NRL Grand Final predictions

Who do you support when you don't want either team to win? Here's Ant's prediction for the NRL Grand Final in 2010...

100318_ant'sanalysis I’m not going to lie to you – I don’t want either team to win. The real question is, who do I want to lose less…

Oh when the Saints, go empty-handed,
Oh when the Saints go empty-handed,
*Cough, choke* I want to be in that Stadium,
When the Saints go empty-handed.

The underachievers tag looks fantastic on the Dragons with their uninspiring football, and those cocky bloody Roosters fans will never let us hear the end of another premiership heading to Bondi… If only we had the provision for a draw in the NRL.

The Dragons were a little bit lucky last week. The poor Tigers were on the raw end of the stick, and the Dragons got away with it. Can’t say they’ll take a whole lot of confidence out of a one-point victory. Yeah, the Dragons’ defence was impressive, but their attack was lacklustre at best and on the verge of being non-existent. They rely on their forwards to smother the opposition into a state of exhaustion so that opportunities present themselves. The Roosters on the other hand know how to make things happen.

Two things surprised me about the Titans v Roosters semi-final. The Titans were well off their game with the week off clearly not helping their cause, but even more surprising was how commanding the Roosters were. It was more lopsided than my, er, smile… Minichiello has been in fine form, and I may as well jump on the Carney-Pearce bandwagon. They are looking the goods.

As far as the battle of the coaches is concerned, I’d love to see Brian Smith get a premiership, and I’m sure super coach Bennett will survive without adding another to his name. The truth of the matter is this: If the Dragons lose they’ll get lambasted for once again falling at the final hurdle, yet if the Roosters lose, they should still be lauded for an incredible turnaround from 2009.

Can the Dragons handle the pressure? I hope not. Carn the Roosters!!!

P.S. By the sounds of things, Lui really knows how to deal with a loss. One court case is over, so another begins.

P.P.S. It’s been a while since someone in my family tried to decapitate me with a sword. Must be doing something wrong.

Dragons v Roosters – 5:00pm Sunday October 3, ANZ Stadium

The Dragons have won their last four games, and the Roosters their last five. It would be fitting if the only team to win six in a row in 2010 does so in the Grand Final… Form-wise, you’d have to say that the Roosters are riding slightly higher than the Dragons. St. George could well have gone down to the Tigers last week, and no matter what they say, they’re under a hell of a lot of pressure. Still, it saddens me to say this, but I think the Dragons will get on top, in typical frustrating style. Head to head, the Dragons should be fairly comfortable, with nine wins out of the last 11 against Sydney City, including the two wins this season. The SCG game in round 22 was an arm wrestle that ended in the Dragons killing the old red rooster. The Dragons have a great record at ANZ, while the Roosters have lost four out of the last five at the ground. Hmmm, statistics can prove anything – 40% of people know that.

Dragons by 3.

Progress Score Finals Week 3 – 115/200 57.5% (Last Week 1/2)

TAB-Magic … My long shot bets for the punter within…