Grand Final Discussion

[Big Pete]

South Sydney Rabbitohs v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

ANZ Stadium, Sunday 5 October 2014
Kickoff 7:20pm
Referees: Shayne Hayne, Gerard Sutton
Sideline Officials: Steve Carrall, Jason Walsh
Video Referees: Bernard Sutton, Luke Phillips

1. Greg Inglis 2. Alex Johnston 3. Dylan Walker 4. Kirisome Auva'a 5. Lote Tuqiri 6. Luke Keary 7. Adam Reynolds 8. George Burgess 9. Issac Luke 10. David Tyrrell 11. Ben Te'o 12. John Sutton 13. Sam Burgess

14. Jason Clark 15. Kyle Turner 16. Chris McQueen 17. Thomas Burgess

18. Ben Lowe 19. Luke Burgess 20. Bryson Goodwin

1. Sam Perrett 2. Corey Thompson 3. Josh Morris 4. Timoteo Lafai 5. Mitch Brown 6. Josh Reynolds 7. Trent Hodkinson 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Michael Ennis 10. James Graham 11. Josh Jackson 12. Tony Williams 13. Greg Eastwood

14. Tim Browne 15. Dale Finucane 16. David Klemmer 17. Frank Pritchard

19. Moses Mbye 20. Reni Maitua

 

[Super Freak]

I was going to make the trip into Suncorp to watch the ISC Grand Final today, but unfortunately I had to look after kids.

I'll be watching it on telly, though. And recording it so I can make highlights of the game.

 

[Big Pete]

Thought I would kick us off early since there's all sorts of discussion heading into the game.

Right now it's all about the number nines, Issac Luke & Michael Ennis.

Luke is facing a week off for his lifting tackle while Ennis has a fracture in his foot and is extremely unlikely of playing.

I'll throw these questions to you guys.

Can Luke get off?

And if not who should replace him? Options would include Api Koroisau & Cam McInness.

And who would you have out of the Dogs squad to replace Ennis? Options would include Josh Reynolds (with Moses Mybe switching to five eighth), Damien Cook or perhaps even Reni Maitua in a make-shift role.

 

[Big Pete]

For those that need a reminder.

In my view, they've got the charge just right and while it's disappointing for Luke we've seen what spear tackles have done this season and if the NRL is serious they'll make a stand.

Fans may cry that a tackle like that shouldn't rub a player out of the GF and I agree. The thing here is, it isn't just this tackle that's preventing Luke from playing, it's his poor history and if we're being honest, he was pretty lucky to get away with kicking a player in the face earlier this year.

I reckon he CAN get off and most likely will through media pressure but he shouldn't.

 

[Fozz]

If he ends up with three explayers on the judiciary there is no way he will miss the game.

The fact that any player will miss a big match shouldn't come into consideration.

 

[gordjw]

Yeah you're probably right BP. Sucks for him to get charged, but he's not exactly a clean player, and he's clearly guilty.

He will almost certainly get cleared though, and the same media morons calling for consistency all year will cheer. The performances on the Sunday footy show were incredible, especially James Hooper.

 

[Ari Gold]

If Reynolds didn't get suspended for his spear on Tate then neither should Luke.

 

[Big Pete]

Two wrongs don't make a right.

 

[ivanhungryjak]

Yeah you're probably right BP. Sucks for him to get charged, but he's not exactly a clean player, and he's clearly guilty.

He will almost certainly get cleared though, and the same media morons calling for consistency all year will cheer. The performances on the Sunday footy show were incredible, especially James Hooper.

Couldn't believe the way he carried on. I found myself actually agreeing with Terry Kennedy. All anyone wants all year is consistency and then Hooper wants the rules changed because he "doesn't deserve to miss a GF".

 

[Ari Gold]

Two wrongs don't make a right.

It does when the opponent is Reynolds!

I'd love to see Luke get off, have Raelene Castle complain and then have Russell come out and say it was a brave decision. That would totally make me go for Souths.

 

[Super Freak]

He will get off.

SBW didn't land on his head. Players have been getting away with that because the player didn't land on their head.

He shouldn't get away with it, but he will.

 

[Super Freak]

Munster made a ball call letting that bounce, IMO.

Now Pride are in a great position to take the lead.

 

[gordjw]

Couldn't believe the way he carried on. I found myself actually agreeing with Terry Kennedy. All anyone wants all year is consistency and then Hooper wants the rules changed because he "doesn't deserve to miss a GF".

Yep, that was the worst part of all. Agreeing with Terry Kennedy!

 

[Morkel]

Bunnies fans are celebrating early.

 

[mitch222]

Luke shouldn't get off that tackle. He has priors and loading and I don't care if its the grand final. Its a week off for every other person in the game at least. Just because SBW was lucky enough to shield himself from landing awkwardly with his arm doesn't mean squat. He lifted and drove the player to the ground. At least if he is suspended it evens up the hooker contest with Ennis out.

 

[Cult]

Baiting

 

[Huge]

I'd say he will get off but with the injury to Ennis it has become more of a chance to see him miss the gf. If Ennis hadn't happened I think he would get off scot free.... As soon as the second team was decided I thought the Rabbits would be a strong favourite but I was surprised at how strong in the betting markets they are. Hard to see them miss out and I remember the way they've choked in the past but this is a much more mature team this time round.

 

[Alec]

Ennis is really quite shit nowdays. Des did the right thing in letting him go... but right now he's still their captain, and his replacements are even worse (like Stagg for us or something). They absolutely can't win without him. Even if Souffs choke big time IMO.