Where have these Dogs been?

The 2014 regular season shocked from go to whoa with its unpredictable results and crazy upsets – and the finals series is already following suit. Following Penrith’s last-gasp heroics to stun the Roosters, Canterbury staged an even bigger boilover by thumping Melbourne 28-4.

Ryan Hoffman’s final game for the Storm ended in bitter disappointment. Photo: Getty

It was the ailing Bulldogs’ best performance since their last visit to AAMI Park two months ago, sweeping aside a dismal run home that had most predicting the blue-and-white would be making up the numbers in the finals.

The Bulldogs took advantage of some good fortune and showed unfamiliar zeal with the ball in hand, while also finding their customary defensive grit to charge out to a 24-0 halftime lead. But a shocking ankle injury to Pat O’Hanlon and possible suspensions to Josh Morris (chicken wing) and David Klemmer has clouded the make-up of their side for the mouth-watering semi-final showdown with Manly next Saturday.

Meanwhile, the obituaries are destined to flow in this week for the end of the Melbourne dynasty after the club made its first week-one finals exit since 2000. The Storm endured a string of contentious refereeing calls as they attempted to mount a second-half comeback, but ultimately their trademark composure deserted them when it mattered most.

A western fairytale unfolding

The Penrith Panthers, repeatedly written off after injuries ripped through their squad of journeyman and unheralded youngsters, are the undisputed fairytale team of 2014.

The Panthers were yet to claim a ‘Big Four’ scalp leading into the finals, but they now have the biggest of all mounted above their mantelpiece – an epic 19-18 defeat of defending premiers and title favourites the Sydney Roosters.

Jamie Soward has gone from scrapheap to star. Photo: Getty

The brave, heart-stopping success must surely rank only behind the club’s 1991 and 2003 Grand Final victories in the annals of the Panthers’ greatest-ever wins.

Penrith fielded six players on finals debut, but the rookies were among its best. Brilliant fullback Matt Moylan ensured the comparisons with Darren Lockyer continued to flow with another virtuoso display, while 19-year-old winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak’s freakish, desperate play to deliver Dean Whare’s second try saved the match for the Panthers.

Then there’s Jamie Soward.

On the scrapheap after being dumped by St George Illawarra midway through last year, the often prickly half has been lauded as the buy of the season, assuming the captaincy and chief playmaker duties after injury claimed Peter Wallace.

Saturday’s euphoric win was arguably the 2010 premiership linchpin’s finest hour. A sideline conversion and 32-metre field goal inside the last three minutes put any remaining question marks over Soward’s big-game temperament to bed.

Now with a preliminary final berth booked on the ‘easy’ side of the draw – taking on the winner of the Manly-Canterbury clash – a Grand Final appearance is firming from far-fetched dream to distinct possibility.

Rabbitohs rampage – but big questions still to be answered

For an hour of Friday’s blockbuster, South Sydney produced arguably the most devastating finals performance of the modern era in surging to a 40-0 lead over Manly. Disappointingly for coach Michael Maguire, the Rabbitohs took their foot off the throat and let in four late tries, but the pieces are in place for a title assault.

Dylan Walker produced another blistering display for the Rabbitohs. Photo: Getty

While the experienced superstars – Burgess, Inglis et al – were magnificent, it was Souths’ youngsters that stood tall.

Rookie Kirisome Auva’a dominated all-time great centre opponent Jamie Lyon, 19-year-old Dylan Walker pushed his claims for a Four Nations call-up with another blistering display and halfback Adam Reynolds was as dynamic as he was precise, collecting a 20-point haul. Teenage winger Alex Johnston took his debut-season tally to an unbelievable 19 tries in 16 games, while Lote Tuqiri – on the cusp of 35 – produced his best game in four years.

But the week off could prove detrimental for a Souths side with questionable mental capacity for sudden-death footy, left to stew on a monumental preliminary final showdown with the Roosters or Cowboys for a fortnight.

Blessed with extraordinary firepower and myriad match-winners, the Bunnies’ main priority is getting their heads right during this momentum-stalling break. The club’s first Grand Final appearance in 43 years will be Souths’ reward; becoming the first side to lose three straight preliminary finals since Parramatta (1998-2000) is the terrifying flipside.

Cowboys cruise ahead of big tests

Despite a few nervous moments during the second stanza, North Queensland powered to a semi-final berth via a blistering first-half display against former ‘Big Brother’ Brisbane.

Johnathan Thurston was at his tenacious, ubiquitous best, while backrower Gavin Cooper scored two tries and Kane Linnett crossed – confirming the Cowboys’ left edge as one of the most dangerous in the finals – on the way to a 24-0 halftime scoreline.

Tariq Sims’ callous and (very) late shoulder-charge on an unsuspecting Justin Hodges was as dangerous or grubby as anything we’ve witnessed in 2014.

But Everest-like tasks against the Sydney Roosters and South Sydney await the northerners if they are to fulfil their promise and reach the Grand Final.

It will be a disgrace if they are allowed to do so with firebrand forward Tariq Sims. The backrower’s callous and (very) late shoulder-charge on an unsuspecting Justin Hodges was as dangerous or grubby as anything we’ve witnessed in 2014.

The Cowboys may have quelled their away bogey late in the regular season, but sudden-death finals in Sydney are a different beast to beating up on the Broncos at home. The club is undefeated in five post-season matches in Townsville, but has lost five straight finals on the road dating back to 2005.

Sea Eagles, Roosters on the rack

Last year’s Grand Finalists, rated good things to meet again in the decider only a few weeks ago, both face gruelling sudden-death showdowns next week to keep their premiership dreams alive.

Manly skipper Jamie Lyon endured a horror night. Photo: Getty

Manly was simply overpowered by Souths. Their underrated forwards, so good all season, could not make any headway nor halt the giant Rabbitohs pack.

Jamie Lyon endured a horror night at the hands of a rookie, while Daly Cherry-Evans was bustled all night and bereft of ideas. Steve Matai and Kieran Foran were virtually the only Sea Eagles offering any resistance.

If the judiciary has any bottle, Lyon and Anthony Watmough will be missing next week after an awkward lifting tackle on Greg Inglis (which the Sea Eagles ludicrously blamed on the Souths fullback), Foran may need to beat a high-tackle charge and stand-in hooker Jayden Hodges is a likely absentee due to a neck injury.

Meanwhile, the Roosters – backed by most judges as title favourites at the start of the finals – seemed to have their match with the plucky Panthers in hand at several crucial junctures, before being pipped at the post. The defending champs choked, and have now been pitched into a daunting encounter with the in-form Cowboys.

Hodgo’s heroics

Justin Hodges, the 32-year-old makeshift fullback with legs as reliable as fraying rubber bands, wound the clock back to singlehandedly spark a stirring Brisbane rally during the second half in Townsville. Hodges’ guile, pace and skill saw the Broncos climb back into the contest after an insipid opening 40.

Although they fluked their way into the finals after an inconsistent campaign, the second-half performance – which garnered four tries to the Cowboys’ one – was a fitting way to end a season of real progress, and to farewell popular coach Anthony Griffin.

While breakout halfback star Ben Hunt had a forgettable night, the class shown by Hodges, the maligned Ben Barba, and veteran forwards Sam Thaiday and Corey Parker provided hope for 2015.

Justin Hodges wound the clock back to help the Broncos finish the season on a respectable note. Photo: Getty

Week two finals previews

Sydney Roosters v North Queensland Cowboys, Friday 7:50pm, Allianz Stadium

Shocked by Penrith, the highly-fancied Roosters must regroup to eliminate a Cowboys side that has been beaten just once (a one-point loss to the Panthers) in their last nine outings. The Tricolours will welcome back Aidan Guerra, but could be without judiciary regular Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, who was put on report on Saturday. The Cowboys should be missing backrow torpedo Tariq Sims.

Early tip: Roosters by 2

Manly Sea Eagles v Canterbury Bulldogs, Saturday 7.50pm, Allianz Stadium

The Sea Eagles seem like the archetypal shot birds after a scratchy finish to the regular season, a host of injury problems, and now big judiciary concerns. It will be a miracle and a travesty if Jamie Lyon and Anthony Watmough are allowed to play, while their dummy-half headache has turned into a severe migraine for Geoff Toovey. Surprise qualifying final winners the Bulldogs should start favourites after miraculously rediscovering their groove in Melbourne, although they have their own injury and suspension problems.

Early tip: Bulldogs by 7