Rugby League – NRL Finals Week One Preview
After an entertaining NRL home and away season it has now come to finals time. The big movers of the year were the Bulldogs who last year took out the wooden spoon and in 2009 they were second. Moving in the other direction were the Sharks and Roosters. The Sharks fell from third in 2008 to second last, while the Roosters took the wooden spoon.
Looking ahead at the match ups in the first week of the NRL finals we see a replay of last years grand final to be played on Friday night. The Melbourne Storm hosts the Sea Eagles. Manly after a slow start have found some good form over recent times. Melbourne has been steady without being spectacular so this is a hard match to pick a winner. As Melbourne are at home I give them the edge. Melbourne by 8 is my pick.
On Saturday night at 6.30pm the two south Queensland teams face off for bragging rights. The Broncos looked gone a short time ago but have found form in the closing weeks of the season while the Gold Coast Titans have done well to make their first ever finals campaign. The Broncos have experience on their side and I am tipping them to take this match.
Also on Saturday night we see the Bulldogs take on the Newcastle Knights. The Knights just snuck into the finals after defeating Penrith in what was effectively a playoff last week. The Bulldogs almost went from last to first as they just missed the minor premiership on for and against. In this game I think the Bulldogs will be just too good for the Knights. Bulldogs by 18.
The final match of the opening round of the NRL playoffs sees the Dragons play the Eels. Just last week they met and the Dragons trounced the Eels. With their season on the line I think the Eels can turn that result around and defeat the minor premiers. Eels by 4.
Facebook comments: