By Andrew Webster
To steal a classic line from Billy Birmingham’s “The Twelfth Man”, the first week of the NRL finals is harder to pick than a broken nose.
Whether it’s the salary cap working, or better coaching, or better players, or better standards — whatever! — I cannot recall a harder first week to find the winners.
Let us count the ways, shall we?
On Friday night, we have the Melbourne Storm hosting the Canterbury Bulldogs at AAMI Park. Boom!
A week ago, I’d have said the Storm were morals. Then halfback Jahrome Hughes fracture his forearm, fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen suffers concussion, and Nelson Asofa-Solomona gets suspended, and you start to wonder if the Bulldogs can snatch it.
Doggies captain Stephen Crichton earlier this week said his side were ready to prove the “haters” wrong. Whoomp, there it is: that famous Dogs of War spirit. Dangerous.
Most will tell you the second final, between the New Zealand Warriors and Penrith Panthers on Saturday, is straightforward. The four-time defending champs should have the Warriors, who are limping to the finish line, covered.
But funnier things have happened in this funny old game of rugby league.
Some key forwards return to Andrew Webster’s team, including crafty hooker Wayde Egan. The Warriors have the advantage of playing at home, which is a daunting assignment for any team.
Alas, they’ll be coming up against a Panthers side that is refreshed and ready to rock’n’roll at a time of year they’ve owned for the past four seasons.
Onto Shark Stadium for the third match of the finals where Cronulla host the Sydney Roosters in the second Saturday night match.
Flick a coin in this one, especially after Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes was suspended but then not suspended by the Match Review Committee.
The Roosters are stalking their top-eight opponents like they are tigers, knowing they have the strike and confidence to go deep into September. Tell me a side that would feel comfortable playing them?
Finally, Canberra host Brisbane at GIO Stadium and there’s every change Ricky Stuart will cry a dozen times between now and kick-off. He’s very wound up, the little fella.
As I said in this very space a week ago, the Broncos are my smokies for the premiership. Then they galloped all over the Storm and they’re no longer dark horses but on the third line of betting as we head into the barriers.
Stuart would love nothing more than his underdog Canberra side putting the richest club in the game firmly back in their box.
And another thing …
How good to hear that Roosters captain and fullback James Tedesco has made himself available for Australia for the Ashes series against England later this year.
It’s hard to see incoming coach Kevin Walters dumping incumbent Dylan Edwards, but if Tedesco can lead his Chooks on a merry dance to the grand final, he’ll be difficult to leave out.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson described Tedesco as the best “ruck fullback” the game has seen and it’s difficult to argue otherwise.
Tedesco’s explosiveness out of dummy half, before punching holes in the defence, has been something to behold this year.
