lucablight said:Marshall played in 2004 as well. Prince obviously had nothing to do with the premiership. It was all Marshall.
Originally Posted by Thierry Henry
No, Marshall got injured in early 2004 and the Tigers went nowhere. Marshall played his ONLY full season to date in 2005 and the Tigers won the GF playing electrifying attacking rugby league. Not a coincidence.
Benji has ALREADY won a Grand Final and been absolutely outstanding in the biggest pressure games of all, to suggest that he isn't the sort of marquee/superstar player who can get his team over the line in a GF is completely geniused.
And history shows, clearly, that you need AT LEAST ONE player in the halves who is going to dominate, in order to win. Clearly, Marshall is that sort of player whereas Smith, Finch, Rovelli, Witt, are not at the same level. The absolute minimum requirement would be Brent Sherwin on form + an outstanding set of forwards ala 2004....
Manly have Orford and Lyon, Melbourne have Inglis and Cronk, Tigers have Marshall, Cowboys have Thuston, and the Dogs have Sherwin....in my most humble and sincere opinion, these are the only teams with halves who I can foresee being good enough to take them all the way to the title. Personally I doubt the Cows can win it, but the other four are the teams to watch....the Warriors imo will flatter to deceive, but won't quite be good enough in the biggest games of all due to a lack of inspiration from Witt or Rovelli.
Originally Posted by Thierry Henry
Well, I beg to differ. I just think a team needs a gun player in the halves, not necessarily a great organiser. The Tigers have most bases covered with Farah and Hodgson anyway. Marshall is a player who can create absolute havoc, and playing halfback he will be getting his hands on the ball time and again. If the Tigers are to go all the way, they might have to play an even more razzle dazzle style than they did in '05, but I think it's possible. Benji is a special player, and special players in the halves win grand-finals.
...and I admit that Sherwin comes closest to ruining my theory. However, imo Sherwin in 2004 form is a much better big game player than Finch or Smith. I don't see Smith or Finch as grand final winners. Just a matter of opinion I guess. I admit that Finch has played Origin, and Smith is a recent rookie of the year, so they're borderline cases- it's really just my opinion/guess that they won't be up to it.
WTF? said:Smith/Finch wont win a premiership but Marshall/Morris will :lol: :lol: :lol: dear god slay me now.
No team with John Morris in the halves will win a premiership.
Hutty1986 said:Storm Vs Bulldogs imo
Manly/Parra to fall at the Prelim hurdle
Dogs are a tough finals team and with a few class players to come back...I really rate their chances. Last years finals embarrassment may just be a motivating factor in their run
shiznit said:meh... halves arent really that important anymore because bodyshapes are much similar across the park and skill levels have increased so much for all positions. now you have lock forwards, fullbacks & centres with good kicking and passing games.
i think these days you need to expand it and say 9, 6/7 & 1 are the key positions. Cronk and Inglis dont have any 'pedegree' as halves but there very effective. when you throw Cam Smith and Slater into the mix you see why the storm go real good.
look at how cronk and inglis preformed last night without Cam Smith. certainly wernt as good.
The Warriors are good enough... Fien/Gattis have been playing really well and Mckinnon is probably the form fullback of the comp.
The Tigers are outstanding Farrah, Marshall/Morris & Hodgson
The Eels are awesome too... PJ/Pig, Smith/Finch & Hayne
all those sides are good enough to progress... i think this finals series will come down to the forwards... whoever can control the middle of the park the best will win it...
i have no idea who that is...
That'd be about right.gorilla with a shotgun said:Storm - Manly
Storm Easily Winning