The NRL Finals - Week 1 Thread

[THE RED ROOSTER]

What a match, best game I have seen this season between two evenly matched sides.

For Sharkies when they were dominant in the first half - Why oh why. did they kick a penalty rather than keep their foot on the Roosters throat. 6-0 at half time wasw a result for the Roosters. it kind of highlights Sharkies lack of killer instinct that's been evident this season. Craig Fitzgibbon has to reshape the side for next year. Yes he has made the playoffs twice but seasons are about premierships not playoffs.

I have been a big critic of Trent Robinson and the Roosters this year, I am silenced, for a week, in adversity, the big note players, Brandon Smith, Victor Radley et all stepped up a gear pasrticularily in the second half even without the inspirational James Tedesco for 10 minutes.

The NRL playoffs are delivering and there is more to come...

Edited September 9, 2023 by THE RED ROOSTER

[Futtocks]

Lara doing her piece to camera, as fans bellow "F*** THE ROOSTERS!" behind her.

[Gerrumonside ref]

Big crowd on at Newcastle

[Gerrumonside ref]

The Knights cap off a great move down their left edge with a try for Gregg Marzhew in the corner.

They’re on a roll and the Green Machine had no answer to that in defence.

Extras added.

6-0

[Gerrumonside ref]

Canberra enjoying multiple repeat sets near the Knights line before crashing over only to be held up on a tight looking review.

[Gerrumonside ref]

Newcastle survive wave after wave of attacks by the Raiders before finally getting possession again.

[Gerrumonside ref]

Dom Young levelled then as the Knights finally get some breathing space in their own half and decent field position thanks to an offside by the Raiders.

[Gerrumonside ref]

Canberra make a great break but the pass to the support is forward and a try scoring opportunity is wasted.

[Gerrumonside ref]

An error from Newcastle at the scrum as the carrier spills it after a tackle, which is scooped up and moved down the line quickly allowing James Schiller on the wing dive in at the corner.

The extras are knocked over.

6-6 

Edited September 10, 2023 by Gerrumonside ref

[Gerrumonside ref]

Canberra who have dominated the first 25 mins are penalised for another forward pass with the Newcastle try line in sight.

[Gerrumonside ref]

Gregg Marzhew floored by a heavy tackle.

[Gerrumonside ref]

Newcastle cannot get into gear as the Raiders force a knock on near the Knights ten.

[Gerrumonside ref]

Marzhew intercepts but cannot outpace the defence despite getting deep into Canberra half.

From the next play of the ball, Jackson Hastings works it wide and the Knights look to have scored in the corner with question marks over the grounding.

The try doesn’t count and maybe Dom Young would have been the better option than a solo run under pressure by the centre.

Edited September 10, 2023 by Gerrumonside ref

[Irish Saint]

Ponga tries short drop out it goes the 10 but Trey Mooney collects and forces his way over 10- 6; Raiders

[Gerrumonside ref]

Canberra score after a catch by Mooney and drive over the line as the Knights gamble with a daft short kick from under the posts.

It’s no more than the Raiders deserve but the conversion is missed.

10-6 to the Raiders.

[Gerrumonside ref]

Been a nightmare half for the Knights as there’s another loose carry gifting Canberra great field position.

Edited September 10, 2023 by Gerrumonside ref

[Gerrumonside ref]

Goal line drop out again for Newcastle from the resulting set  

[Irish Saint]

Mornung all. Raiders with another chance but Wighton drops the ball.

Hastings down holding his ankle after a slightly late hit. No penalty awarded so back up he gets.

[Gerrumonside ref]

Three mins to go Newcastle survive as the Raiders drop it with the Knights line defence looking a bit disorganised 

[Irish Saint]

20 seconds ti go and pass from Wighton to Schiller and he dives in at the corner.

16- 6 Raiders Half time

[Gerrumonside ref]

3 minutes ago, Irish Saint said:

Mornung all. Raiders with another chance but Wighton drops the ball.

Hastings down holding his ankle after a slightly late hit. No penalty awarded so back up he gets.

Morning, bit of a surprise for everyone this half, but the Knights will count themselves lucky that they’re only a try down at the moment.

Edit: make that 10 points 

Edited September 10, 2023 by Gerrumonside ref

[Gerrumonside ref]

2 minutes ago, Irish Saint said:

20 seconds ti go and pass from Wighton to Schiller and he dives in at the corner.

16- 6 Raiders Half time

Been relentless pressure from Canberra and a lot of self inflicted errors/questionable decisions by Newcastle.

 

[Gerrumonside ref]

Turns out I had been watching most of that half on Sky on delay after pausing the action temporarily and forgetting!  Haha

[Gerrumonside ref]

You feel the Knights need to score next

[Gerrumonside ref]

Jackson Hastings is out feeling a lower leg injury in the dressing room on camera.