Even though the game had no bearing on the final eight I spent a lovely day in the sun at Leichhardt Oval yesterday drinking beer and watching the Tigers flog the Bunnies. Even with the both teams out of the finals there was that air of expectation as the crowd enjoyed the beautiful spring sunshine. As for the final eight, it has panned out as follows:

1. Melbourne Storm
2. Canterbury Bulldogs
3. Brisbane Broncos
4. Newcastle Knights
5. Manly Sea Eagles
6. St George/Illawarra Dragons
7. Canberra Raiders
8. Parramatta Eels

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The biggest story on the Eastern seaboard over the past few days has been about one man. Newcastle Knights half-back Andrew Johns. Even the the PM got involved. Bugger the Middle East or British terrorist plots. It is all about the footy in the end. As it should be.

For those unfortunates in the non-NRL states, the controversy is over Johns, one of the all-time greats, calling Matt Cecchin, a touch judge, a “f*****g c**t” .This was after the ref and the touchies missed a blatant knock on by Manly as Newcastle were pressing the Sea Eagles line trying for a last gasp win. Even with the sound turned down it was obvious to anyone watching the footage what Johns said. He even verbally sprayed the match officials again as they were walking off the field.

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Well, after Round 23 the final 8 for the 2005 finals is all but decided. With a four point gap between 8 and 9 it will be to much for the Sharks, Panthers and Cowboys too make up. The Tigers, Panthers and Warriors have no hope.

My atempt at predicting the 8 a few weeks ago hasn’t quite panned out. I had the Sharkies in there but their run of losses has put them out of contention. The Broncos and Dragons are in free fall and the run of the Eels (even for me) has exceeded all expectations.

The Storm will finish Minor Premiers and the Bulldogs runners up. There is an interesting battle going one for 3rd spot. I’m going to give that to the Knights. They have the easiest run home (Cowboys, Panthers and the bye). That should be six points and 32 points at the end.

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It seems hard to believe but the 2006 NRL season is already at round 20. Only 7 games to go before the finals. And what an interesting final 7 rounds it is going to be. The only side that does not have a chance (mathematically) of making the final eight is South Sydney. There is considerable congestion around the middle of the table with all sorts of intrigue in regards to who will fill out the eight. However a few spots have been decided so we’ll have a look at those first and then get into the mad scramble for the finals.

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