I finished in 13th spot out of 32 tippers in the office footy tipping comp. While I obviously didn't win, that was easily my best finish ever.
Which I reckon qualifies me to offer my tips for this weekend. Put your house on them.
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Nominate the Dragons' player of the seasonFRIDAY< p>Melbourne Storm vs Manly Sea Eagles
Given that I hate both teams it's a pity the pair of them can't be eliminated this weekend. The Storm and the Sea Eagles have met so many times in the finals, they're like an old married couple who know everything about each other.
It's highly unlikely we'll get another grand final style blowout -it'll be much much closer than that. I know everyone's been saying "Manly's back!" but I don't see it.
Any team that struggles to put away a 12-man Sharks outfit (or any team that features Luke Covell for that matter) is still a fair bit from being back. Melbourne, while also unconvincing, has been less unconvincing than Manly. And that's why they'll win in a squeaker.
SATURDAY
Gold Coast Titans vs Brisbane Broncos
The Gold Coast Titans are like that sooky kid at the school camp - they don't like being away from home.
They lost eight games this year, seven of which were at home. So, yeah, they got hammered by the Sea Eagles last week but that doesn't necessarily mean anything.
They are playing at home, which will make a difference. But not enough to knock off the Broncs who have bounced back after that flogging from the Raiders - the other "crap away from home" team in the NRL.
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Newcastle Knights
The Knights don't really look like they belong in the finals, which should actually work in their favour.
In the post-Johns years, I've felt they've got a habit of punching above their weight, often performing better than you think they have any right to. Which is why I reckon they're a bit of a scary side in this finals series.
One of the sides they did over was the Dogs back in Round 12 - and that was with Brett "almost a Steeler" Kimmorley on the field.
Now that he's going to be watching on the sidelines, the Knights should have an easier time of things.
If the Dogs think they can win without little Bretty, they're dreaming. Last week's effort against the Tigers is the sort of thing Dogs fans can expect until Kimmorley decides to risk another serious facial injury by rushing his return.
SUNDAY
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Parramatta Eels
My first rule of footy tipping is that you always, always pick your own team. Even if they're turning up and getting pummelled each week - to do anything else just seems disloyal to me.
So no prizes for guessing I'm tipping the Dragons in this one, but with good reason.
I think, after that horror loss to the Bunnies, last week's 37-0 win over the Eels allowed one W.Bennett to say "see what happens when you do what I say?".
Also, I figure that loss will weigh heavily on the mind of the Eels, especially if they get behind again. The addition of Nathan Hindmarsh and Eric Grothe simply don't make them a 38-point better side.
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Staying alive: Dragons, Knights, Storm, Broncos, Bulldogs and Titans
Mad Monday starts for: Eels, Sea Eagles
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