Qualifying final
Roosters v Broncos, today, 9.55pm
The Chooks are back and the normal top-four finish has set up a mouth-watering clash with Clint Eastwood’s horsemen. The Broncos have not been overly convincing in the past month and have lost fullback Darius Boyd for at least a week or two. Despite this, we expect a close match but tip the Roosters to progress and Cruiser Ferguson to celebrate by shouting Duges a few at Northies.
Who wins? Roosters by four.
Winner’s prospect? Beat Sharks in prelim final before falling to the Storm at the big dance.
Loser’s prospect? Defeat Manly in week two at home before being eliminated by the Storm in prelim final.
Qualifying final
Storm v Eels, tomorrow, 6.10pm
What can you say? There is Melbourne and then daylight. While there is never a dead cert in sport it is hard to remember a more dominant season from a minor premier in recent history. The Eels are one side that can play a bit of footy especially if Corey Norman stays away from those cronies at the Crown Casino. We expect the jiu jitsu fighters to wrestle their way to a week off allowing coach Bellamy to restock the saliva glands.
Who wins? Storm by 13.
Winner’s prospects? Really, you need to ask? Premiers in a classic against the Chooks.
Loser’s prospects? Knocked out but not disgraced against an improving Sharks side in week two.
Elimination final
Sea Eagles v Panthers, tomorrow, 9.40pm
Once famous for nearly running Western Magpies into the ground after pinching the likes of Ray Brown, Les Boyd and John Dorahy, the Manly Silvertails have been at it again moulding a bunch of ring-ins together and are somewhat of a surprise addition in the title race. Rewind to February and the Panthers win this but with the fallout between coach Griffin and captain Moylan playing out like a soap opera, the ring-ins have more up side. Tommy Turbo is on fire at the back and will probably be man of the match.
Who wins? Manly by seven.
Winner’s prospects? Push the Broncos at Suncorp next week but come up short.
Elimination final
Sharks v Cowboys, Sunday, 6.10pm
You get the feeling this should be one-way traffic against a Cowboys team which has fallen into eighth spot and does not have the same polish without JT. Sharks welcome back Jack Bird and Wade Graham which will add some spice to what has not exactly been a glittering attacking performance in 2017. The Cows will need everything to go in their favour but one thing is for sure. There will be more chance of Fifita flops and Maloney elbow drops than mistakenly receiving seven tackle sets from the refs.
Who wins? Sharks by 10.
Winner’s prospects? Knocked out in preliminary final by the Chooks.
