Inglis the firm favourite for Dally M

Greg Inglis is the favourite going into the NRL awards night. He has had the most line breaks by any player in the game this season. He is tipped by the bookies to be the one to beat even though he had his knee injuries throughout the season. He would be the first rabbit to win the Dally M since 1980.

Johnathan Thurston has had another stellar season leading his team into the finals after winning 6 of the last 7 regular season games. But they were controversially knocked out by the sharks in a 7 tackle try that decided the result. I don't think he did enough this season to win the medal against the likes of Inglis, Sutton and co.

John Sutton has had his most consistent season of footy in his career this year with the Rabbitohs only losing 2 in a row once this season, he also narrowly missed out on a maiden origin berth. His involvement in a lot of tough wins against quality opposition will have him in contention.

Daly Cherry-Evans has been outstanding this season having stepped up his game where he left off last season leading his battle-hardened Sea Eagles into yet another Grand Final. He labelled himself the dark horse having been 3 points behind leaders at the end I round 16 "I'm a dark horse, I'm not expecting to win that award," Cherry-Evans said. Don't count him out he had a good back end on the season.

Cooper Cronk has led from the front yet again guiding his Melbourne Storm into another finals series but fell to the Newcastle Knights 14-16. After 16 rounds Cronk was coming 2nd by a point after a successful origin campaign and winning 6 games in a row to start off the season, but don't be surprised if he comes through and wins it.

My tip to win it is Daly Cherry Evans he will fly under the radar with great performances at the back end of the season and steal it from Greg Inglis by 2 points.

Twitter:@GranthamDaniel

Manly Sea Eagles v South Sydney Rabbitohs: Key Matchups

Sam Burgess on a rampaging run against Melbourne Storm

Brett Stewart v Greg Inglis
Manly has won 13 of their last 17 games with Stewart in the side his big time inclusion could be the difference in this game, they are clearly a different side when he is fit and firing. Manly coach Geoff Toovey is confident that Stewart can come straight back into the side and play a full 80 minutes. Stewart's ability to read the play on whether to kick, pass or run himself is the best in the league and when he is playing his best he is impossible to contain. Inglis on the other hand is arguably the best kick returner in the game with his second rower like body and winger like quickness that has seen him be the face of rugby league. This battle will go a long way to deciding the match.

Daly Cherry-Evans v Adam Reynolds
These two will more than likely be up against each other in many Origins to come, DCE has had a standout season including playing a starring role in Origin III for QLD. He has also been instrumental in Manly's attack while Stewart has been out injured. DCE admitted earlier this week that the kicking game could be the telling point in the result. "The kicking game was what won them the game last time," DCE said. Reyonlds has also had a consistent season narrowly missing out on Origin selection, Last time the two times played however he got the better of his opposite number with crucial plays down the stretch winning the Rabbitohs the game but this time whoever kicks better on the night is going to win the game. 

Brenton Lawrence embraces Anthony Watmough after a tough win

Brenton Lawrence v George Burgess
Lawrence has been called the buy of the season after fighting his way from oblivion at the Gold Coast to a starting job at Manly and has cemented his spot ever since debuting in Round 1. His aggression and endurance in the forward pack are his strengths and Manly need him containing the huge Rabbitohs pack. Which starts off with another surprise this year George Burgess who has made a name for himself with his rampaging runs and big hits in defence this is going to be a mouth-watering matchup.

Issac Luke v Matt Ballin

The battle of the dummy halves is an intriguing one with both playing different roles for their teams, Ballin is very strong defensively and is looking for quick ball to pass out to his halves so that they can spread to their centres whereas Luke is looking for darts out of the play of the ball trying to catch out tired forwards down the middle. Whoever can keep control of the ball better will win this contest and this starts with quick plays of the ball and good decision making.

Twitter: @GranthamDaniel


Credit: NRL.COM & SMH 

Swans v Fremantle: Key Matchups

Matthew Pavlich v Ted Richards
Pavlich has been struggling all season long with injury and he hasn't been in great form either but he has recently hit his straps playing a starring role in their shock win against Geelong kicking 2 goals. The Swans were extremely relieved after hearing their stalwart fullback will be free to play after a late bump with high contact was given the all clear. But Pavlich is a player who can kick 6 goals on any given day so Richards will have his work cut out.

Keiran Jack v Ryan Crowley
Jack has had his best season to date averaging 25.8 possessions a game and also making his debut in the All-Australian team. He is an elite runner and his gut running from end to end is some of the best in the game. Crowley could also move onto Hannebery or McVeigh during the game but he has said he is looking forward to squaring up the against whoever his opponent is. If Crowley is to get on top he needs to stop his run through the corridor and try and keep him out of the game.

Nathan Fyfe v Jarrad McVeigh
McVeigh comes off a best on ground performance with 42 possessions in their elimination final and a selection in the All-Austrlalian team. He is the key to the Swans success and he needs to be firing for his team to have any chance whether that be in defence or further up the ground its his flexibility that makes him so tough to defend.
On the other hand Fyfe has been one of Fremantle's best defenders all year and consistently shuts down opponents, the winner in this match up could decide the game.

Dean Rampe v Michael Walters
Michael Walters has only been goalless once in 35 games and that was against the Swans last time they played. The left footer has been labelled an X-Factor by his teammates saying he is a very dangerous player and he could decide this game.
His ability to get away from an opponent and end up over the back of the defence is uncanny and Rampe needs to be stuck to Walters if he is to limit his involvement in the game.


Twitter: @GranthamDaniel

Rabbitohs v Storm Preview

This is a mouth watering matchup with two teams who have been dominant all season long. It's a great test for the Rabbitohs and it will show whether they are the real deal for the premiership.  After they lost last weekend 24-12 for the minor premiership they are looking to bounce back after having only lost back to back matches once this season which is a credit to how consistent they have been all season long. For the Rabbitohs to get the win they need to complete their sets and put the Storm under pressure through their massive forward pack with the Burgess boys Tom,George and Sam needing to stand up and really set the platform for their fast men outwide Nathan Merritt and Greg Inglis to do the damage on the scoreboard.

For the Storm its all about weathering that early onslaught up the middle containing the Rabbitohs massive pack who are all substantially bigger, the upside for them is that towards the end of the game the big men will get tired and thats where the gaps will open up and their attack should go, they have also been to the finals many times before and a and have experienced players in Cameron Smith and Billy Slater who are capable of changing the game in a single play.

Another sub-script is the battle of the coaches Michael Maguire and Craig Bellamy. With Maguire now the coach of the Rabbitohs he was once an understudy to Bellamy for over five years. Matty Johns touched on the mentality of the coaches today in Fox Sports "You practice what you preach" it is this statement that both coaches apply their coaching to being the first in the morning in the gym and the last to leave every night. It is this discipline and hard work shown by both coaches that just bleeds into the players and definitely makes the coaches role models for the players.

Tip: Storm 20-12 Rabbitohs

Twitter:@GranthamDaniel



Photo Credit: Herald Sun & Perth Now