Not a fantastic omen for Panthers fans

[Bomber]

1995

Saturday prelim final - Canterbury beat Canberra
Sunday prelim final - Manly beat Newcastle

Grand Final - Canterbury wins

1996

Saturday prelim final - Manly beat Cronulla
Sunday prelim final - St George beat Norths

Grand Final - Manly wins

1997 (ARL)

Saturday prelim final - Newcastle beat Norths
Sunday prelim final - Manly beat Easts

Grand Final - Newcastle wins

1998

Saturday prelim final - Brisbane beats Easts
Sunday prelim final - Canterbury beats Parramatta

Grand Final - Brisbane wins

1999

Saturday prelim final - Melbourne beats Parra
Sunday prelim final - St George-Illawarra beats Cronulla

Grand Final - Melbourne wins

2000 *exception to the rule*

Saturday prelim final - Easts beat Newcastle
Sunday prelim final - Brisbane beat Parra

Grand Final - Brisbane wins

2001

Saturday prelim final - Newcastle beat Cronulla
Sunday prelim final - Parramatta beat Brisbane

Grand Final - Newcastle wins

2002

Saturday prelim final - Roosters beat Brisbane
Sunday prelim final - Warriors beat Cronulla

Grand Final - Roosters win


In seven out of the last eight competitions, the team that played in the Saturday preliminary final won the Grand Final. I understand that particularly since 1999 the advantage may not have been that great (16 hours, with 8-ish of them asleep.....what can that do?), but the numbers don't lie.

Perhaps it's time to consider holding the preliminary finals on the same day, with a 3:00 game at Stadium Australia and a night game at the Football Stadium, or vice versa, on a Saturday.

 

[yappy]

Or what about a double header at Telstra. Two forty thou crowds come together to equal one sellout. Sure they'd probably lose a bit on the tickets, but what a day at the footy.

 

[wittyfan]

Interesting statistic. Perhaps the extra day gives the team the mental and physical edge. :? If that's the case then a double header would seem the fair way to go....