NRL Round 26 Thread

[THE RED ROOSTER]

The Final Countdown

Dolphins v North Queensland Cowboys - While the Cows need a win, the Dolphins have been the X-factor side all season and there last few defeats are by small margins. Closer than people think.

Canberra Raiders v Brisbane Broncos - The reckoning for Ricky's Raiders, Jack Wighton if he plays will be pivotal for the Green Machine. A Broncos win will keep the pressure on the Penny Panthers. If it was in Brisbane straightforward less so in the Capital.

Canterbury Bulldogs v Manly Sea Eagles - Games between sides with nothing to play for are very difficult to pick. On paper I might favour the Dogs over the Silvertails but in reality it's whoever turns up on the day that will prevail.

Newcastle Knights v Cronulla Sharks - Game of the week, and having spent a lot of time lamenting the lack of love for the Novocastrians on this forum, I proceeded to do just that tipping Souffs last week. With Jackson Hastings back and at home it's a big ask for Sharkies but then I did not give them much chance against the Cows in Townsville. A fantastic stoush in prospect with one sides momentum about to stall

The rest are a lot more easier to pick - Panthers, Warriors, Storm and Roostersa.

As ever good luck with your tips.

 

 

[Futtocks]

Penrith v Parramatta

A beauty of an offload from Dylan Brown sees Maika Sivo open the scoring.

[Futtocks]

PEN 4:18 PAR

[THE RED ROOSTER]

Wowser - Penny Panthers pounded by Parra 22-4 just before the half

Looking grim for Ricky and the Raiders if this score stands as the Bronx will be buzzing..

[Futtocks]

A first half hat-trick for Sivo.

[Graham]

What’s been going on?

I know Panthers have rested a couple of players, but surely that can’t be the reason they are so far behind?

[Graham]

HT 22-4 Eels

[Graham]

Have Eels clicked?

Panthers complacent?

[Futtocks]

5 minutes ago, Graham said:

What’s been going on?

I know Panthers have rested a couple of players, but surely that can’t be the reason they are so far behind?

Parra got them on the back foot right from the start and didn't let up. Luai's injury was also a factor.

Whether they can keep the momentum up in the second half, and whether the Panthers have regrouped at the break, who can say?

Great sell-out crowd, though.

Edited August 24, 2023 by Futtocks

[Graham]

14 minutes left.

Short dropout fails…

tap back and Cleary receives and scythes through a gap and plonks the ball down for a try by the sticks.

King Gutho is struggling with his knee. Limping badly.

[Graham]

28-10 Eels

[Futtocks]

Sivo gets his 4th!

[Graham]

Desperate Panthers running out of time.

Knock on.

Eels in a good place to start their set.

[Graham]

Yes, ball out wide catches Panthers defence out and Sivo is in at the corner.

Game set and match.

The full house at Pantherville didn’t expect this.

Great performance and result for Parramatta who are the better of these two sides today.

So Broncos can go top this weekend when it really matters.

[Graham]

Liam Martin dives over to gather a few points for the home team and heir supporters.

[Graham]

Latest

32-14 Eels

[Graham]

Too late, but Jenkins in on the left corner for Panthers.

2 minutes left.

Some consolation, but not much.

Edited August 24, 2023 by Graham

[Graham]

Latest 32-18

 

[Graham]

FULL TIME

PANTHERS 18 - 32 EELS

[Graham]

Stunning result.

 

[Futtocks]

And 18:32 is how it ended. The Eels have a bye next week, so that's their season over.

[Graham]

Over to you Broncos, the Minor Premiership has been offered to you.

[Graham]

Quote

In one of the upsets of the season, the Eels have improved their top eight hopes from near impossible to very slim with a 32-14 win over the Panthers, who in worse news, saw their gun playmaker Jarome Luai suffer a potential season ending shoulder injury.

Luai left the game in the 26th minute after Eels forward Bryce Cartwright landed awkwardly on the five-eighth’s shoulder.

The Panthers and their fans will sweat on scans in the coming days, but it’s likely Luai will miss at least a few weeks.

Fair enough comment but it was 32-18

Edited August 24, 2023 by Graham

[Graham]

Sivo deserves a mention with 4 tries in the game, three coming in that first half, the last one killing the game.

[Graham]

None of our 16 tipsters went for an Eels win. 
We just didn’t see that coming.