The Spines for this week.

[NorfolkStreetKid]

Even though we just scraped into the finals and are seventh on the table, our chances are better than that.
We come into the finals as one of the top 4 teams based on winning our last 5 games and having the equal best defence in that period.
I think every Roosters fan at the beginning of this season thought we had the roster to give this a real shake.
Many things happened throughout the season to make us doubt that, but now we are back in it, and we have a better than average chance.
One scale often used to rate the quality and winning potential of a team is the quality of their SPINE.
The key players who are often the ones who handle the ball the most, and create the scoring opportunities.
So I thought it would be good to compare our SPINE with the other finalists.
Originally the SPINE was fullback, 5/8, half and hooker...... but some include the lock as well.
so here they are..........
Us........ ......Teddy, Keary, Walker, Smith. Plus lock Radley
Sharks........Tracey, Trindall, Hynes,Brailey, Plus lock Mc Inness
Broncos.....Walsh, Mam, Reynolds, Walters. Plus lock Carrigan.
Storm.........Meaney, Munster, Hughes, Grant. Plus lock King.
Penrith.......Edwards, Cogger, Cleary, Kenny. Plus lock Yeo.
Warriors....Nickoll Klokstad, Martin, ??????, Egan. Plus lock Harris.
Knights......Ponga, Gamble, Hastings, Crossland. Plus lock Elliott.
Canberra....Rapana, Frawley, Fogarty,Woolford. Plus lock Puru.

I would rate our SPINE as equal or better than any of the other finalists, the biggest threats to us are Melbourne and Penrith, then Brisbane.
I think we will beat Cronulla, and then hopefully either Brisbane or Melbourne
and then the big test.... Penrith.
Then the big dance, and we will be a good chance.

[Thirteen]

Love the positivity. Another great quality thread. Keep up the good work.

It’s nice to have someone come on here and write someone they’ve actually thought about rather than just copy and paste what they (and most likely many more of us) have read. Take note King.

[BraveTheWorld]

For me, I think Storm clearly have the best spine in the comp. I think the rest of their team is overall weaker than a few other finalists though.

I personally don't think we can win the comp, as much as I don't want to be negative. It looks like Penrith, Broncos or Knights (who have probably been better than anyone over the last 10 weeks - they also scored the most tries in the season, interestingly) are going to take it.

I think primarily I just don't see us beating Penrith in Penrith, however I suppose the flip side is that if a few of our guns play their best possible game on any given night, maybe anything is possible.

More on topic, I would rate our spine as the second-best on paper, and probably third or fourth on current form. Behind Broncos, Penrith and Storm.

[Water boy]

storm have the best spine in the game, followed by bronx. Even with an average 6 and 9, all the riff need is a healthy cleary, and with edwards at the back theirs is top shelf. The big advantage every other team has is decent sized halves that aren't concussion prone and can kick the ball further than 30m.

[NorfolkStreetKid]

Love the positivity. Another great quality thread. Keep up the good work.

It’s nice to have someone come on here and write someone they’ve actually thought about rather than just copy and paste what they (and most likely many more of us) have read. Take note King.

Thanks, i honestly think we are a chance.
It's easy to have doubts looking at other teams form, but one game can change a season.
That game for us will be when we come up against Brisbane or Melbourne if we can get past Cronulla this week.
If we win that, anything is possible.
We do have a TEAM who can beat anyone in the finals on our day.
apart from the spine, which is realistically awesome
we have Suaalii, Billy, Manu...... maybe..... plus Angus, Collins, Wong,
that make 11 GENUINE top liners in our 17, even without Toops
then the workers, Baker, May, Butch 1 and 2, Pauga and Sandon.
I loved the simple hardworking take it up the middle and defend like your life depended on it style of footy I saw last week.

[Mickie Lane]

Souths have got the best spine.

[OMR]

For me, I think Storm clearly have the best spine in the comp. I think the rest of their team is overall weaker than a few other finalists though.

I personally don't think we can win the comp, as much as I don't want to be negative. It looks like Penrith, Broncos or Knights (who have probably been better than anyone over the last 10 weeks - they also scored the most tries in the season, interestingly) are going to take it.

I think primarily I just don't see us beating Penrith in Penrith, however I suppose the flip side is that if a few of our guns play their best possible game on any given night, maybe anything is possible.

More on topic, I would rate our spine as the second-best on paper, and probably third or fourth on current form. Behind Broncos, Penrith and Storm.

If we are to play Penrith it won’t be at their home ground, Homebush or Allianz.
Also whoever plays 14 is just as important , and that where thenStorm have the edge. Papynhousen is a bloody good player to have come on fresh and run against tired forwards. Let’s hope they beat brisbane tonight and we avoid them till GF time

[Roosterfarian]

If Pap plays fullback then it's possibly the Storm, otherwise it's us in a canter. They just need to fire for the next 4 weeks!!

[Bates]

How I rate them.

Storm plus Paps is 14
Chooks. No weak link in our spine when Teddy, Kez, Walker and Cheese are in form.
Knights, Ponga is currently the best player in the comp. Hastings is a great game manager with solid decision making.. Gamble is underrated. He'd still bee at the Broncos if he didn't bag Walters.
Panthers. They'd rate higher if they still had Api.
Broncos. Walsh is a freak and Reynolds is a quality half.
Warriors. Johnson is close to career best form. Solid spine.
Sharks. Hynes goes good against average teams but struggles under pressure. I rate Kennedy.
Raider. Average spine. I'm surprised they made the 8.

[zac]

Souths have got the best spine.

that cody walker goes alright

[NorfolkStreetKid]

Souths have got the best spine.

Souths aren't in it because their spine is weak.
The fullback who thinks he can stroll around the field is the joke of the league.
The 5/8 goes missing when any pressure is put on him.
The half is a youngster with heart but over ruled by every other spine member.
The hooker is a one trick pony, past his best.
The lock is a talented player.
Souths have probably the 9th best spine as per their result in the competition.

[Bates]

Souths have got the best spine.

Typical.

[QWERTY]

Souths have got the best spine.

Yep, and they will be tough to beat this finals series

[SupermanSupportsEasts4Eva]

Souths have got the best spine.

Yep and then we eliminated them

[King Salvo]

Souths have got the best spine.

Without players missing - Storm is 1 - Penrith 2 - Brisbane 3 - Roosters 4 - Knights 5 - Sharks 6 - Warriors 7 - Raiders 8

With players Missing this week

Storm 1 - Brisbane 2 - Roosters 3 - Penrith 4 - Knights 5 - Sharks 6 - Warriors 7 - Raiders 8

mmm

Storm

1. Papenhuyzen
6. Munster
7. Hughes
9. Grant

vs

Souths

1. Mitchell
6. Walker
7. Illias
9. Cook