It’s the final all out west wanted. Avoid the M4 motorway and T1 trains next Sunday when 80,000 westies travel to Accor Stadium.
I have corrected a scoring error for Craig Young’s Love Child and have updated the wrap accordingly
The Creator
This will be an awesome match.
The Panthers have been the best team over the last two seasons.
- Two minor premierships
- Reigning NRL premiers
- Seven NSW Blues Origin players
While the Eels are the only team to have beaten a full-strength Panthers team twice this season.
But how did they get here?
Cowboys v Eels
It was 3rd v 4th and a close battle. Both teams went into the halftime sheds 12 – 12. The Cows held an 8 point lead with about 20 minutes remaining before the Eels raced home with two tries.
Cowboys fans will feel disappointed at how close they were but, it was the two try haul by Eels’ Reagan Campbell-Gillard that was the difference.
They were two of the softest tries I have ever seen, let alone in a GF qualifier.
But they should also feel positive considering their team was 16 minutes away of making the GF when everyone had them bottom four and wooden spoon candidates.
The Eels have made their 1st decider since 2009. It’s time for the Blue & Gold Army to believe.
Panthers v Rabbitohs
Anyone who was wishing a Bunnies v Eels GF would have been buoyed with the Rabbitohs’ start scoring 12 points in 20 minutes.
The Panthers were rusty with the bulk of the team having played one game in three weeks. They had three disallowed tries in the first half and had the Bunnies scrambling.
South Sydney had to hold onto the halftime lead to remain a chance. Two tries in the final 4 minutes and we have the second final at 12 -12 deadlock.
But everyone knew the bubble had popped. The Panthers scoring 20 points in the 2nd half to total 32 unanswered points and booking their 3rd consecutive GF.
The Latrell Factor
The whole build-up to this match was Latrell Mitchell. But I have said this before, he just does not get involved like any of the other gun fullbacks.
Here are the damning stats from the Preliminary Final.
Cooper Cronk stated on NRL360 the key to combat Mitchell is to kick in the corners and make him run out from there. He only averages around 10 carries so burn some up.
Latrell’s strength is when he chimes in, in the opposition’s red zone. I think he makes a better centre.
The Leaders
In our competition we have new leaders.
DaveM is holding onto $220, The Creator $110 and Admireel $60. There is only a 6 point margin separating them.
Our previous leader, MLC has dropped to 4th place and needs a win next week and the team needs to win by 16 for any chance to jump back in the prize money.
There are only five other Tipsters with a chance.
- Craig Young’s Love Child
- Ian from Dublin
- Cruella
- blakey94
- Rossco The Pom.
The rest of the competition is playing for bragging rights.
This is a brutal series where you can’t afford to drop many games.
Thank you to the 39 Tipsters involved. I am sure the winners will be appreciating your $10 donations.
To the UFTC top nine. Pick wisely, and your margin needs to be spot on. In some cases your margin will need to bridge the gap of the differential.
Yes, complicated. I blame Pablo, it was his idea (just like the Standout).
Good luck to all Panthers and Eels supporters. There is history to be made.
Best of luck with your tipping and keep an eye out for our final Ask The Experts article this week.
-Rob
The Creator
