Spotty Herbert

Katoa! Getting a bit tasty now!

Grade 3, 4 match ban with an early guilty plea. Seems a bit harsh, but his record speaks for itself.

I thought it was shoulder rather than chest. No attempt to reduce height going into the tackle. Atkins clearly stated "no mitigating circumstances". He should get 2 matches minimum with his record, but the NRL might prefer to have as many stars as possible on deck next weekend.

Masterclass from the Storm spine. Will Nelson be allowed to play next week? They'll need him against Leota and JFH.

It's got to be a Storm vs Panthers GF. 86 points in total, with the Sharks scoring the f,ewest points.

Sharks, Roosters. 98 Roosters

Shows how much I know. Kudos to @THE RED ROOSTER

I agree with everything except the view that Manly will beat the Dogs. Turbo has 2 dodgy shoulders to go with his iffy hamstrings and without him at full gas the Sea Eagles are only half the team they could be. Plus, they lack grunt up front and I can't back any team in the finals that is coached by Anthony Siebold.

Winning teams : Panthers (just), Storm, Cowboys and Dogs. Points : 188 Poll : 1 (Storm over Sharks)

It's an interesting question in general, but in the specific case of Jahrome Hughes he definitely made the team better - with Munster missing much of the season, Hughes has run the Storm's attack and his defensive stats are admirable as well. He is the man (with Bellamy) that made the crucial difference this year, just as Cleary did for the Panthers in 2023.

With his background and insider knowledge I am not surprised he won!! Congratulations to him. Did you see the 2nd ranked player couldn't claim his prize money because he worked for News Corp?

I think Oliver might just have sneaked into the top 1,000, which is a great achievement and has always been an unfulfilled ambition of mine. Isn't it ridiculous how important a little on line game becomes? I have been obsessed with this and little else for weeks. As ever, massive thanks to @Graham for all his hard work organising the competition and to everyone who contributes to the discussions (and feeds my obsession).

I thought I was going to be able to do the double at one point, but Garrick and Kiraz let me down. Congratulations to Oliver and the Hull White Stars - as a Hull fan you needed the win so much more than I did!!

That's a heck of a record, my only question being : how many wins came thanks to salary cap breaches? Whatever, he's the only coach to compare with Bennett and the late, great Jack Gibson.

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your previews each week @THE RED ROOSTER, even though my tipping hasn't been much good! Looking forward to seeing them again in 2025,and hopefully through the finals series.

Winners : Storm, Eels (just), Roosters, Raiders, Dogs (just), Panthers, Sea Eagles, Knights (in golden point). Points : 412 Aways : 4 Poll : Dragons vs Raiders

I've lost 2 of my preferred 17, although I knew about AFB in advance due to the bye. Missing David Fifita after TLT, so here's hoping there are no further changes.

I think it was lucky to get 1,400, rather than an achievement! Dylan Brown and Herbie Farnworth did the business for me (as noted above), both scoring surprisingly well. Brown would have been benched if I had had more of the squad available.

It would be nice to do the double, but I haven't been top all season, so it would be a bit much to hope for.

I'm feeling a little bit fortunate that Herbie Farnworth and Dylan Brown delivered this week, to offset the lack of a number 7 and Harry Grant. I am also extremely grateful for all the work @Graham does throughout the season- not just on Supercoach, but the entire forum.

Winners : Cowboys, Dogs, Panthers, Dragons, Sharks, Dolphins, Knights, Roosters Points : 388 Home wins : 7 Poll : 4

As feared, I have no half back and no hooker this week. Thank you Mr Bellamy. Mind you, if I hadn't chucked all my trades away repairing a badly broken team in the early weeks of the season, I would have been able to make any changes I wanted.

That was some week. I will be fascinated to see how @Graham feels losing a semi final despite scoring 1,500. Has this ever happened before? A quick look at the teams in my final suggests it will be a low scoring contest - unless Marge has trades left, or Bellamy doesn't rest most of the Storm first teamers as he currently threatens to do.

Winners : Sea Eagles, Panthers, Bulldogs, Storm, Broncos, Knights, Roosters, Sharks Points : 414 Away wins : 6 Poll : Wests vs Manly

This week there's no Holmes, Cotter or Drinkwater due to byes. I don't think there's anyone else relevant from the Cowboys except maybe Reece Robson or Tom Dearden? Cleary, Hynes and Walker are all missing from the halves, with Walsh and Mitchell unavailable at full back. Haas would have been in many teams as well. Will be interesting to see who gets rested this week. Suggestions are that both the Roosters and Storm are wanting to rest players, so that could leave us without Tedesco, Crichton, Young, Manu, Sam Walker, Hughes, Grant, Katoa, Papenhuysen and more. Help!!