It says something for the extraordinary nature of the
2005 NRL premiership that three of the stand-out performers in the final six or
eight weeks won’t even be there when the semi finals begin on Friday
night. And you can bet your last dollar that the eight teams
left standing – one or two on one leg – are very pleased the Knights, Panthers
and Rabbitohs are today “celebrating” Mad Monday or whatever happens to take its
place.

The Knights, Panthers and Rabbitohs will look back on
2005 as the season that might have been – all winning six of their last eight
games. Compare that to the form of the Sharks, Sea Eagles and Broncos who
have made the finals: Sharks, three wins and five losses; Sea Eagles, two wins
and six losses; and the Broncos, two wins and six losses.

But the finals are decided on all 26 rounds…and the
Knights, Panthers and Rabbitohs just lost too many games early in the
season. At least their supporters can look forward
to 2006 with some confidence.

Read more on the site here.