I reckon footy fans are in for a rare treat at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night...

It’s not every day that you get to see one of the game’s greatest-ever players performing at the absolute peak of his powers. It is even rarer to see him in action in a winner-take-all preliminary final. That’s what those lucky enough to be at the game will witness when Tom Trbojevic runs on for the Sea Eagles against Wayne Bennett’s Rabbitohs.

There are plenty of reasons why the Bunnies should be crowd favourites on Friday night. First is the Bennett factor, with the Broncos’ former coach possibly taking his last shot at another premiership. Then there is the fact that Souths’ captain Adam Reynolds will soon be wearing Brisbane colours. And of course, there is the biggest reason of all to make everyone cheer for Souths - they’re playing Manly.

Yet, all those reasons aside, even the most one-eyed Manly hater would have to admit that the sight of Tommy Turbo in full flight is something to behold – and never has he been more impressive than this season. For the first month of the season with their mercurial fullback sitting injured on the sideline, the Sea Eagles were little better than a rabble. After four rounds they were in last spot with no wins, only 34 points scored for and 156 against. When Turbo made his return, the change was instantaneous.

Rarely, if ever, has one player been so responsible for a complete turnaround in a team’s fortunes. Oldtimers were soon labelling him Manly’s best-ever fullback and given some of the players who have worn the Sea Eagles’ number one, such as Bob Batty, Graeme Eadie, Matthew Ridge and Brett Stewart, that puts him right up there with the very best to have ever played the game.

Wayne Bennett will no doubt be putting plenty of work into shutting Trbojevic down on Friday night, just like the Storm did in week one of the finals. Whether they can, will have a huge bearing on whether the Bunnies last one week longer than they have the last three years or the Sea Eagles get a shot at the title.

I reckon the majority of fans at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night will be hoping for a Rabbitohs victory – but they won’t be too upset to see Tommy Turbo have a blinder as well.

What do YOU reckon?
 
Agree: Tommy Turbo is the difference between winning and losing for Manly. If Souths take him out of the game like Melbourne did, it’s all over. If not, it’s bye-bye Benny.

Disagree: Forwards win finals matches, not backs. Trbojevic can’t score tries going backwards. The pack that controls the middle of the field will be back next week for the grand final. Simple as that.