The NRL Round 27 Thread

[THE RED ROOSTER]

Round 27 and the last time you will see some of these clubs in action until February 2026 when the trial games start on SKY (around 14^th February IIRC). And unlike the Soccer Premier League or The Gallagher Premiership, kick off times are staggered so you either know what you have to do, or you need not bother depending upon the outcome of previous games. It’s an absolute flaw and has led to all this wildcard round speculation down under this week.

Brisbane Broncos v Melbourne Storm - SKY

The Bronx have made some provisional changes, with Gehamat Shibasaki dropped Jesse Arthurs is on the wing, with Deine Mariner moved to centre and Brendan Piakura swaps with replacing the benched Jaiyden Hunt in the pack.

Melbourne sees the return of their most influential player in Jahrome Hughes along with Xavier Coates, Nick Meaney, Eli Katoa and Josh King. No Harry Grant who will suspended until he first of the final’s games.

A Melbourne storm that needs a result, following the concession of 40 points in a half. The side Melbourne put out was missing five regulars, Jahrome Hughes and the Suspended Harry Grant but you would have thought was still good enough to get a result and at half-time was doing so. The second half though described as “embarrassing” by Craig Bellamy, saw a reprise of why the Storm have lost to SGI, Canberra, Manly etc. It’s simply not a vintage Storm team.

As for Brisbane well, Reece Walsh has posted a disgusting video which the Club has put out a statement on and Gehamat Shibasaki turns up at training visibly under the weather after being on the grog and subsequently The Courier Mail dropped. The “rockstar” culture still exists at the Broncos and I would expect The Courier Mail to be making a big issue of this once they are dumped out of the finals. Brisbane remains a team less than the sum of its parts.

Verdict – Melbourne

Manly Sea Eagles v New Zealand Warriors

One change for Manly with Clayton Faulalo replacing the Injured Tolu Koula in the centres.

For the Wahs Sam Healey takes over at hooker from the injured Wayde Egan.

The Wahs are still in with a shout of the fourth spot if result go their way but blew it at home against the Eels. But so are Manly in with more of whisper than a shout of the 8^th spot if the Roosters and Dolphins lose. It’s also the end of the DCE era at Brookvale so not a dry eye in the House (ok may be not the Trbojevic households).

One side that has fallen off the pace without main playmaker Luke Metcalf but possibly were always perhaps a tad higher in the table than they should have been as evidenced by the points differential against a schizoid Manly side that seems to be firing on all cylinders now that the pressure to make the 8 is off.

Verdict – Depends on the Bronx result, a much closer game if it’s win or bust for the Wahs otherwise a Manly win.

Sydney Roosters v South Sydney - SKY

Roosters as expected bring back Sam Walker and bench Sandon Smith.

Jack Wighton back for the Bunnies

Big derby game for the Roosters against a South Sydney side that has battled away against the odds all season added spice to this game with Brandon Smith coming off the bench against a Roosters side he left under a large cloud. No Latrell for the Bunnies and that is very significant.

It should be noted that while the NRL schedule is uneven with 24 games meaning 16 played once and 8 played home and away. The Roosters schedule featuring Brisbane, Penrith, Canterbury, Melbourne and Souths twice is harder than most. That said their playoff chances are in their own hands, and should they fail to win they can look back to home losses to Gold Coast and a massively depleted West Tigers as the reason why.

Although it is touted as the big Sydney derby, having been to a few of these games, Souths-Roosters is less antagonistic than Sharks-Dragons

Very difficulty game to call with Souths very rarely rolling over this season even if not favoured by the bookies and a Roosters side that is capable of a face-plant in a big game.

Verdict – Coin toss game

 St George-Illawarra v Penrith Panthers

SGI are unchanged from last week and all the Penny Panthers first graders are back except for Brian To’o and Luke Martin.

Even though this is being played at Wollongong where results are much better for SGI. This game sees a rested full strength Penny Panthers side looking for a pre-final’s performance against a Dragons side that has conceded 80 points in the last two games.

It’s hard to see anything other than a compete towelling for the Dragons at the ‘Gong ending the season on a sour note with the last three games not really reflecting the progress that has been made at the club considering the body of work over the season as a whole.

Penrith march on the pantomime villains for the rest of the league. They have been written off by Brent Reid on NRL 360 which means they have a punchers chance of winning the premiership.

Verdict – Penrith

Gold Coast Titans v West Tigers

For Gold Coast  Rugby Union convert Carter Gordon joins AJ Brimson in the centres, Keano Kini at fullback, with Jaylen DeGroot on the bench in a beard scratcher, and Phil Sami moving to the wing.

Tigers have the concussed Jeral Skelton replaced on the wing by Heamasi Makasini

Des Hasler’s last game in charge of the Titans, who gave a spirited if not successful performance against the dolphins at Suncorp. In Order to avoid the Spoon, they need a win because their points differential is a lot better than Newcastle’s. Can they win one for Des?

As for the tigers, last week’s performance in the Capital was professional but again unsuccessful but without Adam Douehi you have to wonder if some of the Tigers are looking forward to Mad Monday.

There have been a number of spoon bowl losses for the Titans but lose this one and they will have deserved “woody’s” arrival at Robina. But trying to be optimistic, there were signs of life against the Dolphins which ended up a closer scoreline than predicted.

Verdict – Gold Coast with trepidation

Canterbury Bulldogs v Cronulla Sharks - SKY

For the Dogs, Enari Tuala replaces the injured Jacob Kiraz ion the wing and Villame Kikau replaces the benched Josh Curran.

The Sharks, Jesse Ramien respaces the benched Mawene Hiroti and Braydon Trindall’s participation in the game may depend on the outcome of the Bronx and Wahs game.

Cronulla’s chances may well depend upon the outcome of the Bronx Game on Thursday. The points differential is sufficiently skewed in favour of Brisbane to mean that should the Bronx win Craig Fitzgibbon may choose to rest a few of his starters, especially of the Wahs also lose.

Canterbury looked distinctly “clunky” against the Panthers NSW cup XIII so Cameron Ciraldo may look to get a performance out of the Dogs with Second spot out of reach even if Melbourne lose due to the storm’s massive points differential.

Verdict – who wins may well depend on earlier results. Sharks for me if they are in with a shout of fourth spot. Dogs if they are not.

The Dolphins v Canberra Raiders

For the Dolphins, Kulikefu Finefuiaki replaces Connelly Lemuelu in the forwards and Herbie Farnworth is in the 22-man extended squad.

Canberra rest 10 first graders for this game.

Again, we have a match where the ferocity of the encounter will be determined by the outcome of the Roosters game as will Herbie Farnworth’s return. Assuming the Roosters lose the Dolphins still need to make up the points differential which as it stands is minus 15

Ricky’s Resting Raiders are putting out a reasonable looking side with an opportunity for some on the fringe to stake a claim for a spot. With the English duo Nicholson and Smithies along with Corey Horsburgh, Matthew Timoko, Sebastian Kris, Chevy Stewart and Ethan Sanders It’s a side that could sneak a result depending upon which Dolphins side turns up.

Verdict – The Dolphins

Paramatta Eels v Newcastle Knights

Eels bring in Dylan Brown in the halves in place of Jordan Samrani. Knights unchanged

Last game of the regular seasons sees an Eels side, which is going to be top 8 next season assuming nothing happens to Mitch Moses, against the last game of the Knights Adam O’Brien era. Newcastle’s attitude in the game will depend on the outcome of the Titans game. If the Titans lose, then Newcastle could be in for a clobbering to round off an appalling season by their standards. Though I have to say I back Paramatta in this regardless.

Verdict – Paramatta

[Anita Bath]

Brisbane teetering on the edge of imploding. Shibasaki gets dropped but Walsh's repeated indiscretions go unsanctioned.  

[Sports Prophet]

19 hours ago, THE RED ROOSTER said:

Round 27 and the last time you will see some of these clubs in action until February 2026 when the trial games start on SKY (around 14^th February IIRC). And unlike the Soccer Premier League or The Gallagher Premiership, kick off times are staggered so you either know what you have to do, or you need not bother depending upon the outcome of previous games. It’s an absolute flaw and has led to all this wildcard round speculation down under this week.

Great roundup as usual Rooster.

to the point in bold I quoted... I don't see it as a flaw personally. It is the draw. It was drawn at the beginning of the season. All clubs knew what they needed to have achieved before this weekend's fixtures take place. They find themselves in this position of their own making.

[Sports Prophet]

It all starts tonight with the race for fourth, probably the biggest story of the round. That story may end as soon as tonight though, or may continue as late as Saturday night.

For what it's worth, I have the Sharks finishing fourth. It is here that my ladder predictor starts its perfect journey.

Fourth place earns the Sharks an away visit to Canberra in week 1 of the finals, which is a preferred trip than away to Melbourne. I see that as a very winnable match, which of course, I am predicting they do. Melbourne to beat the Dogs and then the Panthers progress to a semi in in Melbourne after disposing of the Raiders in a tough match. A match in Melbourne is another bash fest, both teams belting the hell out of each other, whilst the Broncos and Dogs bash each other the week earlier to decide who plays the Sharks in the Prelim at Allianz.

Of course another Sharks win against a beaten up Brisbane, will see them progress to Accor to play a bashed up Melbourne for a 2016 GF repeat. Of course, the Sharks will overcome the Mexicans once more to lift the trophy for the second time in their history.

Up Up Cronulla!

[Anita Bath]

34 minutes ago, Sports Prophet said:

It all starts tonight with the race for fourth, probably the biggest story of the round. That story may end as soon as tonight though, or may continue as late as Saturday night.

For what it's worth, I have the Sharks finishing fourth. It is here that my ladder predictor starts its perfect journey.

Fourth place earns the Sharks an away visit to Canberra in week 1 of the finals, which is a preferred trip than away to Melbourne. I see that as a very winnable match, which of course, I am predicting they do. Melbourne to beat the Dogs and then the Panthers progress to a semi in in Melbourne after disposing of the Raiders in a tough match. A match in Melbourne is another bash fest, both teams belting the hell out of each other, whilst the Broncos and Dogs bash each other the week earlier to decide who plays the Sharks in the Prelim at Allianz.

Of course another Sharks win against a beaten up Brisbane, will see them progress to Accor to play a bashed up Melbourne for a 2016 GF repeat. Of course, the Sharks will overcome the Mexicans once more to lift the trophy for the second time in their history.

Up Up Cronulla!

Ill have a pint of whatever you have been drinking!

[Irish Saint]

Good norning all, Ginnane and Cronk on the commentary duty for this one. Unfortunately,  I will only catch the opening 20 minutes as I have an appointment with my optician.

Broncos kick off.

[Irish Saint]

Dirst penalty to Melbourne.

[Irish Saint]

Attack comes to an end as Loriero spills ball.

Broncos now with first penalty, King offside.

[Irish Saint]

Walsh kick forces line drop out.

Storm go short and Broncos recover.

[Irish Saint]

Penalty to Broncos virtually in front of posts. Walsh takes the two.

Broncos 2,-0 9minutes played.

[Irish Saint]

Warbrick forced into touch. 13 minutes gone and signing off.

[Futtocks]

Katoa scores for the Storm, but a few seconds earlier Jahrome Hughes went off the field with a suspected broken wrist. Wishart has come on to replace him.

BRI 6:4 MEL

[Futtocks]

Walsh with a huge tackle putting Coates into touch, but Melbourne are challenging something from earlier in the play.

[Futtocks]

4 minutes ago, Futtocks said:

Katoa scores for the Storm, but a few seconds earlier Jahrome Hughes went off the field with a suspected broken wrist. Wishart has come on to replace him.

BRI 6:4 MEL

I missed it, but Kamikamica is also off hurt, but expected to return.

Edited September 4, 2025 by Futtocks

[Futtocks]

Mariner pays the price for Brisbane's spoiling tactics under pressure and gets to sit down for a few minutes. It has not gone down well at Suncorp.

[Sports Prophet]

7 hours ago, Anita Bath said:

Ill have a pint of whatever you have been drinking!

An away trip to Melbourne is starting to look more inviting than an away trip to Canberra.

[Futtocks]

Nelly the Elephant is binned for a pretty late shoulder to a Bronco's head. I suspect the disciplinary panel may take further action.

[Futtocks]

Brian is leading Melanie 12:4 at arf thyme.

Edited September 4, 2025 by Futtocks

[Anita Bath]

25 minutes ago, Futtocks said:

Katoa scores for the Storm, but a few seconds earlier Jahrome Hughes went off the field with a suspected broken wrist. Wishart has come on to replace him.

BRI 6:4 MEL

Why is bellyache playing his best players? He has paid the price with Hughes injury.

[Futtocks]

Walsh follows up a big 40/20 with a try, a "topical" celebration and a conversion.

18:4

[Futtocks]

Will Warbrick scores on his return from injury with a nice step inside. The conversion attempt hooks wide.

18:8

[Futtocks]

Penalty for a high shot, and Walsh opts to kick the Broncos into a 12-point lead.

[Futtocks]

Now a shot-clock violation. Uncharacteristically sloppy from the Storm and Bellyache will have steam coming from his ears.

Reece Walsh makes it 22:8.

[Futtocks]

Wishart to Papi to Meaney - try! Game NOT over.

The Storm need 8 points in 8 minutes to level the scores.

[Futtocks]

Papi goes off for a HIA with seconds to go before the final hooter.

Billy Walters intercepts and passes to Josiah Karapani, who stays just ahead of Will Warbrick to send the home fans completely round the bend!

Reece Walsh converts from the touchline to bring his personal tally to 22 points.

And it finishes BRI 28:14 MEL