If you need your fortune told, hit up Chief Biggums. He said the Rabbitohs would flop and that the Roosters would win. Easy for some.

Sam Moa must play in the World Cup. He can be picked in a couple of teams but surely his performances throughout the season would warrant a call up to the international stage. The man is a beast and is the type of player who would thrive on the physicality and intensity of a World Cup environment.

The Panthers are in for an exciting couple of years. The Under 20’s final put the talented young Panthers on display for many to see with standouts being Greg Jennings and former Rabbitoh’s junior James Roberts. Holden cup player of the year Bryce Cartwright looked good but tried to do too much. His class and ability however was there for everyone to see. Many of the other Panthers players were also very good, Phil Gould and Ivan Cleary must be rubbing their hands together with anticipation.

Samoa will be a scary team in the World Cup. Led by Steve Matai who was his imposing best last night, Samoa will scare teams. I’m scared right now.

Queensland will be fine if Cameron Smith gets injured. Both Matt Ballin and Jake Friend are worthy of a Queensland starting 9 spot and showed just how good they are for their respective club teams. They offer different skill sets, but are both very fit and very tough. Friend could easily find himself at the World Cup if an injury occurs, while Ballin will continue as one of the most under rated players in the game.

The importance of effort and enthusiasm aka the 1%ers. Both Manly and the Roosters gave a display that should have all NRL coaches drilling effort and enthusiasm in to their players over summer. Every tackle needs to be won. Kieran Foran rushing out of the line to smash the ball carrier, Sam Moa lining up Glenn Stewart, Sonny Bill Williams running into holes at full pace were examples of how the game must now be played.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will shine at fullback for the Roosters. Tuivasa-Sheck has obviously done very well in his short career, but when he moves to fullback next season watch out. We’ve already seen his slightly crazy footwork when he is running the ball in to a set defensive line, but could you imagine him running at a sloppy kick chase? Keep an eye out for a new dance next season, the ‘Try tackle Roger’ dance.

There’s no way in the world that Boyd Cordner was the best second rower of 2013. Despite a great year in which he was selected for both NSW and the Kangaroos, Cordner isn’t on the same level as SBW. SBW had a quiet, if not disappointing first half which saw him get smashed by Foran and had little impact. As those with much more talent than you or I tend to do, he then stepped up a level and put his stamp on the game. He’ll get too much credit for Maloney’s break which was all thanks to a lovely pass by Sam Moa, but the second break he made was just freakish. Thanks for the year SBW.

Lastly, I think Maly's torrid finals campaign eventually caught up with them. They were in the game for most of it but then started to slip off tackles and a few mistakes crept in. At least they can have a rest now ... on a beach ... in sunshine ... aaah.