Manly does have a history that is longer than those space wasters from the far south. Same as the Broncos, it is surprising that even with the biggest grubs of all time that they will be celebrated as a great team and era of the game.

Oh I do get a laugh on this site occasionally. A fan poll taken no doubt primarily in NSW found the Storm most hated. No doubt because they have beaten most NSW teams this and past years. Take a poll in VIC and it would be Manly, Sharks & Bulldogs. Take a poll in QLD and you'd get Sharks, Roosters & Panthers.
These polls are a joke driven by the media to excite NSW fans.
The answer is simple, just defeat Storm in the GF (if they get there) and you have bragging rights.
Manly was the most "hated" club for years in NSW did that give you "haters" any real joy? I doubt it.
We don't need to hate any NRL club just wish for the best team to win and take our great game forward.

Hello everyone, finals footy here we are! How good is it. The only thing is that my Dragons aren't there like we were last year which has decreased my excitement for finals this year a little. Ah well, we haven't seen much finals footy over the last 8 years anyways so I'm used to it. My tips for this week are:

Roosters by 14 - The Roosters welcome back Taukieaho, Aubusson, Keary and B. Morris who are huge inclusions and will help the Roosters' cause considering what happened when they faced the Bunnies last week. By the way, how good is it to know that these two clubs will face each other for a second week in a row! The Rabbits on the other hand welcome back two of the Burgess boys in Tom and George but will be missing Sam along with Gagai and Amone. I think that the Roosters will bounce back after last week's loss. Remember guys, Roosters + SCG = big win for the Roosters. Yes I know they're playing the Rabbitohs in a finals match, but you never know, they can still win another big one here over the Rabbitohs… or maybe not, a close game again will be amazing. We'll see, we'll see.

Storm by 6 - Now this will be a cracking game. Even though they weren't at their best last week, the Storm were still very classy as usual and dangerous. It's scary to think what the Storm can possibly do in this finals series. The Raiders will be welcoming back their rested players from last week with open arms considering that plan backfired on them. But still I have to give credit where it's due. The Raiders have defied the odds this season to make it to the 4 credit Ricky Stuart, the new signings; the Poms, CNK, etc and just the whole squad for lifting their games up to another level to get the Raiders to this position. They've been very tough this season and one of those instances were against the Storm in Melbourne where they came back from 18-0 down to beat the Storm 22-18. Will we see a repeat of that? Well not coming from behind I guess but still will we see the Raiders beat the Storm again? It could happen and I wouldn't be surprised if it happens but the Storm are just too classy and too well-drilled that they will be looking to be at their best and even if the Raiders are at their absolute best, I can't see them beating the Storm if they're at their best themselves. Will be intriguing but it's the purple machine for me.

Sharks by 10 - Manly will be missing a lot of key players; Tommy Turbo is still out, Taupou, and Curtis Sironen will be missing for Manly in this one. I think that with an under-strengthened line-up, they'll be the first to get knocked out here. Great to see that Tony Williams gets to play but he hasn't played an NRL game since round 8 last year and to return on such a big stage, he'll be under a lot of pressure to be able to perform, and he should have a lot of rust and I'm not sure he he'll be mentally for this game considering it's an elimination final. But to think that Manly will have Fonua-Blake and Tony Williams on the same field together is daunting for the Sharks. Speaking of the Sharks, they had a great game against the Tigers last week, you could clearly tell that they wanted it more, especially when they scored 3 tries in 6 minutes early in the second half. They just have to keep up that momentum they have in defence and bring it into this game and they'll be just fine against Manly in my opinion, even with the crowd strongly behind them. Something to point out though, Manly are the bogey team of the Sharks but surely that is thrown out when it comes to finals footy. With that said, it's the Sharks for me who I think will get it done quite comfortably in the end. If this is goodbye for Manly this season, then I have to take this time to credit to Des. The way he has been able to get the Manly players up even with plenty of injuries and distractions has been absolutely unbelievable to see where Manly were last week to where they are now, Manly should be proud win, loss or draw on the season that they've had. Same goes to Cronulla, credit to John Morris, in his first season of coaching to get the Sharks to the finals is an almighty effort from him.

And finally... Eels by 8 - Eels will be playing at their fortress in Bankwest. Expect them to come out and perform really well here for their fans. So, it's massive pressure on the Broncos to be able to match it with Parramatta because they're coming into this coming off a poor performance against the Dogs last week. It's very true that it seemed like the Bulldogs were playing for a finals spot rather than the Broncos. But hey, hopefully for the Broncos' sake, they will be able to turn it around in 1 week but I just feel that Parra will want it more and will be playing the better footy in the process to knock the Broncos out of the finals. Keep in mind though, the Broncos did beat the Eels in extra time just 2 weeks ago up in Brisbane though, the Eels have the momentum now and the Broncos don't coming into this one. So it'll be interesting to see how these teams will go on Sunday afternoon.

Awesome. Good luck to all with your tips for this week and with those who's teams are in the finals, good luck to your teams for this week. Cheers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kinda missing the point Christine, Voyeur was saying that even the poll that was conducted was only ever going to point to the results given. And with the amount of negative publicity they have had recently there was only ever one result. Everything that came afternoon was called discussion not a storm in a tea cup. Lively conversation is good for the soul.

Voyeur.....where have you been all season? You make some valid points. All the anti-Storm press becomes tiring.

The vouyer you should be here more often

Agree with you 'a' - great to see your comments Vouyer!

One thing about any poll - they can be manipulated to suit the person's (or newspaper or company's) agenda - just ask any politician, as they do it on a regular basis!!!

Cheers to all & enjoy the games this weekend,
Mary

THINKER
I totally agree with your comment about how good the Storm is.
Full marks must go to Craig Bellamy & Cameron Smith. A few posters here express hatred for the Storm but I believe envy is the real reason.
As a Broncos supporter, who has been flogged by the Storm this year I can't express hate just wish we were as good as them.

Hi Christine,
I read the article you mentioned in your post earlier this week, and agree with you Christine, on a further comment in regard to journalists. When you look at it, your comment has sparked a great deal of discussion, and none of it has been 'to have a go' at you.
I also found the article of interest, that it only mentioned 4 of the teams taking part in week 1 of the Finals.
If you like, I (personally), see it as an expansion of the topic that you brought to posters attention. For that I congratulate you.

In life, we see a great deal of information thrown our way, but how much is true, and how much is not is often hard to tell as it can be done up in very believable packaging.

I hope you will re-read some of the comments later, as your post, and your opinion is valued.

Cheers,
Mary

Yeah. Newbie your boys were so fantastic last night

Good discussion Baggy, Mark and Mary.....well played and some really great points on both the Storm and the hate word.......roll our today’s footy !!!!!

Yeah hates a strong word we should save it from criminals and no I don’t hate the Storm either

Yep I certainly did to Mary S I agree with everything you said about the Roosters and Rabbitohs

First time I've checked the site today and I have to admit at being a bit shocked. Where has any one on here jumped down your throat Christine? You alerted everyone to an article about the Storm and from that, some good robust discussion developed something that has been lacking here at times this season. I can't believe how & why you reacted the way you did. Mark & Mary S especially have been two of the most supportive posters on here with regards to your personal life. No one has tried to kick you off the site. You should be joining in the discussion.

Hi Christine
Hi mate please reread the comments. No one was criticizing you certainly not me. I was simply pointing out what I felt was wrong with the article. You are of course entitled to your opinion, that's what this site is about. With regard to Anonymous, he and I are just having a bit of fun with me trying to guess his identity. Try not to take things personally and just enjoy being here, it's nearly over!