Penrith chase some history while Brisbane look to squeeze their way around or through that Panther wall of defence. Who ya got? Here come your midweek talking points for the biggest game of the year.
Who’s the coach of the year?
Much talk has been around New Zealand’s Andrew Webster and the way he’s turned the Warriors into a properly functioning rugby league club, there’s been a groundswell of support for Wayne Bennett winning nine games with a club that didn’t exist a year ago and Kevin Walters has really changed the way he’s viewed after instilling a tough edge to Brisbane’s defence to go with their flourishing attack, finishing second on points differential.
Nathan and Ivan Cleary after the 2021 Grand Final win. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
All reasonable calls, but it just has to be Ivan Cleary, doesn’t it? Penrith have timed this season better than any of the previous three where they made Grand Finals. They’re in better knick than they were in any of those three, and after losing more players than they had in the previous three.
Penrith are a finely tuned machine who spends the early part of a game conducting a full audit of their opponent’s plan, before adjusting their own to maximise weakness and enhance their own strengths.
They approach games with supreme confidence in their system, preparation and talent. That cannot happen without the best of the best in the coaches box.
More Dally M fun and games
Tonight is awards night, with the men’s and women’s Dally M medals announced and the team of the year announced by position. Payne Haas led Nathan Cleary 30 votes to 27 when the count went behind closed doors from round 12, but it’s the nomination criteria for the position awards that stood out this week.
Players who get suspended for two games can’t be selected in the Dally M team of the year and this rules out names like Reece Walsh, Corey Horsburgh, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Jahrome Hughes, Scott Drinkwater, Valentine Holmes, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Marata Niukore among many others.
Reece Walsh. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
You can argue the merits of each player’s chances at winning a spot or not, but two matches seems a harsh cutoff.
(I’d also suggest Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is a worthy shout to be in the hunt for fullback of the year, instead it’s James Tedesco, Dylan Edwards and Kalyn Ponga.)
What’s the frequency, NRL?
This is niche, but bear with me. Life duties last weekend meant I was driving during the first half of both preliminary finals. I logged into the NRL mobile app trying to find a radio broadcast to listen to and was bemused to discover the game’s official mobile app doesn’t actually provide access to radio broadcasts of games.
Like I said, niche. But I’m not the only person who wanted to listen to the radio coverage – lots of people prefer a radio call team over the TV crew from Nine and Fox League. It’s weird to me you can’t have what’s a pretty simple functionality for fans. The AFL does it, other sports do it, why can’t the NRL? It would make life easier for us fans of the wireless…
The Grand Final
It’s Penrith, it’s Brisbane, it’s the vibe, it’s two successful yet not entirely embraced teams. Neither of these two would successfully lay a claim to being ‘the people’s team’ for this contest.
Jarome Luai. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
But it’s shaping as a great game. The best ranked attack and defence against the second best ranked attack and defence. Penrith’s relentless system and pressure against Brisbane’s tough forward pack, blistering attacking speed and unpredictability with the ball.
A shot at redemption of sorts for Broncos halfback Adam Reynolds, last seen in a Grand Final wearing a South Sydney Rabbitohs jersey and missing a tough late conversion before going down 14-12 to Penrith.
Brisbane own the historic head-to-head 35-24-1 but the Panthers have won five of the last six between these two. They’ve split their 2023 contests one win apiece.
I love Grand Final Sunday. Games all day, anticipation building, and usually a game that suits the occasion. Last year Parramatta were cooked from going the long way, then overmatched by a rested Panthers squad. This year Brisbane are a worthy challenger who will take the game to the premiers.
It shapes as a fantastic night for rugby league fans.
Congratulations to the referees selected for the game too. Adam Gee is in the middle for his first Grand Final. Chris Sutton and David Munro are the touchies, while everyone’s favourite Bunker Review Official Ash Klein will be watching the screens and hoping he doesn’t have to do anything.
Newcastle’s NRLW team are in the Grand Final against the Gold Coast. (Photo by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images)
Grand Final week random observations
- Two great NRLW Semi Finals gave us an interesting Grand Final, with the favoured Newcastle getting past Brisbane 30-24 in a great game. They’re up against the Gold Coast, who squeezed into the finals then beat the competition favourite Roosters 12-0 in a real boilover. Kickoff at 3.55pm with Belinda Sharpe on the whistle, this is definitely worth a watch.
- Suncorp Stadium looked absolutely magnificent on Saturday night. If the grounds crew are reading this (and I’m sure they are), a tip of the cap to you.
- Don’t spend the week working about forward pass technology. Remember the chip in the ball that was going to save the game? The NRL posted videos about it and everything, then quietly canned it when it became obvious the tech couldn’t match the talk from NRL head office. Forward passes will be part of the game forever more, although blowing everything up because one incredibly rare thing happens is certainly the way of rugby league…
- The Storm are still great. Like I’ve said previously, I wish my team would consistently make the last fortnight of the season and still think they’ve had a down year.
- The Warriors fought hard against the Broncos but missed early conversions cost them the chance to build pressure going into the second half. It was a good year for the Wahs, they’ll be much, much better for this season.
What’s got you talking ahead of the weekend, Roarers?
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Never, Its supposed to be a game of attrition. If we are going to continue with constant stoppages the bench needs to be two players not four. The game rules state two 40 minute halves with a 10 minute half time break but games are often over 100 minutes long. Bunker reviews, captains challenge, stoppages for minor injuries, its a joke. I can get through 9 holes quicker than I can watch a game of footy. I watch the replays of plenty of games so I can fast forward through the shite. If I am watching a Saturday or Sunday game I always have the races running as well and as soon as we have one theses enforced stoppages I switch over, One ref, two touchys, If you get a dud call, suck it up and move on
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Newcastle have an attack. If they move the ball well enough. They will win. Maybe I could say the same for the Broncos.
Rellum
Roar Guru
I cannot stand Easts, never have been able to stomach them but I will swallow that on Sunday
The Barry
Roar Guru
Yeah, you need a cut off. I think two weeks is a bit skinny. You can get two weeks suspension for accidents. That’s not being a dirty player or ‘unfair’ Jacob Preston for example has had a brilliant season and has missed out on even a nomination for rookie of the year for an accidental hip drop. As good as his career turns out (or not) he’ll never get another crack at that Two years ago it wasn’t even a thing. I’m not campaigning on behalf of Preston, it’s just a front of mind example Maybe something like abusing a ref or a long term (4-6 weeks) suspension is more appropriate as a disqualifier than two weeks
Redcap
Roar Guru
Yep, that was 1940. It started out bad, got worse, then snowballed alarmingly - their last three results: Brothers 70 vs Easts 10 Souths 79 vs Easts 5 Norths 87 vs Easts 8
Nat
Roar Guru
I had to dive for the calculator on that one, ouch alright. That was probably the days of the 3pt try as well. I remember Locky's brother running around for Easts. Quite a talented FB in his own right.
Redcap
Roar Guru
Can't claim to have followed the QCup much this year, so I'll take your word for it. I did live at Norman Park, just around the corner from Langlands for a few years, back when Darren Smith was still playing for them at the age of about 74, along with Lockyer's brother IIRC. Still got a bit of a soft spot for them. Also been reading a bit about how bad they were in their early years as Eastern Suburbs, including what might be the single worst season by any team in Australian RL history. In all competitions: Played: 12 Won: 0 Lost: 12 For: 88 Against: 595. Ouch!
Golden Point
Roar Rookie
Regarding this chip in the ball business for detecting forward passes. With all the video technology available in today’s world, here is my idea to detect a forward pass: once a forward pass is suspected, the bunker replays the passage of play with their specially designed software analysing the video. The speed of the player relative the opponents try line is tracked. Once the ball is passed, the speed of the ball relative to the opponents try line is also tracked and compared against the speed of the player as he passed the ball. If the ball is travelling faster than the player, forward pass! This won’t detect the passes that ‘float forward’. I have no idea if the physics checks out and is probably ridiculously more difficult that I am imagining. Peter V if you are listening though….get on it ????
Nat
Roar Guru
I rate Easts a fair chance against the Rabbitohs based on the quality of the 2 games.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Yeah but you've got to draw the line in the sand somewhere. The arrogance in calling the ref a 'froggin' crumpet' . lying about it, getting your captain to further the lie. There should be no official reward from the NRL for breaking their / our code of conduct to that extent.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
You can tip anyone to run anywhere, but you've got to walk that talk and carry the load of expectation that comes with it. They might have finished 3rd but they were distanced in real ability from the Top 2 (and their Top 2 coaches).
Redcap
Roar Guru
Three interesting finals coming up, though it could be brutal in the afternoon sun for the first two. Go Easts (Tigers), Gold Coast and Penrith! I'll be fascinated to see what Kevvie's (or should that be Adam Reynolds' :silly: ) tactical approach is - they really can't afford much of the looseness they exhibited early on last week. Then again, 'all guns blazing' might be the way to go against the machine. Oh, and get the ABC Listen app on your phone, AJ. :thumbup:
Nat
Roar Guru
That's a whole different thing. I'm still not allowed in the local library because of that one.
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
The nice thing about not having a people's favourite, is being able to watch the game and genuinely enjoy it as a spectacle. Hopefully both teams turn up to play, hopefully both turn on their full range of skills and hopefully the officials have a minor part to play in proceedings. I think the true test of a good coach is turning a pigs ear into a silk purse and that's exactly what Webster's done at the Warriors. He's taken a squad of guys, many of whom were discards from previous Clubs and created a squad that played with purpose, skill and real determination. Better yet, they've got an entire country talking about Rugby League and the Warrior players clearly enjoyed playing for each other. He's coach of the year by a very long way. I'm looking forward to seeing what the NRL does with the half time entertainment. I gather it will be based around the Tina Turner musical, so hopefully supporters in 2023 can enjoy a great singer as much as I did 30 years ago.
Nat
Roar Guru
30 degrees is ok. We call that 8am in NQ. I was in Wagga last week and it's still 1-2 degrees. I'll never understand those people.
Nat
Roar Guru
I've always thought were one of the good ones kk. :stoked:
Nat
Roar Guru
This event, win lose or draw, couldn't have happened to a better bloke in Kevvie. He understands the people and he gets the media. If the boys get the job done, he might get recognised for as one of the true greats in rugby league, not just Brisbane. Yes, I will be sure to pace myself. However, the blokes I'm coming down with are split Brisbane/Pennies (one Easts tosser but we do need a arbiter) so if they think they are going to 'win' at anything... Unleash the middle aged bogan boys trip.
Andrew
Roar Rookie
Will be interesting to see how the Storm goes after Bellamy departs.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Don’t you mean the ‘Natbush’ ? :silly:
AJ Mithen
Expert
You're right KK, it's going to be a scorcher. Hope the early kickoffs get some water breaks...