So, hear me out......I did wonder weather the storm would give up a top 4 spot and play either raiders or broncos at home rather than go to penrith the following week. I like the eels chances against penrith so maybe win win if storm lose.
Eels cant finish 5th now, either 4th or 6th. 5v8 is a good option first week of finals, let the other teams knock each other out.
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I get what you're saying but no, I can't see Melbourne giving up 4th spot.
Yes it means a home game against Canberra but the Raiders have really troubled Melbourne in Melbourne previously. I'm not sure that's a soft option for them. And even if they do beat the Raiders they have to come back up to Sydney in week 2.
However if they finish 4th and lose week 1, they get to play week 2 in Melbourne. 4th is a far better option.
That is what i am hoping for incase we get 4th and lose to Penrith, Canberra beating Melbourne in Melbourne (which they have done a few times before, Canberra to Melbourne is like us to Penrith), then we play Canberra and CommBank week 2.
I guess there is a remote chance Bellamy has decided that it's better not to play a rested Penrith in Penrith and would rather a home final but I honestly don't think this is that.
If it is then Arthur should be doing cartwheels because to have another crack at Penrith is exactly what we want.
I think though Hughes is genuinely injured and Storm will otherwise run out unchanged and it'll be a tough game
I had a feeling this might happen, why would any team want to play Penrith away after a week's rest ? The 8th placed team pose zero threat, the storm will put a cricket score on Raiders and it's possible team 3 could beat team 2 in the finals
💯!
If you play Penrith in first week of finals you won't play then again until the GF. because go to other side of the draw.
So that's why I would like to play them in the first week.
Also it means if they do beat you week 1 and then you both make it to the GF they may be a little underdone because they have only has 2 games in 4 weeks due to resting so many this week and having week 2 off.
Melbourne will go all out to secure 4th spot.
Whatever the case with Melbourne, we have to win this, we don't want to finish 6th and face an opponent first week of he finals that has the wood on us.
Although I think we can beat anyone on our day, including souths.
Yes you be crazy. No team intentionally loses a finals game.
but its not a finals game lol
but yes, certainly is an outside of the box thought. i agree, you want momentum going into the finals and therefore a win would be preferred.
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