We did not need 300!

We did not need 200!

We did not even need 12!

11! That's right ONLY 11! Men of Sparta by way of Manurewa, which is hardly Greece even though there are a few Greeks living out that way, Nick’s Shoe Shop, Costa’s Fish and Chips just to name a few. The Metro Lions just needed 11 players, 11 Men of Sparta, 11 of your Warriors to remind us “What is Your Occupation?” Of which we can now answer A.W.O.L 

Come on guys it is a Quarter Final, you would of thought that the New Kids On The Block would of wanted to prove something. Maybe the drive over to Harvey Wright was too far? Yes I know that these are hard times I mean, come on petrol is $1.75 a litre, I’m sure WINZ would of accommodated if you had submitted your applications early enough.

Getting back to the Football! We enjoyed excellent weather, the AFA provided quality and very entertaining football and the Matia Brothers gave us a replay of the Tua v Cameron fight. If there is one thing that I have learned over the weekend and that is if you mess with Behlow’s Pies and Tylers Jandals you had better “watch your back”.

Now every once in a while The Prowler saves up his lunch money and then goes down to the T.A.B and places the occasional bet well the weekend just gone has made me decide to give up gambling all together.

Hawks losing to the Lightning was a surprise for me! The Hawks defense was solid but their offense looked like a packet of Milk Arrowroot, just no flavour. But seriously who would of guessed that the Lightning would beat the Hawks through shear boredom. The Lightning offensively should be employed as a the human equivalent of a sleeping tablet, if you are an insomniac then watch this game, your lack of sleep will no longer be a problem.

The Lightning have one of the most experienced QBs in the League and I’m sure Jimmy Hunter thought he was supposed to be reffing.  But Coach Gambolati, the Redsking loving Virginian had other plans, and one of those plans was for Jimmy to pace the sideline modelling the brand new Lightning uniforms. Prowler does have a couple of questions. Is Jimmy injured? Is the Virginian saving him? Is Jimmy America's Next Top Model? The Prowler believes that will see all of this unfold when they play the Wildcats this Saturday.

I did not get to see the Pride v Raiders Semi-Final, when I left Harvey Wright the Pride were ahead and it looked like they had the game in the bag. When I heard that they had lost, I was surprised so now I have called Gamblers Anonymous.

This weeks Prowler Predictions!!! I have not started my Rehab yet so here goes …

#2 Metro Lions v #4 South Auckland Raiders

The Lions cannot become too complacent against a Raider Offense that is just as boring as the Lightning. Coach Pilisi has told me that our secret weapon for Saturday will be the 500ml cans of V, we will like to thank Frucor Industries for providing the $4 cans.

Raiders will throw everything at the Lions, including the stolen kitchen sink. It is just typical of the usual rivalry that has existed between our two clubs. If the Lions play a disciplined game then we should win comfortably but if we start fighting amongst ourselves and start giving away our usual 100+ yards in penalties then the Raiders are on their way to the Big Dance.

Prowler Prediction: Metro Lions-18 v Raiders-6

#1Papatoetoe Wildcats v #6Tamaki Lightning

Is the 7 week lay off too long? How much of a factor will this be when they face the Lightning? The Lightning are one of the most disciplined Teams in the competition, maybe it is because they happen to know the rules. The Wildcats can become frustrated when things are not going their way which is a good thing that the NZGOA do not understand Polynesian swear words. The Wildcats strength is their O-Line, these guys are big and they have shut down opposition Defenses all season long except in Game 1.

Prowler Prediction: Wildcats-28 v Lightning-22

#2Metro Predators v #3North Harbour Pride

Metro Predators! Boys we need to score!!! The stats do not lie! Offensively we have only scored 8 points in the last 3 games and 2 of those points came from a Safety. If we do not sort it out this Saturday then there will only be 1 Metro Team playing in the Bowl Finals next week. So come on Predators lets give the Pride a big CHILD PLEASE!!! Thanks Chad "Ocho Cinco" Johnson

Prowler Prediction: Metro-18 v Pride-8

#1Typhoons v #4South Auckland Raiders

This will be a very low scoring affair I am predicting that there will only be 1 touchdown in it so I'll have to go with the ...

Prowler Prediction: Typhoon-12 v Raiders-6