lets have a quick look at how the teams are playing. labor have...

lets have a quick look at how the teams are playing. labor have a dominant lead and are playing percentage football. low risk, not much flair. there is some danger in trying to protect a lead but with the wind behind them in the second half and pressure building on the other team it seems a reasonable tactic.some of the players to stand out are j gillard. safe as houses, always pressuring, always cool under the high ball, and her footwork is frustrating her bigger opponents. N roxon. a rookie who was gifted a try but also impresses with her attitude. j macklin. having a quiet game, needs to get more aggressive. and hows the star recruit faring? well lets just say hes having a shocker. dropped the ball with the line wide open a few times now, but as with all big name signings, probably just needs to settle down and play his natural game.as for the playmaker, his workrate is exhausting as usual, and is guiding the team around the paddock ok, although he is spinning it out wide when a few runs up the guts may have been the order of the day. he is hogging the ball far too much and would do well to trust this potentially brilliant team a little more. the second half should see their forwards start to dominate, as a few havent even got their jumpers dirty, and should be nice and fresh.

the premiers are, quite frankly, having a barry. some of their big names are saving their worst game for the final. abbott has given away penalties, abused the ref, been abused by the crowd, and is playing with total disregard for his own team. turnbull has been giving hospital passes all game, mostly to his captain, and one feels he would be more comfortable in the other teams jersey. brendan nelson, who should be toughing it out in the pack was hooked after 2 minutes and has spent most of the game on the interchange bench. one can sense the desire of the other team to see him on the paddock again. they clearly have him targeted. andrews is having a strange game. instead of following the ball he has been running up and down the sideline inspecting the qualifications and licences of the touch judges and spectators. very bizarre indeed. the backs have seen little ball. for bishop and c0onan in particular this is just a continuation of a horrendous season.

overall it looks bad for the premiers. unless their renowned dirty tactics take effect, (who can forget the last few grand finals), its hard to see them coming back, especially if rudd lets his team run the ball more, and if they do, well ladies and gentlemen, this could set a record for a winning margin in a grand final.