Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys – Friday night – Allianz Stadium
Sometimes you don't want to be right. This is one of those times. All things being equal the Cowboys are a better side than the Cronulla Sharks, but this weekend equality takes a backward step. This is not a criticism of the Sharks who have had a fantastic season. They earned the week off with an unlikely victory and good luck to them. They'll be close to full-strength, and any niggling injuries have had plenty of rest. Gallen and Graham will be back...no question about it. The Cowboys victory over the Broncos was probably the game of the season. Some people (Andrew Johns) are calling it the best game they've ever seen, but some people (Andrew Johns) are prone to getting carried away. What a game it was though...all 90 minutes of it. Cowboys co-captains Matt Scott and Jonathan Thurston looked down and out on several occasions, but they kept hauling themselves off the canvas. Can the champs raise another effort and do it all again? I want them to. I really want them to, but that Sharks pack is rested and ready to rumble. Those little men in the Sharks backline will be seeking out tired opponents and taking them on with pace and footwork. 50 years without a premiership, Cronulla are a live chance in 2016.
Verdict – Sharks by 7
Result - Sharks 32 defeated Cowboys 20
Melbourne Storm vs Canberra Raiders – Saturday night – AAMI Park
No-one needs a reason to lift for a preliminary final, but both teams have something they can call on if they need firing up. Cooper Cronk plays his 300th game on Saturday night, and the list of players that have reached that milestone at one club is a very short list. Raiders coach Ricky Stuart lost his mentor this week in the great Ron Massey. Massey has had as big an influence on the modern game as anyone. Stuart will discuss Massey with his troops during the week, and the team will lift. They were probably going to lift anyway. Barring a runaway victory (which looks unlikely) we'll get 80 minutes of football from both sides, just as we did in round 23 when the Raiders defeated the Storm 22-8 in Canberra. It was with that victory that the Raiders announced themselves to the world as premiership contenders. In successive weeks they defeated the teams (Sharks...then Storm) at the top of the ladder, and they've rarely let us down since. The Raiders know they can beat the Storm, and they know they can beat the Storm in Melbourne. I think their style of play troubles the purple machine - providing the purple machine doesn't trick the green machine into playing like Melbourne they win this. The injury to Asofa-Solomona means the Raiders pack have one less monolith to manage. He's a big out...literally. A victory for the Raiders is a massive task - any victory over the Storm is, but this team and this coach are up to it. We're getting a viking clap at the grand final.
Verdict – Raiders by 2
Result - Storm 14 defeated Raiders 12
Wally Lewis - finals week three (in bold)
Note: tips from Wally will be published on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.
- SHARKS vs Cowboys
- STORM vs Raiders
Comments
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Playing the game next week at Suncorp would have felt like taking it to Siberia.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
$2.25 never felt so good.
Submitted by a on
Oh Cowboys will win next year
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
How so. Parra have a good chance, and Todd owes us something. Stealing our players to bolster the NRL owned Titans.
Submitted by a on
But we were robbed agian
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Yet again the cowboys wheel that tired excuse out. You were out played 90% of the game, you didn't deserve to win.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
The Theories Series - Part III - the final chapter
The streak score theory says that to win the comp, your team must have one of the top 3 streak scores (the total of the best three winning streaks in the regular season)
By week 24, three weeks before the Finals, the top 3 chances were already sorted. A week and a day to go, and the same three teams are the only ones left.
2016. Streak Theory.
Reconfirmed.
MEL 16
CRO 15
CAN 15
-----------
BRI. 12
COW. 10
PAN. 9
BUL 9
PAR 8
SOU 8
G/C 7
NZ 7
TIG 7
DRA 6
MAN 6
ROO 2
NEW 0
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Always nice to see the numbers proved right. How does that stack up against the round 5 prediction?
Submitted by Tailspin on
Ah shit, we were beaten by the better side tonight, the boys were just out of energy, bloody broncos took it out of us. Oh well all I can say is go the storm or raiders.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
A season of two halves for Panthers and Cleary.
Cleary taking over halfback halfway into the season would finish with a record of 10 wins from 15. At the same time his old NYC team finished the second half with 10 wins, 2 draws from 15.
Cleary in the first half of the year playing NYC won 10 of 11.
At the same time the first grade Panthers without Cleary could only manage 5 from 11.
Panthers would still finish on 32 and just outside the top 4.
When assessing the season, I like to raise this point showing a season with Cleary and without.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Yeah, decidely quiet today north of the border and no doubt for the rest of the season.
Expect no less from Qlders who are not true NRL fans, just fans of their own team. They say they want the GF and that they support all the teams but it's just a sham. When it comes down to it, not Qld, couldn't give a shit. Hold a GF at Suncorp and have it proven.
Submitted by christine on
'' a '' I bet your shattered after cowboys lost last night but they will be back , sorry for your loss .
Submitted by Docdox41 on
Been following this page all season.. Decided to join.. best NRL tips on the interweb...
Submitted by Docdox41 on
nice..
Submitted by Johnny Ray on
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmcWZ2Bzoho SHARKIES !!! ;-D
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Feel sorry for both the Cowboys and Bronco's with all the hype building up to the grand final rematch, the last 4 games have really broken both squads and dampened their run into the finals and the games afterwards. All good for the media to generate hype and spin leading into good team rivalry, but t push it to the extent that they do is not helpful for the players. The fans will do that for them, and who every is crapping on Coote from a great height needs to have a long hard look at themselves, he had 2 bad games this season out of 28, prove you can do better before giving it to him.
Submitted by a on
Cowboys will be back
Submitted by mark ashford on
Coach your anti QLD supporters comments are a constant source of amusement.
Yes our 3 teams are out as are your black pussycats.
I would be happy to see any of the 3 teams remaining win the premiership. And will be watching the two remaining games with great interest as will all Queenslanders.
You say we are only interested when a QLD team is playing, perhaps you should go back and read some of your Panther drivel.
Rarely a comment (except bad mouthing) about any other team.
My x is a lifelong Western Bulldogs fan and I wish her team well.
Best result they have achieved for years. Go the red, white and blue.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Hi Baggy
Thanks for those kind words. Yeah they went at it last week and maybe explains the Cows poor performance last night.
Won't take away from the Sharkies however they were a team on a mission and were far superior on the night.
Don't like Ennis or Gallen but would be very happy to see them get a trophy.
Your Eels next year will be a team to be afraid off and will be there.
Foran going to the Warriors is an insult. How much money did the Eels spend on him? Better not be still paying.
Anyway, if your team is still alive GOOD LUCK
Submitted by mark ashford on
To 'a" and tailspin.
Baggy said it well. The media build up before a Cows/Broncs game is relentless. The QLD darby takes it's toll.
The Cows were tired last night and it showed.
Next year it's a new game and both our teams will show those NSW tragics what it's all about.
Another Maroons win and QLD teams to feature in the finals.
Coaches Panthers to fade into has beens
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Yeah we sank a ton into Foran, but any cash that is invested in keeping a player fit and mentally healthy shouldn't be counted. Everyone who has the ability in a team setting to nurse a player should be encouraged, it is just a shame that after doing the right thing by him, he chose not to do the right thing here. Same as Ferguson at the raiders, Darius at the knights, the list is endless. The thing that I want to see is Foran stay mentally well and even though it's for another team, reach his best form again. The list of players who are no longer with us is to big for the pressure young men are placed under while they are finding their place in the world.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
FFS that was not a penalty. He didn't try to play it properly. Raiders ball on the storm 10.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
What was proctor doing in the defensive line.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
I wish we had kept Paulo, he's going great guns. And that's a send off, deliberate offside.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
I was going to call it short. Interested is the replay. So was short
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Sezer kicking, not a good sign for the raiders. Hope croaker isn't busted.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
And that was forward.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
What happened to Munster's hand. That looks awful
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
BS if that's kicked, the nrl is trying to manufacture results
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Good kick grub.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
That was a good tackle. Finally a well timed tackle off a kick.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Send them both off. Get that crap out of the game.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
BS Again, poor ball control, all season that's been a knock on.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
What shoulder charge. The refs want to star tonight. NRL has money banked on a sharks storm final.
Submitted by The Thinker on
Baggy Gee on double overtime tonight.....great to hear from you Baggy.
Raiders to come home with a wet sail.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Sorry boss your only hearing from me. At least it's not voice activated. Great game when the third team stays out of it though.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Where is the penalty, all season, it's been called. Why not now. Morons in red
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
That was a bad call. Going right, but neatly pulled it off on the left.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Wow, a set without a penalty. Nearly a record of it is backed up.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
FFS, that's a turn over, not give it back.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Might be right boss, storm seem to be allowing a lot of easy metres
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
OK last few weeks bumping a guy accidentally when competing for a ball has been a penalty, why not this time. Why no consistency, the gf might be a dud if these refs are allowed to call it.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
BS, self inflicted. Play the ball and don't be an idiot where you put your head.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Everyone is allowed to support their team as much as they want.
What an embarrassment to hear from a Qlder there's something wrong with that.
Typical.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Good use of the bunker.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
That tap was expected, do the unexpected, catch the ball for once.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
I remember bombing a try like that once. Half a step to slow. Next time it was off the shoulder as I was half a step to fast.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
They were no where near the play the ball. What was that one for? Stupid refs
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
To much pressure in the raiders. They are choking
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
Ahh karma, going grub.
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