2018 EF2 Sat - Panthers 27-12 Warriors @ ANZ

[League Unlimited News]

NRL 2018 - Finals Week 1
Penrith Panthers v Warriors
ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park (TICKETS)
Saturday 8 September 2018

Gates 3pm / NRLW SYD v WAR 3:40pm / NRL 5:30pm

1. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 2. Josh Mansour 3. Waqa Blake 4. Tyrone Peachey 5. Christian Crichton 6. James Maloney 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Trent Merrin 9. Sione Katoa 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Isaah Yeo 13. James Fisher-Harris
Interchange: 14. Tyrone May 15. Moses Leota 16. Corey Harawira-Naera 17. James Tamou 18. Wayde Egan 19. Jack Hetherington 20. Tyrone Phillips 21. Kaide Ellis

1. Roger Tuivasa-sheck 2. David Fusitua 3. Peta Hiku 4. Solomone Kata 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Blake Green 7. Shaun Johnson 8. James Gavet 9. Issac Luke 10. Agnatius Paasi 11. Adam Blair 12. Tohu Harris 13. Simon Mannering
Interchange: 14. Jazz Tevaga 15. Isaiah Papalii 16. Bunty Afoa 17. Gerard Beale 18. Leivaha Pulu 20. Mason Lino 21. Chris Satae 22. Karl Lawton

Referees: Matt Cecchin, Henry Perenara
Sideline Officials: Brett Suttor, Peter Gough
Video Referees: Jared Maxwell, Ben Galea

​

 

[I Bleed Maroon]

A lot of people will suggest this is the toughest final to tip, but I don't think so. Penrith are very wobbly at the moment. Struggled against a heavily depleted Melbourne for most of that game. And the Warriors are entering the finals in the best form they could hope for.

Warriors by 16.

 

[Rabbits20]

Panthers by 8.

 

[umina panther]

No Cummins or Sutton please

 

[OzDragon]

Warriors by 7

 

[PenrithPanther45]

Tough game to tip. Hoping we'll be fired up because apparently the players were filthy after the Warriors game and wanted to make amends. Those suggesting we struggled to get past the Storm on Friday night need to look past the scoreboard. It was five tries to two. Goal kicking was all that made it close.

 

[Pugzley]

Good luck to the Warriors but Penrith should get this. If Warriors squeek through, no hard feelings.

 

[Leber]

We will be keen to make amends from the last time we played in penrith. Plus, having Green back might make the difference.

I doubt either team will win the comp but quite frankly, I'd love to win this game only for the chance to play the sharks the following week and win off a forward pass.

 

[JB04]

You’d think Warriors would lift big time for this game - first finals game since the 2011 grand final. Johnston and Green to guide them to a W by around 8 or so

 

[sup42]

If the Panthers can fix completions and known holes in their defence (Maloney and the chasm left by Whare absence) they win fairly easily, I fear sacking their coach has taken that option away from them.

If the Warriors show up, it looks like they will have their early season squad, which is a very defensive forward pack (Mannering, Blair, Harris, Pulu) who are well capable of shutting out the Panthers late resurgent lead chases in a finals context.

I am bias, therefore take my slight favoritism for the Warriors winning with a pinch of salt.

I just think Cleary, Kikau, Maloney and Waqa Blake, are well matched by SJ Green Harris Hiku and Fusitua in attack.

The point of difference is the Warriors have only one weak spot in defence, Pita Hiku...and Harris...his minder...is back...whereas the Panthers...are missing Whare and Maloney is an issue also.

Ironically the Warriors play more set plays for their trys these days, the Panthers are the more inclined to use heads up second phase instinctive footy, which favors the Panthers if say it was close....because it gives them a point of difference....but the counter is Shaun Johnson, and Isaac Luke, and RTS three eyes up players that can go toe to toe with the Panthers exuberant late charges.

Having said all that, I will freely admit this is going to be a close call.

 

[Vic Mackey]

Who knows with the Warriors, I'd like to think they'll do it but after Canberra they're the hardest team in the comp to pick. Either way I doubt the winner of this game gets past week 2.

 

[roofromoz]

Let's gone Panthers.

 

[Puntoue]

Hard match to tip just because both sides are both very capable of turning up, and not turning up to games.

If Green plays I’ll say the Warriors.

 

[BranVan3000]

I reckon Warriors will get big game wobbles and Maloney is a big game player, expect him to have a blinder. I’d go as far as a blowout Panthers win

 

[GongPanther]

For a start,we'll start as shitty as we have been in the past. They might find a way to overcome a vastly improved Warriors side and win it,but that is where the wins will end.

On the other hand,IF the Panthers can miraculously fix up their 1st half discipline and their brain farts in giving away head scratching penalties,this game could springboard them deeper into the finals.

But on the 3rd hand,you have the refs to deal with. How we will get through a game of football with out getting someone off for 10 minutes will be a big plus.

But a lot of hard work to do in just 6 days.

Panthers by 4.

 

[footy75]

dunno. Too hard. Flip a coin.

 

[ed-grimley]

Penrith.

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

Warriors and Panthers.

Who the f**k knows.

 

[Rhino_NQ]

Warriors by 8

 

[OldPanther]

A lot of people will suggest this is the toughest final to tip, but I don't think so. Penrith are very wobbly at the moment. Struggled against a heavily depleted Melbourne for most of that game. And the Warriors are entering the finals in the best form they could hope for.

Warriors by 16.

It was 5 tries to 2 and we had 12 on the field for 20 minutes. We didn't struggle.