On account of it being my boring old birthday, I’m a bit strapped for time to write a preview for the Preliminary Finals, and I have to finish the Chalk Eaters, so instead, I’ll focus on something I’ve detailed briefly at times this season…

MY TIPPING.

This is as it stands after the Semi Finals, as I recovered several thousand spots from the turkeys who don’t tip at this time of year, leaving me just on 8,000 from pinching a Top 10% medal.

So on that note, I’ve gone the old Gary Harley method and backed the Storm and Panthers, because, the favourite is the favourite FOR A REASON.

I’ll be honest – Deep down, I want to see a Panthers-Raiders Grand Final, just because it’s now been 30 years since those fantastic 1990-91 Grand Finals that I wasn’t actually alive to see.