"Must win" game against the Tigers

[Minh]

Looking at the Top 3 only as far back as two weeks ago I would of said they were a shoo in to win the first week of the finals as long as they didn't run into the Dragons.

Now fast forward to the present Melbourne minus a few players critically Adam Blair were last night belted by 30 odd points by the Roosters leaking an astonishing 40 points in defense. Manly without Glen Stewart and Brisbane what looks to be minus Hoffman and Thaiday will be facing a dangerous Warriors outfit who only recently pushed them all the way at Suncorp falling by just 1 point via a Peter Wallace field goal.

With this in mind if 2 of the top 3 teams lose in the first week of the finals it'll mean that the loser of the first semi final 4th vs 5th that is Us versus the Tigers will be eliminated , so in my mind it is almost critical that we win this Friday to ensure that we don't have to sweat on those other results.

I am very confident that we can get the job done but have a lot of respect for the Tigers especially in finals footy where they are quite unpredictable and therefore a dangerous foe.

Go The Mighty Dragons!!!

 

[AceAv]

I would be betting on the Tigers to win this in a THRILLAH!!

 

[Bazzi]

What i see happening if we win against the Tigers is:

Finals week 1:
Melbourne v Newcastle
Manly v North Queensland
Brisbane v New Zealand
Wests v Saints

Finals week 2:
Brisbane v Wests (at Suncorp) (Winner plays Manly)
Saints v New Zealand (in Sydney) (Winner plays Melbourne)

If we lose to the Tigers i see it going like this:

Finals week 1:
Melbourne v Newcastle
Manly v North Queensland
Brisbane v New Zealand
Wests v Saints

(Funnily enough, the top 4 sides have never all won their first week clashes since the McIntyre System was introduced)

Finals week 2:
Brisbanev Saints (at Suncorp) (Winner plays Manly)
Wests v New Zealand (Winner plays Melbourne)

Personally I think beating the Tigers is a must, wouldn't want to head in to week 2 finals on the back of a loss with the thought of playing in Brisbane or NZ.

Anyway, let's not get too far ahead of ourselves, we've got a big game coming up on Friday, and I for one cannot wait!

 

[Cagey Mac]

Manly look good enough to beat the Cows and will have some players back from suspension
The Storm should account for Newcastle. You cannot ignore the improtance of Cameron Smith with 100+ receives, 40+ tackles a brilliant kicking game and untold try assists, he is currently the world's best player. Slater is the best #1 and Cooper Cronk is the best distributive 1/2 in the game.
The Broncos : Warriors game is interesting but with 50K plus Broncos fans, think that the Broncos will get up by a small margin
I'm tipping us by 7 against the Tigers. Look out for baggage though is it will be a firey encounter

 

[RedVDave]

With the McIntyre system (it's terrible) 4th and 5th positions are exactly the same IMO (With the exception of the home ground advantage but that has since been removed) as in 2004, 2009 & 2010 The Saints, Manly & Warriors were elimated from 5th position but had they won would have had the week off with their opponent gone week one.

Now as we all know 2 teams below 4 & 5 need to win to eliminate teams 4 or 5 as it stand.

Storm V Knights: on current form it is not out of the question to see a Knights win as Melbourne have played very poorly the last 3 weeks and Knights do have plenty of points in them.

Manly V Cowboys: Can't see a Cowboys win here Manly is the only sure bet this week IMO.

Broncos V Warriors: Last time they played NZ took Brisbane to the limit no reason they can't do it again as they only lost by a single point.


So basically what I am trying to say is, This is a must win game for the mighties! as 2 'upsets' this round are very likely, Cmon Saints!

 

[Cagey Mac]

I think Lawrence will be back this week so the Tigers will have a better side on the park than they did when the played us at the SFS a few weeks back. (Given Tuqiri will play)

Saint's however have several players in significantly better shape than when we last met (namely Gaz, Sowie and Boyd) Merrin too has cast off his post origin form and is at close to career best. We’ll need to be on our game for 80 minutes but should win.

Manly and the Storm will win IMO. Both are very hard to beat at home and are playing teams that aren’t faring too well in away fixtures and we’ll see how the Warriors handle the occasion. Let’s hope that Locke doesn’t run amok.

 

[Fingerbang]

If Lawrence plays....he will not be anywhere near fit. Having said that, a half fit Lawrence is still capable of causing problems. The guy is a star.

 

[Minh]

Let's hope he's not too much of a star, props to him for coming back from the hip injury, let's hope the Gaz stars and Boyd and Soward and Nighty and BMoz.:crazy:

 

[Ulysseus]

They are all must win games, approach them with an attitude less than that and you will have your arse handed to you.

 

[hardbaby]

I think we'll win but I do expect a second bite at the cherry regardless. It's about momentum and confidence IMO...

 

[Minh]

Hornby came out saying it's a "do or die" match and I like that mentality, keep the destiny in your own hands.

 

[KiamaSaint]

Totally agree, every game from here on in is a must win.

 

[YEHHHBOYYYD]

Up the saints!!!

 

[Bazzi]

''We lost to Penrith and got knocked out,'' Hornby said. ''It was unbelievable. But that's what can happen if you leave it in somebody else's hands. We've got to go out there against the Tigers at ANZ Stadium and get the win and then we don't have to worry about it.''

''You have to treat the game as if you lose, you're out,'' he said.

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/dragons-in-mustwin-mindset-hornby-20110905-1juco.html
​

 

[Minh]

Form is temporary "Class" is permanent. The cream will rise to the top in the big games. Very tough game but we certainly have class and we certainly have experience too.

Go The Mighty Dragons!!!

 

[Slippery Morris]

I would not be suprised if the top 2 lose on purpose for the fact that they would rather keep Knights and Cows in the finals and take 2 or either the Dragons, Tigers, Bronco's or Warriors out. I know which 2 teams I would prefer o keep in the finals race. Your talking about Manly and Melbourne here. 2 teams that would go to all levels to win a comp and will play dirty to win it.

In saying that If Saints or Tigers win and the top 2 lose they will get the week off the following week. Again, it would put a stop to their momentum.

If Teams 1 & 2 lose and they then play Knight or Cows the following week. Another easy game leading into the final 2 games. It's an extra game and they risk injury but they get some key players back from injury or suspension the following week.

If the Knights and Cows win, do they play those games in Newcastle and Townsville?

That was the tactic used in 2004 and will be used again for sure imo. In 2004 it was Dogs and Storm who used this tactic.

 

[Minh]

We must win because the other teams would be sweating to see the back of us, I am certain we are "THE" most feared team in the finals, they would want us gone and fast, that is what they will be hoping for.

 

[InThatNumber]

We are the danger team. Been there before and won it all, coming back into form after having such a shocking second half of the season. There are many reasons for others to want us gone. Lets not give them the satisfaction or the chance to do just that. Play like we are capable and we can win four straight. And as Bennett said last year, it won't be anything that the team has not done before.

 

[counterpuncher]

I would not be suprised if the top 2 lose on purpose for the fact that they would rather keep Knights and Cows in the finals and take 2 or either the Dragons, Tigers, Bronco's or Warriors out.

Why would the Scum rest Slater and Smith week 26 only to bring them back for a deliberate loss to the Knights? :crazy:

 

[Das Hassler]

Should be a cakewalk for you guys...this one will be too easy for the Dragons...nothing to worry about at all IMO as the Tigers will be shaking in their boots.
relaaax