Its That Time Of Year Again

The worst thing about September means that the football only has one month to go. The best thing about September means the football still has one month to go. It is the month all teams and fans talk about at the beginning of the year. You never hear the coach say in round one half time “Go out there boys and play like you want to win the trophy formerly known as the Winfield Cup.” But you do hear “Go out there boys and play like you want to be around in September.”

It’s the month that fans of teams ranked 9th to 15th claim and support another team “They’ve always been my second favorite team.” I haven’t decided which team I want to win the premiership this year so here is my unbiased view on how the top eight are looking:

1. Storm: They won the player if the year (& hooker), halfback and coach at this years Dally M awards for a reason…they’re good. Bookies, punters, commentators and Melbournians (if any of them are watching) place them as favorites to take the trophy home to the city of AFL.

2. Bulldogs: Though the boys from Belmore have a few injuries including Roy Asotasi and Willy Tonga, the other Willy, big Willy Mason is due back to the side this week after a two week suspension. They are physically the most powerful team in the comp and with a foot like Hazem El Masari’s I am expecting his magic to rub off not only on the ball but also on the rest of the team.

3. Broncos: Were looking shaky towards the end of season, losing five games in a row, but won their last three with comfort, consolidating their place in the top 4. Will be even more revved up to give favorite son Shane Webcke his perfect swan song. First step is to gallop the Dragons on Saturday night, but with a home final I’m more expecting that gallop to be a charge.

4. Knights: The Knights proved late in the season that they can win without their “one man team” Andrew Johns but that sure doesn’t mean that the whole town of Newcastle won’t be licking their lips that Joey’s back from suspension this week. To combat his tirade of emotions he has handed his captaincy over to Steve Simpson for Friday’s game against the Sea Eagles. Do I think this will stop Joey’s emotions for either helping or hindering the game?

5. Sea Eagles: Manly have been one of the most consistent teams this year, losing only to the in-form teams of the time. It is hard to tell yet if they can win the competition but going on one game at a time they have an edge over their first hurdle, the Knights. Ben Kennedy will be looking to farewell his career in style and what better way than to beat his old team in front of his old fans at Energy Australia Stadium. The Sea Eagles also have a psychological advantage over Newcastle having won their last match only a month ago in a fiery encounter.

6. Dragons: Since Round 15, the Dragons have lost all of their matches against sides in the final top eight. Not a good sign for them however they can take a positive in that the last top eight team they beat was the Broncos. In fact they have beat them both times they played them this season. Will Johnny Raper have fired Trent Barrett up enough to take the Saints to a Tickertape parade on the streets of Kogarah and Wollongong?

7. Raiders: They beat the Bulldogs the last time the two teams meet which is one of the few positives there is about facing the Bulldogs on Saturday night. This season Canberra have under performed playing teams that finished below them on the ladder but have stepped up to the occasion during matches against the better teams, which is all that matters in the finals.

8. Eels: Can Parramatta pull of the fairytale that the West Tigers and the Penrith Panthers have done in 2005 and 2003 respectively? After winning three of their first fourteen games, having a coach resign/fired, having players turn up to training drunk, getting a mouthful from assistant turned senior coach and winning their next 10 in a row Parramatta are looking to become the next fairytale Rugby League team. Haven’t played very well in the last two weeks. But if they do win it I think this years team holiday will be to Auckland to shake the hands of the Warriors CEO to say thanks for breaching the salary cup and getting the Eels in the top eight.

As for fans of the Cowboys, Warriors, West Tigers, Panthers, Sharks, Roosters and Rabbitohs, discover who you go for in the finals, barrack for them and when they win the competition dance in the streets. If anyone questions your sincerity remember the standard answer - “They’ve always been my second favorite team.”