Surely this is the Dragons’s year? It is Saint Benny versus The Choke. But Saint Benny being the wiliest of coaches will have the Dragons prepared as best he can. But don’t look to the Dragons’ first game to tell you much.
Of the other contenders only Manly seems a lost cause. Its hopes bereft by injuries and suspension. Canberra are this year’s surprise contender with a great charge to the finals. If they get past the Panthers they are more than capable of going to the grand final.
The Warriors are to be respected with a fine second half of the season. The Roosters have the Dally M winner but have to contend with the chains of Brian Smith’s ghosts of finals campaigns past.
The Titans are a better side than last season but the length of their campaign will depend on the fitness of Prince.
Both the Panthers and Tigers seem to move easily from casual brilliance to frustrating ineptitude. Often in the same game. But the fact they finished in the top three attests to more diamonds than rocks. Hopefully finals footy will focus both teams’ determination.
But seemingly above them all are the Dragons.
Surely it is their year.
Gold Coast v New Zealand, Friday 7:45pm, Skilled Park
An intriguing game. Losing Campbell takes the spiritual heart out of the Titans but they are at home. But don’t write the New Zealanders off. The deficiencies of seasons past seem to have been exorcised leaving only the realised promise. Very much in two minds about this game but I’ll play it safe and back the Titans. Regardless of the result, this will be a good introduction to finals footy.
Wests v Easts, Saturday 6:30pm, SFS
Can the Tigers Marshall the courage to stop Easts’ Carnage? Hard call and the bookies can’t split the sides either. The game will turn of the fortunes of the respective five eights. Both teams have been a little scratchy coming into the finals and need to step up a gear. Hard call but the Roosters in a thriller.
Penrith v Canberra, Saturday 8:30pm, CUA Stadium
A dashing run to the finals after all seemed lost with an exciting fullback. We all know this story so far. As for how it ends depends on the Raiders continuing to play as they have been and not hold back. They will be exciting as will the Panthers who can match it with Canberra with speed and tries from seemingly nothing. As much as I wish a good finals campaign for the Panthers, the Raiders are the fairytale team for this season. They will live for another weekend.
St George Illawarra v Manly, Sunday 4:00pm, Win Jubilee Stadium
Manly are to be commended for just fielding a team. If they are competitive that will be a bonus. The obvious danger will be the Dragons taking the game too lightly. Benny will have his charges’ minds focused. No contest and all over by halftime.
The Sure Thing: The Dragons fer sure.
The Roughy: Warriors have it in them to spring an upset.
12 responses so far ↓
gilmae // Sep 9, 2010 at 9:40 pm
Titans
Wests, but probably Easts
Canberra
Dragons
Mountain Boy // Sep 9, 2010 at 11:14 pm
Warriors.
Don’t underestimate the power of motivation. Warriors to play for Christchurch not Auckland tomorrow.
Roosters.
Tigers made more than their normal quota of mistakes last week. Was played like a semi – so if that was the dress rehearsal, then the Tigers may have a little stage fright.
PANTHERS.
thru (7) finals series …
(4) preliminary finals
(3) grand finals
(2) premierships
(2) minor premierships
Storm-like stats without the cheating.
Dragons.
St George to benefit from that penalty that continues to be awarded for falling over playing the ball. They will get them a week’s rest but an easy game first up and then a week off could be a huge disadvantage come the preliminaries.
Mountain Boy // Sep 10, 2010 at 11:12 am
the tale of the tape ….
1989 Finals Wk 2 SFS Canberra 27 Penrith 18 … Scrums Pen: 9 Can: 7 Penalties Pen: 3 Can: 5
1990 Prelim Wk2 SFS Penrith 3o Canberra 12 … Scrums Pen: 7 Can: 7 Penalties Pen: 4 Can: 7
1990 Grand Final SFS Canberra 18 Penrith 14 … Scrums Pen:11 Can: 4 Penalties Pen: 4 Can: 7
1991 Grand Final SFS Penrith 19 Canberra 12 … Scrums Pen: 7 Can: 7 Penalties Pen: 5 Can: 7
1997 Finals Wk 2 Bruce Canberra 32 Penrith 12 … Scrums Pen:4 Can: 4 Penalties Pen: 4 Can: 8
2000 Finals Wk 1 Bruce Canberra 34 Penrith 16 … Scrums Pen: 5 Can: 5 Penalties Pen: 6 Can: 6
2010 Finals Wk1 CUA Penrith ….. Canberra …..
Head to head summary
Grand Finals ……………………. Pen: 1 Can: 1
Finals Match Results ………. Pen: 2 Can : 4
Scrum Wins ………………………Pen: 2 Can : 0 Draw: 4
Penalty Wins …………………….Pen: 0 Can: 5 Draw : 1
Shaun // Sep 10, 2010 at 11:11 pm
Very interesting stats MB. I bet someone from the Warriors camp is doing a similar analysis to boost their spirits.
For the first 15 minutes the Warriors seemed to have it all and the Titans were a little ragged. But the Warriors big boys soon tired out. Maybe it was not being used to the warmer conditions?
The Titans are off the finals duck and will be hoping for Canberra and Easts to get up so they have a week off.
The Warriors will be riding Penrith all the way tomorrow.
Mountain Boy // Sep 11, 2010 at 5:04 am
My spirits do not need boosting.
It’s kinda funny how many out there are looking down their nose at Penrith, the team that finished 2nd, fancying their chances this year.
Their second final will see the return of Petero and very likely Lachlan Coote. A week off and a preliminary final is the reward for beating the old foe, Canberra. Just for the record that would make it 5 prelims out of 8 campaigns. Not Bad.
Shaun // Sep 11, 2010 at 11:49 pm
Well, if it wasn’t for the first game I bet many would be talking about how great the Penrith v Canberra game was. Excellent game that ebbed and flowed. The Raiders live to fight another day. Assuming a Dragons win the Penrith will play the Roosters. If the upset of upsets happens (and why not given what has happened tonight) then Penrith play Manly.
Canberra in the same scenarios will play West or St George.
But the East victory Tigers was epic. One of the best games I’ve seen in years. My hands were shaking during the end of the 2nd half. I don’t support either sides but it was just that damn exciting.
In the end, I have no idea why the Tigers did not try and work to a field goal. They had the field position but the across the field passing was stupid and directly lead to their demise. No one seemed to have their heads screwed on,
As per above East will either play Penrith or have a week off if Manly win. The Tigers will either play Canberra or bow out of the finals.
Wonder if the Dragons are feeling a little nervous?
Mountain Boy // Sep 12, 2010 at 7:23 am
Ahh yes. Let’s put the next piece of that puzzle in it’s place ….
2010 Finals Wk1 CUA Penrith 22 Canberra 24 Scrums Pen: 6 Can: 9 Penalties Pen: 5 Can: 6
Head to head summary (bottom line)
Penalty Wins …….. Penrith 0 Canberra 6 Draw 1
At least the refs have been consistent. Throughout the year’s Penrith show as the penalty paupers of the competition. This year no exception. It’s amazing that they are still within two games of a Grand Final having to put up with this shit.
derrida derider // Sep 13, 2010 at 2:13 pm
Oh dear, Mountain Boy reckons “we wuz robbed”. But the score grossly flattered Penrith, who in truth were well beaten all over the park. Don’t forget Canberra had 3 disallowed tries in the last 15 minutes, with one of the disallowings being pretty dubious.
I also reckon Easts were very lucky to win their match – Wests were all over them for the great bulk of it, and on another day would have been 30 points clear by the end of normal time.
Obi // Sep 13, 2010 at 8:31 pm
Let’s not forget that Penrith were only left with two players on the bench after Waterhouse and Pritchard were injured.
Shaun // Sep 13, 2010 at 10:46 pm
Canberra were leading 24-12 when in the 57 minute Campese had a try disallowed for obstruction. A contentious decision to say the least.
After than the run of play was with Penrith.
Mountain Boy // Sep 14, 2010 at 11:22 am
The last time I checked a decoy runner can’t take out a defender and then the ball carrier runs through the gap created – gap that likely would not be there had no interference been caused.
Anyone talking about the clearly knocked forward off a bomb by Vidot granted a benefit of the doubt ?? (when clearly the goal line as a guide was only a metre away).
Anyone talking about why Jennings was pulled up at the end, not allowed to touchdown and then have a look?? Else let go like so many tries to Dragons, Tigers, Parra, Souths we have seen let go this year.
From the 40metre line, a majority of the night I saw the ref tending to measure 11m for Penrith and only 8/9m for the Raiders. Was always going to be tough with Pakistani bookies taking bets against you.
Happy to play either of Tigers / Easts after their 100 minute efforts – they have both long been bogie teams for Penrith.
Sounds a lot like the “derision” out there is a result of not having a team to follow.
Shaun // Sep 14, 2010 at 9:39 pm
Canberra v Tigers a sellout.
Rumours abound that Stephen Kearney is to replace Ando at the Eels after the international series.
“Blocker” gives some timely advice to the Tigers.