sidelined

It all started on March 13th. And now the final preview and tip for the season.

Melbourne Storm v Manly Sea Eagles, Sunday 5:15pm ANZ Stadium

One and two make up the grand final and both teams deserve to be their. They finished on the same number of points on the ladder with for and against deciding the minor premiers. And the margin wasn’t all the great.

A repeat of last year’s grand final of course and a fact the media have latched as a portent of doom for the Sea Eagles.

But the Sea Eagles won’t be mugs for a Melbourne mugging the second time around. They will be sure to start the game with plenty of intensity and at least match what the Storm will throw at them. From afar, Manly don’t seem to be carrying any mental scares from last year. But who knows what may unfold if the Storm get a few points on Manly. If the Storm get inside Manly’s head it will be another head long pratfall at the final hurdle.

Orford gets the best chance in his career to show that he is a big game player. His Dally M won’t mean much if he has a quiet game and Manly lose. Watmough will be out to redeem himself after last year’s poor showing. And then there is the freakish ability of Brett Stewart to find the try-line, never mind the audacious pass he threw to set up a try last week. They have the team to do it.

The Storm have adopted a siege mentality bunkering down in the (largely correct belief) that no-one north of the border does not like them. Especially the judiciary. There is grudging admiration for how well they can play but that is largely displaced by the distaste for the Storm’s arrogant sense of entitlement. And that bloody whinging about how life is so unfair. Get over yourselves.

But they can play good footy and with Inglis, Folau and Slater in the backline, any opposition would be worried. They will miss Smith but Cronk has stepped up and don’t underestimate the importance of Crocker to the side. The Slater v Stewart match up will be the highlight of the night.

Both teams have sentiment to ride with the farewell appearances of Matt Geyer and Steve Menzies. Don’t believe any pre-match interviews from either side that say this has not influence their preparations.

As for my tip, it is hard. As an Eels fan, there are three very goods reason to dislike Manly. One, they are Manly. Two, Jame Lyon and three, Lyon and the fact they are Manly.

And it is easy to dislike the Storm. No need to give a reason as the dislike is self-evident.

But there is Beaver Menzies. An example to others that you don’t need to be a grubby thug on the field to excel in league. He deserves to go out a winner as he has been a great performer for the Sea Eagles, New South Wales and Australia over the years.

So with Menzies softening my heart I’ll give my support to the Eagles. But don’t worry. Win or lose, the hate will return after the full time siren.

So what will y’all be doing on the day? I’ll be in bay 625 in the Western Stand (Yep, where sherpas are needed to help get you to your seat) enjoying the match.

Just as long as Barnsey doesn’t turn up singing Khe San. Been haunting me since 2001.