Road to the Grand Final

couerdelion

With just one round of the regular season left to play I though I would start a thread for the playoffs.

Ok, this is where I play mystic Meg and try to forecast what will happen...

I think the top 8 and their positions will be...

1. Wigan
2. Saints
3. Warrington
4. Hull
5. Huddersfield
6. Leeds
7. Hull KR
8.Castleford

Which would mean

Wk1 Playoffs

1. Wigan vs 4. Hull (Wigan too strong)
2. Saints vs 3. Warrington (Saints to edge a close match)
5. Huddersfield vs 8. Castelford (Castleford don't deserve to be in the playoffs they are that poor)
6. Leeds vs 7. Hull KR (Leeds too strong)

Wk2 Playoffs

4. Hull vs 5. Huddersfield (Hudders to edge a close game)
3. Warrington vs 6. Leeds (Leeds to gain CC revenge)

Wk3 Playoffs (highest place winner in week 1 chooses their opposition)
~Wigan, same as leeds last year choose the lowest ranked team

1. Wigan vs 6. Leeds (Leeds thrash an over confident Wigan team)
2. Saints vs 5. Huddersfield (Saints dominate Huddersfield)

Grand Final

6. Leeds vs 2. Saints

And that would be perfect 4 in a row and all against the Stains

amacachi

I'd replace Cas with Crusaders, Castleford play Saints who will be pushing for home advantage while Cusaders play KR who are playing for nothing. Also do you think Leeds would prefer 6th to 4th?

couerdelion

I don't think Hull KR will take it easy and the Crusaders are looking poor.

I think Leeds will get beat by Hull. On top of the Peacock and Burgess injuries, Jones Buchanan and Clarkson are out. 4 decent memebers of an already weak looking pack. I think Huddersfield will win leaving Leeds 6th.

amacachi

Fair enough, fancy Crusaders myself, they're very hit and miss thought, depends on whether or not they turn up.
I'll leave my predictions til the final table is known, too many variables for now. Still fancy Wigan to end the drought though.

couerdelion

amacachi wrote: »

Still fancy Wigan to end the drought though.

I hope not.

As a youngster I grew up watching a professional Wigan side beat the other amateur sides every year* and it used to hurt.

Then in SL1 I was at the GF to see Wigan beat Leeds and Rugby Unions very own Jason Robinson (where's his Leeds accent gone?) score to win the match for Wigan. I can't remember the game as I was too hammered but I watched the highlights the next day



*(Funnily enough though my first ever Leeds game was a win over Wigan)

toomevara

Dont know CDL, definitely some interesting crystal ball gazing/permutations...but I have a feeling that Leeds may well beat FC this weekend and finish fourth...

couerdelion

I aren't too sure Toom, I think Leeds wil lbe drained emotionally and physically. Still maybe a couple of youngsters will impress.

toomevara

couerdelion wrote: »

I aren't too sure Toom, I think Leeds wil lbe drained emotionally and physically. Still maybe a couple of youngsters will impress.

Yep there is that and it looks like Horne and Long will be back for FC, if anyone can contrive to undo Leeds it'll be Long....

couerdelion

Well iwas wrong with my final positions. Leeds grabbing fourth and the Welsh sneaking in .

Any predictions for this weeks matches?

I'll go for...

Friday, 10 September 2010

St Helens v Warrington, Qualifying Semi-Final, 20:00

Saturday, 11 September 2010

Huddersfield v Crusaders, Elimination Play-off, 15:45
Hull FC v Hull KR, Elimination Play-off, 18:00

Sunday, 12 September 2010

Wigan v Leeds, Qualifying Semi-Final, 18:45

Cracking weekend of rugby, I'm away on holidays but hopefully the mobile will be able to stream sky sports!

WakeyTyke

Ok here goes -:p

Wires to scrape through at the Saints
Huddersfield to easily beat Crusaders
Hull KR to beat their FC neighbours
Wigan to overcome Leeds

couerdelion

WakeyTyke wrote: »

Ok here goes -:p

Wires to scrape through at the Saints
Huddersfield to easily beat Crusaders
Hull KR to beat their FC neighbours
Wigan to overcome Leeds

Unfortunately I think you will be right with the Wigan result.

amacachi

Am I good wha? :pac:

Reckon this weekend's matches will go the way of top league position other than Crusaders who I fancy to get to the semi.

toomevara

WakeyTyke wrote: »

Ok here goes -:p

Wires to scrape through at the Saints
Huddersfield to easily beat Crusaders
Hull KR to beat their FC neighbours
Wigan to overcome Leeds

Agree wakey, though I can't call the Hull derby..anything can happen. just hope we get a game as pulsating as the last encounter between them.

amacachi

toomevara wrote: »

Agree wakey, though I can't call the Hull derby..anything can happen. just hope we get a game as pulsating as the last encounter between them.

Fingers crossed, had that match recorded then heard the result/ending on SSN from the kitchen, was ****ing sickened. Even if it's not the highest quality encounter it's still a match I'd love to be there for.

AdeT

couerdelion wrote: »

Friday, 10 September 2010

St Helens v Warrington, Qualifying Semi-Final, 20:00

Saturday, 11 September 2010

Huddersfield v Crusaders, Elimination Play-off, 15:45
Hull FC v Hull KR, Elimination Play-off, 18:00

Sunday, 12 September 2010

Wigan v Leeds, Qualifying Semi-Final, 18:45

Cracking weekend of rugby, I'm away on holidays but hopefully the mobile will be able to stream sky sports!

I'll shoot for four home wins...

I think following week would then be (correct me if i'm wrong)
Warrington v Huddersfield
Leeds v Hull FC

I'll pop for Wire and FC (who'd love to get a bit of vengeance on Leeds after last week)

THEN, I think Wigan would call out Hull leaving:

Wigan v Hull
Saints v Wire

My call for GF would be:

Wigan v Wire: Wire to do the double...

Maybe...

amacachi

Dunno why but I fancy Saints to do it tonight.

couerdelion

amacachi wrote: »

Dunno why but I fancy Saints to do it tonight.

Good prediction. I also reckoned they would do it in my initial post and think they'll be in the grand final. I shoul dhave put money on it!

amacachi

couerdelion wrote: »

Good prediction. I also reckoned they would do it in my initial post and think they'll be in the grand final. I shoul dhave put money on it!

Same here, was going to do it just before kick-off but lost my nerve. Poor show last night I thought from Warrington, heads seemed to go down pretty easily.

EDIT: Today I'm gonna say Crusaders and FC, let's see how far I can push my crystal ball. :pac:

WakeyTyke

Great display by Saints but I thought Wires looked like a team that were close to running on empty.

Didn't get to see the Giants - Crusaders game so can't comment on that.

Have had the belief that Hull have over-achieved and KR under-achieved this season so always felt that Morgan would have the upper hand against Agar.

Think Wigan will have too much passion, desire and commitment for Leeds to cope with.

couerdelion

amacachi wrote: »

Same here, was going to do it just before kick-off but lost my nerve. Poor show last night I thought from Warrington, heads seemed to go down pretty easily.

EDIT: Today I'm gonna say Crusaders and FC, let's see how far I can push my crystal ball. :pac:

To be fair it wasn't pushed very far :-(
Looking forward to you predicting Wigan ;-)

couerdelion

WakeyTyke wrote: »

Think Wigan will have too much passion, desire and commitment for Leeds to cope with.

I'm a bit old but believe the correct Internet vernacular to be "lol".

Wigan, passion and desire. In the same sentence... C'mon the Leeds!

Heart says Leeds but Wigan ate the form team. Dunno why but I see them as the most uninspiring hubcap winners yet.

WakeyTyke

couerdelion wrote: »

I'm a bit old but believe the correct Internet vernacular to be "lol".

Wigan, passion and desire. In the same sentence... C'mon the Leeds!

Heart says Leeds but Wigan ate the form team. Dunno why but I see them as the most uninspiring hubcap winners yet.

At this stage of the season the deciding factor is often down to the team that has the most desire and strongest will to win.

Love them or hate them Maguire has been able to get a high level of consistency in Wigan's performance throughout the season and I can't imagine that this will diminish any against Leeds.

It may be clinical but to put that level of effort into every game, to me, indicates a very strong passion and desire to win. The same can't, truthfully, be said about Leeds this season.

amacachi

couerdelion wrote: »

To be fair it wasn't pushed very far :-(
Looking forward to you predicting Wigan ;-)

I thought Warrington were favorites non? Week earlier I fancied Wire and with Saints' injuries I thought that on paper Wire looked a good bit stronger.

Was wrong on both matches today anyway. :pac:

ynwa_17

Two fantastic games yesterday i must say.

Wigan's start tonight ... Watching Tomkins with ball in hand >>> porn

amacachi

Buderus' tackle on report.:rolleyes:

ynwa_17

No idea how he only went on report, that was a neck breaker. I think Prescott getting back up quickly saved him.

Great first half for the neutrals ... not so much from a Wigan perspective. Really missing Deacon's kicking game. Webb is mopping up everything. Wigan are making too many mistakes and if it continues into the second half Leeds will punish them.

amacachi

Feck it anyway. Dunno what happened to Richards tonight, very unlike him. Deacon going off seemed to make a massive difference to the game.

couerdelion

Great game of rugby. Didn't think the spear tackle was that bad from Buderus. More sidewards than a straight drop on the head. Tomkins should have had a straight red for the kick.

Happy Leeds won though

WakeyTyke

As a spectacle that was as exciting as it gets.

I suppose the tension of the occasion can excuse some of the errors but there really isn't any excuse for Sinfield to behave like a nancy-ball prima-donna.

His persistent questioning of refereeing decisions really does the game no favours and certainly alienates him to most RL fans.

SarahBM

what a game! and talk about drama at the end!!!

Hope Danny Maguire's injury isnt too serious

Delighted Leeds won. :D:D:D

toomevara

Great weekend of rugby. Season just keeps getting better. Good if somewhat fortuitous win for Leeds yesterday, continuing our erratic form and I sincerely hope that McGuire isn't out of commission, (undoubtedly the key player for leeds this season and for me one of the main reasons Leeds aren't cooling their heels on a beach somewhere right now instead of 80 minutes away from another GF). Looking at that, seemed like a hyper extension of the knee..which can be nasty, but fingers crossed. Also never saw Sinfield so petulant, Wigan seemed to really get under his normally zen like calm...

Hull derby a typically firey affair, Kr justified winners, thought Long was way off form though and just didn't click with Horne at all. Were I an FC fan I wouldn't be massively impressed with his contribution to this seasons campaign. Crusaders unlucky to go down to the Giants, but the good news for them is that it appears that Noble may very well be staying put in N wales...

couerdelion

Still on a high from the Leeds game.

I don't know how Leeds managed to raise their game after it looked like they were in for a right hiding after those two quick Wigan tries.

I thought that Eastwood was immense. He put in some huge hits in defence and a fair amount of work in attack. Ali was superb too always looking for the offload which stopped the Wigan defence from relaxing once they had two in the tackle.

Will Saints chose Leeds in the semi?

couerdelion

Damn! McGuire out for the rest of the season and needs knee surgery!

I said at the time it looked like he tripped andwas just grabbing out to break his fall.

Leeds won't get to OT now.

XXVII

couerdelion wrote: »

Damn! McGuire out for the rest of the season and needs knee surgery!

I said at the time it looked like he tripped andwas just grabbing out to break his fall.

Leeds won't get to OT now.

Are you for real???

Do you use the same optician as McClennan?

I've always really admired McGuire, and he's had a great season, but let's not pretend this was anything other that a cynical foul to prevent a match winning try.

Hate to see a player injured, but I think they call it Karma in situations like this.

Leeds played well to get back into the game, but lost so much respect with a foul like that. Even if fit, McGuire shouldn't be playing in the next game but staying down for the stretcher ensured he wouldn't receive a card.

Missing the rest of the season including a trip to Australia - fair result.

Leeds coach has a lot to answer for with his post match comments too.

couerdelion

XXVII wrote: »

Are you for real???

Do you use the same optician as McClennan?

I've always really admired McGuire, and he's had a great season, but let's not pretend this was anything other that a cynical foul to prevent a match winning try.

Hate to see a player injured, but I think they call it Karma in situations like this.

Leeds played well to get back into the game, but lost so much respect with a foul like that. Even if fit, McGuire shouldn't be playing in the next game but staying down for the stretcher ensured he wouldn't receive a card.

Missing the rest of the season including a trip to Australia - fair result.

Leeds coach has a lot to answer for with his post match comments too.

Yes I am for real. I aren't denying he brought the man down but it looked like he caught his legs up and was already going down as opposed to s diving tackle.

And yeah you're right McGuire went down to stop himself getting a yellow card in the last second which wouldn't have mattered as the match had finished. By not getting a card he risks getting cited and being banned. The easy way out wold have been to accept a yellow and negate any follow up action. Oh and he stopped a try how? Even if it was a cynical foul Richards kicked the ball out on the full and wasn't even looking for support. If Richards had got the pass to Carmont he'd have still had 40 yards to go. He didn't manage 20 when Hall knocked on earlier in the match and had 3 Leeds defenders near him.

Karma? Yeah, I wish every player who commits a foul a potential career threatening injury.

WakeyTyke

Feel very sorry for Danny Mcguire, as I would for any player that runs onto a rugby field who gets a serious injury.

However, there is absolutely no way that his actions in bringing down Carmount could be construed as anything other than a cynical, professional foul. It was also quite clear that Richards was looking to pass back inside (he even had time to remonstrate to the referee) and the kick was his second option.

Perhaps he would have been sin-binned or even sent off (though unlikely) and he could well have had to face a disciplinary committee and subsequently been banned - we will never know, but hopefully he will back for Millenium Magic start to 2011.

toomevara

XXVII wrote: »

Missing the rest of the season including a trip to Australia - fair result.

Not on, don't wish injury on any player. regardless of circumstance.

AdeT

couerdelion wrote: »

Will Saints chose Leeds in the semi?

I don't think they can...

With Saints and Leeds now guaranteed home semis, Saints will choose one of the two qualifiers.

Wigan v Hull KR
Wire v Huddersfield

Presuming Wigan and Warrington win, I think it's an incredibly tough decision to make. They know they can beat Warrington but how nice would it be to send Knowsley Road off with a hammering of Wigan?!

If Warrington look as tired against Hudds this weekend though there may be a shock on the cards; Saints would take Hudds then presumably. I think Wigan might just be too good for Rovers but with Dobson's kicking game going so well they may put themselves in a position to nick a win

toomevara

AdeT wrote: »

If Warrington look as tired against Hudds this weekend though there may be a shock on the cards; Saints would take Hudds then presumably. I think Wigan might just be too good for Rovers but with Dobson's kicking game going so well they may put themselves in a position to nick a win

Warrington probably suffering a bit of a Wembley hangover, if they can get their heads out of their nethers they should go alright. Totally agree about Dobson's kicking game, absolutely awesome. His performance on Sat was a pure pleasure to watch and if KR can bring the intensity they brought to the Derby I think they might just do a number on Wigan.

amacachi

AdeT wrote: »

Presuming Wigan and Warrington win, I think it's an incredibly tough decision to make. They know they can beat Warrington but how nice would it be to send Knowsley Road off with a hammering of Wigan?!

Would also seem a little like tempting fate if they got Wire back to Knowsley Road having already beaten them. I wouldn't be completely sure on either result this weekend though, both Wire and Wigan looked a bit down and out at different times over the weekend.

couerdelion

I'll refrain from mentioning the McGuire injury again.

Surely Saints will take Leeds if its the top 4 who make the semi's?

No Peacock, McGuire, Burgess, Jones-Buchanan a a chance of a home advantage after 3 defeats in the GF at a neutral venue.

Looking forward to this weeks games.

XXVII

couerdelion wrote: »

Yes I am for real. I aren't denying he brought the man down but it looked like he caught his legs up and was already going down as opposed to s diving tackle.

And yeah you're right McGuire went down to stop himself getting a yellow card in the last second which wouldn't have mattered as the match had finished. By not getting a card he risks getting cited and being banned. The easy way out wold have been to accept a yellow and negate any follow up action. Oh and he stopped a try how? Even if it was a cynical foul Richards kicked the ball out on the full and wasn't even looking for support. If Richards had got the pass to Carmont he'd have still had 40 yards to go. He didn't manage 20 when Hall knocked on earlier in the match and had 3 Leeds defenders near him.

Karma? Yeah, I wish every player who commits a foul a potential career threatening injury.

Watch the replay again. Richards looked inside for Carmont. Sam Tompkins was inside Carmont. 3 on 1 with one of the fastest players in Super League involved.

Richards saw the foul on Carmont, the move broke down and he kicked ahead. Ball landed in field of play before crossing the touchline.

Thierry Henry didn't handle the ball, Ben Johnson accidentally took steroids, Maradonna scored with his head, and McGuire accidentally fell over.

I suppose Ali Lautiiti accidentally brushed by the posts when Richards was lining up the kick?

You on the disciplinary at Red Hall by any chance?

XXVII

toomevara wrote: »

Not on, don't wish injury on any player. regardless of circumstance.

Wish some one would tell that to the rest of your fellow Leeds fans in the South Stand who were ecstatic when Ablett took out Sam Tompkins with a forearm straight to the jaw. (And yes there's TV footage to show what I'm talking about.)

Tompkins was so lucky not to have his season ended that night. Oh wait, I forgot, it was his own fault for running jaw first into the elbow of a Leeds player in an offside position, although his feet never moved.........silly me.

Ah well, if Jamie Peacock can take Sam's head off with no consequences, then I suppose the rest of the team can too.

Not so funny when it happens one of your own though, is it? I genuinely feel sorry for Burgess, but Leeds players have to realise that although they're immune from punishment from Red Hall, they are still human, and what goes around.............

AdeT

couerdelion wrote: »

Surely Saints will take Leeds if its the top 4 who make the semi's?QUOTE]

Saints can't pick Leeds as they both have now earned a home semi. They will play the winners of the preliminary semi finals (with Saints picking who they wish to paly). http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/8962892.stm

It'll be a tough week for Wire and Wigan this week after losing at the weekend in different circumstances; Wire took a bit of a beating at Saints and Wigan threw away a decent lead. Neither will be full of confidence whereas Huddersfield and Rovers will be buzzing...

couerdelion

AdeT wrote: »

couerdelion wrote: »

Surely Saints will take Leeds if its the top 4 who make the semi's?QUOTE]

Saints can't pick Leeds as they both have now earned a home semi. They will play the winners of the preliminary semi finals (with Saints picking who they wish to paly). http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/8962892.stm

It'll be a tough week for Wire and Wigan this week after losing at the weekend in different circumstances; Wire took a bit of a beating at Saints and Wigan threw away a decent lead. Neither will be full of confidence whereas Huddersfield and Rovers will be buzzing...

Ah ok, I thought they had a pick of them all.

AdeT

couerdelion wrote: »

AdeT wrote: »

Ah ok, I thought they had a pick of them all.

If they did, I think they may have taken a McGuire-less Leeds.

XXVII

toomevara wrote: »

Not on, don't wish injury on any player. regardless of circumstance.

Well, well…..interesting article.

http://www.skysports.com/opinion/story/0,25212,12532_6378555,00.html

“I can't understand why McGuire did it?”
"McGuire's injury could well act as a lesson to any other player watching that it doesn't pay to cheat. Perhaps the rugby Gods have punished him for his unsportsmanlike play."

Seems like I’m not the only one who believes in “natural justice”. Turns out I’m not that unreasonable after all.

Should I forward the existing complaint to Mr Clarke regarding what will and wont be tolerated, or are complaints usually recipient specific?

couerdelion

XXVII wrote: »

Well, well…..interesting article.

http://www.skysports.com/opinion/story/0,25212,12532_6378555,00.html

“I can't understand why McGuire did it?”
"McGuire's injury could well act as a lesson to any other player watching that it doesn't pay to cheat. Perhaps the rugby Gods have punished him for his unsportsmanlike play."

Seems like I’m not the only one who believes in “natural justice”. Turns out I’m not that unreasonable after all.

Should I forward the existing complaint to Mr Clarke regarding what will and wont be tolerated, or are complaints usually recipient specific?

Yeah. Phil Clarke showing what a one eyed wiganer he is... quite a few comments supporting my claim that it wasn't a deliberate foul

(No I haven't set up loads of fake names! )

couerdelion

Danny Budurus has been cleared to play after initially receiving a 1 match ban for a spear tackle in the Wigan game :cool: