Graham

WELCOME... to this our special Grand Final Tipping Competition 2021 This Grand Final Competition is traditionally in memory of three special forum people George Fairclough (Bourbon Rat) of this forum George was a lifelong Wigan Fan and a Melbourne Storm fan from their inception. He lived in Melbourne but lived in Wigan until his teenage years. He married Irene, an Australian and with her raised a family of three boys. He was taken from us far too soon one week after celebrating his 65th birthday. He was a good friend of mine. George, with others, sponsored a Wigan player annually. He never forgot his roots. . George Fairclough RIP Richard Glover (Kiwityke) of this forum - New Zealand Warriors and Batley Bulldogs fan. Richard was brought up in Batley where he followed his local team. He moved to New Zealand as an adult where he married and lived the rest of his life. In the latter years he lived just outside Auckland. He never forgot his roots and continued to follow Batley from afar. He did travel to the UK once a year to visit relatives and friends. While over here he would sponsor a Batley game. In later years he sponsored the annual Batley v Featherstone Rovers fixture and invited Barney and me to the match as his guests. Read the notice of Richard’s death here Richard as a boy. RIP Both dear friends and regular contributors, sadly missed. Simon Cooper (Lounge Room Lizard) who sadly passed away during the 2020 season. Simon contributed to this forum and was an ever present in our annual Fantasy Team/SuperCoach competition. He did a huge amount of work in the development of Rugby League in Germany.(some details -click here) Simon Cooper RIP We remember too all other friends of this forum who have passed away. NRL Grand Final 2021 To be played Sunday 3rd October 7:30pm local time at Suncorp Stadium Brisbane (9:30 am in the UK) Tempus fugit It seems like only yesterday that we were starting with our Round 1 tipping competition and now here we are with our blockbusting Grand Final occasion just a few days away after yet another non-standard season. Everyone is welcome to take part in this competition This season has once again been a friendly and close fought affair. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of it. Your friendship and company has been much appreciated. QUESTIONS: 1. Name the WINNING TEAM ... Panthers or Rabbitohs 2. Tot up the two teams predicted scores and give us your predicted match POINTS TOTAL 3. Poll question this week: How many tries will be scored altogether by the two teams in the game? pick one of the options above - answer in the poll above but also in your posting. So here's to a great competition, and may the best tipster and team win! Good Luck everyone - there'll be an animated award as usual.

Well done our top scorers and award winners. Congratulations to GRAHAM as champion tipster via the tie break system. See you next week for our Grand Final Tipping Competition

Tipping Ladder After Round 28 - Finals Week 3 1 The Red Rooster 158 2 Farmduck 152 3 Cameron Highlander 150 4 Graham 149 5 StormGirl 146 6 Jeff Stein 145 7 DeeDeuce 141 8= R L Winger 140 8= Spotty Herbert 140 10 Barney 138 11 Railway End 135 12 Stoney100 128 13 Dunbar 103 14 Irish Saint 101 15 Steve75 89 16 Harrigan 86 17 Oldbear 56 18 Omott91 7 19= Bedfordshire Broncos 5 19= Sports Prophet 5

Summary of Results:

Preview In a repeat of last season’s NRL Grand Final, reigning premiers Melbourne Storm will take on Penrith Panthers with the winners advancing to the final once again. The Panthers come into this on the back of an energy-sapping win over rivals Parramatta Eels and it remains to be seen how much that effort has taken out of them. A refreshed Melbourne will relish this contest and look to play at a high intensity from the first whistle. The Storm boast the best attack in the competition and while the Panthers are strong defensively, they have had issues with the ball in recent matches. To beat the Storm, they will have to be good on both sides of the ball but it is hard to overlook the minor premiers on the back of a week off and they can move a step closer to defending their title.

Storm team news: Superstar winger Josh Addo-Carr is set to play after it was revealed he is at 95 per cent in his bid to return from a hamstring injury in time to take on the Panthers. Hooker Brandon Smith will start at hooker after being cleared of a facial fracture from a head clash against Manly. Aaron Pene and Chris Lewis dropped out of the matchday squad 24 hours before kick-off.

Panthers team news: Moses Leota was ruled out for the Panthers with a calf injury 24 hours before kick-of. Liam Martin takes his spot in the front row. Spencer Leniu shifts onto the bench. Panthers winger Brian To’o is pushing hard for inclusion as he bids to overcome an ankle injury in time to face the Storm, despite being named in jersey No.21. “He’s done well and looks really good,” coach Ivan Cleary said of To’o on Friday. “He’s looks completely different,” Cleary added, explaining that To’o put his hand up to play last week but was overruled by the club. If To’o is declared fit Brent Naden would likely be the unlucky player to miss out. Tyrone May (knee) is set to return from a long lay-off to bolster the utility role on the bench. Viliame Kikau (ankle) is also tipped to overcome his injury to take his place with Cleary saying he “looks good too”.

UK kick off time… for the early birds. Aussie kick off time: Saturday, September 25 Storm vs Panthers Suncorp Stadium Nine/Fox 4pm

Score Summary C. Walker 13, A. Johnston 22, C. Walker 29, J. Paulo 38, C. Graham 51, J. Paulo 61, A. Johnston 80 Tries R. Garrick 44, T. Trbojevic 74, R. Garrick 78 B. Taaffe 14, B. Taaffe 24, B. Taaffe 31, B. Taaffe 53 Conversions R. Garrick 46, R. Garrick 78 Sin Bin J. Aloiai 68

Compare and contrast:

The look says it all

Jessica Yates is trying to say Manly were put off their game due to their bus being late? Grasping at straws there.

Wayne here is ecstatic having witnessed his team's dominating performance in the game:

No doubt he'll give an upbeat assessment in detail of the game, with some hilarious wisecracks thrown in, at his riveting press conference in a few minutes time.

Preliminary Final FULL TIME SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS 36 - 16 MANLY WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES Thousands of Rabbitohs flags being waved to celebrate their achievemnt here in this game.