Canberra has what it takes to win league fans back
The
Cronulla Sharks come from a different school. Under the guidance of coach Ricky Stuart, they have been honed into a battle-hardened outfit programmed to
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Source: http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/sport/nrl/story/0,26746,24314553-5003409,00.html
Canberra has what it takes to win league fans back
Gorden Tallis
September 09, 2008 12:00am
IT may be a touch melodramatic to suggest the immediate future of league hangs on the result of Saturday's final between Canberra and Cronulla.
But given the playing style of successful sides is often adopted by the chasing pack, you'd love to see the Raiders have a good finals series.
The approach of Canberra and Cronulla is at polar opposites.
As their final-round 52-34 win over the Bulldogs showed, defence is not a huge priority for the Raiders. They like to use the ball and back themselves to outscore the opposition.
The Cronulla Sharks come from a different school. Under the guidance of coach Ricky Stuart, they have been honed into a battle-hardened outfit programmed to win at any cost.
They are one of the best defensive teams in the c ompetition but they struggle in attack, a point highlighted by the fact they have scored far less tries than the other seven finalists.
I am not being critical of Stuart in any way. After all you can only play the hand you're dealt. Stuart has looked at the make-up of his squad and decided to play a style that suits their strengths.
Cronulla fans would hardly be complaining. It is always better to win ugly than lose pretty. But I know which team I'd rather watch, and they wear lime green.
At a time when rugby league crowds, or more precisely the lack of them, outside of Queensland is becoming an issue, it is important the game has teams like the Canberra Raiders that are prepared to put on a show.
Which style is best suited to finals football? Well history would suggest the Sharks are in the box seat. But the Raiders are a chance if the referee cracks down in the ruck area.
In many ways Cronulla has followed Melbourne's lead by becoming one of the best spoiling teams in the competition. But if the referee keeps the teams apart and allows Canberra to build some momentum, a boilover could be on the cards.
It is difficult to see too many other upsets in the first week of the finals.
Brisbane is building nicely and I think the Roosters in the first week is a great draw. In my time with the Broncos we always seemed to do well against the Chooks and there were some very good signs in Brisbane's final-round tune-up against Newcastle.
I have been openly critical of the Brisbane forwards this season, but I have seen some real energy from Ben Hannant and Joel Clinton in recent weeks. If they can continue to build on their efforts, the Broncos will be a force to be reckoned with.
In the other games, I think Manly, with Jamie Lyon back and playing well, will be too good for St George Illawarra, while the Storm should have too many guns for the Warriors.
I add a note of caution there however. If there is one team that has shown in recent seasons it does not fear the Storm, it is the Warriors. I think most of the top four would be glad to be giving the physical Kiwis a wide berth in the opening week.