Sports Corner @ Swiss Grand Hotel Bondi Sydney ... By Rory Douglas

Rugby League returns to Swiss Grand’s city Sydney

Finals Football. That time of year and the landscape of Rugby League is proving difficult to navigate again. It does seem that picking results for the next few games could be straightforward, especially when you consider that not since 1999 have the top 4 ranked teams all won their qualifying finals. However performances from some of the teams have left a lot of questions about who will be playing come October 2^nd. Straight through were Manly and Melbourne, but their games were anything but straight forward.

Melbourne - The Storm were described as methodical in their efforts knocking out an underperforming Newcastle. However the last twenty minutes put a scare into the Melbourne side with late tries to Kurt Gidley and Akuila Uate. It was a questionable effort from a team that have enjoyed such success this season, but fallen victim to some recent resounding losses. Can the Storm, with their bevy of Dally M Medals keep their focus and make it to the end?

Manly - Manly were behind for the first half, constantly on the back foot against a confident North Queensland. However when they emerged for the second half it seemed that something had been switched on in each player. Piling on 42 points, they demolished a demoralised Cowboys outfit who couldn’t seem to believe what was occuring. It’s brilliance like the second half of this game that lead you to believe that Manly will be playing the Grand Final. But much like Melbourne, can the team keep their focus and not switch off for a half at a time?

Playing elimination games this weekend are the Tigers vs Warriors and the Broncos vs Dragons, and we should all be in for some exciting play. Not going for the game. Catch all the action from the Swiss Grand Lobby Bar.

Tigers – Like Manly, the Tigers trailed at half time but put on a good second half performance to reach victory. This was their ninth win in a row, surpassing their previous record of eight wins in a row reached coincidentally in their 2005 Premiership winning year. You can bet the Tigers will be hoping for history to repeat itself this year. The Tigers have to be the heavy favourites in most punters minds to defeat the Warriors this weekend, especially after New Zealand’s heavy defeat to Brisbane last weekend.

Warriors – It could have been the Warriors departing last weekend but victories by the Storm and Sea Eagles ensured they live to play another day. However they will have to back up from a woeful performance against a Brisbane that was missing players like Sam Thiaday and Josh Hoffman. If the Warriors play like they did against Brisbane then the Tigers are certain to pile on the points. But never count the Kiwi’s out, as sometimes a shellacking is what’s needed to put the fire into a team that has everything on the line.

The Broncos and Dragons game couldn’t have been scripted any better, unless the teams had met in the Grand Final. The Master bids farewell to the Dragons this season, departing to Newcastle. The Student bids farewell to game as a whole as he plays his last game for the Bronco’s and retires. Lockyer or Bennett, who gets the chance of a fairytale ending.

Dragons – The reigning and defending Premiers have looked anything but in the last two months. A good first half against the Tigers was erased by a second half that has looked all too familiar in the latter half of the season. The Dragons need some consistency and self-belief to win back to back Premierships and do not have an easy game ahead in which they can string it altogether. The players have the skills, they have looked great at points this season, but they face a Bronco’s team that have a lot to play for and must be feeling confident

Brisbane – The Broncos looked impressive as they continued the “Lockyer Farewell Tour 2011” thrashing the Warriors last weekend. They probably turned in the most skillful and polished performance of the finals so far. Sport is full of fairytales, and to bid farewell to a player like Darren Lockyer with a finals victory would be something to talk about. It’s a lot to ask of the team and could even prove too much as they truly have something to fight for. Pressure can drive you to great heights, but also push you to crushing lows. You can be sure that all of us at the Swiss Grand will be catching the action this weekend to see if the tour continues and the Bronco’s can move one step closer to the perfect goodbye.