The Finals thread:

[mickqld]

The brunette, Anni-Frid Synni Lyngstad ... or simply Frida, married a Swedish Prince (Heinrich Ruzzo Prinz Reuss von Plauen) in 1992 after she had been out of the group for 10 years. Unfortunately he died of Lymphoma in 1999 at the age of just 49. He was actually her 3rd husband, and her last to date.

She is currently 79. She turns 80 on 15 November.....

The blonde, Agneta Åse Fältskog ... or simply Agnetha, turned 75 in April.

I need a hobby

Been watching the ABC have you.

 

[HoldenV8]

Been watching the ABC have you.

I think the last time I watched the ABC, Warren Boland was still commentating Saturday League.....

 

[Super Coach Eagle]

Worth pointing out that Manly beat both of these teams in the regular season, including that Broncos thrashing at Brookie during Origin.

But alas, because our halfback decided to clock out in March we did not take advantage of such a record...

We beat Penrith and Melbourne last year as well.

 

[davohan123]

Storm by 14 easily
They will want redemption from last year's defeat and can't see them losing 2 years in a row.
Broncos will have to play better than its previous 2 finals not give up a lead to storm to be any chance.
24-10 Storm win
Grant Clive Churchill Medal winner
Broncos GF was last weekend.

 

[maxta]

HOW do Brisbane close down Harry Grant ?
They don't
For this reason, the middle will be comprimised and the likes of Munster, Hughes, Papp will create chaos.
Hot day they say...well after a frantic 15 minute opening, there are Stars from both sides who will create many opportunities.
The Walsh factor relies purely on the go forward of Bris led by Haas, but the Storm have a VERY resilient defence, particulaly in big games.
The ONLY chance I rate Brisbane is to play an almost State of Origin style of extra time in tackles, 'testing" the 10m from the opening whistle, grubbery (without the dirt and cheap shots) and basically trying to get the Storm "Out of sorts" and uncomfortable.
If it's a straight up clean 80 minutes game of 17 vs 17, the Storm will get into a rhythm and basically strangle Broncs like a python till they choke....gasp for air...and run away with it, so Brisbane MUST make it a stop /start and unorthodox game to have any hope, with their X factor players making huge plays at key moments...but I don't see Storm allowing it.

Personally I don't like either team, but love GF day and hopefully cash in on some tryscorers.

 

[Rafferty]

HOW do Brisbane close down Harry Grant ?
They don't
For this reason, the middle will be comprimised and the likes of Munster, Hughes, Papp will create chaos.
Hot day they say...well after a frantic 15 minute opening, there are Stars from both sides who will create many opportunities.
The Walsh factor relies purely on the go forward of Bris led by Haas, but the Storm have a VERY resilient defence, particulaly in big games.
The ONLY chance I rate Brisbane is to play an almost State of Origin style of extra time in tackles, 'testing" the 10m from the opening whistle, grubbery (without the dirt and cheap shots) and basically trying to get the Storm "Out of sorts" and uncomfortable.
If it's a straight up clean 80 minutes game of 17 vs 17, the Storm will get into a rhythm and basically strangle Broncs like a python till they choke....gasp for air...and run away with it, so Brisbane MUST make it a stop /start and unorthodox game to have any hope, with their X factor players making huge plays at key moments...but I don't see Storm allowing it.

Personally I don't like either team, but love GF day and hopefully cash in on some tryscorers.

Just like we did, make him make 60 tackles, his the forwards target all game.

And a hot day should be on Brisbanes side, there crazy fit and should take it to Melbourne from the get go while it’s at its hottest, ( which will happen anyway, but Donkeys should front load that effort a little more than they ordinarily would) I think Brisbane are a bigger chance than most are thinking.

It’s bloody sad when you don’t have a side to go for in the GF, so I’ll be hoping Melbourne lose and it will suck if the donkeys win, worst GF since last time they played 06, Donkeys got the prize 15 - 8.

Back to back GF losses and back to back losses to the Broncos in GF’s would sting Melbourne nicely, that should compensate for a Broncos win.

 

[Buddy Love]

I think storm will dominate them but you never know

 

[Ohgeez]

Just like we did, make him make 60 tackles, his the forwards target all game.

And a hot day should be on Brisbanes side, there crazy fit and should take it to Melbourne from the get go while it’s at its hottest, ( which will happen anyway, but Donkeys should front load that effort a little more than they ordinarily would) I think Brisbane are a bigger chance than most are thinking.

It’s bloody sad when you don’t have a side to go for in the GF, so I’ll be hoping Melbourne lose and it will suck if the donkeys win, worst GF since last time they played 06, Donkeys got the prize 15 - 8.

Back to back GF losses and back to back losses to the Broncos in GF’s would sting Melbourne nicely, that should compensate for a Broncos win.

Id say Hughes with the broken arm will be the man they want to target. It’s already apart of broncos game to get Haas & Willison wide on that left edge - I expect to see it plenty of times

 

[mave]

It was the Broncos comp to lose from about 6 weeks ago.
They have the hot hand at the right time.

 

[Rafferty]

Id say Hughes with the broken arm will be the man they want to target. It’s already apart of broncos game to get Haas & Willison wide on that left edge - I expect to see it plenty of times

No doubt, thing is Hughes will be looked after defensively and he plays deep enough with the ball to offload before the D arrives unless he sees the opportunity to run.

Shut down Grant and you diminish their whole structure and his individual effectiveness, in particular his running game, which I think his shelved a little during the semis, possibly hoping the opposition won’t focus their game on him. Grant holds the key for Melbourne and the Donkeys would be well served to punish him defensively, no doubt they’ll try and get at Hughes, even Pappy if they can, should be a good contest.

 

[madmax]

FMD……please not the Broncos!!! I cannot stand that team apart from Haas & Hetherington! Certainly hope someone flattens Mam. Melbourne for me!

 

[niccipops]

FMD……please not the Broncos!!! I cannot stand that team apart from Haas & Hetherington! Certainly hope someone flattens Mam. Melbourne for me!

Hate both. Based on geography and the Lions winning, the locals will tip me over the edge if their donkeys win too.
Despite myself, I’ll be cheering for the storm.
Would like to see Munster punch Walsh in the face, then Walsh get 10 in the bin for it.That would be fun.

 

[niccipops]

It was the Broncos comp to lose from about 6 weeks ago.
They have the hot hand at the right time.

Hand of the ref.

 

[maxta]

Just like we did, make him make 60 tackles, his the forwards target all game.

And a hot day should be on Brisbanes side, there crazy fit and should take it to Melbourne from the get go while it’s at its hottest, ( which will happen anyway, but Donkeys should front load that effort a little more than they ordinarily would) I think Brisbane are a bigger chance than most are thinking.

It’s bloody sad when you don’t have a side to go for in the GF, so I’ll be hoping Melbourne lose and it will suck if the donkeys win, worst GF since last time they played 06, Donkeys got the prize 15 - 8.

Back to back GF losses and back to back losses to the Broncos in GF’s would sting Melbourne nicely, that should compensate for a Broncos win.

Won't happen - Manly played a "flat" Melbourne and admittedly done well and as you state, had a gameplan to do exactly that and executed well.... Harry will have far more help Sunday and I feel will tear holes through that middle.
Can't stand Brisbane, especially living close by, where 80% of their fans only come out in the good times.
With Storm at least like Katoa and respect Grant....GF results can be unpredictable, but Brisbane slid into the big dance with 2 unlikely wins and can't see Storms defence allowing Houdini escapes

 

[Rafferty]

Won't happen - Manly played a "flat" Melbourne and admittedly done well and as you state, had a gameplan to do exactly that and executed well.... Harry will have far more help Sunday and I feel will tear holes through that middle.
Can't stand Brisbane, especially living close by, where 80% of their fans only come out in the good times.
With Storm at least like Katoa and respect Grant....GF results can be unpredictable, but Brisbane slid into the big dance with 2 unlikely wins and can't see Storms defence allowing Houdini escapes

Well Melbourne should be favourites, given all the circumstances, oddly enough I also think the Broncos have the footy to upset them all going to plan.

I can’t stand either of them, so it’s a lose lose situation for me anyway I look at it, can only hope it’s a cracking game and not a runway to either side.

Oh and the unthinkable, the Queerlanders could sweep the pot, Origin tick, AFL tick, the NRLW and NRL, could you imagine the BS, it’s not worth thinking about, its probably the only aspect that would make a storm win palatable.