Here we go! FINALS FOOTY is just around the corner and even though it's safe to assume the Grand Final will likely be between two sides in the top 4, you simply can't count out danger sides such as the in form Sharks and Cowboys, the unpredictable Knights and a finals hardened Bulldogs side lead by Des Hasler. This promises to be one exciting finals series to date! Strap yourselves in!
ROAD TO THE GRAND FINAL
Week One: v Manly Sea Eagles, Allianz Stadium, 7pm (EST) Saturday
Week Two: week off (if win v Manly), OR winner of Sharks v Cowboys (if lose v Manly)
Week Three: Preliminary Final v loser of Rabbitohs-Storm OR winner of Bulldogs-Knights
Week Four: Grand Final v winner of second Preliminary Final
The Bunnies have had an exceptional 2013, but they start their finals campaign against perhaps their most feared nemesis. Michael Maguire's building an impressive resume as an NRL coach, but he is still yet to get one over his old boss Craig Bellamy in four attempts. A win against the Storm and a likely Prelim against Manly or the Roosters would be their final hurdle before the big one. Week One: v Melbourne Storm, ANZ Stadium, 7.45pm (EST) Friday
Week Two: week off (if win v Storm), OR winner of Bulldogs v Knights (if lose v Storm)
Week Three: Preliminary Final v loser of Roosters-Sea Eagles OR winner of Sharks-Cowboys
Week Four: Grand Final v winner of first Preliminary Final
The reigning premiers have had an up and down finish to the season, but if ever there was a September specialist, it's the Storm. A win against the Bunnies in week one will pave the way for a likely Prelim shoot-out against great rivals Manly or the exceptionally coached Roosters.
Week One: v South Sydney Rabbitohs, ANZ Stadium, 7.45pm (EST) Friday
Week Two: week off (if win v Rabbitohs), OR winner of Bulldogs v Knights (if lose v Rabbitohs)
Week Three: Preliminary Final v loser of Roosters-Sea Eagles OR winner of Sharks-Cowboys
Week Four: Grand Final v winner of first Preliminary Final
The 2011 premiers rounded out their season with a loss to the Panthers, but it's not worth reading much into that, with Geoff Toovey's men smacking of a side in self-preservation mode with an eye to this weekend. While the Sea Eagles have been done twice by the Roosters already this season, they'll back their big game credentials to get them straight into yet another Preliminary Final.Week One: v Sydney Roosters, Allianz Stadium, 7pm (EST) Saturday
Week Two: week off (if win v Roosters), OR v winner of Sharks v Cowboys (if lose v Roosters)
Week Three: Preliminary Final v loser of Rabbitohs-Storm OR winner of Bulldogs-Knights
Week Four: Grand Final v winner of second Preliminary Final
After a tumultuous season the Sharks have done remarkably well to stay focused for long enough to qualify as high as fifth. Now that they're there, they have a talented enough roster to make a splash in September. There's only one thing - they face perhaps an even more talented side in week one, and to make it worse they're the form team of the competition right now. And with the newly adopted finals format - lose and they're out.Week One: v North Queensland Cowboys, Allianz Stadium, 4pm (EST) Saturday
Week Two: v loser of Roosters-Sea Eagles
Week Three: Preliminary Final v winner of Rabbitohs-Storm
Week Four: Grand Final v winner of first Preliminary Final
After a sluggish start to the season, last year's grand finalists have a chance to go one better in 2013, but they're starting from a long way back. You could mount a case that they have the easiest week one draw of anyone but the Knights have built some form over the last few weeks, and the Dogs have slipped up, making this a genuinely exciting knockout prospect.Week One: v Newcastle Knights, ANZ Stadium, 4pm (EST) Sunday
Week Two: v loser of Rabbitohs-Storm
Week Three: Preliminary Final v winner of Roosters-Sea Eagles
Week Four: Grand Final v winner of second Preliminary Final
Week One: v Canterbury Bulldogs, ANZ Stadium, 4pm (EST) Sunday
Week Two: v loser of Rabbitohs-Storm
Week Three: Preliminary Final v winner of Roosters-Sea Eagles
Week Four: Grand Final v winner of second Preliminary Final
Undoubtedly the form side in the competition. Historically it's almost inconceivable that you can win a premiership from as far back as eighth but if anyone can do it, a talent-laden Cowboys outfit with Johnathan Thurston as their pilot are probably the team. Will fancy their chances of knocking off the Sharks and putting a scare through the title fancies in the top four.Week One: v Cronulla Sharks, ANZ Stadium, 4pm (EST) Saturday
Week Two: v loser of Roosters v Sea Eagles
Week Three: Preliminary Final v winner of Rabbitohs-Storm
Week Four: Grand Final v winner of first Preliminary Final
This has got to be one of the tightest finishes coming up in NZTiger's Tipping history!
The Jokers have finished. It's now down to 9 finals matches to decide the champion of 2013.
Scotsta (178) still holds top spot but is only 2 points of Bronco2020 (176).
Anu (173), Darren Scott (172) and Butch (170) round off the Top 5. Only 8 points seperate them all.
And then only 10 points seperate the Top 10 overall.
While it's much harder for any tipster outside the Top 3 to chase Scotsta down, there is still 2nd and 3rd prizes and Bonus Pools prizes for these tipsters to think about.
Good luck to everyone!
2013 POOLS WATCH
Anu (173) has an unassailable 17 point lead at the top of Pool A. Congrats Anu.
Rocketane (168), Feet Little (162) & taijay (161) will battle it out for the Pool B prize, although Rocketane's 6 point lead is a handy buffer heading into the finals. Would take a major slip up from here.
6 points behind, 2008 Champion jall091 (162) will need to take some risks to peg back devoid and take out the Champions Champion title.
WHERE ARE YOU? FOR THE LATEST POOLS TABLES PLACINGS - VISIT THE CURRENT POOLS TABLE PAGE
The Neighbour with a Joker Score of 10 points and a margin of 14. Better late than never Wayne! ;)
Here's what's happened in Week Twenty-Six
THE MALONEY-SBW-PEARCE SHOW HANDS MINOR PREMIERSHIP TO ROOSTERS
Roosters coach Trent Robinson called for his big names to step up when it really mattered and they responded to the challenge with Sonny Bill Williams, James Maloney and Mitchell Pearce all producing outstanding displays.
It is the first time since 2004 the Roosters have won the the JJ Giltinan Shield and they will bank a cheque for $100,000.
Five-eighth Maloney scored two tries with Pearce crossing under the posts for his side's decisive four-pointer on the hour-mark in front of a crowd of 59,780.
"I thought the first half we were strong in attack and very good in defence," Roosters coach Trent Robinson told the media.
"And then second half, when there were too many errors, we turned over the ball but our defence was on. That held us together.
"Overall, I thought the handling of the pressure was good - I didn't think it was the greatest game - but the handling of the pressure was outstanding.
"It was important for us to play some good footy, we've been off for a little while now. We needed to remember what we were about and we did that tonight. We got it done, so that's very pleasing."
There was an air of menace from both sets of players from the opening kick-off with Roosters enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Souths' Sam Burgess sizing each other up after just four minutes.
But it was the hosts who drew first blood after 13 minutes thanks to a piece of brilliance from Greg Inglis.
The superstar full-back picked the ball up 10 metres from the Roosters' posts and was greeted by the sight of Williams racing out of the line and hitting him hard front-on.
But showing amazing power and strength, the Queenslander pushed the dual international and heavyweight boxing champion away and darted over the line.
The Roosters responded well and levelled the scores when Maloney went over after latching onto a Pearce pass and just three minutes later Aidan Guerra gave the Roosters the lead.
But close to half-time, Jason Clark levelled the scores when he lunged over the line with Adam Reynolds' kick making it 12-10 at the interval.
The second half saw the intensity rise a notch and Souths went close to scoring on three occasions through Sam Burgess and Dylan Walker, who missed a big chance when Reynolds's kick bounced off his knee as he looked certain to score.
But the turning point proved to be rookie half Luke Keary failing to earn the restart from his kick on the fifth tackle.
The Roosters broke downfield and Maloney put them back in front from close range with 57 minutes on the clock.
And his NSW halves partner Pearce did likewise minutes later when he profited from a brilliant Williams break and sauntered to the line untouched.
That try knocked the stuffing but not the heart out of Michael Maguire's side with Hargreaves being placed on report for catching Chris McQueen with the a forearm to the head and then finding himself facing several angry Rabbitohs players.
But despite questions being asked about their ability under pressure after two straight losses the Roosters held on comfortably in the final stages to deny their old foes a first minor premiership since 1989.
Sydney Roosters: 24 (J Maloney 2, A Guerra, M Pearce tries; J Maloney 3/4 cons, 1/1 pens, 0/1 field goals) South Sydney: 12 (G Inglis, J Clark tries; A Reynolds 2/2 cons)
TO SEE WHO TIPPED WHAT - VISIT THE FOOTY TIPS 'WHO TIPPED WHAT' LINK (YOU MUST BE SIGNED IN TO VIEW).
RANK
|
TIPPER
|
ROUND
26 SCORE
|
ROUND
26 MARGIN
|
TOTAL
SCORE
|
TOTAL
MARGIN
|
1
|
Scotsta
|
4
|
14
|
178
|
341
|
2
|
Bronco2020
|
6
|
14
|
176
|
326
|
3
|
Anu
|
4
|
26
|
173
|
343
|
4
|
Darren Scott
|
4
|
18
|
172
|
350
|
5
|
Butch
|
3
|
8
|
170
|
273
|
6
|
Link Abrams
|
8
|
16
|
169
|
313
|
7
|
Gorillagrip
|
8
|
4
|
169
|
334
|
8
|
devoid (2009 Champion)
|
4
|
2
|
168
|
306
|
9
|
Rocketane
|
6
|
14
|
168
|
311
|
10
|
Vee8head
|
4
|
16
|
168
|
330
|
11
|
Bruiser
|
4
|
18
|
164
|
335
|
12
|
Lainey
|
3
|
35
|
164
|
354
|
13
|
Feet Little
|
3
|
34
|
162
|
330
|
14
|
jall091 (2008 Champion)
|
3
|
8
|
162
|
345
|
15
|
Sincas
|
5
|
12
|
161
|
327
|
16
|
Keith Wilton
|
5
|
29
|
161
|
334
|
17
|
taijay
|
8
|
16
|
161
|
344
|
18
|
Warmess
|
4
|
16
|
160
|
316
|
19
|
Heath Caldwell
|
6
|
6
|
159
|
283
|
20
|
Dean Campbell
|
5
|
8
|
159
|
310
|
21
|
BEAR KNUCKLE
|
5
|
10
|
158
|
323
|
22
|
Harveysan
|
3
|
10
|
157
|
323
|
23
|
Alfie
|
3
|
16
|
156
|
350
|
24
|
NZ Tiger (2004 Champion)
|
8
|
6
|
155
|
276
|
25
|
Richard McCourt
|
4
|
16
|
155
|
303
|
26
|
Kiwi_Misty
|
3
|
22
|
155
|
347
|
27
|
1YEARWONDERBARBA
|
6
|
18
|
155
|
436
|
28
|
jared francois
|
4
|
18
|
154
|
325
|
29
|
tawa killers
|
3
|
34
|
154
|
375
|
30
|
Rob Killer (2006 Champion)
|
6
|
16
|
153
|
350
|
31
|
killswitch
|
3
|
36
|
152
|
349
|
32
|
Bearass
|
6
|
18
|
151
|
335
|
33
|
melz
|
3
|
10
|
151
|
344
|
34
|
BT Ross
|
4
|
13
|
151
|
362
|
35
|
Simply The Bears
|
2
|
18
|
151
|
379
|
36
|
Jessamine
|
8
|
18
|
151
|
379
|
37
|
cmcnls+1day
|
6
|
18
|
151
|
382
|
38
|
steven bowers
|
8
|
20
|
150
|
334
|
39
|
Redv4me
|
5
|
19
|
150
|
345
|
40
|
LOUNGIN SON
|
3
|
228
|
150
|
2828
|
41
|
tais1
|
4
|
16
|
149
|
311
|
42
|
The Neighbour
|
10
|
14
|
149
|
329
|
43
|
NO1QPRNZ
|
6
|
18
|
148
|
339
|
44
|
ootz
|
4
|
48
|
148
|
369
|
45
|
MrBusy
|
4
|
12
|
148
|
372
|
46
|
sava4
|
8
|
8
|
147
|
322
|
47
|
Stevefromoz(2009 Champion)
|
1
|
28
|
147
|
346
|
48
|
Desire Wilton
|
4
|
18
|
146
|
312
|
49
|
kelren
|
4
|
18
|
146
|
335
|
50
|
mdt64
|
3
|
36
|
145
|
373
|
51
|
kazgriffo
|
5
|
18
|
143
|
365
|
52
|
Pet Johnson
|
5
|
14
|
142
|
362
|
53
|
Matthew Bowers
|
10
|
172
|
141
|
499
|
54
|
boogs_nz
|
8
|
24
|
140
|
336
|
55
|
Balmainadrian
|
4
|
36
|
140
|
390
|
56
|
trey waldron
|
4
|
13
|
139
|
374
|
57
|
Craig Carnihan
|
4
|
23
|
138
|
343
|
58
|
Gaddaffi
|
3
|
16
|
138
|
388
|
59
|
Yo Mama
|
5
|
23
|
136
|
339
|
60
|
TWiL Nate
|
8
|
12
|
134
|
277
|
61
|
Jojo Azrein
|
10
|
16
|
134
|
344
|
62
|
Staks
|
1
|
28
|
134
|
448
|
63
|
HUDS99
|
1
|
28
|
133
|
393
|
64
|
Tubasaurus
|
1
|
28
|
133
|
401
|
65
|
Rex Kwando
|
6
|
22
|
132
|
373
|
66
|
Kye Hudson
|
5
|
18
|
131
|
413
|
67
|
blo1
|
8
|
18
|
128
|
420
|
68
|
Team Upton
|
4
|
34
|
126
|
397
|
69
|
eviltwin
|
8
|
18
|
118
|
338
|
70
|
Bearette
|
2
|
34
|
114
|
398
|
71
|
rog the dodge
|
5
|
47
|
108
|
487
|
72
|
melros
|
1
|
28
|
98
|
352
|
73
|
tank
|
1
|
28
|
95
|
392
|
74
|
Kyle Thomson
|
1
|
28
|
80
|
361
|
75
|
haze13
|
1
|
28
|
76
|
513
|
76
|
Evra69
|
1
|
28
|
64
|
403
|
77
|
Wilshere Wonderland
|
1
|
28
|
62
|
391
|
78
|
Joejoez
|
1
|
28
|
49
|
395
|
That's it for this update!
Enjoy FINALS FOOTY everyone!
Have a great weekend!
Mark
aka NZ Tiger
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