Rugby league: Weekend four will tire

By GARY FREEMAN Kiwis coach

I was heartened by the way the Warriors put Canberra away in their home playoff last weekend. It proved their capability to go on to the grand final and I believe they will do that, meeting Brisbane.

The two teams having the rest will take a great advantage into their preliminary finals the following weekend because of the injury situation and the ferocity of finals football. Already the Dragons, Knights, Sharks and Roosters are missing key players with injury and you can bet the rest are carrying plenty. They'll be copping another bashing this weekend and I'm sure coaches Daniel Anderson and Wayne Bennett will be happy having their blokes watching.

I don't think the other teams are going to be able to string four great games together, because that's what they'll have to do to go all the way.

The Dragons turned on a mighty effort to topple Newcastle and I think they'll shake the Sharks this weekend. Their props Luke Bailey and Jason Ryles are in outstanding form and I expect them to do the damage up front and with Trent Barrett playing as he is they should have too much firepower.

The Cronulla side has not been getting its share of the 50/50 calls and Chris Anderson has asked to meet the referees' boss Peter Louis today, so whether that has any influence on how the game is ruled we'll have to wait and see. But when Chris Beattie comes off they lose their enforcer. You can see Karl Lovell holding back in the tackle because he doesn't want to cop another long suspension. I think it's a smart move by Anderson. But I don't think it will make any difference and I don't think they can get up.

I reckon the Roosters will get over the Knights - just watch Brad Fittler lead them to it. The Knights are no chance without Andrew Johns.

The Roosters are in great form. I expect them to play the game that has been working for them, getting off their line quickly to deny the opposition room.

The Warriors and Broncos are capable of then beating the Dragons and Roosters to set up a final in Sydney with no Sydney side in it for the first time ever.

Stacey Jones was in sparkling form against Canberra and if he can continue that accuracy with his kicking game the Warriors will trouble every side they play.

Their forwards have been dominating other teams, including Brisbane. Ali Lauiti'iti's return was a delight. He showed his timing was still there when he puts himself in the right place to take the final pass to get that try seconds after he ran on from the bench.

Now it's a matter of how they handle the hype, the media, the pressure from the fans. The Warriors need to stay steady, keep doing what has been working for them and just focus on the football.

The mental preparation is as important as the game training now.

* Gary Freeman played in two grand finals for Balmain, losing 24-12 to Canterbury in 1988 and 19-14 to Canberra in 1989.