At this point, with just one game to go in the penultimate round of the NRL, you will probably know your fate, be it a spot in your Ultimate League's grand final or preparing for a virtual Mad Monday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The standard league features 10 or 12 players, so only a small amount of you will have made your grand final. I can't even count myself in the lucky few, so don't beat yourself up too much.
THE BIG THREE
Shaun Johnson: The Warriors steamrolled a hapless Gold Coast as their run continues towards a finals spot, and their playmaker was in the thick of the action, scoring a try, laying on a couple for his teammates and kicking seven goals from as many attempts.
Sam Burgess: He cannot be stopped. For what feels like the 10,000th week in a row, Burgess makes my big three with another staggering performance. Big Sam scored twice, ran for more than 200 metres and made 35 tackles. When Michael Carayannis gets what seems an inevitable premiership ring for winning our league, I'm sure he'll get the Englishman's head engraved on it.
Billy Slater: The Storm may have lost and all but let slip a place in the top four, but Slater turned back the clock in a vintage performance against the Roosters, scoring two tries, breaking a dozen tackles and running for well over 100 metres.
THANKS FOR NOTHING
Brett Morris: All year the Dragons flyer has been one of the most reliable outside backs, but in a game where Ultimate League owners and St George Illawarra fans would have prayed for a huge showing, he turned in one of his lowest scores of the year. Morris had eight runs for 50 metres, and not much else. Obviously a lot of the blame has to go to his inside men, but they're not the ones who were drafted so highly in leagues.
PLEASANT SURPRISES
Tom Symonds: Scored the decisive try in Manly's ridiculous comeback win, as well as another try and made a very impressive 35 tackles. Symonds was started in less than half of Ultimate League squads this weekend, but he may have been the difference for someone making their grand final or not.
Joel Thompson: The Dragons' season may be over after Friday's loss, but Thompson turned in a commendable performance in a losing side. The former Raider scored a try, broke the line twice and ran for 150 metres.
