Semi final time. The 5th placed team was 6 points clear of the next highest so the teams will be playing under real pressure that has not existed during the round games.
Shellharbour have done a great job for St George this year with 4 of the current 17 in the NRL having played in the Marlins this year, but their record of 4 wins in the last 10 suggests they are just making up the numbers.
So the head to head between the top 4 looks like this:
Windsor - 6 wins, no losses - must be favourites
Bulls - 3 wins, 3 losses (beat Cabra twice, Mounties once)
Cabra - 2 wins against Mounties, 4 losses
Mounties - 1 win against Bulls, 5 losses.
then again, this could mean nothing come the weekend.
Yeah you can pretty much throw all form out the window when it comes to finals, however, having played all teams, my opinion is:
5th Shellharbour: Pretty much making up the numbers. They did well when they had a heap of Dragons players but most of those have been taken away with the exception of Jon Green and Jardine Bobongie.
They play a fast brand of footy and hevily rely on their forwards to give their fullback and centre room to move. But I think they just lack that killer instinct. Still a good side though
4th Cabramatta: My tip to take it out.
Well coached, massive forwards who work very hard, with crafty halves in Jones and Branigan and some very handy outside back in Aiga and Burns, not to mention the underated Vaiotu boys are quite a handful on kick return.
The only thing that may hinder their success is injuries to key players over the last few weeks.
3rd Mounties: For mine they are a little inconsistent.
Are very capable of putting in some solid performances, but there is just something about them that I think may make them fall at the final hurdle.
Led well by Drew Dalton, and have a strong forward pack, they play solid no mistakes footy. But if you take them on up the middle they can be vulnerable, if you play with a lot of aggression. I think they will get done in the second qualifying final.
2nd Bulls: The biggest danger to Cabra.
Very well coached, strong forward back with some very experience halves who make you pay dearly for any mistakes and a natural try scorer in Barakat. Although there are reports there are trouble at the club with coaches and players, so this may have an effect on thier form, but I think they are too professional to let that effect them too much.
1st Windsor: Bit of a smokey really to take out the minor preniership IMO, but hey have flown under the radar most of the year. Trindall is the backbone of this team and everything revolves around him. He is the achillies heel. Very experienced and just knows what to do in every situation on the field. Good forwards and they do get a few players back from NSW Cup which I thyink has helped through the year. Could make the Grand Final if they play well and dont make mistakes.
Cabra to beat either the Bull or Windsor in the Grand Final
