With the first round gone the Grand Final picture is starting to look a little clearer or is it. On last weeks form one can hardly expect 2 of the teams playing this weekend to really threaten.
Manly vs NQ Cowboys
After last weeks ordinary effort against the Bulldogs and with the Cowboys in scintillating attacking form one would expect Manly to crash out and be gone by half time. Manly have a tendency to only play half a game of football and they cannot switch off against a side that only needs 20 minutes to blow most teams off the park. There is too much class in the attack of the Cowboys for Manly to think that they can outscore them in a free flowing game and it will be even harder for Manly to stop a rampaging forward pack that creates all the room for the attacking options from North Queensland. Thurston is in great form but it is not the combination with Bowen that will have the Sea Eagles worried but also Michael Morgan. With Matai out and Lyon only a chance North Queensland will be too good down the edges.
Cowboys will keep the momentum rolling and post a 20 plus victory over a stuttering Manly.
Souths vs Canberra
Canberra easily accounted for Cronulla last week but with Croker out injured will face a tougher prospect this week. Souths on the other hand can;t be any worse than last week and it is yet to be seen if they can pay the intense football required to win high pressure matches. If Souths struggle again in the forwards then it will be another cake walk for the Raiders. If the raiders fail to stop the forward momentum though then Souths will steamroll their way and survive another week. I can't see either team progressing any further though. If Dave Taylor continues in the same vain as last week he will cost his side any chance of winning as I feel he will find time on the bench if his antics continue.
Souths in a high scoring affair but will see injuries and reports hinder their chance of going further,
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