Fullback:
Julian Santarkista vs Brett Hodgson
This will be an enchanting encounter in this final. We have rookie Julian with 17 POM’s versus one of the form fullbacks in the competition with Brett Hodgson hitting his straps in recent weeks.
While Hodgson’s goal-kicking will be a great advantage for the Destructor’s, Julians 21 tries this season puts him in front of Hodgson in these stakes. The rookie has been in devastating form this season and will look to Andrew Johns to send plenty of ball his way to improve that impressive record.
Three Quarters:
Luke Rooney vs Luke Covell
Ade Gardner vs Shaun Berrigan
Gordon D’Arcy vs Brian Bower
Tommy O’Reilly vs Richard Mathers
While many would look at Rooney vs Covell and say “As if Rooney isn’t gonna hammer the living crap out of him”, Covell has scored 9 tries this season, 9 more than his career stats have shown previously. Many say he has gained a few yards of pace having to chase away his many lovers…mostly men…that has certainly improved his game. However, saying that, Rooney is a class winger, one of the worlds best and the NSW winger should get the best of his counterpart and extend that record of tries.
With Matt Kings long term injury, it will pave the way for Gold Coast youngers Ade Gardner to get his shot in the final. However, he’ll be marking up against Shaun Berrigan who while not in his best form he should have enough to get the best of Gardner
In what will be a most tantalising battle D’Arcy of the Gold Coast and Bower of the destructors will mark up against each other. Most will say… “who cares” but it will be a great battle. D’Arcy has been performing brilliantly, he has been gathering POM points and scored 13 tries, while Bower has scored 12 tries this season. While Bower may have the edge defensively over D’Arcy, D’Arcy has the edge in the attacking department. It will be a game defining battle.
In the other wing battle will be O’Reilly vs Mathers….in this department I believe O’Reilly will come out on top. While both havn’t been getting over the line a lot this season, O’Reilly is certainly a more influential figure.
Halves:
Kevin Sinfield vs Danny McGuire
Andrew Johns vs Stacey Jones
In the battle of the halves we have the talented Englishmen battling each other. The super talented lock/five-eight Kevin Sinfield vs the young and elusive Danny McGuire. Danny McGuire needs to step up for this match, for an attacking genius he hasn’t really stepped up thus far this season, while Sinfield has been influential for his team.
The next battle is between Johns and Jones, two of the games greatest halfbacks. Johns has finally had an injury free year this season and it has certainly benefited his football. He has been magnificent with 25 tries and stellar goal kicking record with 20 POM points. Jones has been far from his best but if Wollongong are going to win…then he really needs to match it with Johns.
Front Row:
Jason Stevens vs Ryan Bailey
Danny Buderus vs Josh Valentine
Danny Nutley vs Robbie Kearns
Well let’s not analyse Buderus vs Valentine because that’d be useless. The front row is remarkably even and I cannot split it. The only difference is Danny Nutley’s ability but even he has been struggling for form lately. All in all, the game wont be won with these prop forwards.
Backrow:
Steve Simpson vs Ian Hindmarsh
Clint Newton vs Lance Thompson
Ben Kennedy vs Paul Gallen
The Wollongong backrow is mainly concerned with defence. All of Hindmarsh, Thompson and Gallen are strong in defence but not strong in attack, this is where the Gold Coast has their measure. Kennedy and Simpson will run riot on the Wollongong backrow.
Reserves:
Karl Pratt vs Kobe Patrick
Louis Anderson vs Jamie Soward
Steve Southern vs Sebastian Mpofu
Milton Thaiday vs Tim Clark
The reserves of the Gold Coast have great balance. They have the two utilities in Karl Pratt and Louis Anderson who provide great versatility. They have Southern as their forward on the bench along with reserve flyer Milton Thaiday. Southern has proven the most effective bench player scoring 10 tries this season, unprecedented for a backrower.
The Wollongong bench isn’t so effective. They have two centres in Patrick and Mpofu, a five-eight in Soward and Halfback in Clark. They have no utilities, no forwards and thus I cannot see how their bench will be effective.
Total Summary:
I am tipping a very good win for Chris’s Gold Coast side. I believe they have too much in the halves and will dominate the Wollongong’s back’s and forwards. I believe John’s combination with Julian will be a key feature of the match as well as Rooney scoring, along with the bench proving to be a thorn in the side of Wollongong.
I’m tipping Gold Coast by 16
Very nice writeup. I'm liking this new 'posts for extensions' scheme, :lol:
$75,000
