The NRL finals series kicks off tonight, when the Broncos take on the Titans. Otago Daily Times NRL analyst Michael Minty looks into the crystal ball at the eight finalists.
Titans
Finished eighth in regular season.
The Gold Coasters are the Cinderella story of 2016. Despite a quiet recruitment during the off-season the stars have filtered into the side mid-season, including Konrad Hurrell (Warriors), Nathan Peats (Eels) and Jarryd Hayne (Fiji Rugby).
The Titans have been solid all year and deserve their spot, especially after a gritty draw with former ladder leader Cronulla in round 21.
Destiny was removed from their hands a fortnight ago but results went their way.
The side should relish its first taste of finals in five years and fancy its chances with a fit roster.
Prediction: Upset the Broncos at home before falling to the Cowboys in week 2.
Bulldogs
Seventh
History shows you write off Canterbury at your peril come finals time.
But 2016 feels different.
A lack of creativity and control from the halves is killing the Dogs, who limped into the September like a three-legged bulldog, following three losses.
Need to find that extra leg if they are to get the chocolates against a red-hot Panthers side.
Most importantly, the side needs to improve its handling because gifting the Panthers the majority of possession will almost result in a week one exit.
Prediction: Improved but a gritty loss week one to Panthers.
Panthers
Sixth
The Panthers are playing an up-tempo free-flowing style this year and look very much finals contenders.
Dragons recruit Trent Merrin is the cornerstone in the pack and he is complimented by the emergence of Leilani Latu and the recently injured Reagan Campbell-Gillard.
But it is the backline that has everyone talking. Bryce Cartwright is troubling everyone as a running makeshift five-eighth while young Nathan Cleary is showing maturity beyond his 18 years.
Captain Matt Moylan had arguably his best game last week, which is an ominous sign.
They have the arsenal to trouble the competition favourites providing they do not go into the shell.
Prediction: The dark horses make it to preliminary final before losing to the Storm.
Broncos
Fifth
If it were not for a surprise upset against the Storm in round 25, there would be worrying signs for the Broncos.
Despite starting the year as competition favourite and gaining grand final revenge against its northern foes at Easter, the side suffered during Origin, losing seven of nine, and has not exactly been convincing despite winning five of the last six going into finals.
The Broncos’ forwards need to aim up and play do-or-die footy, or the Titans’ impact men will punch holes in Brisbane’s middle.
Prediction: It is a boilover, out in week one to Gold Coast.
Cowboys
Fourth
Despite a mid-season slump, losing three in a row, the Cowboys appear to be hitting their straps at the right time.
Kiwi lock Jason Taumalolo is making more metres at his damaging best and the spine is feeding off the pack’s go-forward.
The Cowboys are set to play one game at home throughout the finals series and 1300Smiles has been a graveyard for travelling teams.
The side has lost just one game there all year.
Whether it is a preliminary or elimination final, expect the Cowboys to win that game, meaning they are certainty for preliminary finals weekend.
Prediction: grand finalist
Sharks
Third
The dramas from past seasons seem an age ago, as the boys from the Shire look to break their premiership drought after entering the competition in 1967.
Key signings Chad Townsend and Michael Ennis are an integral part of the Sharks spine and have played a massive part in the rebuild.
Their season was highlighted by an incredible 15-game winning streak which was ended by a draw on the Gold Coast in round 21.
The Sharks could have finished as minor premiers, had the side beaten the Storm on Saturday night to overcome a worrying slump.
Prediction: Surprise exit in week two by the Panthers.
Raiders
Second
Canberra has exceeded expectations in 2016.
This writer predicted a finals appearance but securing a top four home final was far from most pundits’ minds.
With an ever-growing pack nearing the peak of its powers, the backline has come into its own with the platform laid.
Kiwi Jordan Rapana has formed a lethal link with former bad boy Joseph Leilua, while captain Jarrod Croker joins the trio of backs named in the NRL’s team of the year.
Josh Papalii and Josh Hodgson also made the list — quite a feat.
Prediction: knocked out preliminary final weekend by the Cowboys
Storm
Minor premiers
Despite being written off again after a lacklustre 2015 defensive effort, Craig Bellamy’s outfit has been indisputably the most consistent team all year.
The side’s success can be put down to defence and the typically disciplined structure.
The side has enjoyed the battle in the middle of the park but was thrown a bit by the Broncos in round 25, when they played a bit of ad lib footy.
This will be the Storm’s undoing but it is high-risk and Fijian flyers Marika Koroibete and Suliasi Vunivalu are ready to pounce on any loose ball and make the opposition pay.
Prediction: Grand finalist
Grand final preview
Storm v Cowboys
Expect a tight torrid game with first points likely to come from the boot in what could be one of the all time classics.
If the Cowboys can get a little bit of momentum, there is every chance Johnathan Thurston will come into his own and look to move the Storm pack around and avoid the wrestle.
History shows if the Storm leads at half time, the Melbourne side will go on with the job but the Cowboys have a knack for rallying late.
No-one will romp home in this one but you could almost put your house on a field goal by one side. We’ll take Cooper Cronk to nail one in the 77th minute.
Prediction: Storm 21-20
