The run home

[Tigerm]

We have the following games left:

Panthers
Eels
Titans
Sharks

IMO, we need at least 2 wins to secure a finals spot.
I think we are to far away for top 4?
Just hope we haven't played our semi games in the last 2 weeks?

 

[Tiger05]

We need to win as many as possible but more importantly we need to get into top form.

 

[bjm8]

These are going to be tough games, especially next week, to come down from 2 weeks of semi finals type football to play teams outside of the 8 is going to be difficult.

I'd rather be playing the Cowboys/Broncos/Knights or someone like that to keep up the intensity.

 

[Tigers Tale]

I'd be happy to work on our for and against and get up to 5th or 6th. Four from four will have everyone else looking at us...and worried!!!

 

[N.C.]

Another 4/4 would put us on 8 wins straight - our longest ever winning streak... meaning a win in a QF would also create a new record for the club. At this moment in time, it even looks possible.

 

[madunit]

It's not an easy run by any means.

Our two biggest bogey sides in two cosecutive weeks in Penrith and Parramatta, then a game we should win easily (we have a habit of losing those) against what could possibly be a Prince-less Titans and then heading to Cronulla to take on a Sharks side that has improved a lot this year and aren't to be underestimated, even though we are essentially their bogey team.

2-3 wins would be more than enough. We're not going to rise too much further up the ladder, and a part of me wants to see us take on Manly again in the finals, given we have a psychological edge over them now.

 

[Borat.]

we cant get knocked out of the 8 now - not happening

...if knights beat raiders its all over

 

[innsaneink]

I sorta like the idea of our 2 last games being games we should win and win comfortably.

I think physically we are pretty good going into the finals (bar the injuries) these two last games should be good for our mental preperation

 

[Tigerm]

So if we agree, we wont make the top 4, but when we have secured a semi spot, what do we do with the team for the last few games?

Do we rest players or play them?

For me, I wouldn't rush Lawrence back & would consider maybe resting Marshal & Farah, maybe Ellis as well? Not all in one game, but at least one, to hopefully freshen them up a bit??

 

[Borat.]

wouldn't rest anyone bar farah if his injury is playing up....

 

[super_coach]

no Lawrence for two weeks is going to hurt. Makes such a difference, with him out we come back to the field very quickly. You can have all the Benji magic, but he needs a target out wide who is going to dent the line

 

[macnaz]

Talking of resting players, did anyone feel as tho Ellis's form was down on his usualy high standard last week? I dont mean for a second he played bad but compared to the Manly game he was very quite, i hope is injury isnt flaring up again . If it is id be happy to give him a week or 2 off.

 

[madunit]

Lawrence said on Twitter he could be out for 4-6 weeks.

Hopefully he's back for the first week of the finals.

I personally think the medicos are being overly cautious, but given the time of year, I don't blame them.

 

[MacDougall]

Talking of resting players, did anyone feel as tho Ellis's form was down on his usualy high standard last week? I dont mean for a second he played bad but compared to the Manly game he was very quite, i hope is injury isnt flaring up again . If it is id be happy to give him a week or 2 off.

Strange as it is to say, I think Ellis getting bumped off badly early in the game damaged his confidence somewhat. I didn't think Ellis was that kind of player but his intensity dropped substantially.

 

[Borat.]

thought Channel 9 gave him MOM v manly ....

 

[gronkathon]

I think Ellis was used as a decoy more than anything. His communication with Lawry in defence wasn't quite up to where it should be.

I am just glad that with Ellis having a quiet game by his standards that we still powered along.

 

[magpie_man]

we need to win all 4, don't wanna be facing Melbourne or manly at brookavale in the first week of the finals...

 

[BuffaloRules]

we need to win all 4, don't wanna be facing Melbourne or manly at brookavale in the first week of the finals...

They have changed the semi finals system this year I think. Manly would be at SFS Round 1.

Not easy either, but better than the near certain death penalty awaiting in Melbourne...

 

[macnaz]

G

thought Channel 9 gave him MOM v manly ....

Yeah Borat he did.. thats why i thought in comparison he looked very quite against saints

 

[Tigerm]

we need to win all 4, don't wanna be facing Melbourne or manly at brookavale in the first week of the finals...

It would be the way to go, but the ultimate prize is the GF victory, we need to be strong for the challange.