We are set for a thrilling final round to the Toyota Cup with six games to have a bearing on the finals. Fox Sports commentator Matt Russell previews Round 26.
Sound familiar…
The Titans host the Tigers on Friday with a big prize on offer – 8th spot.
It was exactly what happened in 2008 when the Gold Coast beat the Tigers in the final round to leapfrog them into 8th.
Will history repeat?
The Titans came from behind to beat Cronulla patiently last Saturday.
The Tigers were well below their best when upset by struggling Melbourne on Sunday.
A draw would be enough for the Tigers, who would love to “buy” more time to get Jake Mullaney back from a hamstring injury, and still hold hopes of improving on last year’s grand final defeat.
A win could see them finish as high as seventh.
Fantastic Friday…
The other Toyota Cup game on Friday will also help shape the finals.
Victory against the Broncos could see the Raiders crack the top four. Otherwise it is 6th.
The Green Machine will take plenty of confidence from the comeback win against high flying North Queensland last week, without Sam Williams.
The Team of the Year halfback is due for a return in the finals, if Canberra can stay alive.
Australian Schoolboy Jack Wighton is doing a good job in Williams’ absence.
Ouch..South Sydney's Chris Sandow dislocates his finger at training. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: The Daily Telegraph
THIS is the image long-suffering South Sydney fans will not want to see as their season goes on the line against the Dragons this Sunday night.
Pocket dynamo Chris Sandow's right ring finger was badly dislocated in a training mishap - and suddenly Souths' title hopes looked to be heading in the wrong direction as well.
Sandow quickly exited Redfern Oval for medical attention. But there was good news last night with Sandow declared a certain starter in the final round crunch game that could springboard the Rabbitohs into the final eight, pending other results this weekend.
In the best form of his career in first grade, Sandow was initially devastated when he suffered the injury, admitting he was in tears not from the pain but rather from the possibility he may miss the all-important trip to Kogarah against the Dragons.
"I went through a gap at training and somebody's grabbed me and I went down on my side," Sandow said.
"I came straight off and into the medical room. It's still pretty sore.
"I had tears in my eyes because there's no way I wanted to miss Sunday. It's a big game for the club. It will be sore passing the ball, but I should be right."
Coach John Lang was adamant Sandow's injury would not keep him out of the big game. However, it remains to be seen whether the injury will affect his involvement, given that he has become Souths' chief playmaker since John Sutton was ruled out for the season.
Souths only made the one change yesterday with Eddy Pettybourne returning from suspension for the injured Jason Clark.
Souths will know before the game whether a victory over the Dragons will secure them a finals berth, needing either the Raiders to lose to Brisbane on Friday night or Manly to go down to Canterbury at Brookvale on Sunday.
