In The Spotlight - 2015 Round 26

Oh captain, my captain, here we are.

After 25 thrilling, spilling, explosive, emotive, oh-my-lord-ing rounds, we have come to the final round of the regular season in 2015. Barring an epic collapse by St George Illawarra (even more epic than last week's junket-gone-wrong on the Gold Coast) and a Manly annihilation of the Sharkies away from home, the final eight looks set in stone.

The race for the minor premiership comes down to the Chooks and the Donkeys from up north. The latte set face off against the 2014 champs, Rusty's Rabbits, while the Broncs take on the Katy-Perry-inspired* Melbourne Storm.

*They're hot and they're cold, they're yes and they're no. You get the idea m8.

On the flipside, the Knights and the Penny Panthers will be combining their powers to create Captain Mediocre, a superhero whose power involves losing a shitload of football games and disappointing thousands of people consistently all year (and by that I mean they're playing each other to decide who finishes last).

How'd I fare last week? There's no Sem-i-in team Radradra had another blockbusting, barnstorming, brow-beating performance for the Eels, scoring his customary try and setting another one up. Those with excellent memories will recall I tipped him to score a double... what I meant was he'd be involved in two tries and he was…so…BOOM.

Sam-bam-thank-you ma'm Kasiano meanwhile, didn't have the best of nights in Newcastle (he's probably not the first person in their 20's to say that, either). A whopping 57 metres from nine runs, and a fairly crucial error to help the Knights storm their way back into the game. Maybe be a bit more selective with the passes from now on, you large destructive unit.

Without further fanfare, here's the final two players In The Spotlight for 2015.

Will Smith

If it wasn't for Valentine "I've come to clean ze pool" Holmes, this bloke would have just about the best name in the NRL. Because everyone knows ‘Men In Black' are some of the greatest movies of all time, and W. Smith is still a bit of a King.

The Penrith version however, is a Rugby League player, and a rapidly-improving one at that. This week his team is staring down the barrel of a wooden spoon-shaped gun, just 12 months after the Dogs snuck past them in a grand final qualifier. Jamie Soward is in grave doubt, Bryce Cartwright is in the same rickety boat of gloom and the Knights will be just as desperate.

It is time. Hopefully this will motivate him even further:

George Burgess

Georgey B is one hell of a footy player, and from all reports, stands up to the ultimate test in the locker room. While Sam catches a cold and the occasional lollypop pass in England, George has a huge job on the hands to try and lift the struggling Bunnies. Languishing in seventh spot, the 2014 premiers face the rampant Roosters from the unfamiliar depths of seventh spot. The serial selfie-ist hasn't quite lived up to the lofty standards he set last year, and it's high time he gave the opposition the old Cairns street-sign treatment. Except, you know, in a more legal and less glass-orientated way.

Thanks to my many loyal readers* throughout 2015, and may the best team win.

*My mum.