Thought I'd post my theory here, but feel free to bump to the Conspiracy Theories forum if you see the need.
As much as we've heard how Friday night was a blight on the game and no child is ever going to play league again because of it, we all know that every red-blooded league fan loved it. We also know that those same fans, the life-blood of the game, are itching for Manly-Melbourne round 2. What better stage to have that on than the GF. We know this, the NRL knows this. The NRL also knows the $'s this will generate. They won't admit it, but they know it. So, my theory is Manly and Melbourne will be on the 'better side' of the 50/50 calls through the finals series, in an attempt to get the money spinning rematch on the GF day.
As much as we've heard how Friday night was a blight on the game and no child is ever going to play league again because of it, we all know that every red-blooded league fan loved it. We also know that those same fans, the life-blood of the game, are itching for Manly-Melbourne round 2. What better stage to have that on than the GF. We know this, the NRL knows this. The NRL also knows the $'s this will generate. They won't admit it, but they know it. So, my theory is Manly and Melbourne will be on the 'better side' of the 50/50 calls through the finals series, in an attempt to get the money spinning rematch on the GF day.