ANZ Stadium, Saturday 22nd September.
After starting the year with a moderate record of five wins and five losses, the Canterbury Bulldogs secured the 2012 Minor Premiership by winning thirteen of their final fourteen matches. Despite this impeccable form, they went into the first week of finals as underdogs against Manly. They showed then that they weren’t affected by the big stage and come from behind to record a 16-10 victory, demonstrating the kind of focus and commitment required in finals football. The earned the week off last week and have named a fully fit squad to take on the Rabbitohs.
Can the Rabbitohs make their first Grand Final since winning the competition since 1971? Bar the Canterbury supporters, a majority of those watching will be willing the boys from Redfern on. In the first week of the finals, Souths ventured to Melbourne to take on the Storm. The result was a disappointing 24-6 loss. They produce a much better brand of football last week however and, in the second elimination final, dominated the Canberra Raiders 38-16. Canterbury proved a fortnight ago they are the team to beat of the four that remaining and accordingly, have been installed at $2.75 to be crowned 2012 Premiers.
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Despite Manly trying to do their best to disrupt the Dogs’ focus with aggressive tactics, the Dogs have formed a confidence and winning culture this year that is hard, almost impossible in fact, to disrupt. A fully fit squad courtesy of last weekend’s rest, makes the Dogs deserved favourites. Souths produce some exciting attacking football last week but the worrying point was that for several periods, they did take their foot of the pedal and gave the Raiders opportunities to get back into the game. They can’t afford these momentary lapses in concentration against the Dogs. One worrying statistic that faces the Rabbitohs is that, bar last week’s game, on the last four occasions they have faced teams that made this year’s finals, they’ve been beaten. The Dogs have been too good all year to falter now. Best option might be to jump on the $2.75 for the Premiership early?
