OK, SO THE FINALS situation for the remaining teams is:

[Andrew McAwesome]

Fantastic. We get to play the minor premiers in week 2 after winning in week 1.

2008 all over again

 

[tommytomlin]

Well maybe you should have won more games this year?

 

[pcpp]

Why is Eels Titans at the SFS? Isn't ANZ closer to Parra's home?

 

[Brutus]

Give me a break, Brisbane knows whats going on, its the business end of the season and they are the hottest team in the comp.

Brisbane have lost all 6 of their Suncorp Stadium semi-finals.

 

[Quidgybo]

Why is Eels Titans at the SFS? Isn't ANZ closer to Parra's home?

I'm wondering the same thing. ANZ is an approved week 2 venue and it would be significantly closer to Parramatta's fan base. That said, perhaps a smaller venue is appropriate given the relative lack of history and Sydney support for the Gold Coast.

Have the NRL confirmed the venue yet or have Channel Nine just made an assumption based on the old finals system (where week 2 matches were exclusively at the SFS)?

Leigh.

 

[fish eel]

NRL.com have the venue as TBC

http://www.nrl.com/NRLHome/GrandFinalTicketInformation/tabid/10894/Default.aspx

 

[Shorty]

So arguably the two best teams (St George and Brisbane) cannot meet in the Grand Final, great system we have, but theres already a thread for that.

It's not the system's fault the Dragons were beaten by Parra.

Brisbane were being belted by 30 points earlier in the year, they're far from the best team.

 

[lucablight]

Fantastic. We get to play the minor premiers in week 2 after winning in week 1.

2008 all over again

If you had lost you would have been out instead of Manly. Also you are playing the Dragons at your home venue

 

[Andrew McAwesome]

Yeah I know. We could be in a lot worse situation, just sucks that we could have been playing a demoralised Manly instead of a humiliated Dragons.

 

[Rovelli]

Don't you just love Finals footy for what it throws up? #8 beats the #1 again, and what a way to do it. It wasn't like the infamous Witt touchdown for the Warriors last year to steal it right at the death, but the Eels were strong on defence and have the unpredictability in attack, and the Dragons were beaten on the day.

After a few weeks, I have come to the conclusion that although the Dragons were once considered a runaway premiership favourite, the fact of the matter is, they aren't that good, and plenty of teams can still win the title. That said, the Eels were a team the Dragons beat 37-0 just nine days ago...and sure the Eels threw in the towel at halftime, this should've had some effect going into the game.

Canterbury were lucky to draw the absolute weakest side in the first week of finals, and with a week's rest and the hope of Kimmorley coming back, will be tough to beat. I am expecting the Eels to knock over the Titans and set up a grudge match against them.

Gotta feel sorry for the Broncos again. Had the Storm not grappled and chicken-winged their way to defeat last year, they would've had a match against the Raiders, and at the time, they were looking like a playoff threat. After we beat the Storm, the Broncos had to play the Storm...and Sims lost it...This time around, they win but have to play the Dragons, eliminating one of the gun teams.

 

[Andrew McAwesome]

Yeah, we could have had a better draw. But finishing 6th was our own doing, can't really blame anyone else when you spend 2 months conceding 40 points a week.

At the end of the day, you have to beat someone good to win the premiership.

 

[Pierced Soul]

Brisbane have lost all 6 of their Suncorp Stadium semi-finals.

plus they've lost like 8 of their last 9 against the dragons. i think opposing teams like playing at suncorp so it doesnt really advantage brisbane