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PAUL CRAWLEY THE DAILY TELEGRAPH JULY 31, 2013 12:00AM
WITH six rounds of the regular season to go, preparations are already in full swing in anticipation of an NRL record crowd to cheer on the Rabbitohs and Roosters at the final round blockbuster to decide this year's minor premiership.
Early indicators are that this clash between the two inner-city arch rivals could break the record for the biggest crowd at a regular season NRL stand-alone game - and the TAB on Tuesday released its betting market that has the Roosters $1.85 favourites ahead of the Rabbitohs at $1.95.
Already there are 23,000 seats that have been allocated at ANZ Stadium, which indicates that the eventual crowd will push 50,000-plus.
Adding to the history of the night is the fact it will be Souths' 2000th game, against the only other club to have played more than 2000 games.
The biggest NRL stand-alone regular season game on record was at this year's Good Friday clash between the Rabbitohs and the Bulldogs that attracted 51,686 for Ben Barba's comeback game at ANZ on the weekend of the Easter Show.
In 2012, Nathan Hindmarsh's farewell pulled 45,863 to ANZ while in 2009 Hazem El Masri's last game attracted 41,835.
But with the Rabbitohs and the Roosters sitting first and second on the NRL ladder, organisers are tipping this game could break all the records with so much at stake and given the history between the two clubs.
Souths and the Roosters haven't faced off in a grand final since 1931 when the Rabbitohs triumphed 12-7.
Rabbitohs
Souths forward Sam Burgess in action against the Roosters. Picture: Mark Evans
The TAB last week installed the Roosters as the new competition favourites ahead of Souths and there is no question they have the better run to the finals.
The Roosters travel to Penrith this Friday night followed by Raiders (Allianz), Tigers (Allianz), Sharks (Remondis), Titans (Allianz) and Rabbitohs (ANZ).
The Rabbitohs face a tougher draw with more long distance trips.
They have spent this week on the Gold Coast ahead of Saturday night's clash against the Cowboys in Townsville.
They then head to Melbourne to take on the Storm followed by the Sea Eagles in Gosford, the Bulldogs (ANZ), Tigers (Allianz) and the Roosters (ANZ).
But the good news for Bunnies fans is that Greg Inglis is now back training and should be firing up by that stage for the most anticipated finals series in years.
Inglis tweeted Tuesday that he was back doing weights and cardio work - but the superstar fullback said he would not gamble on his return until he had recovered 100 per cent from the knee injury he suffered in the Origin decider.
The TAB's Matt Jenkins said GI's return could push favouritism back Souths way.
"The Roosters are slight favourites given their momentum and their incredible defensive efforts this year," Jenkins said. "But a fully-fit and in-form Greg Inglis could swing betting back towards the Bunnies."
Fox Sports Stats guru Aaron Wallace is tipping that final round game will determine the minor premiership.
"If you assume the Rabbitohs lose one of the games against Melbourne or Manly and the Roosters only lose one more of their games leading into it, then the winner of that last round game will be the minor premiers," Wallace said.
But trying to predict the final make-up of the top eight with six rounds to play is tougher.
Going back over the past three years the cut-out has been 28 competition points.
As it stands now 15 teams still have a chance mathematically to make the play-offs but realistically you could probably say Brisbane, in 12th place on 18 points, need to beat Newcastle on Friday night to stay in the race.
If 28 gets you in then Canterbury, Cronulla and Canberra (on 24 points) only need to win two more games each - while Newcastle and the Warriors need to win at least three of their last six.
Penrith and the Gold Coast (on 20 points) would need to win at least four.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...-sydney-roosters/story-fni3gki8-1226688396691
WITH six rounds of the regular season to go, preparations are already in full swing in anticipation of an NRL record crowd to cheer on the Rabbitohs and Roosters at the final round blockbuster to decide this year's minor premiership.
Early indicators are that this clash between the two inner-city arch rivals could break the record for the biggest crowd at a regular season NRL stand-alone game - and the TAB on Tuesday released its betting market that has the Roosters $1.85 favourites ahead of the Rabbitohs at $1.95.
Already there are 23,000 seats that have been allocated at ANZ Stadium, which indicates that the eventual crowd will push 50,000-plus.
Adding to the history of the night is the fact it will be Souths' 2000th game, against the only other club to have played more than 2000 games.
The biggest NRL stand-alone regular season game on record was at this year's Good Friday clash between the Rabbitohs and the Bulldogs that attracted 51,686 for Ben Barba's comeback game at ANZ on the weekend of the Easter Show.
In 2012, Nathan Hindmarsh's farewell pulled 45,863 to ANZ while in 2009 Hazem El Masri's last game attracted 41,835.
But with the Rabbitohs and the Roosters sitting first and second on the NRL ladder, organisers are tipping this game could break all the records with so much at stake and given the history between the two clubs.
Souths and the Roosters haven't faced off in a grand final since 1931 when the Rabbitohs triumphed 12-7.
Rabbitohs
Souths forward Sam Burgess in action against the Roosters. Picture: Mark Evans
The TAB last week installed the Roosters as the new competition favourites ahead of Souths and there is no question they have the better run to the finals.
The Roosters travel to Penrith this Friday night followed by Raiders (Allianz), Tigers (Allianz), Sharks (Remondis), Titans (Allianz) and Rabbitohs (ANZ).
The Rabbitohs face a tougher draw with more long distance trips.
They have spent this week on the Gold Coast ahead of Saturday night's clash against the Cowboys in Townsville.
They then head to Melbourne to take on the Storm followed by the Sea Eagles in Gosford, the Bulldogs (ANZ), Tigers (Allianz) and the Roosters (ANZ).
But the good news for Bunnies fans is that Greg Inglis is now back training and should be firing up by that stage for the most anticipated finals series in years.
Inglis tweeted Tuesday that he was back doing weights and cardio work - but the superstar fullback said he would not gamble on his return until he had recovered 100 per cent from the knee injury he suffered in the Origin decider.
The TAB's Matt Jenkins said GI's return could push favouritism back Souths way.
"The Roosters are slight favourites given their momentum and their incredible defensive efforts this year," Jenkins said. "But a fully-fit and in-form Greg Inglis could swing betting back towards the Bunnies."
Fox Sports Stats guru Aaron Wallace is tipping that final round game will determine the minor premiership.
"If you assume the Rabbitohs lose one of the games against Melbourne or Manly and the Roosters only lose one more of their games leading into it, then the winner of that last round game will be the minor premiers," Wallace said.
But trying to predict the final make-up of the top eight with six rounds to play is tougher.
Going back over the past three years the cut-out has been 28 competition points.
As it stands now 15 teams still have a chance mathematically to make the play-offs but realistically you could probably say Brisbane, in 12th place on 18 points, need to beat Newcastle on Friday night to stay in the race.
If 28 gets you in then Canterbury, Cronulla and Canberra (on 24 points) only need to win two more games each - while Newcastle and the Warriors need to win at least three of their last six.
Penrith and the Gold Coast (on 20 points) would need to win at least four.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...-sydney-roosters/story-fni3gki8-1226688396691
