By CASEY O’CONNOR
THE Roosters and their fans have 100,000 reasons to crow. Their whitewash of the Bunnies round 26 handed them the Minor Premiership – the JJ Giltinan Shield and the $100,000 purse for the third successive season. A very significant achievement.
While round 26 brought no real upsets, Manly’s gutsy win over the Sharks and Melbourne’s grafting win over Brisbane relegated the Sharks to sixth on the ladder and ensured Melbourne the final spot in the top four.
The Roosters, Broncos, Cowboys and Storm now get two bites at the final’s cherry. For the remaining Canterbury, Cronulla, South and St George sudden death starts this weekend.
The Roosters and Melbourne open the 2015 finals series at Allianz Stadium on Friday night. The Tri-colours were sensational against the Bunnies. An explosive and almost flawless first half of football saw the Roosters take an unassailable 30-point lead to the half-time break. They denied the Bunnies, who barely had a sniff of the football, any opportunity dominating possession. In comparison, the second half was a grafting affair.
On Thursday night, Melbourne notched up their fifth successive win over the Broncos at Suncorp to keep their top four hopes afloat.
Against an injury-depleted Broncos line-up Melbourne applied relentless pressure. Cameron Munster was outstanding for Melbourne and must stand up if they are to win here. Melbourne cannot allow the Roosters pack to overpower them in the early stages of this match. History shows Melbourne do not chase well, so they will be looking to grab and early advantage.
The Roosters go into this game full of confidence having won 12 on the trot with Melbourne counting their blessings having sidestepped sudden death.
The Minor Premiers are short-priced favourites here. If they replicate their effort last weekend, they will be enjoying a break in round two of the finals. At this time of the year, anything can happen and they face one of the most experienced outfits in the game. I expect a Roosters win but Melbourne are capable of an upset without surprising.
Saturday night the spotlight turns to the Bulldogs and Dragons at ANZ Stadium.
The Bulldogs charged up the ladder and into the finals contention on the back of five consecutive victories. The 2015 season has been like a game of snakes and ladders for the Dragons; their finals berth secured with a dramatic golden- point victory over the unpredictable Tigers.
The Bulldogs cemented their fifth place finish with a win in topsy-turvy game against the Warriors. The win was never really theirs until the 80th minute.
The Dragons went to the half-time break with the finals in their sights, up 20-8 over the Tigers, but almost blew their chances in the second half as the young Tigers turned on some razzle dazzle. A Robbie Farah penalty for an infringement in the play the ball handed the Dragons a penalty in front of the posts in extra time, the game and their finals spot.
St George cannot afford a similar lapse in concentration here. Gareth Widdop is expected to return for this game and could prove a game changer.
The ledger is square at one game apiece in 2015 with the Dragons winning 31-6 in Round 6, before the Bulldogs returned the favour in Round 13 with a comfortable 29-16 win. In a tight game, I think the Dragons can get a win and live to fight another day. Des and the Doggies may be left to reflect on an early exit, but like all games this weekend it will be a torrid encounter.
On Saturday, Suncorp Stadium hosts the ultimate Queensland derby. The stakes have never been higher in a game between the Broncos and Cowboys with the winner progressing to the preliminary final.
Last weekend, an injury-ravaged Brisbane were without playmaker Ben Hunt and lost his replacement early in the first half, limiting their attacking options. The Cowboys win over the Titans checked all the boxes on their coaches’ wish list.
The NQlanders have also been forced to work around injuries to key players with Michael Morgan sidelined. Like Ben Hunt, he is expected to return for this game.
The Cowboys fought back from a horror start to the season to secure their top- four spot while the Broncos exceeded all expectations, finishing in second spot. Both teams have tasted success against each other this season. The Broncos had a 44-22 in Round 3. The Cowboys turned the tables in Round 10. In a stat that may surprise many, the rivals have met three times in finals with the Cowboys holding a 3-0 record. I am leaning slightly towards the Broncos but in what could be a dress rehearsal for the grand final, the result is a toss of the coin
On Sunday afternoon at Allianz it will be crunch time for either the Sharks or the defending premiers, the Rabbitohs. Another game where there are no lifelines for the losers.
The Sea Eagles missed the eight, but sent their coach and favourite son, Geoff Toovey out on a winning note denying Cronulla a top-four finish.
The Sharks now have to do it the hard way. It doesn’t get much tougher than facing the reigning premiers, South Sydney in sudden death. The Sharks charged towards the finals with a 7-2 record and will be confident after defeating the Rabbitohs 18-10 earlier in the season.
The Bunnies have struggled in recent weeks, not able to reach the lofty heights of 2014. Against the Roosters, they looked tired and lacked attacking options. Injuries have played a significant role in recent weeks, however Greg Inglis is set to return this week. If his dodgy knee holds up, he will add some much-need spark. Souths could be without George Burgess who has been suspended for two weeks for throwing a water bottle at an opposition player.
Perhaps, the Bunnies might shock and turn things around here. The winner faces the daunting task of playing the loser of the Broncos v Cowboys clash. The vanquished will be planning “Mad Monday” celebrations.
Casey’s Tips
Roosters
Broncos
Dragons
Rabbitohs
