Panthers v Broncos preview
8 hours ago | Rhys Sullivan
Finals time has arrived and the matches this weekend are mouth watering to say the least.
We start with the Raiders playing host to the Storm tonight. Canberra have not beaten the Storm this year and in both losses, the Storm were comprehensive victors with an average winning margin of 15 points. Also, the Raiders home record this season has not been as intimidating as it has been in seasons gone by but a big parochial home crowd will go a long way to getting the Raiders home and possibly straight through to the grand final qualifier if results were to go their way. However, the Raiders and Melbourne for that matter could be eliminated if results were to go against them. Basically, if two sides below either Melbourne or Canberra win, the loser of tonight?s game would be finished for 2003.
There are some great match ups in this game with the clash Ruben Wiki and Stephen Kearney sure to be one of the highlights as will the match up between Clinton Schifcofske and Billy Slater.
While Melbourne have had a great year I just don?t think they can beat the Raiders three times in one season and with so much to play for tonight, the Raiders will be out to impress their home crowd with a win. Canberra will need to win the battle of the advantage line and with Ruben Wiki, Ryan O?Hara and Luke Davico leading the way, it will take a mighty effort from the Melbourne Storm to stop their momentum.
The flipside is the Storm have one of the best halves in the game in Matt Orford and his contribution this year is the very reason why the storm defied the critics to finish fifth. Orford did it all on his own and with no Scott Hill, it makes the achievements of the Storm all the more impressive.
The clincher for me is the size of the Raiders outside backs. I think that will be the key match up where the Raiders will have the edge. Whatever the result, this match should be hard and fast with plenty of tries to entertain everyone. Raiders by 12.