I have to agree on this one, and that is not the way it should be. One rule for all should be the way to go.
Friday nights games should be interesting, will Melbourne or Manly prevail, and then what? I can see Manly getting defeated and the game taking a heavy physical toll on them (the other team they played recently that plays tough in your face grinding footy is the Dragons, who beat them 24-6 or something a few weeks back) which they may take week 26 or longer to recover from, could be a start of a mini slide.
However I cannot see the eventual winners coming from outside the top 4. Manly and melbourne are proven winners in finals series, the Broncos have a way of winning in the finals when they shouldn't (and find me someone who doesn't have a part of them that wants Locky to leave a winner on grand final day), and the Tigers can beat anyone on their day, but how many of "their days" will they have/need?
Warriors can also win, but I dont think they can put three together against these quality sides, North Queensland have run out of puff after over-achieving while Thurston and Scott were out, the Dragons will need luck and everything to go their way to win three straight finals games and Newcastle/Souths will be there to make up the numbers.
Looking For: Wreckers Saga TPB Collection (with Requiem)
Everyone is forgetting the most important clash of round 26. Titans vs Eels for the wooden spoon... should be a cracker
I just hope the Tigers don't stumble against the lower ranked clubs they are playing over the next couple of weeks as they have been known to do that.
HATRED FOR JAMES VAN DER BEEK RISING!
Still have some stuff for sale. Free pickup at Parra Fair
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