Time for NRL Finals – Time for a NRL Finals Preview. The Gurgler runs the rule over this year Finals Series with our regular Kick to Come bit on NRL.
It appears as one of the most open Finals series in some time, six of the eight have genuine claims on the title.
The best part of the finals series? It’s all on Fox Sports.
No ads, no Joey, Freddy, Finchy, Rabs, Ray. It means that by Grand Final time, we’ve only had to stoop to Channel Nein for five NRL games. 3 Origins, 1 Grand Final, and 1 BBQ at the in laws.
Sure we’ve become Fox Sports snobs, but that’s surely better than listening to two old men bickering three times a week. A premium worth paying for.
Heading into the first week of the Finals it’s a shame the big talking point was absurdity of the Wighton-Ennis Should Charge Affair. Typical of Rugby League to have the focus on rubbish instead of the good. They can’t themselves, and we have some exclusive behind the scenes from the NRL coming soon. Stay Tuned. Talk about sizzle. We do have the inside word on some NRL Initiatives for 2017 for your perusal.
Anyways, here’s our NRL Finals Preview. We rate the chances of the contenders.
WHO WON’T WIN
GOLD COAST and BULLDOGS
Firstly, the Titans have done extremely well getting this far. Tipped for last or second last by most, they were well on the way to the eight before the Plane landed. The media frenzy has died down a little but Hayne still remains the best chance of turning the Titans into Title Winners. But he couldn’t help the loss to the Cowboys last weekend, and that’s the worry.
The Bulldogs were fourth not long ago, but they hardly look like Premiers. There’s something about the way the Bulldogs play that bores us to tears. As such we can’t see them getting past Penrith.
WHO PROBABLY WON’T WIN
SHARKS
The way Sharks played against Melbourne on such a big occasion means they look unlikely premiers. Add that performance to an ordinary run in the last 6 weeks of the year. Should give Paul Gallen something to smile about. The drought will continue.
WHO SHOULD HAVE WON LAST YEAR
BRONCOS
OK, we’re still bitter. We wagered on a 17-16 score line in the Grand Final @ $551. With the game 16-16 and going into extra time and Broncos to receive, many chickens were counted. In steps Ben Hunt who dropped all our money.
The Broncos looked like a premiership was a formality earlier in the season, but Origin came around and they forgot how to win. And it wasn’t the absence of the Origin players, more what the ones that didn’t play origin offered up. They have turned around the results but not really the way they play. If they serve up the same dross as they did in the first half against the Roosters, they won’t even get past the Gold Coast.
WHO COULD WIN – NEXT YEAR
PENRITH
A brilliant, young side that are on fire. Plenty of young talent like Bryce Cartwright, and Nathan Cleary. Some old heads like Peter Wallace and Trent Merrin. Play good football, and on a roll in the last few weeks. However they only managed 1 win against the other top 4 side this season. Good this year, much better next time. And there’s still the Under 20’s to come into the side down the track.
WHO COULD WIN – THIS YEAR
CANBERRA
Flying under the radar and having the natural handicap of Ricky Stuart as head coach, Canberra have gone from a side who Channel Nein don’t want to show, to a side they have no choice in showing now.
At their best they offer plenty in attack, and have handed out a few spankings this season. Few would have picked them to finish second at the start of the season.
A premiership will give Canberra residents something to smile about to make up for living in Canberra and the loss of Warren Truss from parliament.
WHO MIGHT WIN
COWBOYS
The Cowboys, like the Broncos had a mid to late season slump. The difference is Jonathan Thurston. For the number 7 alone the Cowboys still stand a chance to win back to back titles for the first time in a long time.
But it’s not all about Thurston, they have fire power up the middle and out wide, and now know how to win a premiership. And finishing in the top 4 reduces the chance of playing a final in Sydney and getting trumped again.
All without Townsville Blackhawks dynamo Willie Minoga.
WHO WILL WIN
MELBOURNE
There’s something ominous about the way Melbourne have gone about the second half of the season. With stalwarts like Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk who seem to win everything, in combination the usual parade of no names that become great players like Suliasi Vanivalu and Cameron Munster.
If they get in front they never seem to lose, and love a tight game. They are a perfect finals team. And our tip to win from here.
Gurgler Finals Super Multi
After our tremendous success last week – (a $109 multi) – we wonder if lightning can strike twice.
Broncos -9.5 start v Titans
Canberra -7.5 start v Sharks
Melb V NQ – either side win by 6 or less
Pen V Dogs – at least one 40/20 kick.
$1 for $53.
