Here we are.
Another season of both football codes comes to an end.
The NRL has proved itself to be a very even competition, though the inconsistency of teams is perplexing.
The AFL has proved itself to have a small group of highly competitive teams, another small group of less reliably competitive teams, and a large group of teams making up the numbers.

I favour the outside teams for both games, Melbourne very deservedly, and West Coast because they’re good and I don’t think Collingwood have another game like last week in them.
For the final time in 2018:
NRL (last round 1/2; season tally 103/180)
Melbourne

AFL (last round 1/2; season tally 144/205)
West Coast

As far as the AFL are concerned their grand final is on tonight, (sorry Melbourne).
As far as the NRL are concerned their grand final might be on tomorrow night, as least as far as having two teams who represent the spiritual heart of the code playing are concerned.
The only difference is that with the AFL people will actually turn up in droves to watch the game, while with the NRL they’ll carry on about history, but no one will turn up to actually watch the actual event.

Anyway, here’s the tips.
NRL (last round 2/2; season tally 102/178)
Melbourne
South Sydney

AFL (last round 1/2; season tally 143/203)
Richmond
West Coast

Going out tonight.

NRL (last round 2/4; season tally 100/176)
Cronulla
South Sydney

AFL (last round 2/4; season tally 142/201)
Melbourne
Greater Western Sydney

So, we’ve arrived at the business end of the season.

More or less six of the eight NRL sides and maybe three of the AFL sides have realistic chances of winning.

Other sides may get an upset but won’t sustain the two or three wins needed to be overall winners.

The AFL got underway yesterday and I’d already tipped Richmond for my online comp, so we off to a reasonable start.

NRL (last round 6/8; season tally 98/172)
Melbourne
New Zealand
Easts
Brisbane

AFL (last round 7/9; season tally 140/197)

Richmond

Geelong

Sydney

West Coast

This week sees the final round of the NRL with the AFL having a week off before the finals.
The conceit of the AFL week off was to discourage teams already assured of a place in the finals from resting players in the last round.
The NRL don’t need it because their competition has been so equal (this year at least). Although the eight is settled, apparently all teams in the eight could theoretically finish as high as second (although some of them would have to win by 100 points to achieve it).

Anyway, here we go.

NRL (last round 4/8; season tally 92/164)
Souths
Canberra
Melbourne
Saint George
North Queensland
Easts
Cronulla
Brisbane

AFL (last round 7/9; season tally 140/197)

The last round of the AFL, with one more week of NRL to go.
Where does the time go?
Last week’s NRL tips were dire, the AFL was acceptable.
This week, who knows?
It’s easier to follow who’s the Prime Minister of Australia than who is winning NRL.

NRL (last round 2/8; season tally 88/164)
Wests
Penrith
North Queensland
Souths
Melbourne
Easts
Cronulla
Saint George

AFL (last round 7/9; season tally 133/189)
Port Adelaide
Geelong
Richmond
Collingwood
Sydney
Adelaide
West Coast
Melbourne
North Melbourne

I was too late to tip Souths on my online tipping comp. Sigh. Holidays will do that to you.
And now I see Brisbane are leading. That’s funny

NRL (last round 3/8; season tally 86/156)
Souths
Manly
Melbourne
Penrith
Wests
Cronulla
New Zealand
Easts

AFL (last round 8/9; season tally 126/180)
Richmond
Collingwood
Geelong
Greater Western Sydney
Brisbane
Hawthorn
Western Bulldogs
West Coast
Adelaide