Tigers 'growing' toward finals.

Last Friday produced two good games of footy, although the scores were a bit unexpected both games had the chance of going either way.

It was nice to see the Brisbane Broncos mark Darren Lockyer's 350th NRL game with a win but as I watched the Wests Tigers beat the Penrith Panthers, something really stood out.

It was not something that the team did during the game but rather something about their faces which seemed familiar, the facial hair.

Gareth Ellis touches down against Penrith

Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images AsiaPac

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Once again NRL followers are seeing a team charge towards the finals with some thick growth around the jawlines. And once again it appears to have some mysterious, winning affect.

The Wests Tigers have now won their last five games and this weekend play the second last Parramatta Eels, who could have threatened the top eight, if they themselves could have wrapped up some good early leads. Round 24 could be the continuation of an excellent run to the finals for the Tigers. Their last two rounds are to be played against, the probable wooden spooners, Gold Coast and another low table sitter the Cronulla Sharks. Particularly handy for the Tigers is Friday night's game featuring the Melbourne Storm at home to the St George-Illawarra Dragons.

With a Dragons loss, the Tigers could jump two places into fifth and would be looking further ahead at a top four spot with a good run over the next few weeks.

The Tiger's new look is reminiscent of two teams, who in seasons past have also donned the facial fuzz. The coincidence being that they too found relatively good form whilst abandoning the razor.

Firstly were the New Zealand Warriors. Who could forget their late season charge towards the finals in the 2008 season. After losing some 'aerodynamics' the Warriors charged home to win 7 of their last 9 matches in the regular season. This culminated in a finals berth with the Melbourne Storm in the first week of the finals. The eighth placed team had never beaten the first placed team since the 'McIntyre' system had come into effect but the Warriors managed to be the first. That season they fell just one game short of the Grand Final.

Warriors skipper Simon Mannering.

Source: Getty Images www.couriermail.com.au

In season 2009 the Penrith Panthers also went through part of the season looking like the Warriors. Although the Panthers were growing their facial hair for a charitable cause (Breast Cancer), they too found good mid-season form. Leading up to their dates with the clippers, the Panthers won 7 from 10 games and 8 from the first 14 rounds when the due date arrived. Even though they had a good start to the season, in 2009 they missed the finals.

Petero Civoniceva combines beard and pink for charity.

Picture: Gregg Porteous. Source: The Daily Telegraph

If the Wests Tigers win this season, could it be power to the beard?

Maybe, but with what looks to be a close finals series in 2011 we will have to wait and see.

Hard Work for Locky's 350th

On Friday the 12th of August 2011, Darren Lockyer will stand alone as playing the most NRL games at a monumental 350. It has taken the champion playmaker almost 17 seasons since his debut for the Brisbane Broncos in 1995 to rack up the record. The fact that Lockyer is a 'one club man' is an achievement in itself, but that does not mean NRL matches get any simpler.

Standing in Lockyer's way for a dream record breaker is the North Queensland Cowboys, who always step up to the occasion of the 'local derby'.

Friday night's game is also important for a number of reasons.

Of course for Darren Lockyer the Queensland and Australian captain breaks the game playing record which will be the major focus of the game, even though it is being played at Dairy Farmers Stadium in Townsville.

The Broncos and the Cowboys who currently sit third and fourth, respectively, on the NRL ladder will both be looking for ascendancy over another finals bound team. This is of particular importance to both teams as the finals are now just four weeks away and momentum counts for so much for teams that want a shot a premiership glory.

The Cowboys always like beating the Broncos and have been fairly successful against their 'big brothers' over the past few seasons. However, this match will see how well the Cowboys fair against a good defensive side. The Cowboys' season has seen them score a lot of points in the second half which has at times won them games, but so close to the finals they will want to get off to a much better start.

North Queensland will also see the return of their co-captains, main man Johnathan Thurston and their major, metre gainer Matt Scott. Both players are of huge importance to the team as both lead from the front. When all eyes are not watching Lockyer, you can bet they will be on Thurston. The star halfback has not seen any match time since a horrific knee injury sustained in State of Origin 3 in July.

How Thurston plays will show how far the people of North Queensland can expect their team to go come finals time.

The inclusion of Thurston does add some level of irony to the match. Just earlier in the year 'JT' was partner in crime to Lockyer in their last Origin match together. At the point in time he would have done all he could to see the Maroons skipper go out a winner.

This time will be different.

Rightfully, the interest level of Thurston's return will be high but this game is all about Lockyer.

Standing alongside the great man is his newly announced successor, Sam Thaiday who will be looking to gain the favour of some surprised Broncos fans. His impact along with the undoubted effort and leadership of Darren Lockyer should see the Broncos lift to give their great captain a win in his record breaking 350th match.

Although it will not be easy, this game is sure to be a cracker.