NRL Finals Week One
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By Stephen Gallagher
FRIDAY: Sydney Roosters V South Sydney Rabbitohs, 21.50NZT – Sydney Cricket Ground
The Rabbitohs have the Roosters number throughout the regular season, but last year Souths had their season ended by the Chooks.
Finals footy is a different ball game, and you can expect a different game to the one these two played out last week.
The Roosters are looking to be the first team in 27 years to go back-to-back.
It’s two full strength sides with the longest rivalry in rugby league going head to head, it doesn’t get much better and bigger than this.
TIP: Roosters 1-12
SATURDAY: Melbourne Storm V Canberra Raiders, 19.30NZT – AAMI Park
It wasn’t that long ago the Raiders scalped the Storm at home. With a week off to play for, it’ll bring the best out of these two teams.
Melbourne have been head and shoulders above the rest of the 15 teams in the comp, but they have to be wary of the Raiders resurgence.
Melbourne are full-strength, and the Raiders are almost there.
This 1 v 4 finals game is going to be a helluva battle. Big impact players on both teams.
TIP: Raiders 1-12
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles V Cronulla Sharks, 21.50NZT – Lottoland
It’s been a rocky few weeks for the Sea Eagles as they’ve limped in to the finals, but it looks like the 2016 Premiers are finding form at the right time.
If Manly were to get this win, it’d be a huge effort. Injuries and suspension have rocked them.
Cronulla’s going to be a smoky this finals series if they can start strong against Manly.
Their ability to be mobile and physical is working wonders.
TIP: Sharks 1-12
SUNDAY: Parramatta Eels V Brisbane Broncos, 18.05NZT – Bankwest Stadium
Bankwest gets its first finals game. Parramatta looked electric last week, and have done plenty of good things at home in 2019.
The Broncos have a poor finals record in Sydney, and the way they limped in to the finals in eighth, it’ll be hard work.
They’re going to come out swinging though, and do their best to unsettle the Eels with their monstrous forward pack.
Parramatta have to play composed footy, and get the ball to Maika Sivo, of course.
TIP: Eels 13+
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