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Message: [QUOTE="Big Pete, post: 3181416, member: 1899"] So this is how the Rugby League season usually goes for me. Early February I'm chomping at the bit, it's like the week of school where you've got brand new stationary and notepads where everything feels fresh and exciting. That doesn't begin to die down until Origin where that takes centre stage for the next two months. Then the run home to the finals is usually a mixed bag because you get games that mean nothing and there's usually a handful of teams going through the motion just playing out the clock wishing the whole thing to be over. Then we get the best part of the season, the finals. Every game matters and it's the arena that truly defines the season. Usually it leads to a lot of quality football and we don't get caught up in all the petty drama that seems to dominate the weekly shows. One aspect that I miss about the McIntyre system is how the weekend would build. Usually you wouldn't see the top two teams until later on in the week which made the sudden death games more meaningful. I still have fond memories of Newcastle/Manly belting out a classic to start the 2006 series. I understand 4th vs. 5th is more enticing than 5th vs. 8th and the scheduling conflicts, but I just like how that older system built anticipation. Especially in years like 2009 where you had the most consistent team in St George take on the form team in Parramatta. I say all this because it feels like we're opening our Christmas presents a day or two early. Sydney/Penrith could just about decide this entire premiership, especially since the loser will likely have to go through a tougher bracket (Raiders and Storm before a rematch). I'm so glad that things panned out this way and that Penrith who have been the best team all year have to beat the defending premiers in order to prove themselves. It won't be like Manly 2011 who back-doored their way into a premiership, facing off against the Broncos minus Lockyer and then got the Warriors who were handed a 40-10 flogging in the first week. I've got Penrith stepping up here and having too many points for the Roosters who are looking very skinny in places. It'll be tight, but I can just see Penrith having their noses out infront for the duration and just as Sydney appears to be on top somebody like a Koroisau or a May will come up with something and Cleary will ice it. Whatever hopes Cronulla had went out the door when Johnson suffered his injury. They could give Canberra an early fright, but lately Canberra have been running over the top of teams and I think they'll just be too strong, setting themselves up for a big Week 2 of the finals. Parramatta certainly have the line-up to beat Melbourne but just seem lack the leadership to get the job done. A couple of months ago I would have rated this the Eels best chance of finally burying their demons. However, I'd imagine Bellamy has been watching tape of Moses, Blake and Ferguson (or should that be Waqa and Ferguson?) and he'll just have Hughes, Lee and Vunivalu going at them all night. The only way I can see the Eels winning this through their defence, if it comes down to a points shoot out, the Storm should win 9/10. Danger game on Sunday. It looks like the Knights have pulled up stumps for the season but Bennett hasn't won a first week of the finals since 2016 and I'd dare say hasn't gotten his team to play well in one since 2015. The Knights also won their previous meeting so it's certainly not as one-sided as it appears. Right now you'd have to give the tip to the Rabbits, but I get the feeling it's going to be a high scoring game and maybe the most entertaining game of the weekend. [/QUOTE]

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