How did my NRL finals week 1 predictions go?

I am a man of modesty. But I think I was pretty dead-on with my picks last weekend. Here's what I said and what actually happened.

"St George will decimate a depleted Sea Eagles side and fly to the preliminary final with momentum on their side":
28-0, anyone? Now it's true that the depleted Manly gallantly held the Dragons to just one try until the 64th minute but once those floodgates opened, the class of the Red and Whites was plain for all to see. They now enjoy a week off and will face the winner of Canberra vs. Wests in week three.

But that very class that St George displayed is a curse as much as it is a blessing. The Daily Telegraph called the Dragons "controlled, measured, patient and methodical" in their performance over the weekend. Against a team full of X-factors in a fortnight, methodical and controlled may not be enough. To win NRL finals, you need to take chances, something their opposition - whether it ends up being the Tigers or Raiders - know plenty about.

"Titans v Warriors is another hard one to pick ... Gold Coast have the talent to shake up the finals series":
OK, so I didn't make a balls-to-the-wall call on this one, but I did say there were injury worries around Mat Rogers, Scott Prince and Ashley Harrison, who all played. Gold Coast now get their week off and face up against the winner of the Roosters and Penrith. This is likely to be the Roosters (more on that below), but I truly believe the Titans are building to something. Each year they're getting better, and with Scott Prince on the park they're a formidable side.

"Saturday night's qualifying final between the Tigers and Roosters ... Trying to pick a winner for this one is hard":
And boy was it ever, even in the 99th minute. Saturday night's game will go down as one of the great Rugby League finals matches. With the scores locked 15-all at fulltime, even regulation extra-time couldn't decide this one, with the game lasting 100 minutes. If you missed it check out the video below:

VIDEO: Roosters pip Tigers in NRL thriller

The Roosters got the spoils, but the Tigers can hold their heads high. The game was also not without refereeing controversies, and ended with concerns over Benji Marshall's fitness, though latest reports suggest he will take the field against Canberra this weekend.

"The Raiders should continue their dream run with a win against Penrith on Saturday night":
And they sure did, albeit in a tight contest. The Raiders are playing with incredible belief right now. The Tigers next week will be a test, but with the likes of Terry Campese, David Shillington and Josh Dugan firing, Canberra could almost beat anyone right now. As for the Panthers, they face up against the Sydney Roosters, who are high on their remarkable triumph and boasting the Dally M Player of the Year within their ranks. I don't see Penrith getting the better of them.

First week of the finals!

And so it begins. One of the tightest NRL finals races in memory starts this weekend.

It may sound like a cliche, but this will be a September where anything can happen. Dreams will come true for some, while for others, heartbreak will be their destiny.

Minor Premiers St George are known to choke come finals time. There's an old joke "What do St George have in common with snow? They're both gone by September..." but this time I predict things will be different. First up they face a Manly side decimated through injury and suspension. Steve Matai will be gone for 7 weeks minimum, while Jason King and Chris Bailey are on report and Anthony Watmough, Joe Galuvao, Ben Farrar, Matt Ballin, Brent Kite and Jamie Lyon are all in doubt due to injury. St George will decimate a depleted Sea Eagles side and fly to the preliminary final with momentum on their side.

Saturday night's qualifying final between the Tigers and Roosters is being billed as "The battle of the five-eighths" with the men who will likely play pivot for their respective countries, Todd Carney and Benji Marshall doing battle. Trying to pick a winner for this one is hard - both teams are capable of scoring plenty of points from all over the field. Check out some highlights from the two playmakers:





Titans v Warriors is another hard one to pick. Gold Coast are not without injury worries with key players Mat Rogers, Scott Prince and Ashley Harrison among their walking wounded. Gold Coast have the talent to shake up the finals series but their casualty ward coupled with an ordinary end to the regular season are reason for alarm.

Finally, the Raiders should continue their dream run with a win against Penrith on Saturday night.The Panthers have the home ground advantage but Canberra have proven this year that their away hoodoo is a thing of the past. And the Raiders are simply running too hot for a lacklustre Penrith side who were lucky to finish in the top four anyway.