The NRL Grand Final. Two teams. One winner. Probably some tries. Heaps of tackles.
Enough of the obvious? Nah. Here are our 9 Predictable Predictions for the NRL Grand Final.
Mitchell Pearce to have a meltdown:
Will Pearce perish or prosper in another big game?
Sorry, Junior, but it’s hard not to see this happening. Pearce struggled in the deciding Origin Game III earlier in the year and was also found wanting in his first Grand Final in 2010 when the Roosters lost to the Dragons. If Pearce is having a shocker with his boot early on, it’s a sure sign James Maloney should take the reins and guide the big Roosters forward pack to the finish line.
Glenn and Brett Stewart v David Smith:
The Manly brothers took it upon themselves to demand an apology from then NRL CEO David Gallop on the victory dais following the 2011 granny, so who is to say they won’t have another crack this year for no apparent reason? David Smith isn’t the most popular figure in the NRL at the moment, and when the Stewarts have a bee in their bonnet they struggle to tell the difference between one suit and the next.
Sonny Bill Williams Love-in:
At least Channel Nine use SBW for jokes, too.
Corny intros of Sonny, pre-taped pre-game interviews with Sonny, Sonny warming up, Sonny warming down, Sonny cleaning his boots (actually he would never clean his own boots), aerial helicopter view of Sonny arriving at the ground, Phil Gould talking about Sonny and so on and so on. Even if the Roosters lose by 30, SBW will be the star of the show.
A terrible refereeing blunder:
Whether it’s a costly knock on, a dodgy penalty, a video referee brain fade or perhaps something as ridiculous as forgetting the tackle count, you can guarantee there will be a highly amusing yet mostly frustrating F-up by the boys in pink. And if it goes against Manly, Geoff Toovey is likely to explode in hilarious fashion. Ben Cummins, Shayne Hayne, best book a trip overseas as soon as the game is over just in case.
David Smith getting booed:
Just send Rusty instead.
Take it to the bank. Smith has a very tough gig, but he’s struggled to win over the bulk of NRL fans and players. The MC of the post-match ceremony should probably do the boss a favour and pronounce his name incorrectly so nobody notices he is there.
Eagle Rock:
If Manly wins, Daddy Cool is all you’ll be hearing for the next week. Just to be clear, unless you’re an Eagles fan you don’t have to drop the strides.
Somebody throwing a punch but not getting sin-binned:
Some rules are just brought in as a matter of convenience. Following Paul Gallen’s right hook on Nate Myles in Origin I, the NRL said all players who throw a punch will get 10 in the bin. If it comes to fistycuffs in the big one, we challenge any referee to make that big of call in a Grand Final. Let ‘em go at it. As long as there is no ear biting!
A disappointing Gus Gould intro:
Channel Nine brought back Gus’ famous pre-game ramble for Game III due to popular demand, but it fell short of the mark. He’ll get another crack under the posts, but the old-timer needs to pick up his game or it’s time to make way for the likes of Yvonne Sampson or maybe even Karl Stefanovic doing push ups.
An awkward message from Tony Abbott:
The chosen one will not at ANZ Stadium.
The new PM is apparently a big Manly fan ie his local electorate includes Manly. Unfortunately, Tony is away on business in Bali during the GF so no doubt he’ll have an awkward pre-recorded message filled with ums and ahs and cringe-worthy rugby league references hesitantly thrown together by one of his staffers for Channel Nine to play before the game.
- NRL Grand Final First Try Scorer
- Clive Churchill Medal Betting
