NRL Preliminary Finals

Only 2 games left to finalise the Grand Final combatants and it all said and done about who will be there on the day. Of the two preliminary finals there are two teams that deserve to get through and two that don;t but that doesn't mean it is going to pan out that way. Unfortunately with a season where all the headlines have been about referee blunders and in particular blunders where the referee in the box who has all day and countless replays to get it right, it seems there is still a major mistake yet to be made before this season is over. What is also interesting is that of the teams left are probably the coaches that complain the most about the men in control.

Melbourne Storm vs Sea-Eagles

This will be one hotly contested grudge match and neither team will leave anything in the tank in ensuring victory.  With Manly losing their first semi and looking very ordinary at time as well as a victory that is soured by blatant mistakes by the officials it is hard to look at Manly as a real contender but it is hard to discount a team that is favourably looked upon. Melbourne on the other hand were clinical in their first semi and with a week rest another similar performance will put any hopes Manly have of a Finals appearance out the window. Which ever teams comes out of this one it will be at a cost though and injuries will be a concern jsut as much as possible suspensions if tensions get out of control.

Melbourne will close this one out within 60 minutes but an all in brawl will have them waiting nervously before week one.  Also don;t be surprised if a key player from either side is targeted in a cheap shot in this game. Melbourne by 8.


Canterbury Bulldogs vs Souths Rabbitohs

The Bulldogs have been the most consistent team all year and would be very unlucky to not make the final. Although they won in the first week of semi's it was not a very convincing performance and manly were very ordinary. A repeat performance against Souths will have many Bulldogs supporters worried. Souths on the other hand have nothing t lose. No one really expects them to win but if they can rattle the Bulldogs in the forwards then it will be a different story. The fullback battle between Inglis & Barba is the talking point but the forward battle needs to be won for either of these players to dominate.  For some reason I am sensing that the Bulldogs will get a bit of stage fright and lose the battle mentally. This one will be a big scoring affair and a freakish try will be all that separates them. Souths are just as likely to self implode though and it will be all over very quick if Souths don't control the ball and the enthusiasm.

Souths will sneak home in the last 5 minutes but expect a few battered and bruised forwards and some nervous waits over high shots and lifting tackles.  Don't be surprised if either side targets the fullback for some rough treatment. Souths by 6