2014 NRL Grand Final Preview
South Sydney Rabbitohs Vs. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Where: ANZ Stadium
When: Sunday at 7:20pm local time
After 30 gruelling weeks. We’re finally here.
It’s the NRL Grand Final with South Sydney Rabbitohs taking on the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. The Souths who faught hard all season, and the Dogs who's appearance in the finals at all was perhaps down to pure luck.
That said, no one can take away the fact that when given the chance the Dogs players have simply gotten the job done. It hasn't always been pretty but they dug deep, and pulled out the tough wins when it mattered most.
The biggest news to come out of the Canterbury camp this week is that Captain Michael Ennis is out after he suffered a fractured foot during last week’s game against the panthers.
There was a lot of talk during the week that he would be a game-time decision but it’s done, he's out and Moses Mbye, 21 year old from Noosa, looks to be his replacement. Queensland Origin Legend Darren Lockyer even weighed in to say he thought the young man could handle it.
Co-Captain Trent Hodkinson is still suffering from the knee injury he sustained a few weeks ago. Whether or not he’ll be able to make the conversions required to win is yet to be seen. He's done ok over the last couple of weeks, and with the emotion of the decider looming it may be enough for him to tough it out. We’ll see.
Unfortunately with Ennis out and the fact the dogs don't have many kicking options, Hodkinson really needs to be at his best.
English import and bulldogs Co-Captain James Graham crushed last week, and this week will be no different. Along with an all-firing Aiden Tolman and Bulldogs forward line, the Souths will have to be at their best defensively to contain them.
Dogs’ coach Des Hasler has been nothing if not outspoken, with the way he has handled both the press and opposition coach this week, he called in to question the South’s wrestling tactics and how the potential inexperience will effect Souths coach Michael Maguire in making game-time decisions.
Souths on the other hand, only really had to worry about Issac Lukes - his spear tackle on Sonny Bill Williams last week virtually guaranteed his season was over, and on Tuesday night it was official.
Lukes missing does make Souths quite vulnerable in the centre of the field. His replacement Apisiai Koroisau is talented but a lack of experience could see him become unsettled during such a huge game.
Most of the media coverage regarding the Souths this week has focused on whether or not Issac should be allowed to accept a Grand Final Ring should Souths win on Sunday night, This, alongside Russell Crowe’s highly publicised contact with Snoop Dogg about the game has allowed the rest of Michael Maguire’s team fly relatively under the radar.
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It’s simple, if Souths are going to win they can’t turn off. This season we've seen the rabbits lose games that were seemingly unlosable
Sam Burgess is leaving South Sydney in a few weeks to play in the UK. He’s been nothing but vocal about his belief that the Rabbitohs can win this year, and I’m expecting a huge game from him this week.
Greg Inglis. Need I say more. Pair him with young superstar Alex Johnston and Dylan Walker and the rest of the Souths backline and the Dogs have something huge to worry about. Alex Johnston alone has 20 tries from 17 starts in his rookie season. Dylan Walker has been given the green light by Coach Michael Maguire to rove around the backline and force in where needed. I would be remised not to mention veteran Lote Tuqiri. He must have found a time machine, cause he is playing like he's 20 again.
All this said, Souths simply have the game in place to win, they've fought hard all year and they will expose a lack of class in the Bulldogs line up.
2014 NRL Final Week 3 Best Betting Tips
Prediction: South Sydney by 10 points
Clive Churchill Medal: Sam Burgess (Paying 5/1 Betfair)
Bet on South-Sydney Rabbitohs to win by 1-12
Take note: Any of the tips in this article are simply the author’s opinion, so bet at your own risk and always gamble responsibly. Also be sure to check out the Before You Bet Twitter Page for all our thoughts in the lead up to bets! Happy punting!
