Rugby League
Race to the Finals
Malo NRL fans round 21 is upon us and with Origin over, the Telstra Premiership is back on centre stage.
by Simon Amani I 20th July 2023
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7 rounds to go and I must admit, the makeup of the top 4 is still undecided as teams still have enough time to bring it home or at the same time ki’o their ofuvae (shit their pants) and come up short. Let’s assess our current top 8 as it stands;
1st PANTHERS
The cream of the crop, I rise to the top, I never eat a pig… anyways I digress. This mob just keeps bringing it, impressive to keep winning throughout Origin whilst resting their stars. With Nathan Cleary back and Jerome Luai out to prove to Freddy, he’s an eat-arse, look out for a Panthers team primed to win a three-peat.
Prediction: Minor premiers, will lose in a prelim.
2nd BRONCOS
A dangerous team whom everyone is hoping to fall off the cliff, but it seems 2023
Broncos are a different breed this year and are very much in a good position to make the top 4, and once in the top 4, anyone is dangerous.
Prediction: 2nd place and will win the competition. ( Awui, that’s right I said it)
3rd STORM
The machine keeps rolling on with Bellamy, Grant, Munster, and Hughes and a capable pack will definitely make the 4 and will strangle teams but still have a lot of firepower. Teams need to smash Big Nelson and keep their forwards quiet in order to nullify that dangerous spine.
Prediction: 3rd but will lose an upset preliminary final.
4th RAIDERS
Mean Pack of Forwards with some experienced men like Crocker, Wighton, Big Papa, and Whitehead who have been there done that. Missing some out-and-out superstars who can make a difference on the big stage.
Prediction: 5th , will finish up week 2 of finals
5th WARRIORS
One of the form teams in the competition at the moment and all of a sudden some of my mates have jumped on the bandwagon. A pretty soft run into the finals. With Johnson firing they are capable of making the top 4 and shaking up the competition.
Prediction: 4 th place will make a preliminary final.
6th SHARKS
A decent start to the season but have struggled through the Origin period to beat any top 8 teams whilst bullying the lesser teams. Defensively poor and will miss the 8 for me.
Prediction: 9th
7th EELS
I will put up my hand and apologise to the Eels fans out there whom I mentioned in a prior article that they will miss the 8. My bad. With quick hands Dylan Brown back and a formidable, experienced team they will worry the rest of the top 8. Prediction 7 th but will bow out week 1
8th BUNNIES
Have struggled to be consistent of late and have really missed one of the competitions best in Trel Mitchel. Are back to full strength and their lineup looks seki az with a soft run home.
Prediction: 6th and will make the Grand final.
9th – 14th
Teams who will be close but no cigar but with the exception of the Cowboys whom I am picking to break into the top 8 with the footy they have been playing lately have looked dangerous.
Knights, Manly, Titans, Dolphins, and Roosters are still in the hunt and could prove me wrong but will just be top 8 wreckers with the odd upset here and there.
Doggies, Dragons, and Tigers will battle it out for the spuni laau (wooden spoon) Shit year, get ready for next year.
Enjoy the run into the finals and support you’re team one-hundy, but don’t be an angry fulla.