With that, Melbourne crown themselves as the form team of the competition. Of course it isn't going to last long, Origin won't allow it, but it's a credit to Craig and company. Ever since 2013, it seems like the critics say that Melbourne is too old and predict they'll miss the finals and everytime Craig gets his team playing the brand of footy that wins matches. Tough, uncompromising footy that wears on it's opponents. There's a limit to how far that type of footy will get you, but considering their personnel, Melbourne maybe the biggest over-achievers in the competition.
Very interesting Origin period coming up. All year it's felt like five horse race with no one truly excelling. With the Eels out of the running, it leaves four in Cronulla, Melbourne, Brisbane and North Queensland. As good as these teams have been, none of them have convinced me that they're THE team just yet. It's been such a strange season that it wouldn't surprise me to see a team unaffected by Origin gather some momentum, go on a run and put themselves in pole position come finals. Before the season started, I thought the Warriors would be that side but now it's between the Raiders, Bulldogs, Panthers and Sea Eagles to sort themselves out.
