At least my statistic made sense. Brisbane didn't even finish minor premiers in 06, yet you use them as an example as to why it's not all doom and gloom for the minor premiers to lose in week 1, and Melbourne were eventually molested 40-0 when they lost in week 1 after being minor premiers.
One of the best tries in history........would have been nice if Parra could have scored one near the end...........
For the Saints brethren... Lets not forget that Wests Tigers put 50 points on the Cowboys in their first semi only for the Cowboys to meet them in the GF. Further evidence that an early semi loss counts for next to nothing. Lets not forget that even if we beat Parra yesterday, we were still playing sudden death football at our next appearance. And finally lets not forget that we have beat EVERY team sitting above us right now. Parra won seven straight (racking up big scorelines) and lost 37-nil a week ago. Why? they said their season wasn't on the line. Either was ours yesterday. That is all brothers and sisters
I could continue to stir the pot more, but I'm going to be brutally honest instead... IMO, this Parramatta team is the best ever team to finish 8th, and over the last 2 months or so, they've been the most in form team in the comp. It's no shameful loss, and I'm tipping you guys to get through Brisbane next week. It'll be hard though. I also think Parra will walk through the Titans next week, and give them a severe caning. Melbourne V St.George and Canterbury V Parramatta are two mouth watering semis. I see either a Parra/Melbourne, or a Parra Dragons GF.
One pov is that yesterdays game was played in very hot conditions. Could it have taken something out of BOTH Saints and Parra? It might be a worry. I agree on Saints v Broncos. I'm stirring the pot too, that's obvious. Most of my points can be countered, I realise that. lol. The Saints "form slump" started when Broncs beat them at Wollongong. Lockyer said it was their best game of the year. They won 12 nil and only nailed it late. I think we are playing better now. I thought we won the battle yesterday but didn't come up with points. We are playing well enough to beat the Broncs. They had 30 points scored against them and had to rely on intercepts to beat the GC. again, Suncorp shouldn't be a worry. We haven't been beat there for years. The worry for me is that, if we beat Bris, we have to play Melbourne in Melbourne. Probably Etihad Stadium. Wont be easy if we get that far. To be honest, Saints don't have the roster of Melbourne or Brisbane or atleast the game breakers they do. We don't have a Folau, Slater, Inglis or Hayne. It limits our attack. Saints offence is very clinical, albeit basic. I'd like to see more b c and d options. Too much rinse, repeat imo. Parra didn't crack and we didn't have another option. I'm not too concerned about not winning big games. The whole chokers thing. Nah, under Brown they were soft and just not prepared for anything close to resembling a finals bound team. The comp is that tight this year that if Saints get beat it's because they haven't been 100% and if you aren't switched on ANYONE can beat you by 10, 20, 30 or 40. Their is evidence right across the NRL ladder to see that. It's not confined to Saints. So again, the chokers thing is borne from the past. Are they the best side in the comp? No. They were the most consistent for the regular season. A firing on all cylinders Melbourne are #1 for mine.
good ol ash and perfect jet your optomism gives me hope dragons sudden death from here on in hell of an ask but im keeping the faith.