The last home and away game for a legend.

Although I am an avid Roosters fan, I try not to talk about them too much, but this week I feel I have to make mention of the club’s achievements in 2004. With the first grade side looking for its first minor premiership in 23 years, looking through all of the tables, Sydney can produce a treble that hasn’t happened for almost as long. The Premier League team sits second on percentages behind St George-Illawarra for the minor premiership. The teams are locked together on top and if the Dragons falter this weekend against the seventh placed Bulldogs, the Roosters would claim first spot. But the chances at history don’t end there.

In Jersey Flegg, the young Roosters are one win away from remaining undefeated for the entire season. It would be the first time since 1959 that a team had achieved the feat. Should all three teams manage to take the minor premiership, it would be the first treble in 20 years. The club has already won year’s club championships breaking a seven year stranglehold by the club they play tonight. On top of this, the Roosters need a crowd below their season average to break the club record for average crowd. They will also achieve the highest average crowd of the Sydney clubs for the first time in their history.

Brisbane who can’t move on the table, are sending a reasonable but under strength outfit, can’t move from third. They will play the 6th place team on Saturday afternoon no matter what the outcome. The Panthers can’t field a stronger team than will run on at Penrith Football Stadium on Friday night. And in the balance is a home final. With a far inferior difference, the premiers’ will lose their home status should they lose this weekend. Brisbane’s form isn’t great and their defence was hammered last weekend by the bottom placed Bunnies. Seven and a half start on FootyTab won’t be enough: Prediction: Panthers by 14.

If Wests Tigers ever needed a weekend to stand up and be counted, this is it. To be a finalist, you have to be able to win when the pressure is on. And the pressure doesn’t get much greater than the Novocastrian crowd. The Knights have nothing to play for but the joy of seeing their final effort take someone else with them in to the post-season armchair. The only way the Tigers can book tickets on their first ever finals excursion is to win this weekend. On difference, they can’t be caught. It’s an evenly matched affair that could swing either way should one team really be on their game. Prediction: Tigers by 1.

When you’re not in control of your own destiny, you start praying. Needing an avalanche of points and rock solid defence or other results to fall the right way, Canberra’s training sessions this week were probably spread across the different churches denominations in the nation’s capital. Matt Elliot would have had chills up his spine watching the fight shown by Souths last weekend against the Broncos. And with nothing to lose but the wooden spoon, Souths will be fired up. Arthur Kitinas’ short but sweet term as Rabbitohs’ coach may end with a bang yet. But either way, neither of these sides will be playing football next week. Prediction: Raiders by 10.

The Cowboys can use this weekend as a dress rehearsal. Taking on Cronulla at home in front of what should be a capacity crowd, they have the chance to put another team away for the season. That’s how it will be every week from here so they better get used to it. With no way to avoid playing the Roosters or the ‘Dogs next weekend, elimination matches are all North Queensland can look forward to. So against reasonable opposition with a quality halfback and plenty of noise around them, Graham Murray gets to experience finals football a week early. And when you haven’t done that before, it’s a blessing. Cronulla can still make eighth should the Tigers and Raiders falter enough, but they have to beat the Cowboys first. After last week’s high, North Queensland may be in a lull, but the emotion of playing at home will be enough. Prediction: Cowboys by 12.

New Zealand has the best record against the Bulldogs of any team in the competition. And with the wooden spoon a realistic chance, there is motivation for the Warriors to have a win. But there is far more in the Canterbury camp. While their record in New Zealand is awful, the minor premiership is only a slip-up away and form is all important on the run into the finals. And the Warriors are looking a little rag-tag at the moment. There is no consistency or form. While the Roosters were terrible last weekend, they overcame the Kiwis in a second half surge. The Bulldogs probably won’t need to surge. Prediction: Bulldogs by 24.

Brookvale Oval used to be a graveyard for visiting teams. Travelling north of the bridge was a nightmare. But those days are past and Brookvale has been the scenes of some colossal defeats for the Sea Eagles this year. For all the recent good form that Manly have shown, it has been against lesser teams. Melbourne has lost just once to the Silvertails and will know by Sunday afternoon if a 41 point victory gives them a home semi-final. And if Penrith do lose to the Broncos on Friday night, don’t count the result out of the question. Quietly achieving just at the moment, the Storm are my grand final dark horse. Prediction: Storm by lots.

Freddy’s final regular season home game has been building into a spectacular. There will be 6000 Brad Fittler masks given away as the Roosters attempt to win their first minor premiership since 1981. But the task comes against a side that has beaten them in the last six weeks. Parramatta lifted for their match earlier in the season and there is no reason that the club wouldn’t like to deprive Sydney of the Minor Premiership Title. Natural drugs are the best however and adrenaline will win the day. Expect the Bondi boys to be pumped for their skipper and Freddy’s fairytale to continue. Prediction: Roosters by 28.

Contrary to my predictions, every game this weekend has the chance to prove an upset. It gives rise to the tails of the miracles and heartbreaks that will litter the papers next week as we say farewell to some of the game’s stalwarts and heap accolades on those that depart in glory. Good luck for the final week of the regular season.

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source: MasterTips