Our run to the finals

[OldPanther]

Souths will be shown up as pretenders in the run home

I disagree. I think they're the form team of the comp and it's no fluke they've gone 9 in a row. Only team playing consistently so far.

 

[franklin2323]

I disagree. I think they're the form team of the comp and it's no fluke they've gone 9 in a row. Only team playing consistently so far.

Look at who they played. Spine has been intact all year. No doubt they have gone well but others have a higher ceiling. Look at the top 5 and how much disruption they have had. They are doing what Parra dos last year

Give us, Roosters, Storm and Drags close to a full side and they don't come close.

 

[jane the pain]

Nah, tripster's not usually a negative poster. Nothing wrong with his post that gives some perspective to the challenge ahead. No doubt Top 4 will be tough - fans of other teams will be thinking the same for their teams although typically their views will be more positive where their team won this weekend.

I disagree. His posts are all doom and gloom.

 

[tripster]

="jane the pain, post: 13022649, member: 49503"]I disagree. His posts are all doom and gloom.

That's not a fair assessment. If anything my posts are generally optimistic. But I like to deal in facts rather than emotions (and reply to the substance of what people say rather than criticising them personally) and the reality is that the Manly loss was a critical loss in the context of our season, and the numbers simply don't lie from this point - it is now unlikely we make the top 4. Is it impossible? No it isn't, and of course I hope we make it.

 

[OldPanther]

That's not a fair assessment. If anything my posts are generally optimistic. But I like to deal in facts rather than emotions (and reply to the substance of what people say rather than criticising them personally) and the reality is that the Manly loss was a critical loss in the context of our season, and the numbers simply don't lie from this point - it is now unlikely we make the top 4. Is it impossible? No it isn't, and of course I hope we make it.

I disagree. His posts are all doom and gloom.

He's right. The numbers suggest it'll be tough at best. We needed to win against Manly or Sharks to make it a bit better. We'll now need a few results to go our way and win nearly every game.

 

[OldPanther]

Look at who they played. Spine has been intact all year. No doubt they have gone well but others have a higher ceiling. Look at the top 5 and how much disruption they have had. They are doing what Parra dos last year

Give us, Roosters, Storm and Drags close to a full side and they don't come close.

This year they've beaten Sharks, Dragons, Roosters this year. With Damien Cook getting his shot properly this year they are killing it with the style of footy they are playing.

 

[jane the pain]

He's right. The numbers suggest it'll be tough at best. We needed to win against Manly or Sharks to make it a bit better. We'll now need a few results to go our way and win nearly every game.

Still in the top 8, and that is the way that it will remain.

 

[OldPanther]

Still in the top 8, and that is the way that it will remain.

No one is arguing that.

 

[jane the pain]

No one is arguing that.

I am not going to explain myself any further.

 

[OldPanther]

I am not going to explain myself any further.

There's nothing to explain. @tripster said our top 4 chances are slim. At the same time it'd be virtually impossible to miss the 8 at this point. Both are facts. The good thing is we are a team who thrive on momentum so if anyone can win from outside the 4 it's us.

 

[Fangs]

While top 4 is important I'd prefer to see us run into the finals with some form like 2016. Every player returning from injury needs to be managed carefully so we can peak at just the right time.

 

[franklin2323]

While top 4 is important I'd prefer to see us run into the finals with some form like 2016. Every player returning from injury needs to be managed carefully so we can peak at just the right time.

That is the way I see it too. We still have 6 rep players to come into our side. Even finishing 8th we'd be close to being favourites in most games assuming everyone stays fit

 

[PenrithPanther45]

Souths may suffer a bit of a slump having won so many in a row. Inglis' injury has been well covered but I can only imagine how bad it would be for them if Cook went down.

Crazy to think the Storm are second given they are nowhere near their best right now.

I think we have a better chance of beating the Rabbitohs in the finals than the Storm to be honest. Although Souths are playing bloody good (and entertaining at that) footy.

It's still a pretty open comp right now but think finishing top four is crucial. The nature of the top eight this year is that no game is a gimme. Sharks, Broncos, Warriors and possibly Roosters in the bottom half of the eight - none are easy games by any stretch. It's not like previous years where the Titans, for example, have made the finals and been mere cannon fodder for other teams. As you guys have said though, if we go into the finals with momentum, it could be massive. I can already see Kikau just running over the top of guys.

 

[franklin2323]

Souths may suffer a bit of a slump having won so many in a row. Inglis' injury has been well covered but I can only imagine how bad it would be for them if Cook went down.

Crazy to think the Storm are second given they are nowhere near their best right now.

I think we have a better chance of beating the Rabbitohs in the finals than the Storm to be honest. Although Souths are playing bloody good (and entertaining at that) footy.

It's still a pretty open comp right now but think finishing top four is crucial. The nature of the top eight this year is that no game is a gimme. Sharks, Broncos, Warriors and possibly Roosters in the bottom half of the eight - none are easy games by any stretch. It's not like previous years where the Titans, for example, have made the finals and been mere cannon fodder for other teams. As you guys have said though, if we go into the finals with momentum, it could be massive. I can already see Kikau just running over the top of guys.

Reynolds missed a few games early on but they have had a good run with injuries. They are a top 8 team just not the best.

Over the next fortnight those top 4 teams outside of Souths will lift with players back. Can Souths lift with them? not sure but will be great to see

 

[tripster]

This week we want to be cheering for Raiders to beat the Sharks, Cowboys to beat the Dragons, Warriors to beat the Storm and Manly to beat the Roosters.

 

[franklin2323]

This week we want to be cheering for Raiders to beat the Sharks, Cowboys to beat the Dragons, Warriors to beat the Storm and Manly to beat the Roosters.

Manly has a decent record v Roosters. As do WT v Souths and Warriors v Storm. So looks like a tricky week

 

[PenrithPanther45]

Manly has a decent record v Roosters. As do WT v Souths and Warriors v Storm. So looks like a tricky week

I think Wests are definitely a chance of getting up against Souths. Manly may just fall short in similar style to their defeat to Melbourne.

 

[Fangs]

That is the way I see it too. We still have 6 rep players to come into our side. Even finishing 8th we'd be close to being favourites in most games assuming everyone stays fit

Thats right. And once you make the 8 its open game.

If there was ever a year for a team outside the 4 to win the premiership its this one. There is a clearly no contender that stands head and shoulders above the rest.

 

[franklin2323]

Thats right. And once you make the 8 its open game.

If there was ever a year for a team outside the 4 to win the premiership its this one. There is a clearly no contender that stands head and shoulders above the rest.

I don't rate the Sharks or Broncos but who knows come finals time.
A few teams have been disrupted through the year which means they will be fresher come finals time too. Should be a good end of the year

 

[jane the pain]

There's nothing to explain. @tripster said our top 4 chances are slim. At the same time it'd be virtually impossible to miss the 8 at this point. Both are facts. The good thing is we are a team who thrive on momentum so if anyone can win from outside the 4 it's us.

I am not an idiot, I understand what he is saying. He is been a downer, as per usual.