Finals Week 1 – Storm vs Bulldogs
Overview
One team on the rise like an elevator and the other team as flat as Lift left out in a glass for three days. Welcome to Stiff-Arm Sunday and welcome to potentially the biggest finals mismatch since the McIntyre system.
The Storm look to have timed their run perfectly and after being in danger of missing the finals they head into September as one of the more in-form teams. On the other side of the field is a Bulldogs side that was top of the table halfway through the season but has played some terrible footy over the last month or so and is lucky to be there this Sunday. One feels that the Doggies getting the W in Melbourne will be as difficult as putting together an Ikea L shaped couch – it may take 3 hours and once complete you realise there’s screws left over. Unfortunately for the Dogs they will only have 80min and their number 6 already has a few screws loose!
Players to watch
Josh Reynolds – As suggested above, Josh is all over the place recently. From swinging arms, shoulder charges to the classic foot trip – the aptly named ‘Grub’ has done it all lately. When his head is on straight he is one of the best play makers in the comp, but if the Storm can rattle him early then Grub may just implode once more.
Cameron Smith – The accountant comes into this game carrying a niggly ankle injury that may hinder his performance. Arguably the most influential player in the game, Storm supporters will be praying to the rugby league gods that Cameron is good to go. He would have done the math himself and if he plays you can be sure he will put in at least 60min of quality and that should be enough.
Result and score prediction
It’s almost impossible to go past the Storm at home. The big 3 are all playing, that should be enough really. The Bulldogs have a powerful forward pack and they need to fire bigtime if the Belmore club are going to stand a chance. AAMI park rarely gets a fullhouse but should come close this weekend and 25,000 screaming Victorians will get to see their team run away with a 28-14 win.
Most likely to dot down
Billy the kid loves the big stage and it doesn’t get much bigger than sudden death finals. Short odds to cross the chalk here, probably more than once. Or he could go classic Billy and gift a try to the other team with a brain explosion. Either way he will be heavily involved.
Most likely to abuse the ref
It may come as no surprise who we are talking about here – Michael Ennis. In what could potentially be his last game for the Bulldogs club, Ennis’ last act will probably be what he does best – yelling at the ref “what the f$%$# was that for?!! They did the same thing down there and you didn’t penalise them!!”. Ahhh Mick the refs will be hoping the Sharks don’t give you the arm band next season.