The final 8 is sorted and I don't think anyone can realistically say they are morals to win the comp.
If the Dragons play this week like they did on Friday then watch out. The Dogs have to work out a way to win without Kimmorley. The Titans have to stop the Broncos and the Storm and Manly are set to pounce.
Even Newcastle have a chance and Parra are a different team when Hindy and Grothe are back so don't write them off either.
I had a think about the finals and looking at the 4 semis this weekend I, like many others reckon it’s time to change to the newer updated McIntyre system the AFL use.
1st should play 4th, 2nd v 3rd and the bottom 4 should be sudden death, which would be Manly v Parra and Brisbane v Newcastle.
It just seems a lot fairer to the top teams and the situation like we had last year when the Warriors got a home final after finishing 8th.
But that's for another time. One thing the AFL finals did show us was that cream rises to the top and I expect that to happen this week...teams 1,2,3 and 4 will all win because they have been the benchmarks all year. Certainly the Dragons showed their class, the Titans are good at home and Melbourne made a statement on the weekend albeit against New Zealand. The Dogs are the wildcard but I expect them to be a lot better with everything on the line.
As for the games this weekend
Parramatta will play better this week against the Dragons, Newcastle have beaten the Dogs this year and will be confident coming off their thumping of the Panthers. Manly has beaten Melbourne in Melbourne and while the Titans haven't played Brisbane at home this year the Broncos beat them earlier in Brisbane.
So make what you want out of all that but for mine it’s still very open and while I am tipping the top 4 to win this week. There will be an upset somewhere for sure...I haven't tipped 4 from 4 all year!!
As for the Dally Ms tomorrow night, I think Jamie Soward will scoop the pool. He deserves to win the Dally M. He will also be high up there in the Provan Summons medal. He has done so well after being cut by the Roosters and admitted to me over the weekend he was going to give it away and head overseas but he toughed it out and is a better person on and off the field for it.
Rookie of the year will be between the Eels Daniel Mortimer, Canberra's Josh Dugan and Jharal Yow Yeh from the Broncos.
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