Then the fun starts, the knowns and unknowns but you are just not sure how they are going to fair come Cup Sunday. The Devils and Dogs both have the experience and credentials to feature deep in the competition. But both are just a little older now, and with a field that is looking like there will be no games to cruise through ware and tear takes a little longer to recover from. What about the youngsters in Central Coast and Ryde Eastwood, will they be able to foot it with the more fancied rivals? The smokey of the whole event might just be Beresfield. They really stretched Doylason in the Country Championships semi-final and on the form they produced at that event if teams are not on their game the Bandits can quickly bring them down. Before I give you the winner, it is greattoseebothEnglandandJapan return once again to participate and prepare for next years World Cup in Malaysia. So here it is in 2018 the Panthers to battle it out with the Dragons and the Penrith boys taking home the chocolates. In the Women’s Cup, the big question remains. Can either Canterbury or Easts stop the juggernaut that is Manly Warringah Sea Eagles? The girls from the northern beaches are not just gunning for their 4th consecutive Cup, but their 4th straight Vawdon/State Cup double. Anyone who witnessed their demolition of the Roosters in the Vawdon Cup GF would be courageous in backing against them. Indeed that display was nearly the perfect game of touch and demonstrated the beauty and grace of the running game. Not seen since the heady days of those outrageously good Roosters v Sharks clashes of the mid 90’s to early 00’s. While it was awesome to watch it was intimidating to view as an opposition player. Can the Sea Eagles reproduce? Everything points to yes, however, there is one lingering question in my mind (not that I’m backing against them) and that is the load. Not just over the last 12 months but the burden that these ladies have endured over the previous 4 years. They have clocked a lot of k's in those legs with the amount of high-level touch football they have played in that time. Somewhere along the line, you have to pay the bill on that. The Roosters will again place their hopes fairly and squarely on the shoulders of Ash Quinlan, who once again showed at Origin why she is one of the most dangerous players in the women’s game worldwide. The Manly girls were able to gang up on her in the Vawdon Cup GF, but if she gets further help from the likes of Studdon, Welsh, Slattery and Hewitt, well it might make for quite a different game. Then there is the Bulldogs, who it must be said were devastated after the loss to East in the preliminary final. Many of the blue and whites felt that they were are real chance to shock the Sea Eagles in the GF, but alas that chance evaporated by not getting to the dance. No doubt Coach Forrester and guns, Winchester and Tandek will have been plotting their State Cup assault ever since. Don’t forget they know a thing or two about winning the Cup, they did go six (6) in a row between 2006 and 2011. The 30 min. turnaround will suit both the Roosters and the Bulldogs as it will with every team looking to match and beat the Eagles. The short format means they don’t have to compete for as long and that suits everyone but the Eagles. Now there could be a smokie. The Central Coast Dolphins were without a doubt the most disappointing team of the Vawdon Cup. However, they did have many players away overseas, and superstar Hennessey did not play. Now whispers out of the Central Coast is that some players are back from overseas and both Hennessey and her sister, Sam Hopkin (having qualified her) are both playing. If true don’t expect to see the meek and mild Dolphins that turned up to Vawdon Cup, look out for a dangerous unit that just might make it to the big one on Sunday. Also welcome to the ladies of the England national team, playing in the State Cup for the first time. Hope you girls love the experience. For mine, I can’t see anyone taking the Sea Eagles crown, not in 2018 anyway. Good luck to all. Keeping In Touch 2018 | 29