An all-Sydney grand final is on the cards for the NRL in 2018
INTERSTATE sides have dominated the grand final in recent years but 2018 is poised to be a finals series for Sydney with a host of local clubs in the box seat for a premiership.
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NO WRESTLEMANIA.
No XXXX Gold.
And no God Defend New Zealand.
Start to get excited Sydneysiders … the greatest of NRL grand finals could once again be headed our way.
Following the closest competition in premiership history — where just two points separated first from eighth — the NRL playoffs now get underway with five Harbour City teams still in the race.
Better, three Sydney clubs have earned two chances in the finals — the Sydney Roosters, South Sydney and Cronulla — while both the Tricolours and Penrith have the advantage of hosting home finals this weekend.
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In 20 years of NRL competition, there has been only five all-Sydney grand finals.
And in the past three years, 2016 premiers Cronulla the city’s sole representative.
But in 2018?
Well, right now, the Roosters are $3.25 TAB premiership favourites.
Then comes the Rabbitohs ($4.50), thanks largely to superstars Sam Burgess and Greg Inglis firing at the right end of the season, while the gritty Sharkies ($6.50) are also right in the mix.
Elsewhere, the Panthers didn’t simply bounce back to form over Melbourne on Friday night, but also celebrated the return of that little No. 6 who doubles as arguably the greatest winner of the modern era — James Maloney.
Truly, every time Maloney switches clubs, he gets them to the biggest game of the year.
So why not Penrith too?
As usual though, the biggest threat to an all-Sydney decider is Melbourne — who sit equal-second on premiership betting at $4.50.
Still, right now the bookmakers are tipping a Tricolours triumph.
Apart from boasting the only NRL player to have celebrated the past three minor premierships, halfback Cooper Cronk, the Chooks also seem to have rediscovered their mojo after rendering the Parramatta Eels a chalk outline on Friday night.
Unthinkable at the start of Round 25, the Roosters are also now $100,000 richer after winning the minor premiership.
Apart from getting two chances in the playoffs, they have also earned an Allianz Stadium final against Cronulla on Saturday night.
Hours earlier, and in what shapes as a genuine Super Saturday for Sydneysiders, the Panthers will play for their season against the Warriors at ANZ Stadium.
In other matches, Souths play Melbourne at AAMI Park on Friday night while St George Illawarra head to Brisbane Sunday afternoon.
Under likely Dally M Coach Anthony Seibold, the Bunnies are a genuine premiership threat — especially if superstars like Inglis, Burgess and Cody Walker can stay fit.
The Dragons, meanwhile, are the only Sydney side heading into September without much of anything — having lost four of their past six matches.
Yet as for picking a genuine premiership favourite?
Normally at this time of year, the biggest question seems to be: Who will challenge Melbourne for the premiership?
Yet after featuring in seven of the past 13 deciders, the Storm are no sure thanks to an eclectic mix of both injuries and question marks hanging over exactly who is best served where in the backline.
Brisbane, as usual, look capable. While across the ditch, who knows what to expect from a Warriors side boasting the likes of Shaun Johnson, Tohu Harris and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck?
About the only thing that cannot be questioned is the closeness of the competition in 2018.
After 25 rounds, the difference between first and eight was just two points — or one win.
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Originally published as An all-Sydney grand final is on the cards for the NRL in 2018
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