As a seasoned tipster, The Adjudicator knows the only certainties in life are death, taxes and the Dragons losing in the finals.

It makes you wonder, then, what made me think they’d beat Parramatta on Sunday. Maybe, like everyone else, their first-place finish and their 37-0 flogging of the Eels the previous week blinded me to their unrivalled choking ability in September.

Unfortunately, the start of the finals didn’t agree with The Adjudicator, either. Some might consider two from four acceptable at this time of year. But I’m a perfectionist and it just isn’t good enough.

So I’m putting it all on the line. With one hand in the air and the other on my Big League magazine, I promise the lovely lady wife will take my place if I don’t get a perfect two from two this weekend. Like a prop forward sitting on the sidelines, Mrs A has her nostrils flared and is raring to rip in. She’s looking more and more like Michael Weyman everyday.

So here goes: two games that could make or break me. And, as always, your thoughts and comments are more than welcome.

Parramatta v Gold Coast Titans, Friday 7.45pm (EST), Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
The Adjudicator says: You just didn’t listen, did you? No matter how many times I told you, you just didn’t listen. As the founding member and chairman of The Titans Will Choke Club (TTWCC), The Adjudicator has been spreading his message all season. With the prophecy almost realised, Gold Coast fans can begin preparations for something they’re actually good at: Schoolies Week. For the Eels, now they’ve realised that playing with 17 on 17 is more profitable than 1 v 17, they are genuine title contenders. If Mrs A does end up taking over next week, it won’t be because I get this one wrong. Eels by 14.

Agree/disagree with The Adjudicator? Tell him, in 100 words or fewer, why your team will win this match. Email The Adjudicator, including your full name and where you’re from.

LATEST COMMENTS FROM FANS
Titans fan Josh says: “Hi Mr A, I think you have this wrong, Parra have climbed their mountain and they are about to come crashing back to earth, titans at Full strength with Presto, Zillman and Prince, causing havoc in the ruck and our lightning fast wingers scoring a brace each. The only preparation we will be making is for an all QLD Grand Final! Titans by 8.”

Ben of Brisbane says: “As yet another week passes by and the parramatta fans begin to think more and more about a possible premiership past performances must be the furtherest thing from there mind. Well should we remind them of years 1998, 2001 and 2005. They will be having flashbacks by halftime as Campbell and co. will prove to all they are no chumps. Titans by 8.”

Gaz of Lane Cove says: “Good to see your learning some lessons in tipping such as never write off the mighty Eels. The Eels are hitting that high note again and leaving would be contenders in their wake. It seems that once this team is in a do or die situation they stand up and are counted as winners. Hindy is the inspiration in defence and Hayne, Mortimer and co. are leaving opposition defences in their dust. It is a short turnaround this week for the Eels so I am a little bit concerned but still they will get the cash, especially in front of tens of thousands of their own supporters. Eels by 8.”

Eels fan Brendan of Brisbane says: “What a difference a week makes and the input of Hindmarsh and Grothe. Someone tell Bennett to take the coat hanger out of his shirt. Dragons will be out of the competition by the end of this wk, broncos will dust them up just like the mighty eels did and Dean Young to have a shocker because of “the mental scars” he will be carrying into the game. Robson is a rock 30/30 tackles on the wknd. Parra to do titans by 10, Luke Burt to have yet another screamer!!”

Parra fan David of Stanmore says: “Come Monday at 3.00pm I predict the Gold Coasters will be putting the Tan into Titan because they will be sitting on a beach soaking up the rays following a defeat at the hands of the rampant Eels. Query the justice of Parramatta getting a home game after finishing eighth but if that is what the poindexters at NRL HQ have ordered I say “Take it with both hands”. Parra can smell the grand final and I don’t think Preston Campbell is big enough to stand in their way.”

Eels fan Jason says: “Got to say Mr A that you have it right this week, the Eels are on fire at the moment and enjoying there football. They are starting to prove that they are a 17 man team, it was a bit disappointing that a 30sec part of the game (where Hayne scored his lovely try) was the only point of the game that people wanted to talk about, I think there defence was great and did well over the whole 80 minutes. The Eels are playing great 80 min football at present so Titan will need to keep up for the whole 80 on this one. Also bit upset with some people stating that Eels should not be there as they came 8th, all 8 teams play for a spot in the finals, the top four get the bonus of home ground week 1, the Eels reached top form 9 weeks ago and are by no means not worthy of taking out the Trophy. Eels by 12 on Friday.”

Eels fan (but realistic Simon Dando of Singapore says: “Love your style Mr A, but I have to disagree with you on this one. As a lifetime member of the TEHCA club (The Eels Have Choked Again), I believe that you underestimate Parra’s ability to go one better than the Titans. One winces when remembering the preliminary final loss to the Bulldogs when they were leading 18-2 with just 11 to go, nor will PL losses in 1999 and 2000 be forgotten. The 2001 GF and the 29 zip loss to the Cowboys in 05 make tears well in my eyes. Titans by 2 in extra time after the Eels led by 12 at the 78 minute mark.”

Back to top

Brisbane Broncos v St George Illawarra, Saturday 7.45pm (EST), Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
The Adjudicator says: The Dragons in 2009 have been a lot like former US president George W. Bush. They sat in the No.1 spot for a long time before being replaced by someone more capable and much more popular. And like Bush did nearly 10 years ago, the Dragons will undoubtedly warn the Broncos this week not to “misunderestimate” them. But I’ve had enough. With my future in this forum under threat, I can’t afford to spend anymore time offering support for a giant a waste of space. And I can’t afford to tip the Dragons, either. As Dubya himself once said: “Fool me once, shame on … shame on you. Fool me … fool me … you can’t get fooled again.” Broncos by six.

Agree/disagree with The Adjudicator? Tell him, in 100 words or fewer, why your team will win this match. Email The Adjudicator, including your full name and where you’re from.

LATEST COMMENTS FROM FANS
Dragons fan Mick of Tasmania says: “The Dragons need to change a few things to win this week against the Broncos. The most important change in my opinion is the killer instinct. The Dragons had the Eels out on their feet in the 1st half, they recieved a penalty and kicked for goal. They did the same thing against the Raiders and got flogged. What it does is it gives the opposition confidence and a rest. Go for the juggler Dragons or perish. The more I think about this game, the more I believe the Dragons will win. Dragons by 1.”

Dragons bandwagon jumper Ben from Brisbane says: “Heck after getting 0 from 4 tips correct in week one of the finals my ultimate september nightmare has begun. But alas here comes newly shaved Dell to remind brisbane fans that they haven’t really beaten anyone on there winning streak. Oh yeah they did beat the dragons but that wasn’t at suncorp were st george love it. Brisbane fans to be blaming everyone else, because its never there fault, as the dragons win comfortably by 14.”

Brodie of Newcastle says: “At what seems to be the Dragons home away from home according to their track record, i think they will get the edge over Brisbane this week. All the stats point in the direction of the Dragons. The master coach will show Henjack why he’s the master coach. With the dragons grinding defense coupled with a bit of Morris/Soward magic, Dragons by 6.”

Andrew of Kogarah says: “1 win from 5 games. The Dragons season ends on Saturday night. Sad end to what looked like a promising year.”

Dragons fan Reno from The GC says: “Mr A, I can understand The Dragons bashing, having supported them for so long and being disappointed for the last 30 years it’s only natural to bag them when they keep on disappointing. I think they will get done by The Broncos but here is where I disagree with you, you said, and I quote: “They sat in the No.1 spot for a long time before being replaced by someone more capable and much more popular”. Much more popular, hello, The Dragons are the most popular team in The NRL. There will be more Dragons fans at Suncorp on Saturday night than there will be Broncos fans, and that’s why The Broncos fans are scared. I’m going back on my word. Dragons by 14.”

Broncos fan Simon says: “At last we agree with each other Mr. Adjudicator, the Broncos are a very different side from last year they don’t have Bennents old footy ways anymore.But the Broncos cant take the Dragons lightly if they do it will be another loss at home in the finals.But I do believe that they will win and move on to Melbourne ready to knock them out and get some old fashion revenge.Broncos by 8.”

Dragons fan Tom of Sydney says: “Now that you have finally said something negative about the Dragons (and in the process, made Phil a happy man, something his Sutherland Guppies will never be able to achieve), we might actually stand a chance of winning. After all, we hold an extremely solid track record up at Suncorp, so, who knows where this one could end up. Either way, as another die-hard amongst the ranks, DRAGONS by 22 – KEEP THE FAITH!”

Paul confessed Dragons tragic, aged 45, footy guru and lives for the game says: “The Eels go the cash on Sunday at Kogarah and deserved to win. However, we weren’t far away, we played to a strick pattern and literally tried to outfatigue the Eels defence but at crucial times didn’t move their defensive line around inside their own quarter. The Dragons will attack the Broncos a little differently. The Titans used a lot of dummy half running and varied ruck plays and worked on taking the ball about 60 per cent of the away across the field then hit back quickly at the slower lateral moving Broncos’ forwards. Nathan Fien will direct play in this area when he comes on for Dean Young who then reverts to a back row running forward ot one pass of the ruck option in attack. I also expect jamie Soward to run more and follow back rowers Ben Creagh on the left and Matt Prior on the right and hunt for inside passes against the sliding Broncos defence. Dragons by seven.”

Back to top