The NRL Finals Round 1 Thread

[THE RED ROOSTER]

Four tight games in prospect, On a personal note, I was not able to see any matches last week as SKY Action became SKY NFL and the games were moved to SKY Plus and Main Event and not SKY Mix. As I only watch Cricket, Rugby League and the NFL on SKY and refuse to subsidise Soccer. The morphing of what was the main Rugby League channel into a 24 Hour SKY NFL repeat programming until mid-February has gone down with me like a line of sick...  Anyway back to the preview

Penrith Panthers v Sydney Roosters - SKY MIX

Nathan Cleary is back for the Penny Panthers, who are showing signs of decline, up against a Roosters side shorn of three startes but in reality missing only one in Sam Walker.in terms of his impact on the game. I would expect a forward dominated clash and the question would be which side has the backs to exploit this, plus oif course when it comes to playing against the Storm and Panthers the Roosters are coming up short .. repeatedly.... under the current coaching set up . Perhaps uncle Nick might be thinking along the lines of this article from The Roar which  I could not have written better myself Roosters Goose Looks Cooked.  - Panthers show their claws

Melbourne Storm v Cronulla Sharks - SKY MIX

Near full strength sides here and although the Sharkies are the bookies underdogs in this game, they did win earlier in the season.25-18 in Round 10 without Nicho Hynes but then prospective Dally M Player of the year in Jahrome Hughes was not playing in that encounter for the Storm and he has been the standout for them this year. This could be a very tight, perhaps Golden Point game decided by the performance of the Sharks defence  If this was at Shark Park, I would have the cojones to go for a Sharkies win but it's not and I cannot in all seriousness go against the master coach in Carig Bellamy on his own turf. Storm blows into  Preliminary Final

North Queensland Cowboys v Newcastle Knights - SKY MIX

I was actually at this game earlier in the year in which NQ allowed the Knights to build up a lead before pulling it back to win in Golden Point and it would have been in normal time had Valentine Holmes had his kicking boots on. Newcastle away in the tropics and minus Bradman Best are an ordinary side, so the question for me is will NQ who have all season long either failed to convert dominance into points or allowed the opposition to build up a substantial lead before making a comeback, convert helpful home conditions into a win - I think they will...This week... - Cowboys leave the last chance saloon

Canterbury Bulldogs v Manly Sea Eagles - SKY MAIN EVENT 

The Cows tanking of the Dogs at Accor last week was the WOW result of the round. And in view of this, Josh Addo-Carr' s alleged failed Cocaine test and subsequnt stand down is a distraction the Dogs could have done without  Inside Josh Addo-Carr's fateful 48 hours . This is a repeat of the game a fortnight ago in which Manly's forwards achieved dominance. This is key because a platform was achieved for the Silvertails dangerous backline and Manly are a threat to anyone left in the competition if their forwards have at least parity. The Dogs by contrast are felt to have a lightweight pack and this could be decisive. I felt the Dogs would be more of a contender as the season progressed and so they proved to be but unfortunately as with all winning streaks it has to end sometime, and in this case at the wrong time. Next year's team maybe but for now Silvertails soar

As always good luck with your Tips.

 

Edited September 12 by THE RED ROOSTER
Wrong title

[Futtocks]

An interesting set of fixtures all over.

[Graham]

4 hours ago, THE RED ROOSTER said:

Four tight games in prospect, On a personal note, I was not able to see any matches last week as SKY Action became SKY NFL and the games were moved to SKY Plus and Main Event and not SKY Mix. As I only watch Cricket, Rugby League and the NFL on SKY and refuse to subsidise Soccer. The morphing of what was the main Rugby League channel into a 24 Hour SKY NFL repeat programming until mid-February has gone down with me like a line of sick...  Anyway back to the preview

Penrith Panthers v Sydney Roosters - SKY MIX

Nathan Cleary is back for the Penny Panthers, who are showing signs of decline, up against a Roosters side shorn of three startes but in reality missing only one in Sam Walker.in terms of his impact on the game. I would expect a forward dominated clash and the question would be which side has the backs to exploit this, plus oif course when it comes to playing against the Storm and Panthers the Roosters are coming up short .. repeatedly.... under the current coaching set up . Perhaps uncle Nick might be thinking along the lines of this article from The Roar which  I could not have written better myself Roosters Goose Looks Cooked.  - Panthers show their claws

Melbourne Storm v Cronulla Sharks - SKY MIX

Near full strength sides here and although the Sharkies are the bookies underdogs in this game, they did win earlier in the season.25-18 in Round 10 without Nicho Hynes but then prospective Dally M Player of the year in Jahrome Hughes was not playing in that encounter for the Storm and he has been the standout for them this year. This could be a very tight, perhaps Golden Point game decided by the performance of the Sharks defence  If this was at Shark Park, I would have the cojones to go for a Sharkies win but it's not and I cannot in all seriousness go against the master coach in Carig Bellamy on his own turf. Storm blows into  Preliminary Final

North Queensland Cowboys v Newcastle Knights - SKY MIX

I was actually at this game earlier in the year in which NQ allowed the Knights to build up a lead before pulling it back to win in Golden Point and it would have been in normal time had Valentine Holmes had his kicking boots on. Newcastle away in the tropics and minus Bradman Best are an ordinary side, so the question for me is will NQ who have all season long either failed to convert dominance into points or allowed the opposition to build up a substantial lead before making a comeback, convert helpful home conditions into a win - I think they will...This week... - Cowboys leave the last chance saloon

Canterbury Bulldogs v Manly Sea Eagles - SKY MAIN EVENT 

The Cows tanking of the Dogs at Accor last week was the WOW result of the round. And in view of this, Josh Addo-Carr' s alleged failed Cocaine test and subsequnt stand down is a distraction the Dogs could have done without  Inside Josh Addo-Carr's fateful 48 hours . This is a repeat of the game a fortnight ago in which Manly's forwards achieved dominance. This is key because a platform was achieved for the Silvertails dangerous backline and Manly are a threat to anyone left in the competition if their forwards have at least parity. The Dogs by contrast are felt to have a lightweight pack and this could be decisive. I felt the Dogs would be more of a contender as the season progressed and so they proved to be but unfortunately as with all winning streaks it has to end sometime, and in this case at the wrong time. Next year's team maybe but for now Silvertails soar

As always good luck with your Tips.

 

Agree with your assessments.

[Spotty Herbert]

I agree with everything except the view that Manly will beat the Dogs. Turbo has 2 dodgy shoulders to go with his iffy hamstrings and without him at full gas the Sea Eagles are only half the team they could be. Plus, they lack grunt up front and I can't back any team in the finals that is coached by Anthony Siebold.

[Graham]

This should be a good game to get the finals underway with Penrith Panthers and Sydney Roosters both fancying their chances in this Qualifying Final. They have been well-matched for most of the season but the injury news could be the deciding factor.

Nathan Cleary is back for the Panthers and with the Roosters set to see the season out without some key players, combined with the premiers winning the past nine matchups between the two, Panthers are seen as favourites for this one.

So far all the tipsters on this forum have gone for a Panthers victory.

[THE RED ROOSTER]

45 minutes ago, Spotty Herbert said:

I agree with everything except the view that Manly will beat the Dogs. Turbo has 2 dodgy shoulders to go with his iffy hamstrings and without him at full gas the Sea Eagles are only half the team they could be. Plus, they lack grunt up front and I can't back any team in the finals that is coached by Anthony Siebold.

You may be right but if you saw the first game it was Manly's pack that dominated. and the Silvertails do have playmakets in Cherry-Evans and Brooks, who was influential in that game a fortnight ago, other than Turbo.

Anyway Siebold has started the mind games already tipping the Dogs as favourites.

[Graham]

This weekend's match will mark just the sixth time this season – and only the second time since round 10 – that Penrith will start a game with their first-choice spine.

[DoubleD]

Frustrating to have the clowns on channel 9 feed for the Penrith vs Roosters game. 

Tupou with an early drop from a high bomb and Panthers make it count following goal line pressure through To’o

[DoubleD]

Only a matter of time until they mention the phrase ‘Origin style intensity’ 

Poor kick by Smith, and Cleary teaches him how to do it, Tago scores. 10-0 after 12. I might be turning off at half time at this rate. Only one team has turned up

[Farmduck]

13 minutes ago, DoubleD said:

Frustrating to have the clowns on channel 9 feed for the Penrith vs Roosters game. 

Tupou with an early drop from a high bomb and Panthers make it count following goal line pressure through To’o

Try listening here  ABC Radio

You might need to delay either the audio or video for a few seconds to sync them up

I'm watching the Fox commentary on Kayo

Edited September 13 by Farmduck

[DoubleD]

Luai scores and converted. 16-0 after 18 minutes. 

Tupou drops another high ball backwards, which is given a knock on. This could be a rout

[Futtocks]

The Roosters look shellshocked.

[DoubleD]

Garner scores when there looked hands under the ball. Cleary converts. 22-0 after 23 minutes. I expect I’ll be turning off at half time. Roosters will be putting the cue on the rack and focusing on next week soon

Edited September 13 by DoubleD

[Graham]

24-0 after a penalty goal for Cleary. It was surely close to being a professional foul as Keary was holding a player back.

Bunker decided he could stay on.

Ref’s head is so wet with sweat it looks like it’s got a coat gloss paint on it.

Edited September 13 by Graham

[Graham]

Roosters having to defend desperately.

[Graham]

Half Time

PENRITH 24 - 0  SYDNEY R

Panthers will be pleased with that half.

Commentator is waxing lyrical over their performance.

[Farmduck]

HT:  Panthers 24  Roosters  0

[DoubleD]

Panthers 1073 metres to Roosters 485. Game over

[Futtocks]

The guy working the Roosters' side of the scoreboard gets nudged awake.

[Futtocks]

Two tries in seven minutes for the Roosters!

It can't happen... can it?

[Graham]

Liam Martin is dangerous… it’s official.

Latest 

24-10 Roosters

[Graham]

I know plenty of you like this commentator, but his harsh tone hurts my ears!

[StandOffHalf]

That run by Edwards off the bomb reception!

[StandOffHalf]

Channel 9's current commentary is a pale shadow of the the great passion and excitement of Rabbits, Gus, Sterlo, and Fatty...

Hard to listen to. None of them even knew on the fly the law on the dummy-half putting his foot on the side-line.

[Graham]

3 minutes left and it’s 

30-10 Penrith.

Cleary is rested all of the time left!