It is time for to decide the wheat from the chaff, the mutton from the lamb, and Pace from the Hale as we dive into our 2017 NRL Finals Series Preview and Guide for Neutrals.
By this time everyone has an opinion on who will win, some with a little expertise based on a season of watching most games, some holding onto street money bets they made in April, and others on pure spite because their team was knocked out last week.
We could be all of the above, and as such offer up our thoughts on the 2017 NRL Final Series.
To make it easier for us, we’ll put forward our thoughts on who will win and why, why not, and a few players to keep an eye on.
We even offer up a few reason those without a team or usual care factor of the NRL should pick a team to support in the 2017 NRL Final Series with our reason for neutrals to follow teams.
MELBOURNE STORM
Why they can win.
If the minor premiership and six point gap to second, or the best attack and defence by just under 100 points each, and having habitual winners Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater aren’t enough of a reason to think they can win, what about their last three weeks. They only won by a combined 116 points.
Why they can’t.
Aliens come down and steal their first 17, or nuclear war break out. Or a side has one big day(night) out at the Olympic Stadium on Grand Final day(night).
Player to watch
Cameron Munster.
Given the way he handled the step up to five eighth for Queensland in Origin 3, let’s see if he can lead do the same for Melbourne in the finals.
Why should a neutral support the Storm?
If you are a Victorian fan of an AFL club that haven’t made the finals.
If you are from any state other than Qld or NSW
If you enjoy the colour purple.
Prediction
Losing Grand Finalists
SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Why they can win.
A couple of big forwards that could blow any side away away on their day.
Mitchell Pearce and Luke Keary may not offer the same kind of potential of the Broncos/Panthers/Cowboys, but are a lot more reliable week in week out. That does not include Wednesday nights.
Don’t really like them so can’t be bothered offering more.
Why they can’t.
They have been patchy at times this season, and seems to scraping home each week.
Player to watch
Luke Keary
Has been the Roosters best off season buy and has played very well since his move from Souths. Good one Rusty.
Why should a neutral support the Roosters?
You love chicken.
You can’t bring yourself to support Manly.
You are French.
You enjoy Bondi Rescue.
Prediction
Lose second last week of finals.
BRISBANE BRONCOS
Why they can win.
They have a lot of stars, many of them have tasted success at Origin level. Matt Gillett and Josh Maguire are amongst the very best back rowers in the game right now.
The brilliance of Anthony Milford on his day.
Speed of Jimmy the Jet in the centres.
Wayne Bennett.
Why they can’t.
No team has ever conceded 50 points in a season fixture and won a title.
For all of the brilliance of Benji Marshall, Anthony Milford, Kodi Nikorima, only one of them needs an off day to throw the Broncos off the game, and those off days are reasonably frequent.
Sam Thaiday is not a dummy half.
Player to watch
Benji Marshall
Wayne Bennett and the Broncos took a chance with the former adored superstar of the game. He’s worked his way out of the Redcliffe Dolphins side and into the Broncos side in the nick of time for finals.
Why should a neutral support the Broncos?
You are from South East Queensland, no longer have a team left, and have no one better to support.
You love your Friday night football.
Prediction
Surprise Premiers
PARRAMATTA EELS
Why they can win.
Great form in second half of the year. Mitchell Moses proving the move to the Eels was right for him at least. Great backline with Corey Norman, Bevan French and Michael “Good Times” Jennings.
And Semi Radradra in incredible try scoring form.
Put 50+ on the Broncos, and if they play like that will have something to combat the strangling consistency of the Storm.
Why they can’t.
They have to play the Storm first week.
You just can’t quite trust them to not bottle it over the 2017 NRL Final Series.
Player to watch
Semi Radradra.
Scoring tries for fun lately, and due to give Eels fans something to think about before he buggers off to French Rugby. Merde.
Why should a neutral support the Eels?
You remember names like Cronin, Grothe, Ella.
You love a great Aussie battler. And would love to see them break a long period without a premiership.
You love to think that it would piss Jarryd Hayne off.
Prediction
Lose second last week of finals.
CRONULLA SHARKS
Why they can win.
Because they did it last year when they were fancied by very few and retain most of that squad.
They have beaten their next opponent – Cowboys – twice this weekend.
They can be very hard to beat on their day.
Why they can’t.
Not a great home record (5-7), combined with a 2017 season where their form has been reasonably patchy.
James Maloney penalties.
Player to watch
Paul Gallen. Despite being as likable as a XXXX Bitter in Queensland, it’s hard to argue about what he puts in. If he can do it without the constant moaning to referees, then the Sharks are on their way to victory.
Why should a neutral support the Sharks?
You are a Blues fan who thinks Gallen should get more succes.
You love the seaside and beach.
Insert Cronulla Riot joke/thoughts here.
Prediction
Surprise loss to Cowboys.
MANLY SEA EAGLES
Why they can win.
Have been under the radar for some time, and may well be underrated in the 2017 NRL Final Series.
Beat this week’s opponent last weekend. Easy.
The brothers Trbojevic. And Martin Taupau – the aggressive man mountain.
Daly Cherry Evans.
Why they can’t.
Daly Cherry Evans.
No support away from Brookvale.
Guilty of the occasional awful blow out game.
Player to watch
Tom Trbojevic.
A player for a future not far away. Let’s see how he does in the 2017 NRL Finals Series before NSW can use him as a scapegoat for next year’s Origin series loss.
Why should a neutral support the Sea Eagles?
Hmmmmm. Fans include Michael Slater and Tony Abbott.
Unable to provide answer.
Prediction
Beat Penrith. Lose the next weekend.
PENRITH PANTHERS
Why they can win.
Very good second half of season form, and plenty of young bucks who should be up for it.
Gus Gould is on their side.
They play great football at full strength.
Nathan Cleary.
Why they can’t.
Last weekend’s loss to Manly showed a vulnerability.
Anthony Griffin. Great Intrust Super Cup coach. Yet to be convinced at NRL level.
Matt Moylan dramas could affect them as well.
Player to watch
Tyrone Peachey/Bryce Cartwright
Great game breakers at their best, and that best is what is required this weekend if they are to continue in the 2017 NRL Finals Series.
Why should a neutral support the Panthers?
You are from the west of Sydney and hate Parramatta.
You love the World of Entertainment at Penrith.
You fondly remember the 1991 Grand Final heroics of Royce Simmons, or the beyond memorable cover tackle by Scott Sattler in their 2003 premiership.
Prediction
Lose to Sea Eagles.
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Why they can win.
Despite no Thurston or Matt Scott or others, they still have plenty of State of Origin quality. Gavin Cooper is class, and the rest of the squad have been fighting hard in the past few weeks. Maybe playing a side like the Sharks will suit, and the Cowboys have a good record in Sydney 4 wins 5 losses. Sharks home record 5-7 isn’t any better.
Why they can’t.
Waaaaaay too many injuries. They have battled hard, but are starting to run out of puff.
Player to watch
Michael Morgan
An obvious one really. But the question is has he got one more great game in him. Guiding the Cowboys deep in the finals would round off a great year in addition to his stellar Origin series performances
Why should a neutral support the Cowboys?
You’ve done a backpacking run up the Bruce Highway.
You drink Bundy Rum
You enjoy a great Aussie battler given the bad run of injuries to the Cowboys this year.
Prediction
Win first week, out next week.
