*Official* NRL 2012 Season thread

[BoyBrumby]

don't think it dilutes the quality much brumbers, most every team is damn close. raiders were lucky to make the finals and perhaps unlucky to not be playing tomorrow night really.

Probably a fair comment WRT the NRL as it's a much stronger comp generally (think NZ & Parra have both made the GF from 8th in the last coupla years, haven't they?), but it definitely does for our SL. After the first week the teams that finished 7th & 8th went out. Quelle surprise.

Seems counterintuitive that a team that ends in the bottom half makes the finals to me.

 

[uvelocity]

yeah not sure about super league, but 8 from 14 is too many for sure

in other news manly have been woeful yet only trail by 6. ridiculous try where slater knocked on, pathetic lie down and get a penalty from buhrer that leads to a try to even in up. bring back the 80s

 

[uvelocity]

stoked

 

[Ausage]

That was a truly abortive performance by Manly. Their minds were definitely on something else. Should have been a bigger margin tbh.

 

[Mister Wright]

How much better do things seem when Manly lose. All the more better when they lose to be out of the comp. Great way to start the holidays!

 

[Ausage]

It's pretty nice but it's like choosing between killing Hitler or Stalin. Yeah you'd probably choose Hitler but you wouldn't really be happy with the leftovers.

 

[uvelocity]

man thats a good crowd and a great first set

 

[Ausage]

Reynolds gorn. Looks like a hammy. So harsh, kid's had a fantastic year, he deserved to see it out. Probably a bit much for Souffs without him.

 

[uvelocity]

yeah and best if dogs win cause souths have no chance next week (well even less anyway if possible)

refs at the end of the half living up to their reputation too

 

[Burgey]

What a sublime kick from Barba for that try on half time.

 

[uvelocity]

go back to afl ****

 

[Ausage]

go back to afl ****

Lol.

Real shame actually, it was shaping up as a classic before Reynolds went off. Sutton just isn't able to direct a footy team around the park.

That was an epic kick to Asotasis face.

 

[Mister Wright]

Bulldogs halves have fantastic kicking games close to the line, but against Melbourne they're going to need to have better long kicking games to get field position. Can't see them winning unless they get that right.

 

[Ausage]

Bulldogs halves have fantastic kicking games close to the line, but against Melbourne they're going to need to have better long kicking games to get field position. Can't see them winning unless they get that right.

A long kicking game is less important for the dogs because their forwards are absolute machines. Tolman, Kasiano, Graham, Pritchard and Eastwood are all better than any of the Melbourne pack barring Hoffman arguably. Their long kicking game will be irrelevant if they make 60 meters a set.

I hate to say it but I think a lot will hinge on the refs. If Melbourne keep it disciplined and make the most of their opportunities their big 3 can get them home. I'd still have my money on the Dogs though.

 

[uvelocity]

dogs. if melbourne win it will be a low scoring affair

 

[Mister Wright]

A long kicking game is less important for the dogs because their forwards are absolute machines. Tolman, Kasiano, Graham, Pritchard and Eastwood are all better than any of the Melbourne pack barring Hoffman arguably. Their long kicking game will be irrelevant if they make 60 meters a set.

I hate to say it but I think a lot will hinge on the refs. If Melbourne keep it disciplined and make the most of their opportunities their big 3 can get them home. I'd still have my money on the Dogs though.

Melbourne's defence is a lot better than Manly's or Souths. They are the king of the wrestle. The Dogs won't get the quick play the balls they have been getting. Their long kicks will be very important.

 

[Ausage]

Melbourne's defence is a lot better than Manly's or Souths. They are the king of the wrestle. The Dogs won't get the quick play the balls they have been getting. Their long kicks will be very important.

True. Still keeping down Kite, King and Lussick is a much easier assignment than any of the 5 I mentioned. It'll be interesting to see if they manage.

 

[NUFAN]

Will it be third time lucky for Krisnan Inu? Crazy to think that its his 3rd GF in 4 years all with different clubs.

Reckon its going to be a cracker of a final, we need it after really no match going down to the wire throughout the finals series.

I kind of want the QLD big 3 to win a Premiership legitimately but think the Dogs have been brilliant all year and probably deserve it more this year. Not sure how I feel about Keating being a Premiership winning halfback. He's really surprised me this year.

 

[Burgey]

Canterbury's forwards are like a trip down memory lane, with the way they play before the line. Cassiano (sp?) set up at least two tries by drawing in defenders then popping a pass before the line.

It's great footy to watch, and very hard to handle. Melbourne will deal with Barba I suspect. They did it in 09 with Hayne too. Present a solid line on kick chases and in general, and let him make his play then shut it down. They won't worry if he makes 15 metres or so every time, they'll just hold off and contain him.

The Canterbury forwards are a far tougher ask for Melbourne in this game than the likes of Barba will be, imo.

 

[Ausage]

Melbourne certainly didn't contain Barba up in Mackay earlier this year. Best game I've seen him play. Near singlehandedly won me the round in DT

It'll be interesting to see how things go on the fringes. Melbourne ripped Manly a new one but that was with Matai on one leg, Tafua having a shocker and Williams having a bludge. The Dogs have an extremely strong 2-5.