The Prism - NRL Round 26

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This is the last Prism for the year. Thank you to all of you who have followed the column and made some well educated guesses at the Composite teams. It has been enjoyable compiling the fantasy squads.

The year started with much promise for all teams. It is ending with a very close competition with the last placed teams only a few wins out of the top 8. It has been a long time since there have been any easy beats and every game was an ‘upset' in the waiting.

This year I made a few observations like the potential impact on crowd numbers from removing player passes, the disruption of player movements during a season and the free kick that the Broncos get from having their weekends off. All of which have come to the fore.

The big story has been the devastating injury toll leading into the finals. It is unfortunate that some of the best players in the NRL will be missing finals matches through injury or suspension. Missing players include Mitchell Pearce, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Josh McGuire, Michael Morgan, James Tamou, Billy Slater, Dale Finucane, Trent Hodkinson, Tony Williams, Michael Lichaa, John Sutton, Issac Luke and Will Matthews. Also, Josh Reynolds, Greg Inglis, Ben Barba and Aiden Tolman will be hoping to make a timely recovery.

The finals series has been robbed with these injuries, and only the poor performing Dragons have no excuses. The Cowboys and Sharks are looking to break their Premiership drought and will vie for the moral support from the fans of the clubs who missed the 8. Both teams would be deserving of a premiership.

However, in the immortal words of super coach Jack Gibson: "Waiting for Cronulla to win a premiership is like leaving the porch lamp on forHarold Holt".

Predictions

Last week I picked 4/8 in a week where the Dragons and Sea Eagles gave limp performances. Here are my picks for the last week of the season.

Broncos vs. Storm @ Suncorp Stadium
A defining game for both teams leading into the finals. Broncos by 2

Roosters vs. Rabbitohs @ Allianz Stadium
A blockbuster robbed of their stars. Roosters by 10

Panthers vs. Knights @ Pepper Stadium
A spoon classic for the ages. Knights by 2

Dragons vs. Tigers @ ANZ Stadium
The Farah factor will be huge at an empty stadium. Tigers by 18

Cowboys vs. Titans @ 1300Smiles Stadium
Should be more one sided that it will be. Cowboys by 4

Eels vs. Raiders @ Pirtek Stadium
Two inconsistent teams in a shootout. Raiders by 6

Sharks vs. Sea Eagles @ Remondis Stadium

Bulldogs vs. Warriors @ ANZ Stadium
This will be a training run between two sides who have lost their star half. Bulldogs by 22

Form Guide

The form guide is based on a predictive model that gives more weight to recent performances. There is no adjustment for personal bias, injury or their position on the table.

  1. Roosters (-) : running hard towards another Premiership
  2. Sharks (-) : can they possibly dare to dream?
  3. Bulldogs (-) : are looking like a true threat to the Roosters, but have lost their Origin halfback
  4. Broncos (+3) : a timely win to get them back on track
  5. Storm (+3) : the Premiership dark horse
  6. Cowboys (-2) : their finals drive is faltering
  7. Titans (+3) : back to back wins to climb off the bottom of the ladder
  8. Sea Eagles (-3) : did not show up with their season on the line
  9. Tigers (+4) : a win to keep them away from the spoon
  10. Rabbitohs (-4) : things keep getting worse and worse
  11. Dragons (-2) : an embarrassment to the top 8
  12. Eels (-2) : entertaining but inconsistent
  13. Knights (-2) : a year to forget with a utensil looming
  14. Raiders (+1) : good away from home, but hopeless in the Capital
  15. Panthers (-1) : dived to equal last in their 5-year plan
  16. Warriors (-) : gave up when Johnson went down

Composite Team

Last week's composite team was made up of legends who could not win a Premiership. Can you work out this team?

  1. Darren Lockyer
  2. Beau Ryan
  3. Mark Gasnier
  4. Brad Fittler
  5. Wendell Sailor
  6. Wally Lewis
  7. Peter Sterling
  8. Darryl Brohman
  9. Andrew Johns
  10. Mark Geyer
  11. Gorden Tallis
  12. Nathan Hindmarsh
  13. Paul Vautin
  14. Bryan Fletcher
  15. Braith Anasta
  16. Phil Gould
  17. Ben Ikin

This team has a fantastic back line, world class halves and a rugged pack. Predicted placing in 2015 table: 3rd

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