2016 Grand Final Predictions

Discussion in 'The Cesspit: Rugby League Discussion' started by Maroon_Faithful, Sep 10, 2016.

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  1. Maroon_Faithful M Faithful

    Reckon from here, Melbourne v Cowboys. Nth QLD should beat Brisbane at home. Cronulla in Sydney will be tougher.

    Canberra will have to beat the Storm in Melbourne and I can't see that happening. Panthers and Canterbury aren't remotely good enough.

    Melbourne are absolute shoe-ins imo.
     
    Maroon_Faithful, Sep 10, 2016
    #1

  2. Maroon_Faithful M Faithful

    So next week it'll be Nth QLD vs Brisbane in Townsville, winner to play Cronulla in Sydney. And Raiders vs Panther/Bulldogs, winner to play Melbourne in Melbourne.
     
    Maroon_Faithful, Sep 10, 2016
    #2

  3. Tartmaster AJ James

    Such a shame the raiders lost tonight.
    Storm v Raiders would have been a gun GF.

    I think the Cowboys v Storm is most likely.
     
    Tartmaster, Sep 10, 2016
    #3

  4. Reagan Wheelson RDP Wheelson

    Storm vs Cowboys or Broncos depending on who wins in Townsville next round.
     
    Reagan Wheelson, Sep 11, 2016
    #4

  5. Fiery GR Smith

    Storm v Raiders (despite their loss today)
     
    Fiery, Sep 11, 2016
    #5

  6. Tartmaster AJ James

    That can't happen dude
     
    Tartmaster, Sep 11, 2016
    #6

  7. Fiery GR Smith

    Oh OK :unsure:

    Storm v Cowboys then
     
    Fiery, Sep 11, 2016
    #7

  8. Paddy P Orr

    Im liking our chances more than whoever wins out of Dogs/Penrith and Raiders. Not to say its easy draw to play Brisbane and Cronulla because its not but rather not play Melbourne for a grand final spot if we make it to week 3.
     
    Last edited: Sep 11, 2016
    Paddy, Sep 11, 2016
    #8

  9. Boobidy BJ Gemmell

    Storm Cowboys is the most realistic.
     
    Boobidy, Sep 11, 2016
    #9

  10. Ged GEC King

    I really don't like Melbourne anymore. I'm overt their success. I'm hopeful of Canberra getting their measure. I'm going to go Canberra v. Cowboys.

    Canberra v. Cronulla would be great too.
     
    Ged, Sep 11, 2016
    #10

  11. Magic AJ Parker

    I find it hard to split the Panthers & Raiders, certainly wouldn't be surprised if the Panthers beat them. Probably advantage to Panthers if Hodgson is out.
     
    Magic, Sep 11, 2016
    #11

  12. Maroon_Faithful M Faithful

    I'm a bit over seeing them in the GF as well. They've been in what, 5 of the last 10? I'd like to see Canberra make it. But for quality of footy you can't go past them.
     
    Maroon_Faithful, Sep 11, 2016
    #12

  13. Sultan Pepper HG Emm

    Said weeks ago it was Cowboys to lose and they did seem to lose their rhythm and fall into a bit of a hole. It certainly now feels like its set up for the Storm to go all the way. A full strength Raiders team could give them dramas, but question marks over Austin and Hodgson seemingly gone just about puts a line through them, although I still think they'll probably get past the Panthers.


    Personally can't stand the Storm either, their success has all been built on the back of intense cheating. Sure hey had to get rid of GI, Blair and Hoffman once the scandal broke, but it allowed Cronk, Smith and Slater to develop surrounded by premium players and has had flow on effects that are still felt today. Once Slater went down I'd been hoping they'd finally fall in a hole.

    I still hate the Roosters fractionally more, but it gets closer and closer every year.
     
    Sultan Pepper, Sep 13, 2016
    #13

  14. jazman84 JM Eightyfour

    I wouldn't be shocked to see Storm go down to either Raiders or Panthers. We've seen them be exposed when up against sides who shift a lot of ball while managing to have a high completion rate. Though I still think Storm are the most likely side at this point.

    Hard to split the other side of the draw.
    Cowboys would have the higher ceiling and their worst game wouldn't be as bad as Broncos or Sharks. However any of these 3 would beat the others on their day.

    I'd love to see Broncos get another shot but my head is screaming a Storm v Cowboys grand final.
     
    jazman84, Sep 13, 2016
    #14

  15. Maroon_Faithful M Faithful

    I just think given the draw and even though they didn't play their best, the Cows were able to go with Melbourne at home. It was easily the best quality finals match imo.
     
    Maroon_Faithful, Sep 13, 2016
    #15

  16. Boobidy BJ Gemmell

    It didn't have much competition. The other games were poor.
     
    Boobidy, Sep 14, 2016
    #16

  17. Maroon_Faithful M Faithful

    True but this was a great quality match irrespective of the relatively shithouse competition.
     
    Maroon_Faithful, Sep 14, 2016
    #17

  18. Julian BJ Taylor

    Yeah I'm not agreeing with the consensus here. I reckon Melbourne are ripe for the picking no matter who wins on Saturday.

    I find Melbourne really, really struggle against the non structured type play that both Penrith and Canberra play. Bellamy would absolutely detest the mindset of both Raiders/Penrith who back their players to win battles one on one with ball in hand no matter their position. Melbourne sort of do the opposite IMO. While they like getting their really good attacking players (2nd rowers, Bromwich, Cronk) 1 v 1, their lesser players have no business doing it and need extra space created by leaders in the side to do anything. I don't know what Bellamy will do if Canberra wins because last time they met Leilua bathed Cheyse Blair and it was a sordid wash. That being said Hodgson needs to play week 3 for Canberra to win. Not essential this week (not under rating Penrith).

    I think the Cowboys will account for Brisbane and then repeat what they did last year and really hand it to Cronulla. I'm still so annoyed about last week. If Edrick Lee catches that ball Canberra go up 18-0 and no way they lose from there. Really frustrating.

    I'll go Raiders v Cowboys
     
    Julian, Sep 14, 2016
    #18

  19. BMT BMT Con

    Don't disagree too much with what you said Julian. Although I think a lot needs to go Canberra's way for the stars to align so to speak. Even if we do get through this week, looking at a crystal ball Austin playing could have just as much impact as Hodgson playing.

    Leilua is good and can carve weak defensive sides to pieces but I think in order for him to get isolated one on ones against the better defensive sides (ala Melbourne, Cowboys etc.) the people inside of him need to have the skill set to complement his game IMO. This is where Austin's skillset really shines through. Opponents on the outside are more mindful of the attacking threat Austin poses with his running game and decide to overcommit coming in, which opens up the one on one opportunities for Leilua which saw him give Blair a bath earlier in the year. That is what breaks down the better defensive sides and allows Leilua more room to use his attacking prowess.

    Having said all that, we still somehow need to get through the Panthers this week before we can even think of the side's composition the following week though.
     
    BMT, Sep 14, 2016
    #19

  20. Wilson SB Wilson

    Dat salt Julian
     
    Last edited: Sep 14, 2016
    Wilson, Sep 14, 2016
    #20
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