Usually any Eels win has me feeling happy and wanting to celebrate. However, last night's victory gives other teams a chance of making the top 8. The Eels handed a slim chance to the Raiders, Storm and Sea Eagles plus a better chance to the filthy Bulldogs. With 3 rounds remaining the 8th place Cowboys are 1 win above the 9th place Bulldogs. The Cowboys last 3 rounds consist of the bye, Tigers ( home) and Raiders ( home). The Bulldogs have the Dragons ( away) Panthers ( away) and Broncos ( home) . The Bulldogs have a 16 point better for and against at this stage and need to win 3 from 3 to be a realistic chance hoping the Cowboys loss 1 of there last 2 games. The Bulldogs main challenge will be in round 26 against a Panthers side who could be fighting for a top 2 finish. The Panthers wouldn't want to finish 3rd as that would most likely mean a trip to New Zealand for week 1 of the finals.
For myself, the pain of another failed season from the Eels can be made a little better watching the Bulldogs ( who had high expectations) fail to make the finals.
On another note. When, if ever, has the previous seasons top 4 all failed to make the top 8 the following season? Plus, has the previous grand finalists both missed the top 8 the following season?
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It's ok, I see Canterbury, Manly, & Melbourne all missing the finals. NZ looked very good this year. I'd like to see them win it.
Im hoping Dogs make the finals, they'll be delusional again, get knocked out round 1 of the finals and Belmore will be flooding in tears.
Nothing I'd like better to see the dogs not make the finals
This season is more a what if for the eels. Few games got away from us and a long list of season ending injuries. Definitely set up for the future way better then a lot of clubs but. No money tied up to bad players now moving forward and some room to change the side up. Lot of these other teams have hit their cap limit and stuck with what they have
I have been critical of the EELS going up the middle too much but yesterday's game was a welcome change as they moved the ball around beautifully , loved it .
I'd rather see Weed Mahoney lose.