As the NRL season draws towards its climax, Homeloans’ very own Shane Webcke provides an exclusive update on the season so far, and his outlook for how it will finish.
So we arrive at the pointy end of the NRL season and it’s still one of the most closely run premierships in history.
Wayne Bennett’s Dragons still appear to be the team to beat, sitting comfortably in outright first. A footy season that results in a premiership ring is as much about timing your run as anything else. If you look at the Dragons’ season to date, they started very well and pretty much have led the competition the whole season, which is pretty much what they did last year. The difference is, in the last few weeks they have had a mini slump, losing a few games but in no way shamed. Maybe this is reading too much into things, but it looks as though they are having a little rest before the finals start.
The Roosters have been having a late tilt as well, and ironically the Dragons put paid to their recent success last weekend in front of a big crowd at the SCG. It augers well for the Dragons, and perhaps is the start of their finals run, but the Roosters could well be there when the whips are cracking. The Panthers continue to go quietly about their work though they don’t seem to have the extra gear to go all the way.
My old side, the Broncos, have continued to warm to their task, ascending the top eight through a series of very convincing victories. It remains to be seen if the young side is ready for the pressure and rigour of finals footy.
My dark horse is the Bunnies. They are currently ninth and have the firepower to really put a cat amongst the pigeons if they manage to crack the eight before it’s too late.
So with four weeks to go, you can feel the excitement building. One thing is for certain, the finals series represents a new competition where the 26 rounds that decided the teams in it, will count for little. What will count is who turns up on the day with their game and attitude right.