The excitement of the new season doesn’t seem that distant really. The season has flown by and here we are with one round to go. There are plenty of games this weekend that will decided final positions in the eight. And lets not forget the nervous waiting over the weekend in the footy tipping comps. Some judicious tipping means I’m now with a chance to win a tipping comp if all goes well this weekend. With nothing to lose a few teams may spring an upset but I won’t bet my tipping winnings on it. Just as easily, a few teams may have their thoughts already on Mad Monday and just want to get the season over and done with.
Over the season, I have hinted that I have used various means of divination to arrive at my tips. To be honest, I have done nothing of the sort. Just like the professional league pundits, my tips have been pulled out of my butt.
If you need refreshing on the jostling for final positions see my post from earlier in the week.
For the final time before the finals, my tips are over the fold.
St George Illawarra Dragons v Sydney Roosters, Friday 7:30pm Sydney Football Stadium
The game of the round. For the Roosters, a loss could mean dropping as low as 6th on the ladder. For the Dragons a possible fifth place finish and the chance of fourth. The Rooster did win last week but that was after a bit of a second half scare. The Dragons of course flogged the hapless Eels. I’m not discounting that the Roosters can pull out a great performance but the Dragons do have the form. There are still some mental issues with the Roosters that need sorting. This game won’t help. Dragons in a thriller.
Brisbane Broncos v Newcastle Knights, Friday 7:30pm Suncorp Stadium
The Knights played their grand final last weekend. They used the emotion of the Buderus farewell to feed their intensity and simply rattled the Storm. But I doubt they can find that same intensity two weeks in a row. Don’t be fooled by Brisbane’s inconsistent performance against the Dogs. There is plenty of experience there in regards to finals football. The Knights will keep them honest but Broncos will use this game to iron out the kinks and get back on track.
Penrith Panthers v Manly Sea Eagles, Saturday 5:30pm CUA Stadium
Mentally the Panthers season ended a few weeks ago. They seem a most dispirited rabble. Melbourne have offered a couple of kegs and some rum if the Panthers can knock over the Sea Eagles. But that may not be enough to get the mountain men excited. Manly will be more than aware of not taking the Panthers lightly. They will be aiming to win and then, if they get a roll on, put on a score to hopefully get them the minor premiership.
Parramatta Eels v New Zealand Warriors, Saturday 7:30pm Parramatta Stadium
I’ll have my whine about the Eels season later but it has been a most disappointing 2008. The result of the game may depend on whether the Knights lose to the Broncos. If the Warriors have a chance, they will be up for the game as the Eels will likely continue their sluggish 2008 with nothing to play for. If the Knights do win, then who knows as both teams will probably just want to get it all over and done with.
Cronulla Sharks v North Queensland Cowboys, Saturday 7:30pm Toyota Stadium
The Sharks have been the big surprise of the year. They like to win ugly and but they have made winning a habit in 2008. A change from previous years when the Sharks would promise so much in the first half of the season and then collapse in a heap as soon as the idea of making the finals was mentioned. The Cowboys pulled off a good win last week and that should see them giving the wooden spoon to the Bulldogs. The lads from up north will be wanting to play for pride so the Sharks will be wary. But the Sharks have been playing finals footy almost all season. They will be very much focused on the task.
Canberra Raiders v Canterbury Bulldogs, Sunday 2:00pm Canberra Stadium
The Bulldogs are going to finish last and end a year that will be quickly forgotten. They have showed a bit of spirit in the past few games and they may do so again but it won’t be enough. The Raiders have some injury problems and got done by the Cowboys but that was a glitch. The men in green will appreciate the final game in the cooler climes of home. The Raiders will get the points and 7th place.
Gold Coast Titans v West Tigers, Sunday 3:00pm Skilled Park
The Titans promised so much during the first half of the year but injuries exposed their lack of depth and they soon fell of the place. But they never game up and that is a good sign for the club. The Tigers again have disappointed this season. Injuries didn’t help but still, you expected more from them. The Titans will have Like Bailey back and that will spark them to give it all for one more game.
Melbourne Storm v South Sydney Rabbitohs, Sunday 7:00pm Olympic Park
The minor premiership will come down the Bunnies. Not that I’m expecting the Bunnies to win but it all depends if the Bunnies can make the Storm work for their points. The Bunnies won’t be able to muster the intensity of the Knights that ratteld the Storm last week but they could be troublesome. If the Bunnies fail to turn up not wanting to have one more dig, then the Storm will be likely to post a cricket score and overtake Manly on for and against. A very interesting game to end the regular season.
Thank you! Even though I’ll be hear for the finals and the World Cup I would like to thank all those who have commented, lurked or just passed by. It has been fun and I hope you enjoy the season.
If my tips have helped you win some cash, you can always by me a beer. If my tips lead you astray that is not my fault.
If your team is in the finals best of luck. If, like me, your team will not make it, well there is always next year.
23 responses so far ↓
LisaA // Sep 5, 2008 at 7:17 am
Just want to say thank you, I am currently second in my footy tip competition and been a girl and a pom the guys dont like it, but its due to following your tips, (my little secret!)
Jade // Sep 5, 2008 at 11:51 am
Hi Shaun,
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU
I have been able to stay consistent throughout the whole season by following your tips, they have also helped me to jump into 1st place where I have been happily sitting for the past 3 weeks!! Like LisaA, the guys at work are not happy, and are dying to know who my source is
Thanks again and look forward to sharing the footy with you next season.
I guess I owe you a beer now!
Mexican Jumping Bead // Sep 5, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Shaun might end up with alcoholic issues at this rate.
I too am in a good spot in the tipping competition I’m in, Currently 1 point off the lead – equal second …of 25,000+ tippers.
My secret? Not knowing anything about NRL.
I’m from Melbourne where league takes a back seat (if its lucky) to AFL. My only exposure to NRL was seeing the odd match replay in the small hours. I didn’t understand it and certainly didn’t follow this “silly” game of blokes running flat chat into each other?
Then, about 10 weeks ago I discovered that by chance, all the somewhat random selections I had submitted in this online NRL tipping competition I entered had me in contention, so I figured I’d better take notice and now I actually understand the game, I’m hooked.
Then I found sidelined, and with it all the excellent match previews and articles from Shaun and all the comments by the regulars like BOM, Amanda and Gilmae. I have learned a whole lot about NRL in the last little while.
I haven’t always gone with Shaun’s tips but his previews and knowledge have been a great insight and if I get anything out of this I’d gladly buy him a beer if I win this comp.
Only one thing is for sure, I can’t get enough of this NRL now – it’s got me in. My AFL team is playing in a final tonight and I don’t know that I give two hoots about it. Gimme some league, it’s intense!
Cheers & thanks Shaun and Co.
Despite your Warriors tip, may the real Eels show up this weekend.
Mungo Amanda // Sep 5, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Noice, MJB! Welcome to the club!
Erm, I would urge you to back the Knights tonight but I couldn’t bear the guilt if that was the reason you lost the tipping comp.
If we do lose, my passion for the Eels tomorrow will outstrip even Shaun’s.
Thankfully the Knights/Broncs game is on ABC radio live. I don’t remember my other tips this week (I’m like 3rd last so it hardly matters) only one possibly two games matter to me this weekend.
Mungo Amanda // Sep 5, 2008 at 7:05 pm
Oh bugger ABC online is non-sport. Stupid rights distribution. All my faith is in 2GB, which is not a situation I like being in.
Go the Bunnies! // Sep 5, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Where have you been all my season?! I’m favouriting this page for next season!
Mungo Amanda // Sep 5, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Fug.
Mungo Amanda // Sep 5, 2008 at 8:17 pm
Hey so, this was a bad week to get rid of my only radio. And here I was, so pleased with myself for finally getting rid of all the old crap I never use. Le sigh.
Mungo Amanda // Sep 5, 2008 at 9:01 pm
Is a try too much to ask?
Mungo Amanda // Sep 5, 2008 at 9:01 pm
Just one.
For now.
Would do.
JUST ONE.
Mungo Amanda // Sep 5, 2008 at 9:09 pm
TWO in the bin? goddamn frakking queenslanders.
Mungo Amanda // Sep 5, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Even crosser about that dog Slater not getting sent off last week now! Give us back all that GST cash too while we’re at it, you bloody Queenslanders!
Mungo Amanda // Sep 5, 2008 at 9:27 pm
this shit is fucked up, yo. I’m gonna go watch Olbermann bag McCain on YouTube.
BOO!
Mungo Amanda // Sep 5, 2008 at 9:39 pm
PS. Go Eels.
Shaun // Sep 5, 2008 at 11:13 pm
LisaA and Jade, glad that I have helped you in your tipping endeavours and getting you in the money. Made my day to hear that others are profiting from my prognostications.
MJB, I also welcome you to the fold of league lovers. You have it tough down there but you will get an Origin match next year. Make sure you get there.
Stupid Dragons. The weather is a bugger in such games and the Dragons had their chances. One try was worth about four in reality. So the Roosters get fourth and the Broncos fifth.
Now it gets interesting for the Dragons. They are in sixth but if the Raiders beat the Dogs by a margin of 17 points or more, the Raiders will take sixth spot and drop the Dragons to seventh.
As for the Knights, go the Eels as Amanda said. But the Eels better just win. If they could win by a margin of 55 points then the Eels would get eight spot.
A Warriors win is the likely option.
I just hope I haven’t done my dash winning the tipping comp by going for the Dragons.
Shaun // Sep 5, 2008 at 11:16 pm
And ya gotta love Mungo’s stream of consciousness commenting during Knights games.
Mungo Amanda // Sep 7, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Stupid Eels.
Shaun // Sep 7, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Welcome to my season Mungo.
Bugger. Tigers got up giving me 6/8. Not feeling confident of winning the tipping but should know in the morning when the number are crunched.
Bismark O'Measles // Sep 7, 2008 at 10:02 pm
Yay Tigers…. got a call from Amanda who was at the game – very touched by the groundswell of emotion for Hodgo – Titans and Tigers alike.
We won’t know about my little comp until tomorrow morning – good luck Shaun and yes, thanks for the commentary and tips that I failed to follow every week – it only seems four weeks ago that I was beating you !
Hell of a day after my shabby appearance this morning – full on houseload of rellies bearing beer…. I think I’m going to die.
Bye all – Go Aussie!!!
Shaun // Sep 8, 2008 at 8:05 pm
The results are in and I held off the challengers win the cash! First tipping comp win since 2005. First time I’ve been happy to tip against the Eels.
Bismark O'Measles // Sep 8, 2008 at 10:14 pm
The Eels cost Phong Tran 2nd place!
Mate, you are a worthy winner and I look forward to sharing the spoils with you in the near future.
Shaun // Sep 8, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Loyalty to Eels or a possible $200? After the season the had it wasn’t that hard of a choice.
Give me a few weeks to recover from Bob and we’ll make a time and place to drink the booty.
Jade // Sep 10, 2008 at 4:13 pm
I have to say my loyalty lies with the Roosters, no matter what happens in the finals!!