Well it’s getting to the very pointy end of the season now, and it’s a simple equation: if we win it’s grand final time, if we don’t we’re gone. But you all knew that anyway.
 
I was happy with the performance on Saturday night from the young guys and particularly from Cayless, Ian and Fui Fui. I think a lot of people gave us little chance and thought we would get steamrolled, and I can’t lie, there were a few relieved faces when Sonny Bill went up the tunnel.

We were feeling pretty confident once Finchy kicked the field goal, it gave us a good mental edge, and knowing he can kick them in a tight spot is an advantage if the game is close.

We will be the underdogs again, and while it takes the public pressure off, we still put pressure on ourselves to make the grand final. I know I’m already uncharacteristically excited about this game.

It’s funny, we’ve now beaten the two teams I publicly declared I feared and now we face the team everyone seems to fear — and they are a good unit — but I believe we can get the job done.

The Storm may have not been beaten at home since the dawn of time, but that doesn’t bother us and we know we are in with a real chance against them. Having said that, they have been the best team in the comp all year and are injury free.

We really have to watch out for Billy Slater, Greg Inglis, Cooper Cronk and of course Cam Smith. If I was to nominate the guys who can win the game for us I would say Haynesy, Finchy and Timmy Smith, who have all stood up to be counted in recent weeks. Finchy and Timmy are talking a lot and running the ball a bit, while Haynesy is just being Haynesy!

I reckon Inglis is more dangerous at 5/8 because he gets the ball more; his passing game probably hasn’t peaked yet, but his running is what we all have to be wary of.

The Storm don’t have a flashy pack, but neither do we and it’s only Cayless and I that have played for our countries recently, not that I think it’s an edge, but we do have more experience.

It was good to see it’s the CEOs firing things up in the paper for a change. Fitzy doesn’t mind a bit of verbal, and it takes the pressure off us from doing it, which is probably a good thing.

Personally I don’t notice if the field is bigger or smaller at all.

Off the field Buster is starting to smile a little bit which is cool, but he’s a huge baby, if he and Archie had been twins I know who would have got all the food.

I’ve been hammering out 80s Guitar Hero in career mode and have had a couple of five-star performances, but I’ve only attempted the easy level.

Hindy

I had a better day than I expected on my birthday, not only did we win in the land of the very long white cloud but the boys bought me a cake and sang happy birthday to me when we got back into the sheds.
 
Wags had “Happy Birthday” on his iPod I don’t know why, [...]

I want to start this blog by thanking the fans who voted for me to win my third Provan Summons Award last night. We have a good fan base at Parra and I reckon my votes must have come from a lot of them, so thanks for that.
 
I wasn’t surprised John Thurston won last night, [...]