Cronulla Sharks (4th) vs North Queensland Cowboys (5th) – Friday night – Allianz Stadium
This will be third time these sides square off against each other this year. In round 6, the Sharks teared the Cowboys apart (42-6) in Sydney. More recently, the Cowboys won 30-22 in round 21 in Townsville. I'm assuming the second game is a more accurate reflection of where these sides stand, particularly with this game moving to the slightly more neutral venue. There'll be no shortage of Cowboys fans at the ground, enough that the Cowboys have had to organise a charter flight to get to the game. Getting their own plane has to help with the travel a little, but they still have to travel. Importantly, the Cowboys have won 5 of 7 games in Sydney this season, including their last four. That string of wins coincides with an improvement in the Cowboys form, and that last win in Sydney was just a fortnight ago over the Bulldogs (44-6). The Sharks are already grumpy because they have to travel almost 25 kilometres from the construction site they call home. It's 2075 less kilometres than their opponents have to travel but, unfair apparently. Note that the Sharks have won just two games in Sydney this season away from their spiritual home, and one of those wins (against the Rabbitohs) barely counts. Jesse Ramien has been named on an extended bench and will be named if he's fit to play. He's a handy inclusion as it puts Talakai back on the interchange, and bolsters the Sharks formidable pack of forwards. It feels like the world is trying to unravel the mind of one of the nicest guys in rugby league - a tad unfair on Nicho Hynes. He's not at his absolute best right now and it looks like all the pressure is taking a toll. A must-win final isn't the sort of place where you want to be testing your mettle. I mentioned this last week and I'll mention it again. If this is close, the goal-kicking of Valentine Holmes could win this game. I'm predicting this is close, and that Holmes gets the Cowboys home.
Verdict – Cowboys by 2
Result – Sharks 26 defeated Cowboys 18
Sydney Roosters (3rd) vs Manly Sea Eagles (7th) – Saturday night – Allianz Stadium
As per the Friday night game, these sides have already met twice this season, and as per the Friday night game, they last met in round 21. The Chooks prevailed 34-30 at this very stadium, and while that looks close the Sea Eagles scored two tries in the last ten minutes to narrow the final margin. There's been some line-up changes for both sides since then - the Chooks had Walker, Brandon Smith and Radley playing in round 21, and the Sea Eagles had Jason Saab. The Chooks didn't have Manu or Waerea-Hargreaves, while Manly didn't have Olakau'atu, Croker or Koula. The return of Lodge and Waerea-Hargreaves looks like a headline waiting to happen. Let's see which one of them gets sin binned on Saturday night - it wouldn't surprise me if it's both. Tom Trbojevic got through the game last week with one good shoulder. You can see why they are risking it, but it's a risk. If he's escorted out with his arm in a sling in the first 20 minutes it's hard to imagine the Sea Eagles winning this. His Roosters counterpart, James Tedesco, racks up game number 250 on Saturday. I'm not sure if that sort of numerical milestone gets much attention, but he's still bouncing around like a pinball after all these years, and is a constant threat in attack. You wouldn't think the venue would be so important when the game is between two Sydney-based teams, but the Sea Eagles away record is the worst of the six teams still in contention, and by a hefty margin. Given that, and my doubts about Turbo getting through another 80 minutes has me lookin at the Chookins.
Verdict – Roosters by 8
Result – Roosters 40 defeated Sea Eagles 16
Wally Lewis - week two finals selections (in bold)
Note: tips from Wally will be published on Thursday night
- Sharks (4th) vs COWBOYS (5th)
- ROOSTERS (3rd) vs Sea Eagles (7th)
Comments
Submitted by The Thinker on
Greetings football fans
I have updated the tipping comp after the first week of the finals. Quite a lot of us got all four correct this week. Well done tipstars.
If you notice any issues with the scoring, just let me know.
A few long-standing stars of our tipping comp look to be fighting it out for the honours and prizemoney this season. Don't forget that I'll be offering a randon prize to a random tipsters who sticks with it through to the bitter end.
We will have the tipping form added to this page as soon as we can.
All the best
The Thinker
Submitted by tigerholic on
Morning Thinker
Just wanted to get in early and thank you for another great year on your site. As we creep towards the big bash the tipping gets a little tricky.
I have 5 kids, and my 20-year-old daughter has become a footy tragic like her dad, fortunately for her she doesn't follow the Tigers as she loves the Panthers. We watch every game of footy together each week and she knows all the players and where they are from.
If possible, she would love to join this competition and test her knowledge next year. Can you please save a spot for her next year, I will advise what her name will be.
Have a great week
Tiger
Submitted by The Thinker on
Morning, Tigerholic
I'm always keen to get the next generation involved in the greatest game of all.
Terrific to hear that she has taken an interest.
All the best
The Thinker
Submitted by Mary S on
@ The Thinker,
David C-Manlytst shows twice on your scoreboard,
David.C-Manly1st. 125 from 204
David.C-Manly1st 2 from 4
Cheers,
Mary
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
That's great to hear Tiger - bring her along and she's old enough to know what Banter is all about mate.
The Black Cats are hers v's The Tiggers at your place.
One things for sure this week - there'll be feathers flying in The Birdies match. Cheers and keep well Big Pete in Bx
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
I'd say Mary that will give David C the makeup difference to his 208 games.
Nice pickup there Miss Mary.
Good luck to NQ this week as they are also on the road.
Cheers and keep well - Big Pete in Bx
Submitted by Thinker's Little Helper on
Hi Mary - I've fixed that double-up on the scoreboard now, thanks for spotting it.
TLH
Submitted by newbie from perth on
Hey Frens,
I was gonna post this up Wed night but got something happening instead so may as well get in now. It’s been a pretty ordinary year for my tipping but hey, no big deal, it’s been fun.
This weekend it’s do or die for the four sides running out Friday and Saturday. Can you feel the excitement mounting? I certainly can but my excitement is tinged with a little trepidation as my BBB are still in the hunt and a loss this week would break my heart 😥. As Big Pete said, there will definitely be some feathers flying in that one. Good luck Saturday matey. Anyway, enough of that, let’s do this thing …
Sharks vs. Cowboys @ Allianz
Probability @ 65-35
Ladder Position = Sharks
Bookies Favourite = Sharks
The Sharks got smacked last week and will obviously want to bounce back here. They might get a real challenge in this one as the Cowboys definitely have the talent. Mind you, the Sharks have a classy side and I suppose it all depends on how dinkum they are. We all know the Sharks were well beaten last week but you have to remember who beat them and where they were beaten.
Yes, the Cowboys won last week but it wasn’t emphatic and they had some things in their favour they won’t have this week. They won’t have the “home crowd” or the Queensland heat and their opposition rates higher this week compared to last week.
This could very well go either way but the Cowboys’ propensity to switch off at times has me a little worried. I think the Sharks’ class might just get them home here … Sharks by 6.
Roosters vs. Manly @ Allianz
Probability @ 60-40
Ladder Position = Roosters
Bookies Favourite = Roosters
The Roosters also got smacked last week and it goes without saying that they too will want to bounce back. The way Manly played in their unexpected (to me at least) win last week against the Bulldogs suggests the Roosters may find this a difficult task.
Given their big name injuries, it didn’t come as a surprise their inconsistency in the halves was going to pose problems and they definitely got found out in that regard last week. Not quite sure they’ve had enough time to get that area fixed to be honest.
The Roosters have big name players missing and Manly are more than capable of taking advantage of that. I was very impressed with how they stuck at it last week and snatched that “miracle” win over the Bulldogs. One of the best games of footy I’ve seen in a long while. As I’ve said many times, never underestimate Manly’s desire and determination. They were gutsy and I give them every chance of getting up in this one.
Having said that however, I’m gonna stick with my BBB and hope upon hope they can muster something special and continue on. If not, I’ll still be happy with our season … Roosters by 4. Begurk! 🐔 Begurk! 🐔
Let’s finish off with another “Song of the Week”…
Just something a little different this week. This one may not appeal to everybody but I reckon it’s a good’un. It only goes for 2:45 so you won’t have to endure it for too long 😉. Cheers.
https://youtu.be/FRZzUh9hcTo
OK kids, good luck with your tipping and may your team win by 40 points! Cheers 🐔 🐔 🐔
Submitted by Anonymous on
Just saw on Ch9 vision of Victor Radley and "they welcome back their enforcer". I hope he'll be alright and there's no Shark prepared to imitate what Crichton tried to do to Turbo last Sunday.... a "broken" shoulder 3 weeks ago with footage of him in a sling tells me they might need someone else playing the role of Enforcer , but JWH is a good start!
Submitted by MGM on
Wasn't logged in sorry ... that was me above :-)
Submitted by MGM on
Duh !
My bad ... insert Eagle where it says Shark ... which makes it a less likely scenario considering Manly's empathy for the situation.
Given that until one hour ago I thought it was Thursday today and was waiting until tomorrow to put my tips in , maybe just ignore me altogether this week !
HaHa .. I blame the missus ... she went to play Bingo today and she Never plays on Fridays ... but thankfully she turned the telly on when she came home and asked "who's playing tonight?", so .. thanks dahling.
Submitted by The Thinker on
Nice stuff MGM
Glad to hear you found a useful one.
All the best
The Thinker