readers for the past few years. In our humble opinion you provide the most interesting commentary out there: footy focussed, rant and abuse free, and always good for a laugh. Before we all disappear for the off-season (Oh, the horror!) - many thanks to you, Mr Thinker!
Submitted by Steel Panther on
I'm with the masses this week. Manly 1-12 and Storm 13+. Good luck to all!!
Submitted by cupcake on
On the principle of fairness, one has to go for manly tonight, good luck everyone!
Submitted by mark ashford on
Hi All
Is it just me or did Melbourne look flat on Saturday night?
The "big 3" seem to have lost that bit of magic.
Didn't think they'd get this far but now I'd like to see Bennett's underdogs get the money.
Submitted by Steel Panther on
Mark..the big 3 for Melbourne have appeared flat since Origin. Like Bellamy said the team just didn't seem to have the spark or desire needed at finals time. I've been waiting for them to "come right" for weeks but it just didn't happen this season. I honestly thought the Storm would make the grand final.