Anyone can win it from here

[Panther_Daz]

Having a look at the likely top 8 for the NYC finals its really hard to split alot of the teams. For example, the team most likely to come 8th the Gold Coast Titans even can win it. They will have Jordan Rapana,Shannon Walker,Kevin Gordon and Esi Tonga in their backline.

It will come down to 50/50 calls going a teams way and the bounce of the ball going their way. Cause anyone of the 8 teams have the potential to beat their 7 finals opponents on their day.

 

[NIGHTMARE-HITTER]

The Warriors for mind have the strongest and most balanced squad.

Sonny Fai, Bill Tupou, Kevin Locke, Patrick Ah Van, Dan O Regan in the backline

Russel Packer, Lesson Ah Mau, Upu Poaching, Elijah Taylor in the forwards.

Pretty Dam solid. But they can have an off day every 5 or so games.

 

[Panther_Daz]

I am pretty sure Ben Matulino qualifies for the 20's finals as well.

 

[Wicks]

Fai doesnt qualify and Matulino wont either if he plays out the last two games in the NRL

Still the Warriors look the most healthy and that is a big differences to teams like the Panthers and Dragons who would be better but keep copping injuries

It will be all about the matchups through the finals

My guess is that the Bulldogs will come through and win similar to when they had their troubles in 2002 and won reserve grade

 

[Raider_69]

4 posts and not a single mention of the Raiders squad who have wrapped up the U20's minor premiership in style, and have comprehensively beaten the top side IMO besides them, the penrith panthers

IMHO, whilst the warriors and panthers are both quality sides and can cause an upset it canberra have an off game, its the raiders title to lose... I've herd Justin Carney might be fit for the last few games of finals if they make it that far.

Dugan at the back, Vidot, Croker and maybe Carney out in the backline. Picker and Smith controlling the team, they are so complimentary to each others games. And then Waddell who can tear teams apart from hooker, backed up by Skinner, Thompson, Fensom and Kennedy in the forwards.... Such a shame Kose Leilei and Codyre f**ked up off the paddock and were sacked during the course of the year, both would be walk up starts to this team

 

[Panther_Daz]

IMHO, whilst the warriors and panthers are both quality sides and can cause an upset it canberra have an off game, its the raiders title to lose... .

I don't think it's just the Warriors and Panthers that can beat the Raiders. There is a few teams capable of doing it. Parra and Brisbane are really starting to find some form at the right time of the year. Even St George,Bulldogs and Titans have good sides and they have shown that this year.

I wasn't trying to single out one side Raider_69 was just saying it is going to be a excellent final series contested by some brilliant young teams.

 

[Wicks]

Are the Raiders not in the top eight :? Well then both me and Panther Daz have mentioned them

Raiders do not stand out any more than anyone else

If they had to promote as many players or had as many players involved in the arrive alive cup and schoolboys carnivals or go through similar injuries runs they could easily have lost games here and there and would still be fighting for a top eight spot

Their position provides no certainty They need to win three away games to win the title and will be vulnerable to the Sydney teams especially at ANZ They only scrapped through in three Qld games and were awful in Melbourne

How can you take any credit for beating Penrith with the number of players they had out in the last game and the key players :crazy:

 

[Panther_Daz]

Looking at the ladder, there is a chance the Bulldogs may miss out on the top 8. Which will be a huge surprise.

 

[Dogaholic]

Looking at the ladder, there is a chance the Bulldogs may miss out on the top 8. Which will be a huge surprise.

They didn't look interested against the Broncs. Would be good to get a few troops back too.

I think Jimmy Fawcett, John Kite and Linton Price are due back from Injury. I think Jamal Idris will also go back down to NYC too. Not sure if Heka Nanai qualifies for NYC finals.

We need a victory against the Raiders this week.

 

[mxlegend99]

How can you take any credit for beating Penrith with the number of players they had out in the last game and the key players :crazy:

Agreed.

We had 15 players missing in that game, 5 of which have played first grade this season, and our 1/6/7/9 were all missing. Anyteam in the Toyota Cup could have smashed them with all those players missing.

Masada Iosefa has boosted the team a bit, but for us to make the Grand Final we need Lachlan Coote, Wade Graham and Trent Iselin back on the field.

 

[Panther_Daz]

Unfortunately i believe Trent is gone for the year. Coote may be back this weekend and Graham possibly for Week 1 of the finals.
Still hoping for Greg Waddell to return, he gives us that X Factor in the outside backs. Can make a break from anywhere.

 

[Wicks]

Looking at the ladder, there is a chance the Bulldogs may miss out on the top 8. Which will be a huge surprise.

Absolutely and if Barba Kite and Idris had played all the way through they could have been at the top of the table

They handled the Raiders easily who were missing only Carney among key players

Winning is nice but developing players steadily is more important I wouldnt want to see Roche or Henry backup from the arrive alive cup

Better to drop out of the race and come back ready next year

 

[Edwahu]

How can you take any credit for beating Penrith with the number of players they had out in the last game and the key players :crazy:

We smashed them at the start of the year when they had most of their players (i think anyway).

We struggle a bit against the bigger sides at times but with Dugan we have lost two games all year. It will be tough but we are in with a decent shot.

 

[Edwahu]

Just read Joel Thompson broke his jaw. With no chance of Carney back either I reckon we will struggle.

 

[Mal Meninga]

Dugan's got an injury too.

The Raiders haven't had it easy with injuries and suspension. Codyre injured a few weeks back, Matty Smith's gone through a suspension and injury, Dugan's been dropped on 3 separate occassions because of discipline, Thompson has missed a few games too.

We've gone under the radar throughout the season and it's served us well.

 

[Raider_69]

Dont sweat it boys
Dugs will get this week off since the minor is secured, he'll be right for week 1 of the finals
Thompson is a massive blow but we've got half the year without J.Carney and still won the MP convincingly. We'll win this comp, im pretty confident of that

 

[Wicks]

We smashed them at the start of the year when they had most of their players (i think anyway)

Graham Orton Grant Blackett Watene all missing

 

[Panther_Daz]

Started this thread to highlight the closeness of the comp and the fact there is a few teams capable of winning it. Didn't know it was going to be a thread on how good the Raiders are and how they have the comp in the bag.

 

[mxlegend99]

Graham Orton Grant Blackett Watene all missing

And Greg Waddell, so that's atleast 6 players from our full strength side that were missing.

 

[Dogaholic]

Started this thread to highlight the closeness of the comp and the fact there is a few teams capable of winning it. Didn't know it was going to be a thread on how good the Raiders are and how they have the comp in the bag.

Raiders on the day are a great team. No better than Penrith, Dogs, Parra or St George though.