The GRL Phantom believes there will be more twists and turns than a roller coaster at Disneyland as we hit the home stretch to this year’s finals series.
The GRL Phantom believes there will be more twists and turns than a roller coaster at Disneyland as we hit the home stretch to this year’s finals series.
Melbourne, Manly, Cronulla, Roosters and Broncos appear home and hosed for the top five spots.
However the equation for the last three places is somewhat more difficult.
The problem for the Eels, Titans and Warriors is they have a minus for an and against ratio and need to win all three and have results go their way to make the final eight.
The Knights, Dragons, Tigers have a plus for and against percentage which could prove crucial.
For the record I predict the Sharks will win tonight's clash in the wet at Shark Park and on Sunday the Dragons shall prevail in a tight game against the Warriors at WIN Stadium.
Sharks V Roosters
Toyota Stadium
Friday August 22nd, 7:30pm
Referee: Jason Robinson
The Roosters have a lumber yard on the Sharks in recent years in results between the clubs.
In fact the Chooks have been crowing in battles against the Shire-based club winning their last five clashes and six of the last seven visits to Toyota Park.
Coach Ricky Stuart, a former Roosters coach takes on one of the former greats he coached, Brad Fittler.
Both teams will make the finals and have exceeded the expectations of fans and critics to qualify.
Both teams lost last week.
The Sharks played their worst game in two years under Stuart's team-oriented style of coaching with a 40 per cent completion rate and looked flat, error-ridden and lethargic against the Warriors.
The Chooks got belted by the classy Storm team at Olympic Park.
The Roosters are much stronger on the park this week with Nate Myles back from suspension and the multi-talented Setaimata Sa back on the bench.
Cronulla's Brett Kearney has a hip injury and is in doubt and Mitch Brown on standby to play fullback.
Both teams will play an up tempo, yardage game in the wet and watch for aerial and grubber kicks when inside the opposition quarter-line targeting respective fullbacks and wingers.
Cronulla's attack has come under more scrutiny than a doctor's post mortem.
They create plenty of space with rehearsed set plays and run angles, lines and decoys well but sometimes have trouble finishing off the movement.
Brett Seymour and Greg Bird like to link down the left and run sweeping style plays on the edge of the field for left centre Ben Pomeroy and winger Luke Covell.
Kearney - if he plays- loves to roam midfield and run off Brett Kimmorley or Seymour before sweeping down the right side with David Simmons at right centre and back rower Fraser Anderson who works down the right hand side of the field.
The Roosters love to get the ball to one side of the field and hit back with long passes via Mitchell Pearce and Braith Anasta linking with their back-rowers who send high kicks to the opposition backs.
Verdict:
Sharks by seven.
Dragons and Warriors
Win Stadium
Sunday August 24th, 3:00pm
Referee: Shayne Hayne
The Dragons are the Doctor Jekylll and Mr Hyde of the premiership.
They can play,classy, powerful, scintillating attacking football yet on other days they look lethargic, flat, disinterested and uncohesive.
Ben Creagh, the Dragon's best forward is back and blurs the left edge of the field with his power runs, strong defence and works well with Matt Cooper and Josh Morris in attack.
Jason Ryles is in career best form and he gave to Brisbane's pack last week.
Dean Young at hooker and Ben Hornby at half are the perfect combination. When these two operate the dummy-half and first receiver role fluently, the Dragons fire.
The Warriors have won five of their past six and are in-form for a change.
They bring big forwards and athletic back rowers while their halves Nathan Fien and Michael Witt are playing well.
Wade McKinnon back into the team at fullback gives the side thrust.
Verdict:
Dragons at home by 8.
