The NRL Finals - Round 2 Thread

[Futtocks]

Warbrick with the winner - great kick, great jump, great catch.

Melbourne 18:13 Roosters at FT.

[Spotty Herbert]

What a game!

[StandOffHalf]

Wow!

Melbourne snatch it in the last minute with Warbrick rising over Pauga off a pin-point cross-kick from Munster.

Really hard on resilient Roosters. I thought Radley was Man of the Match. Most influence I've seen from him in a while. Tedesco was super.

Melbourne get out of jail there. I'm not sure that they deserved to win that.

Edited September 15, 2023 by StandOffHalf

[StandOffHalf]

The try after the knock-on was the difference, unfortunately.

[Graham]

Score Summary

T. Wishart 8, M. Seve 26, W. Warbrick 79	Tries	B. Smith 34, L. Collins 66
N. Meaney 80	Conversions	S. Walker 35, S. Walker 68
N. Meaney 18, N. Meaney 59	Penalty Goals
	Field Goals	S. Walker 72

[DavidM]

Gutted for the Roosters . They were dudded by some big calls . I’m 12000 miles away and I could see Grant knocked on , then it was a poor obstruction call on Grant by the VR , and the six again for Seve right at the end giving them field position was a total and complete dive . Also Melbourne’s theatrics and cheating tactics led by Munster as usual . Hopefully they get stuffed next week 

[Graham]

Looking Forward:

New Zealand Warriors come into the semi-final with Newcastle Knights with a sold out crowd backing them to get the job done at Mt. Smart's Go Media Stadium.

The Warriors will be desperate for key man Shaun Johnson to make it onto the field after he had to miss last week’s loss to Penrith Panthers. Warriors lacked some direction in that game but SJ's return could be huge and while the Knights have won their last 10, this will be a big challenge for them.

Newcastle will be without Jackson Hastings and in front of a raucous crowd, it is probably the Warriors that are favourites here, Unless you think differently.

After being without a naming rights sponsor since 2006, Mount Smart Stadium has  been officially named Go Media Stadium Mt Smart since 15th May 2023.

[Graham]

The finalised line ups won't be released until an hour before kick off.

Here's the long lists theough and there's plenty fof talent in there.

This should be another rip roaring game.

It certainly won't lack atmosphere.

Take a look:

[Futtocks]

Getting quite nervous about this, with 12 hours to go.

[Gerrumonside ref]

Really enjoyed last week’s see-saw battle between Newcastle and Canberra.

I like NZ’s story too this year and am looking forward to another packed to the rafters crowd.

Should be a good one.

[Futtocks]

Morning all!

The Wahs get on the scoreboard almost immediately with CNK cutting through. Conversion missed.

[Gerrumonside ref]

Morning Futtocks et al.

Fast start by the Warriors in front of a noisy baying crowd 

And they’re in again!

[Futtocks]

Egan probably got that down, but the No Try doesn't matter, as Fonua-Blake scores straight afterwards.

10 nil.

[Gerrumonside ref]

Dom Young dumped out of play on the sideline inside his own half.

He had little chance there.

Domination so far for NZ who have their foot down.

Edited September 16, 2023 by Gerrumonside ref

[Gerrumonside ref]

Error exploited and the Warriors splash down in the corner to score another try.

Edited September 16, 2023 by Gerrumonside ref

[Futtocks]

Montoya in! The Knights are still on the bus.

Edited September 16, 2023 by Futtocks

[Gerrumonside ref]

Bit of pressure now from Newcastle

[Futtocks]

Marzhew in, after some improved play from the Knight.

[Gerrumonside ref]

Donk!  The Knights conversion hits the post.

Edited September 16, 2023 by Gerrumonside ref

[Gerrumonside ref]

10 mins to go in the half

NZ 16-4 Newcastle 

[Futtocks]

Another Egan effort denied by the bunker.

[Futtocks]

16:4 at HT.

[Futtocks]

Uh-oh, the fightback is on now.

[Gerrumonside ref]

It’s on again

[Futtocks]

16:10 - are the Knights going to come back like they did against the Raiders?

Edited September 16, 2023 by Futtocks