The Form Guide
Only 2 wins now separate first from eighth, and with one round to play there is still so much on the line for each of those teams. Melbourne sit alone on top of the ladder, but there are far more unknowns than knowns at the moment in terms of who should be considered premiership favourites. Can the Storm lift again after after a few weeks of tough wins? Have the Bunnies gone off the boil? Are the Panthers and Dragons dead in the water, are the Broncos and Warriors consistent enough, and what happened to the Roosters last week? In the final week of the season, will someone stand up and declare themselves the team to beat? We'll find out this weekend.
Perhaps the biggest unanswered question at the moment, though, is what effect the salary cap dramas will have on the Sharks. Todd Greenberg has declared that no action will be taken that would prevent Cronulla taking part in the finals, but the issue will weigh heavily on the minds of the players until it is resolved one way or another. They were impressive last week in dismantling the Knights, and on paper have a team that can do some damage in the finals. Whether they can block out the distractions for the next few weeks will be the biggest test they will face this year.
It seems you can out a line through the premiership hopes of the Dragons and the Panthers. The Dragons looked like they just didn't want to be there while the Bulldogs were busy racking up 38 unanswered points. All the talk is about the form of Ben Hunt, and while he is clearly underperforming, he's certainly not alone. Seeing Matt Dufty left in quicksand in defence told you everything you needed to know about how badly this team is going. The Panthers are well and truly off the rails as well. The decision to sack Anthony Griffin has backfired in spectacular fashion, and Cameron Ciraldo hasn't been able to find any bounce in form for a team that should be challenging for the title. James Maloney can't come back quick enough, but it is doubtful even he can right this ship.
The Storm, Roosters and Rabbitohs are still considered the three teams to beat, and all three will be wanting to put some form back on the board this week. This premiership is as wide open as we have seen for some time, perhaps the first time a team from outside the top four takes the prize. The Broncos and Warriors are both last start winners, and if they come into the finals in form they could cause some upsets.
The Big Games
There is only one game this weekend that sees two top 8 teams facing off, so the other six teams should have an opportunity to grab a win and build some momentum. The Storm v Panthers is the exception, and you would expect Melbourne to be able to secure the minor premiership with a win. Ryan Hoffman has been named on an extended bench, and though he is unlikely to play this weekend, he is shaping as a surprise comeback if the Storm keep winning in September. As mentioned the Panthers are rudderless at the moment so the inclusion of James Maloney is perfectly timed. Nathan Cleary desperately needs a foil in attack, and Tyrone Peachey should relish being back in the centres. The truth is, though, they feel so far off the pace that it is difficult to see them winning another game this year.
Perhaps the highlight of the weekend will be a game between two sides who won't be playing finals football. The Titans host the Cowboys at Robina on Saturday afternoon in what will the last outing for the great Jonathan Thurston. You can't overstate the impact Thurston has had in the game of rugby league, and his Townsville farewell last week was the perfect home ground send off. This week, he says goodbye from south east Queensland, a place he has enjoyed a mountain of success and is widely loved. Frustratingly for Cowboys fans, we have just started the see the North Queenslanders play with some of the form we were expecting of them this year. This disappointing final season should do nothing to affect his legacy, though. Enjoy this final performance, particularly the tributes that will be played to him in the day. We may not see another one like him for a long time.
The remaining top 8 teams in action will be expected to win, but an upset or two won't surprise. Momentum is so important for all of the teams, particularly those in the bottom half of the 8, so expect the Broncos and Warriors to play like the desperate teams they are. The Roosters should rack up some points against the Eels, and this might be enough to give them the confidence to play with the dominance we have expected of them come finals time. Likewise, the Bunnies need their mojo back. If their forwards can't get over the top of the Tigers pack, it is a sure sign they are not ready to challenge in the big game yet. It is all on the line this weekend.
Predictions
The Bunnies will get back on track with a win over the Tigers, though it won't be as convincing as it needs to be. The Warriors will beat the Raiders at home, while the Storm will dust the Panthers. If Kalyn Ponga was playing, the Knights would be favourites to beat the hapless Dragons, but his absence means the Saints will have enough to sneak home. JT will get the fairytale finish as the Cowboys beat the Titans, while the Roosters will account for the Eels in convincing fashion. The Sharks will block out the distractions to beat the plucky Dogs, and the Broncos will get a home win over the Sea Eagles.
Best Bet
It looks like a weekend for favourites, so take the value on the fairytale finish for JT. Jonathan Thurston as any time try scorer at $3.25 is our best bet of the week.
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