Well the matchups are set, have your say on each game. Interesting subplots? Who you'd like to win etc etc.
Melbourne (1st) V Newcastle (8th)-
I'll be cheering for Newcastle as i love an underdog. Will be an interesting game. Melbourne obviously already lost Adam Blair to injury but also lost J.Lowe and Widdop to injury yesterday. Widdop is a big loss, he has had a great season (5th in the NRL for linebreaks this season). Cronk and Bromwich fresh off injuries too. Melbourne will be big favorites but i hope it's a tight contest.
Manly(2nd) V North Queensland(7th)-
Wow, two teams i really dislike. I thought Manly would struggle in the first week of the finals with a lot of key injuries and suspensions. However, i think they've been very fortunate to have ended up against the Cowboys after the final game of musical chairs this weekend to determine 4th-7th spot. If any of those other teams that finished 4th-6th ended up facing Manly i'd be tipping a Manly loss....can't see them losing to the Cowboys though who have struggled of late (JT still hasn't hit form after returning from injury)
Brisbane(3rd) V New Zealand(6th)-
Should be a tight grind it out game. Massive blow to the Broncos losing Hoffman this week and with Thaiday also likely facing suspension. This game just became a whole lot more interesting. Still tipping a Brisbane win but i think anything goes here.
Wests(4th) V St.George(5th)-
Here we go again! Cracker last year in the grand final prelim that finished a 1-point game. Tigers have been winning ugly the past few weeks against teams outside the top 8. St.George have won their last 2 starts so perhaps getting some confidence back. Tigers weakness - Gasnier, he has an insane strike rate against the Tigers. Not sure on the condition of Creagh, Young who both picked up injuries last week. Tigers rested a couple and Lawrence is a chance of making a return.
I'll be at ANZ stadium for this one and can't wait!
Melbourne (1st) V Newcastle (8th)-
I'll be cheering for Newcastle as i love an underdog. Will be an interesting game. Melbourne obviously already lost Adam Blair to injury but also lost J.Lowe and Widdop to injury yesterday. Widdop is a big loss, he has had a great season (5th in the NRL for linebreaks this season). Cronk and Bromwich fresh off injuries too. Melbourne will be big favorites but i hope it's a tight contest.
Manly(2nd) V North Queensland(7th)-
Wow, two teams i really dislike. I thought Manly would struggle in the first week of the finals with a lot of key injuries and suspensions. However, i think they've been very fortunate to have ended up against the Cowboys after the final game of musical chairs this weekend to determine 4th-7th spot. If any of those other teams that finished 4th-6th ended up facing Manly i'd be tipping a Manly loss....can't see them losing to the Cowboys though who have struggled of late (JT still hasn't hit form after returning from injury)
Brisbane(3rd) V New Zealand(6th)-
Should be a tight grind it out game. Massive blow to the Broncos losing Hoffman this week and with Thaiday also likely facing suspension. This game just became a whole lot more interesting. Still tipping a Brisbane win but i think anything goes here.
Wests(4th) V St.George(5th)-
Here we go again! Cracker last year in the grand final prelim that finished a 1-point game. Tigers have been winning ugly the past few weeks against teams outside the top 8. St.George have won their last 2 starts so perhaps getting some confidence back. Tigers weakness - Gasnier, he has an insane strike rate against the Tigers. Not sure on the condition of Creagh, Young who both picked up injuries last week. Tigers rested a couple and Lawrence is a chance of making a return.
I'll be at ANZ stadium for this one and can't wait!
yes my kids keep sayin pokemon when his name is mentioned 
