Who would you rather? (Finals wk1)

[Jono078]

Who would you rather face in the finals in week 1?

I know we have a long way to go to even cement our spot, but right now odds are we'll be playing either the Bulldogs or Sharks.

Personally I don't know how the Dogs are up in 5th after the year they've had. They've been so so average.

I'd much rather face them than the Sharks.

 

[hugzy]

1. we really are far from sealing a finals spot

2. does sharks get home ground at remondis or sfs? probably prefer the dogs if they dont have barba

3. we'll likely lose either way lol

i'd be ecstatic if we reach week 2, over the MOON if we somehow sneak to prelims

 

[Rod]

Two weeks ago I would have said definitely not Warriors. Now they are playing like crap again. We're not much chance of finishing 5th now anyway so it doesn't matter.

I'd probably say the Dogs would be the easiest, but Barba will be back by then and they seem to be a different team when he plays.

Sharks at Remondis would probably be slightly tougher, we'd be doing well to beat them again there.

 

[Swarzey]

Barba has been nothing this year. Nothing more than a speed hump for anyone making a break. I don't think he's deadly and perhaps there is that possibility he could find his form in the final few weeks, however, he seems so unenthusiastic. Someone said in the Barba thread in the NRL forum that if the Dogs denied his desire to be released, then you have to wonder how true are the rumours of disunity in the squad? I don't think the Dogs will make it past week one.

For Cronulla, their performance against the Dragons left a lot to be desired for and was incredible far from their best. So was their performance against us and the Warriors prior. I'm pretty unsure how they'll go but they do have quite a few guys just coming back who will just improve as they get their match fitness back.

I'd rather Dogs for the easier win, but Sharks would provide with a tough, grinding game where we'll have points to highlight and improve on which could be key to a shocking win in Week 2.

 

[hugzy]

Barba has been nothing this year. Nothing more than a speed hump for anyone making a break. I don't think he's deadly and perhaps there is that possibility he could find his form in the final few weeks, however, he seems so unenthusiastic. Someone said in the Barba thread in the NRL forum that if the Dogs denied his desire to be released, then you have to wonder how true are the rumours of disunity in the squad? I don't think the Dogs will make it past week one.

Barba may cause team turmoil with his off-field antics, but on the field from the 3-4 times i've watched him this year, he is their spark.

 

[Bring it home Knights]

Barba may cause team turmoil with his off-field antics, but on the field from the 3-4 times i've watched him this year, he is their spark.

That's been my experience as well.

 

[Zoidberg]

But we have nullified him really well in both our games this year. I'm still on edge about whether we make the top 8 or not, so I'm not particular about who we play if we make it. But I am glad it won't be against any of the top 4 teams straight up.

 

[IanG]

Well we have now cause we should beat Parramatta next week. Not only win but put on a cricket score.

Apparent we'll be facing either the Dogs or Sharks. We've beaten them both before this season.

If we play the Sharks will it be at Shark Park or will they have to play it at the SFS or something? Will be wanting to go down for it.

 

[Jono078]

I fear the Sharks more than the Dogs. I think we'll be playing the Dogs in Sydney.

 

[Knight Vision]

I fear the Sharks more than the Dogs. I think we'll be playing the Dogs in Sydney.

Somehow I think we can go better against the Dogs. Either way we can win.

 

[Misanthrope]

I'd rather play the Dogs. I reckon we're more likely to be able to topple them. The Sharks have been a bogey side of ours for a while.

 

[Chicken_Hunter]

We have defeated both the dogs and sharks away, and bulldogs we smashed at home. On current form I will say the dogs. But we have an ok record at shark park as well. Either way we are in with a good chance against either team.

 

[Swarzey]

Well we have now cause we should beat Parramatta next week. Not only win but put on a cricket score.

Apparent we'll be facing either the Dogs or Sharks. We've beaten them both before this season.

If we play the Sharks will it be at Shark Park or will they have to play it at the SFS or something? Will be wanting to go down for it.

It should be at Shark Park. It's not really fair if Roosters, Bulldogs and Bunnies get home semis at their usual home ground but Sharks have to play out at SFS. The idea of moving their game to SFS just for the sake of two double headers is ridiculous.

I think it's set we'll play the Dogs. Can't see them winning tonight, so too the Sharks against the Cowboys, but next week the Sharks should beat the Raiders and the Dogs will most likely beat the Broncos.

Still, regardless of who we play, I hope Wayne and some of the older blokes experience in finals footy can brush off on to the rest of the boys and perhaps, just perhaps, we can go up that extra gear.

 

[chinorocks]

I'd rather play the Dogs. I reckon we're more likely to be able to topple them. The Sharks have been a bogey side of ours for a while.

Really? I've been mates with a Sharks fan for about 3 years and to my recollection they've only beaten us once in that period (twice if you count trials).

 

[Chicken_Hunter]

The way the panthers are goin we are still a good chance of finishing 6th

 

[voltron]

sharks will be SFS

i think the dogs are more vulnerable right now
with so many of their forwards out
and no barba

sharks are close to full strength arent they?

 

[timka4]

I'd rather vs the dogs then the sharks right now, I reckon the sharks can go all the way if they really want too.

 

[IanG]

Sharks got beat today so that might throw a spanner in the works.

 

[Burwood]

Matt Scott broken finger, Todd Carney hamstring injury, Paul Gallen on report for a crusher tackle. Looks like we may not be the only ones limping into the finals.

 

[CycloneSteve]

Based on the Sharks effort today and them losing players, I'd be happy to play the Sharks. Any idea when the 6th vs 7th final will be held? The NRL website isn't clear on when the 6v7 game is on.