NRL Grand Final Week - What to believe and what not to

Hello there footy fans. Still catching your breath from last weekend? 160 minutes of thumping great footy from four teams who'd all earned the right to be there.

I read Roy Masters this week bemoaning the interruption that suspensions and salary cap penalties have played in recent finals series and that this has undermined their credibility. DO NOT BELIEVE THIS!

While the efficacy of the alternatives Masters suggests is up for debate, the fact of the matter is those players/clubs broke the rules and were punished accordingly.

Players know not to fight, strike or tackle illegally or they will get suspended. Teams know they risk heavy sanctions for salary cap breaches. There are no secrets in this.

The suggestion that these rules be watered down because it's finals time or because particular players are important for their teams' success would go further do diminish the credibility than not having Adam Blair play for the Melbourne Storm last weekend.

Which brings me on to another point. The idea that the Warriors 'stunned' the Storm. This is the second week in a row the Warriors have 'stunned' their opponents. DO NOT BELIEVE THIS.

You could make an argument the Wests Tigers were stunned at the Warriors resolve but you would be foolish to think the Storm didn't know exactly what they were in for on Saturday. The Storm have now lost 6 of their last 9 games against the Warriors. The Storm know that their style of game suits the Warriors tactics. They had over a week to prepare for this. They had an entire second half on the back foot hoping -more than anything- one of their big three could dig them out of their predicament.

Whilst obviously disappointed with the result -and the fact they made Gus Gould look like a prophet after predicting their demise in the finals- I don't think it's fair to the Warriors to say the Storm were stunned/shocked.

They knew what was coming and they weren't good enough to stop it. The Warriors produced the best second half of the year to smother Melbourne out of the game. If they can repeat those antics they're every chance of winning on Sunday. BELIEVE THAT.

The Friday night game went like most predicted, the plucky Broncos didn't have enough for the relentless Sea Eagles. Again it was the young halves who surprised all with their composure and deft decision making.

Des Hasler has come out this week and declared that the Warriors should be favourites. DON'T BELIEVE THAT.

He's undoubtedly a good coach with an eye for talent and an idea on how to coach great attacking footy but to claim or believe that the Warriors deserve to be favourites in this match is a bit of a mental stretch.

Manly were almost minor premieres and were essentially the form team over the last part of the season. Manly have also won the only game the two sides played 20-10 earlier this year and are welcoming back their influential back-rower Glen Stewart.

The Warriors have been inconsistent this year, mixing blistering attack with periods of non-existent defence. To compare these teams is like comparing different environmental phenomena.

The Sea Eagles, with their relentless attack, structured plays and a tough, ragged defensive edge that unsettles opponents are the monsoonal rains of the NRL. You know it's coming, and when it does you can pretty much forget about whatever it was you were hoping to achieve.

The Warriors, with their awesome size, straight hard running, blistering speed and inconsistency are the avalanche of the NRL. They don't always look likely but when they do decide to make a move they are unstoppable.

Whatever it is that you choose to read/watch this week and believe, BELIEVE THIS, these are two tremendously talented football teams with all the elements to make a great side. Both teams deserve to be exactly where they are and either side can bring home the trophy on Sunday.

Footyfootyfooty suggests you get somewhere from 12pm to watch the Warriors attempt their triple threat in each Grand Final played (NSWRL, NYC, NRL). Enjoy your week footy fans.