The late bunching at the finish line of the premiership proper gave some hope for a bottom-eight side to street the field and jag a spot this weekend. Close, but not to be.
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Mind you, it’s no fluke that the four teams remaining are again stamping their mark on this decade of NRL (with honourable mention to the Cowboys).
In all, they are impressive examples of what the rest are looking for with strong coaches, stable and talented rosters and compelling team cultures that are hard to imitate.
Meanwhile, a quick review of last week’s finals reveal injuries, a couple of curious refereeing calls and a bee’s whisker as all that stood between survival and oblivion.
The Dragons were gallant in defeat, while the come-from-behind Panthers gave up too much, again, running out of time.
For the Dragons, the loss of Tariq Sims hurt. Throw in the lack of a noted field-goal exponent, and a mix-up with the tackle count that conceded field position at the death, and the game was gone.
Bouncing back from a costly Origin hangover, it was nonetheless a timely rally that might just satisfy the restless natives down Kogarah way. Next year, maybe.
The Panthers, well, what do you say? They probably had no right mixing in this weekend’s company, but if only they could start well, they’d have a chance. They didn’t and it was all catch-up.
In the wash-up, if looking for reasons, the loss of Peter Wallace mid-season and the more recent coaching dramas might justifiably, if conveniently, be cited as turning points.
Granted, these factors are in the mix.
But seriously, it’s a little less complicated.
From where I was watching, a couple of tragic defensive reads and assorted missed chances had more to do with the loss on the scoreboard than any performance-limiting anxiety stemming from issues long since relevant.
Brighter days ahead.
In week three, you can bet Souths’ Adam Reynolds will be at his scheming, competitive best on Saturday to win the local derby, and progress. Rested, but short some key troops, the Roosters are vulnerable if the Bunnies can take it up a notch. Below their best last week, the Rabbitohs forwards can’t afford another sloppy 6/10 pass mark.
It’s all or nothing with the Burgess boys and John Sutton, if he can get up for it, needing to be on a mission.
Now, there’s talk the weekend’s first semi-final will be a “bloodbath” (whatever that looks like), given their recent history.
Not to be outdone, this other final continues a feud, like the Hatfields and the McCoys, that dates back 110 years. Compulsive viewing.
As for Friday night, with Wade Graham out, Paul Gallen one awkward left-shoulder wrench from becoming a passenger and Kurt Capewell, well, bravely batting on, the Sharks’ much-vaunted forwards are limping into their second elimination contest in seven days.
The big worry for connections is when leg-weariness will creep in, as it must, with ominous signs last week in terms of second-half missed tackles.
A Cronulla success on Friday will mark one of the more remarkable upsets since they beat the Storm on grand final day 2016. I suspect it’s only possible if they chance their arm with the ball – because they won’t outlast the purple machine.
In the other dressing-room, fresh, bouncy and eager, rely on the Storm to work like a Swiss watch, win every contest and wrestle like it’s WWF.
Get in the grind, stay there and build pressure until field possession and a tiring, suffocating and retreating defensive line present the inevitable opportunity.
They know what they’re doing, this mob, and it will prove almost impossible to deny them their third straight grand final.
* KNIGHTS fans are running out of vested interest in these finals after our successful Jersey Flegg squad went agonisingly close to holding out the Panthers and lining up for this weekend’s NSWRL under-20 grand final.
The heartbreaking last-minute exit for the minor premiers brought to conclusion a promising season.
The players, coaches and connections are all to be congratulated.
Let’s hope a few of the boys graduate through to the big time next year.
* THE women’s league seems to be wide open for the last round. The Broncos are there on the big day by virtue of two from two wins.
Elsewhere, early favourites the Warriors must beat the Broncos or hope the winless Roosters barely scrape home against a resurgent Dragons to claim a superior for- and-against ticket to the big dance.
Not much wriggle room and grand finals come early for all three this weekend. Excitement plus!
* THIS Sam Burgess business is a sad indictment on the depths the game’s so-called “media partners” will plumb to outrage and titillate.
I mean, there are apparently rules of decency, but this sort of communication channel is not unknown to the age demographic in question, however horrified and incredulous us oldies may be.
Nor, and correct me if I’m wrong, has it yet been established if the image is of big Sam, anyway. Yet it’s been wall-to-wall dross all week. Spare me days, it’s the wild west.
It’s nothing short of a gross intrusion on the young Burgess family. True or not, it’s way over the top and unforgivable.
However shocked anyone may feel about the pixelated image and alleged behaviour, does it really need to be jammed into our face, as if somehow in the public interest?
Enough, already! We don’t need to know about this crap.
