With our first taste of the 2022 NRL Finals series right around the corner, it’s time we considered what the competition might look like in a week’s time.
Panthers vs Eels
The battle of the west reignites as the Eels visit Penrith to battle against the competition’s best.
After having knocked off the reigning premiers twice this year already, Parramatta will be going into this match with nothing but confidence and determination.
With Panthers halves Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai taking the field together for the first time in six weeks, the Blue and Golds will be sniffing out a chance to advance into their first preliminary final since 2009.
However, the well-rested Penrith outfit will be up for the challenge in front of their home crowd, and the ten years of halves partnership that Cleary and Luai have under their belts should be enough to get them through.
Panthers by 8.
Storm vs Raiders
Friends turn foes as former teammates Craig Bellamy and Ricky Stuart face off yet again in a high-stakes finals matchup.
After scraping into the top eight with a hefty win over the Wests Tigers, Canberra will be looking to get the better of Melbourne as they did in Round 18.
However, the Storm will be surging into the game in front of their home fans, and with the return of superstar halfback Jahrome Hughes, they should be able to advance to the semis.
Storm by 14.
(Photo by Robert Prezioso/Getty Images)
Sharks vs Cowboys
The two most surprising high achievers of the year will take aim at each other in the Shire in a bid to book their place in a preliminary final.
After having reached second spot on the ladder at the end of the regular season, Nicho Hynes and the Sharks will be determined to back up their phenomenal year with a win in their first finals game with Craig Fitzgibbon at the helm.
Likewise, Todd Payten’s Cowboys will be looking to prove that they’ve earned their top four spot and are a true chance at the premiership.
Against the club which he won a premiership with, Chad Townsend and the Cowboys could be able to snatch a victory from the jaws of the Sharks.
Cowboys by 2.
Roosters vs Rabbitohs
Renewing rugby league’s oldest rivalry for the second time in as many weeks, South Sydney will visit their Eastern Suburbs counterparts in a do or die face off.
Even without some big names last week, the Red, White and Blue were able to get the better of Souths.
Despite the loss of superstar centre Joseph Manu, the Chooks will have both of their wings boosted with the inclusions of Daniel Tupou and Joseph Suaali, as well as Victor Radley returning in the middle.
Souths will have their own personnel on the way with Cameron Murray set to be cleared for play and Damien Cook coming back from illness.
As always, the animosity will run deep between the sides as Latrell Mitchell will be looking to knock his former club out of the playoffs at their brand new stadium.
Souths by 4.
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JennyFromPenny
Guest
Panthers had momentum and rest. They didn't play in Townsville.
HENRIK
Guest
Are Souths the only team who will play a player only a week after a concussion after numerous through the year ? Cant see how that is looking after the players best interest (health) GO the Chooks
Bill
Guest
Like last year when the Roosters lost 54-12 to Rabbits and Robbo blamed the ref and got fined $20 000.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Panthers, Storm, Souths and the ‘upset’ Sharks
Christo
Roar Guru
I wouldn't be surprised with any of the results this week. This finals series will be the hardest series to pick, since i can remember.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
You mean like; "Little Johnny may have gotten an "F" for every subject but he is the BEST dunce this school has ever had!" :laughing: Don't worry about Latrell, JA. He only has to listen to the booing of Roosters fans for one more game. After that there won't be a chooks supporter for miles around for the remaining Bunnies finals games.
Dionysus
Guest
Think the Eels might pull a fast start on the Panthers and make them go the long way around, Eels by 2 Raiders are always a Sticky prospect (groan) but the Storm should be too good for them. After all their injury dramas this season, the boys deserve a bit of luck. Melbourne by 12 I am also hoping that the Roosters get over the Bunnies again. They were a delight to watch last week - Roosters by 6 Finally, I will be shouting the Cowboys home against Cronulla. They have done well this season the boys from up north and I would like to see them progress through. Cowboys by 12
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Perhaps Latrell should wear ear plugs if those naughty Rooster fans boo him. Egotists can’t handle negativity or criticism. I read in today’s paper that schoolteachers have been instructed to commence each student’s report with a positive comment regardless of their academic performance.This “cotton wool mentality” explains why we are producing sooks like Mitchell.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
:laughing:
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Great article title, and the answer is - Who really knows. Outside of 2018, this would be amongst the tightest finals series for a long while. Each game is almost a 50/50. Parra v Penrith, many have Penrith as favourites, but Parra don't fear them and are more battle hardened with the Penrith game last round being - IMO - a poor preparation for facing one of the few teams that have their measure. Anyone's game this. Equally Storm v Canberra, you'd think Storm without a doubt, but again the favourite is facing one of the few teams that have their measure at Melbourne and are peaking at the right time. Again, anyones game. Cronulla v Cows is the only game I'd put a quid on as I don't think Cows are ready for this. Cronulla 65/35 Leaving us with - again - anyone's game, with Souths having revenge motivation and the Roosters must be feeling the aches after a run of very physical encounters. Kinda tips the balance to a very even game. I said it at the start of the week, the start of this finals series is a promotor's/network's ultimate.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Finals teams' crayons: Penrith: resented for bringing their own crayons from home and shoving their drawings in everyone's faces Cronulla: dismissed for taking the easier colour-by-number route. North Queensland: crayon set in good condition, but yet to win a colouring-in competition. Parramatta: previous instances of getting crayons stuck in their windpipes. Melbourne: crayons keep snapping as they are put to paper. Easts: fingerprinting using different shades of caviar. Supporters insist that cost of caviar is offset by selling old crayons. Souths: frustrated at having repeatedly dropped their crayons, are now fingerprinting with blood from a test to be confirmed source. Assisting police with their inquiries. Canberra: seem to be working on a drawing of a puppy with an unhealthy looking stomach.
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Hi jimmmy. I think easts contained Latrell well
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
"Putting my Easts bias to one side..." Well played. (golf clap)
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Souths outsmarted the Roosters in the last game who had naively shown their hand. Souths intentionally never got out of 3rd gear, yet it was 4 tries v 3, and it was a dead rubber. Souths wont let Tedesco run as much as he did in the last game, and they wont need to worry about Manu. The defence with Murray, Cook and Graham back in the side will tighten. Latrell will know what to expect, even the boos will be silenced as the Bunnies will end the Chooks season on Sunday afternoon.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Good morning GB. You surely can’t blame the Mighty Chooks for the “email ticketing fiasco”. The issue was that Souths fans are used to using either coloured pencils or crayons & struggle with modern advancements in technology.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
I'll take Souths by 4 Ellery. I was predicting Souths by 20+ until I saw that Nick Politis had exerted his influence with the NRL and arranged for Grant Atkins (senior review official) and Ashley Klein (referee) to officiate the match. Souths are always on the wrong end of the penalty count and controversial decisions when Dumb & Dumber are in control of the game. This despite the Roosters traditionally being one of the most penalised teams in the NRL and the Rabbitohs being one of the most disciplined. Souths were on the wrong end of a 10 - 8 penalty count last week when Dumb & Dumber reversed roles. Grant Atkins has a proven track record that his penalty arm only points in one direction... away from Souths. Just like a compass that points north and never South. Meanwhile Ashley Klein's penalty arm points towards whichever end will give him the biggest cheer. That is why the Roosters went to such lengths to lock Rabbitohs fans out of the game.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Some incredibly interesting matches this weekend. The thing is not that there are obvious favourites but that it wouldn't be a surprise if any of the underdogs win. Raiders Storm. Melbourne are worried by Raiders. If the Raiders bash them and bash them they are a show. Melbourne don't like it all. Deserved favs but everyone wants the Raiders to get up surely. Rabbitohs Roosters. Not much in it at all. I was actually very impressed by Souths resilience last week. They get a few back but the Roosters get their wingers back as well. Too close to call for mine. Roosters will try the ' gang tackle Latrell again' but if the Bunnies are smart the ball will go elsewhere for the first 20 mins. Sharks Cowboys. Sharks are tough to beat at Shark Park. At their best they should win , but they don't play their best very often. Cows need to be switched on with their D and a lot better at iceing their chances than they have been. I am always hopeful. Lastly Penrith Parra. Well we get to find out if momentum or rest is better coming into week one. If Paulo plays as well as he did lastweek Parra are a big show. Enjoy !!!
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Putting my Easts bias to one side, Latrell to be unsighted two weeks running apart from another potential sin bin. Roosters despite facing the adversity of injuries & suspension, to rule the roost & extend their run of wins. The small handful of Souths fans will no doubt find excuses as they usually do e.g. the referee, the weather, the shape of the ball unlike Robbo’s Roosters who are always gracious in defeat & praise their opponents as being worthy winners.