Well, we are down to the final six in the 2013 Telstra Premiership and this weekend's matches promises to add to the drama of what has been an intriguing finals series so far.
All the talk of the weekend was that 7th Tackle Try that the Sharks scored against the Cowboys which help hand the Sharks an elimination victory on Saturday. It's unbelievable to think with 2 referees and 2 touch judges can miss such an error.
In the other semi final, the defending premier Storm are back at home after falling to the Rabbitohs to take on a confident Knights outfit who eliminated last year's Grand Finalists, the Bulldogs, on Sunday.
Here's what's happened in the first week of the Finals...
RABBITS ONE WIN AWAY FROM HISTORIC GRAND FINAL APPEARANCE
The Rabbitohs ran out comfortable three-tries-to-two winners to book a preliminary final berth in a fortnight, but they were spared what would have been a frantic finish when the man in the video box intervened to deny Billy Slater his second try of the night.
Trailing 14-6 with 16 minutes remaining, the Storm were coming home hard when a Cooper Cronk kick was spilled by Nathan Merritt, with Slater pouncing on the loose ball to score.
Referee Jared Maxwell awarded the four-pointer only for video official Bernard Sutton to take the try off the Storm, ruling Will Chambers had impeded Merritt in the contest for the ball.
It was a body blow to the Storm's charge - the knockout punch coming three minutes later when Greg Inglis danced his way past a few defenders before finding Issac Luke to make it 20-6.
The Storm fired a last shot when Will Chambers crashed over but it was all too late - the South Sydney defence which had held for much of the game rewarded with a deserved victory, their first over the Storm in Sydney since 2004 and just their fourth finals win since 1971.
Rabbitohs: 20 (D Farrell, J Lima, I Luke tries; A Reynolds 3/3 cons, 1/1 pens)
Melbourne: 10 (B Slater, W Chambers tries; C Smith 1/2 cons, 0/1 pens)
SEVEN-TACKLE TRY HELPS SHARKS BEAT COWBOYS IN ELIMINATION FINAL
A controversial try awarded to Cronulla marred the Sharks' 20-18 defeat
of North Queensland in their elimination final at Sydney Football
Stadium.
Bean Ryan touched down for the Sharks' opening try in the eighth minute but replays later showed it was scored on the seventh tackle and awarded by referees Matt Cecchin and Henry Perenara.
NRL referees coach Daniel Anderson admitted at half-time that the on-field officials had made a mistake and it is unlikely either will be involved in the remainder of the finals.
The NRL has announced it will hold an inquiry to investigate how the mistake was made.
"What is most concerning is that there are checks and balances across the entire squad to safeguard against the referees making such a mistake," NRL head of football Todd Greenberg said in a statement.
"We don't want this happening again.
"We can't take points away or change a result of a match due to such a decision but we do have to be able to reassure players and fans that this won't happen again in any game."
With the Cowboys handing over possession near the Sharks' line via a Robert Lui grubber kick, Cecchin lost track of the tackle count, calling "four" at what should have been the fifth tackle.
Prop Sam Tagataese produced a barnstorming run on what should have been the sixth tackle, before a some splendid Todd Carney vision resulted in Ryan crossing out wide.
The Cowboys' Antonio Winterstein said at full-time his team-mates were not aware of the seventh tackle, adding there was nothing they could do about it now.
"It's a heartbreaking way to finish off the year. No-one expected us to be here, but we're here," he told the media
"We didn't have any idea, it's the first time I've heard about it. We can't do anything about it."
It is the second straight year that the Cowboys' exit from the finals series has been blighted by a controversial refereeing decision at the same venue. Manly was awarded a try following a Kieran Foran knock-on in the Sea Eagles' 22-12 win over the Cowboys in their semi-final.
Cronulla: 20 (B Ryan, B Pomeroy, S Tagataese, S Feki tries; M Gordon 2/4 cons)
North Queensland: 18 (B Tate, W Ulugia, J Taumalolo tries; J Thurston 2/3 cons, 1 pen)
ROOSTERS EDGE MANLY IN BRUISING QUALIFYING FINAL
The Sydney Roosters will get a well-deserved week off after holding out Manly 4-0 to win a brutally absorbing qualifying final at Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday.
In a scoreline that was a throwback to the 1980s, both sides played their part in a magnificent encounter that was settled by an eighth-minute unconverted try from Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
It was the sixth time this season the Roosters have held a team scoreless and the crowd of 32,747 witnessed one of the great defensive performances from the hosts - who repelled everything the Sea Eagles could throw at them - in what was the lowest scoring finals game since St George beat Illawarra by the same margin in 1992.
Trent Robinson's side made an astonishing 37 tackles inside their own 20-metre line to secure a third win over the Sea Eagles this year - with both sets of players out on their feet at the final siren.
Roosters captain Anthony Minichiello lauded his side's defensive effort, while sympathising with Manly, saying his team was forced to hold on for dear life at times.
"It was unbelievable from our boys, we worked hard all game," he told the media.
"They're a great defensive side themselves and we couldn't score too many points tonight. We got the lone try and had to hold on after that. Credit to them, they got us through the middle and we just couldn't get over them for a long period of time. Our defence held strong and that's what it's all about."
Sydney Roosters: 4 (R Tuivasa-Sheck try)
Manly Sea Eagles: 0
IMPRESSIVE KNIGHTS EASE PAST DOGGIES
Newcastle stayed alive in the play-offs following a 22-6 victory over Canterbury in their elimination final at ANZ stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Knights booked a semi-final date with the Storm in Melbourne next weekend courtesy of their three tries to one triumph.
They trailed 6-0 after just 10 minutes when Sam Perrett scored a converted try for the Bulldogs, but impressive composure saw Wayne Bennett's troops post 22 unanswered points.
Darius Boyd, Akuila Uate and Jeremy Smith touched down for tries for the Knights, while Tyron Roberts added two conversions and three penalty goals.
The Knights' Jarrod Mullen says his side was more than aware of the challenge that faced them against last year's grand finalists.
"We knew they were going to be tough the Dogs, they're a very semi-final hardened team so it was good to get the win," he said.
Mullen praised the Knight's defensive performance, highlighting the early pressure they faced from the Bulldogs.
"It was a great defensive effort ... they had a lot of sets on our line and it just showed how good our defence is," he said.
It was the first time in seven years the Knights have won a play-offs encounter and the visitors were worthy victors, hammering the final nail into the coffin of a hugely-disappointing season for the Bulldogs.
Newcastle: 22 (D Boyd, A Uate, J Smith tries; T Roberts 2/3 cons, 3/3 pens)
Canterbury: 6 (S Perrett try; T Hodkinson 1/1 con)
The Knights booked a semi-final date with the Storm in Melbourne next weekend courtesy of their three tries to one triumph.
They trailed 6-0 after just 10 minutes when Sam Perrett scored a converted try for the Bulldogs, but impressive composure saw Wayne Bennett's troops post 22 unanswered points.
Darius Boyd, Akuila Uate and Jeremy Smith touched down for tries for the Knights, while Tyron Roberts added two conversions and three penalty goals.
The Knights' Jarrod Mullen says his side was more than aware of the challenge that faced them against last year's grand finalists.
"We knew they were going to be tough the Dogs, they're a very semi-final hardened team so it was good to get the win," he said.
Mullen praised the Knight's defensive performance, highlighting the early pressure they faced from the Bulldogs.
"It was a great defensive effort ... they had a lot of sets on our line and it just showed how good our defence is," he said.
It was the first time in seven years the Knights have won a play-offs encounter and the visitors were worthy victors, hammering the final nail into the coffin of a hugely-disappointing season for the Bulldogs.
Newcastle: 22 (D Boyd, A Uate, J Smith tries; T Roberts 2/3 cons, 3/3 pens)
Canterbury: 6 (S Perrett try; T Hodkinson 1/1 con)
Scotsta (180) is hanging on to a 1 point lead as Bronco2020 (179) gained a point after the first week of the finals. This is coming right down to the wire, folks!
Anu (176), Darren Scott (175) and Butch (174) are all having their personal battle for 3rd prize but I'm sure Anu will have one eye on 2nd prize in the process. 3 points are certainly not out of reach if he can land a couple of underdogs...but is losing 3rd prize worth that risk?
Good luck to everyone in the last 3 weeks of the competition!
2013 POOLS WATCH
Winner: Anu (176).
Rocketane (171) has all but sealed Pool B by maintaining his 6 point lead over Feet Little (165).
WHERE ARE YOU? FOR THE LATEST POOLS TABLES PLACINGS - VISIT THE CURRENT POOLS TABLE PAGE
TO SEE WHO TIPPED WHAT - VISIT THE FOOTY TIPS 'WHO TIPPED WHAT' LINK (YOU MUST BE SIGNED IN TO VIEW).
RANK
|
TIPPER
|
FINALS
WEEK 1 SCORE
|
FINALS
WEEK 1 MARGIN
|
TOTAL
SCORE
|
TOTAL
MARGIN
|
1
|
Scotsta
|
2
|
17
|
180
|
358
|
2
|
Bronco2020
|
3
|
0
|
179
|
326
|
3
|
Anu
|
3
|
4
|
176
|
347
|
4
|
Darren Scott
|
3
|
3
|
175
|
353
|
5
|
Butch
|
4
|
4
|
174
|
277
|
6
|
Link Abrams
|
3
|
4
|
172
|
317
|
7
|
Gorillagrip
|
3
|
4
|
172
|
338
|
8
|
Rocketane
|
3
|
4
|
171
|
315
|
9
|
Vee8head
|
3
|
4
|
171
|
334
|
10
|
devoid (2009 Champion)
|
1
|
16
|
169
|
322
|
11
|
Lainey
|
3
|
17
|
167
|
371
|
12
|
Bruiser
|
2
|
16
|
166
|
351
|
13
|
Feet Little
|
3
|
4
|
165
|
334
|
14
|
jall091 (2008 Champion)
|
3
|
2
|
165
|
347
|
15
|
taijay
|
3
|
1
|
164
|
345
|
16
|
Keith Wilton
|
2
|
2
|
163
|
336
|
17
|
Dean Campbell
|
3
|
2
|
162
|
312
|
18
|
Warmess
|
2
|
10
|
162
|
326
|
19
|
Sincas
|
1
|
20
|
162
|
347
|
20
|
Heath Caldwell
|
2
|
0
|
161
|
283
|
21
|
BEAR KNUCKLE
|
3
|
1
|
161
|
324
|
22
|
Harveysan
|
3
|
2
|
160
|
325
|
23
|
Kiwi_Misty
|
3
|
4
|
158
|
351
|
24
|
NZ Tiger (2004 Champion)
|
2
|
17
|
157
|
293
|
25
|
jared francois
|
3
|
4
|
157
|
329
|
26
|
Alfie
|
1
|
14
|
157
|
364
|
27
|
1YEARWONDERBARBA
|
2
|
20
|
157
|
456
|
28
|
Richard McCourt
|
1
|
16
|
156
|
319
|
29
|
tawa killers
|
0
|
10
|
154
|
385
|
30
|
Redv4me
|
3
|
8
|
153
|
353
|
31
|
Rob Killer (2006 Champion)
|
0
|
10
|
153
|
360
|
32
|
melz
|
2
|
16
|
153
|
360
|
33
|
BT Ross
|
2
|
18
|
153
|
380
|
34
|
Jessamine
|
2
|
2
|
153
|
381
|
35
|
Bearass
|
1
|
22
|
152
|
357
|
36
|
killswitch
|
0
|
18
|
152
|
367
|
37
|
steven bowers
|
1
|
17
|
151
|
351
|
38
|
Simply The Bears
|
0
|
10
|
151
|
389
|
39
|
cmcnls+1day
|
0
|
10
|
151
|
392
|
40
|
Desire Wilton
|
4
|
16
|
150
|
328
|
41
|
NO1QPRNZ
|
2
|
2
|
150
|
341
|
42
|
The Neighbour
|
1
|
12
|
150
|
341
|
43
|
ootz
|
2
|
10
|
150
|
379
|
44
|
LOUNGIN SON
|
0
|
10
|
150
|
2838
|
45
|
tais1
|
0
|
10
|
149
|
321
|
46
|
sava4
|
2
|
0
|
149
|
322
|
47
|
kelren
|
3
|
4
|
149
|
339
|
48
|
mdt64
|
3
|
3
|
148
|
376
|
49
|
MrBusy
|
0
|
10
|
148
|
382
|
50
|
Stevefromoz(2009 Champion)
|
0
|
10
|
147
|
356
|
51
|
Pet Johnson
|
3
|
4
|
145
|
366
|
52
|
kazgriffo
|
1
|
4
|
144
|
369
|
53
|
Balmainadrian
|
4
|
2
|
144
|
392
|
54
|
Matthew Bowers
|
2
|
0
|
143
|
499
|
55
|
Craig Carnihan
|
3
|
20
|
141
|
363
|
56
|
trey waldron
|
2
|
17
|
141
|
391
|
57
|
boogs_nz
|
0
|
12
|
140
|
348
|
58
|
Yo Mama
|
3
|
4
|
139
|
343
|
59
|
Gaddaffi
|
1
|
3
|
139
|
391
|
60
|
TWiL Nate
|
2
|
21
|
136
|
298
|
61
|
Jojo Azrein
|
2
|
4
|
136
|
348
|
62
|
Rex Kwando
|
2
|
10
|
134
|
383
|
63
|
Staks
|
0
|
10
|
134
|
458
|
64
|
HUDS99
|
0
|
10
|
133
|
403
|
65
|
Tubasaurus
|
0
|
10
|
133
|
411
|
66
|
Kye Hudson
|
2
|
2
|
133
|
415
|
67
|
blo1
|
1
|
10
|
129
|
430
|
68
|
Team Upton
|
0
|
10
|
126
|
407
|
69
|
eviltwin
|
6
|
9
|
124
|
347
|
70
|
Bearette
|
2
|
4
|
116
|
402
|
71
|
rog the dodge
|
1
|
25
|
109
|
512
|
72
|
melros
|
0
|
10
|
98
|
362
|
73
|
tank
|
0
|
10
|
95
|
402
|
74
|
Kyle Thomson
|
0
|
10
|
80
|
371
|
75
|
haze13
|
0
|
10
|
76
|
523
|
76
|
Evra69
|
0
|
10
|
64
|
413
|
77
|
Wilshere Wonderland
|
0
|
10
|
62
|
401
|
78
|
Joejoez
|
0
|
10
|
49
|
405
|
That's it for this update!
Enjoy the 2nd week of FINALS FOOTY everyone!
Have a great weekend!
Mark
aka NZ Tiger
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