As for the Tigers, they did themselves no favours. Lui’s hit on Bird warranted a penalty but Lote was unlucky with the one awarded against him a few rucks earlier. But the Tigers’ handling and options (especially in the first half) were woeful. If they had completed sets and did the little things right then they may have got way with the points. I hope they smarten up next week.

Gold Coast. The Tigers biggest problem in recent years has been that they have looked a bit “patched up” through injuries. Players often playing out of position and not really working out. This year that has all changed, injuries not such a problem until now that is – Lawrence, Gibbs, Fulton, McKinnon, Daniela- the Tiges are looking a bit patched up again.

New Zealand. There are the Burts, Hindmarshs, and Reddys of this team that will give their all for the Blue & Gold in the hope of giving Cayless a grand send-off (hopefully not of the Petero ilk) On the other hand there are plenty who play out of self-interest and will realise this game shouldn’t mean too much for them personally – so why try so hard?

Sydney City. I do see this as a danger game. A long way to travel for a team thats finals finishing position still hangs on a knife edge. Cowboys could rally one last ambush, although running out of bullets could pose a problem.

Penrith. No Petero and fair enough. Others have done worse for less or no suspension. Justice could be one word to describe the outcome of the game last week. Penrith will work hard now to unleash a fresh Petero in week 2 or 3 (if they happen to earn a rest)

Melbourne. Storm to show how good they have been at salary-cap cheating the last few years. Can anyone believe that Inglis, Finch, and Manu were rested last week only to fall to the Tigers ?? Give us a break. These guys are back this w/end so they will probably turn up.

Manly. Too much against the Bulldogs in this one – including their own players who have favoured greed over winning the game.

St George. A traditional warm up for the semis. Last year was 37-0 or something ?? against Parra. Desperate to go into the semis with form – although in doing so, they will play Souths out of 8th spot, and have to welcome Canberra in week 1.

Penrith to stand tall for being where they are at this stage of the year, without any assistance, beit from the judiciary, or the guys in pink, who have assisted in once again giving Penrith the most losing penalty-counts for the year. Would be great if they finish second in the normal season after next week and then it would only be the team that has won the most penalty-counts all year that finished any higher.

Penrith won’t be lying down from here on. We’re angry now. Whoever you support, pray they don’t play Penrith next month or beyond. Pray hard.

Maybe the ref felt guilty for not sending Penrith’s third try upstairs.

Next week will be an interesting round. Oh and if the Storm were playing for point they would have been 9th going into round 26.

I see everyone is writing the Tigers off for 2010 – has it escaped them that if the Bunnies win by, let’s say 100 and the tigers win by, say, another 100 or so, the Tigers will be minor premiers!

Also, as you rightly say, a win by the Bunnies and a win to either the Dogs (with a combined diff of 10) or Bronco’s should bring the Cardinal and Mertyl home so the season’s not so bad (unless you’re a Storm fan).

But, the key to all this is a good-old fashioned thumping for the Dragoons and it will be interesting to see what team Wayno fields. Obviously, they’ve got the MP sown-up (despite the above equation) and will want to stay healthy for the finals series so it comes down to how much they want to keep the Bunnies out.

I for one have purchased tickets for me, Svetlana and Gnasher – bring it on.

There’s weird games going on at this end of the season Shaun

BOM

And so Manly, Canberra, Broncos and Souths will fight it out the last place in the finals.

The Broncos have a negative differential. Even if they beat Canberra they still may not make the eight if Souths beat the Dragons Sunday night.