By Michael Atkinson

It’s hard to believe, I know, but this Sunday is the first week of finals and marks just a fortnight of club footy left this year.

Our four finals sides are locked in – have been since round 17 – and we know who will face who in the major and minor semi-finals.

To wet the appetite for Sunday’s semis, we’re going to release a little preview of each side over the course of the week.

A slow, tantalising build-up to a HUGE double header at Ballymore.

Last but not least, Souths Magpies

Ladder position: 4^th

Number of wins: 9

Last five games: LWLDW

Hasn’t the Magpies’ season been an absolute rollercoaster in 2018?

They started the year on fire, winning seven of their first nine games – and doing it in style, mind you. With Quade Cooper back full time and a host of freakish backs, Souths were sublime with ball in hand.

Emori Waqavalungi on one wing is possible the most graceful player to, well, grace, a football field. He’s got speed to burn and doesn’t lose a yard of pace when he has to change direction.

But where did it go wrong?! In their final seven games, the Magpies lost four, claimed a draw with a try in the dying seconds against Bond and had wins over Easts and Wests. Talk about limping into the finals.

However, their early season form will have the other finals sides very wary, because if this team clicks again, they’re going to be nigh on impossible to beat. Even though Karmichael Hunt won’t feature after being denied dispensation, this is still a dangerous team. They have to survive an elimination semi against the Tigers, but their 2-0 record when facing Easts this year will have the Maggies feeling confident.

Key Moment:

There are two moments and they both involved Bond Uni.

One, the try at the death to Waqavalungi to level the scores 24-all with Bond, in hindsight, was huge. If Souths lose that game, you can pretty much bet they aren’t in the finals now; especially given how Bond were travelling.

Two, the fact Bond had a bye in the second last round. Prior to round 17, the students from the Gold Coast were just one point shy of both Souths and Easts. But having a bye fell at the worst possible time, because they received no points, while the other two recorded bonus point wins and moved beyond reach of the Goldie boys.

In the final round, Bond had a win over Norths, while the Magpies and Tigers lost; Bond finished just two points shy of both sides.

Terrible luck for Bond, but Souths (and Easts) benefitted and now they have to make the most of their opportunity.

Key Player:

You might think I’d say Quade or Waqavalungi or one of their other ridiculously talented backs, but while they’re valuable point scorers, everyone knows you can’t go wide unless you go forward first.

That means the pack. Not one player, but the whole engine room need to step up for Souths. They have size, skill and set piece dominance, so they need to earn their team the right to play flashy footy on the fringes.

If the forwards don’t get front foot ball, it won’t matter how many flick passes or 25-man cut out balls Quade throws, opposition defences will cut down their time and space to do anything.

In saying that, Quade, Richard Kingi etc. need to allow their forwards to earn dominance and not demand the ball too early.

Just two more sleep and I can’t wait.

I just love finals time.