Finals 2025

[YoungPanther]

Our first 1/2 v the Storm was equally as good as we have had in recent years.

If it wasn't for the intercept, they weren't in it. They are supposedly the benchmark.

If we could sustain that for 80 minutes (hopefully with a rest last week) I don't fear anyone.

 

[betcats]

I fear 4 do or die games. It can be done, individually i dont think there is a team i fear but having to do it 4 times in row at this point it think will be to much for us, i think at some point a rookie error might kill us or maybe one of those halves we've been prone to where we do everything wrong will come up. If Dyl has a shocking half again, or Moses and Henry and Martin give away 5 unforced penalties in a half, we will be cooked. Across the whole season id say a third of our games we spent long periods repeatedly shooting ourselves in the foot, im not sure it wont happen at least once in the finals. Also depending on how thinks shake out, we could end in NZ or Brisbane for week 1 and if we win face going to Melbourne for week 2. Its going to be tough if that is how it goes.

Not to worried either way, I think we will be a better team next year than this year.

 

[BxTom]

Jim Bean with products thrown in has a higher appeal

So the Jim Bean sponsored Broncos and Knights have outbidded the Panthers?

 

[Chins]

I fear 4 do or die games. It can be done, individually i dont think there is a team i fear but having to do it 4 times in row at this point it think will be to much for us, i think at some point a rookie error might kill us or maybe one of those halves we've been prone to where we do everything wrong will come up. If Dyl has a shocking half again, or Moses and Henry and Martin give away 5 unforced penalties in a half, we will be cooked. Across the whole season id say a third of our games we spent long periods repeatedly shooting ourselves in the foot, im not sure it wont happen at least once in the finals. Also depending on how thinks shake out, we could end in NZ or Brisbane for week 1 and if we win face going to Melbourne for week 2. Its going to be tough if that is how it goes.

Not to worried either way, I think we will be a better team next year than this year.

Yep this year is our rebuild......that's how good we are.

 

[age.s]

I feel like if we go out, it will be in week 2 or maybe 3. I think we'll be too strong in week 1 and I'd back us to handle the pressure of grand final week better as an organisation than any of our main rivals.

 

[age.s]

Hard to say without seeing how the the bracket shapes up too. I'd be much more confident going Sharks, Dogs, Broncos then I would Warriors, Storm, Raiders for example.

 

[The Realist]

Yep this year is our rebuild......that's how good we are.

The True 'rebuild' is when Yeo/Edwards Age out and we have older 'past prime' injury prone Cleary, Marto, Leota.

 

[Chins]

The True 'rebuild' is when Yeo/Edwards Age out and we have older 'past prime' injury prone Cleary, Marto, Leota.

Nathan has another 10 years in him if he wants it.

 

[Murraymob1]

So the Jim Bean sponsored Broncos and Knights have outbidded the Panthers?

Jim bean is a associate sponsor of penrith so the freebies still count

 

[Panfa]

I think finishing 8th is the easier path,week 1 sharks week 2 dogs week 3 raiders.Not sure how Canberra have been given a home final in week 3 if the win week 1.There home ground fits max 24k that game should be at homebush.The old format used to be week 1 home semi week 2 home city week 3 home state.Every week the stadiums got bigger.All of a sudden the nrl want penrith to fail so they allow raiders and storm 2 home semis what a joke.

 

[hindy111]

I agree mate. I do. Hes not the perfect option but unfortunately hes the best option as coverage.

I hate... and i mean i hate playing with 16....

But cole couldnt cover 9 for 75mins if he had to.. and the role of the 17 these days is worst case scenario coverage.

Sure you can take a huge huge risk and run with

8. Leota
9. Kenny
10. Smith
11. Soro
12. Marto
13. Yeo

14. Garner
15. Henry
16. Papa
17. Patea

But if you lose someone your stuffed. Tbh i think if bs comes in at 7 with 75 to go we are stuffed anyway. Its a tough call..

Maybe if we somehow get to the gf ivan should take a massive risk and go with the bench i just said... and hope we get through unscathed. Theres no doubt that bench is way more effective than with schnieder on it but coverage wise its terrible

The issue is most your forwards starting can play long minutes.
Papa and Garner both can also. They'd just be stealing minutes off each other. I think it's either Henry or Patea if that was a debate which it isn't. So 14 is a utility. Laurie is your next best player. Can fill 5/8, centre, wing,fullback......

 

[hindy111]

I think finishing 8th is the easier path,week 1 sharks week 2 dogs week 3 raiders.Not sure how Canberra have been given a home final in week 3 if the win week 1.There home ground fits max 24k that game should be at homebush.The old format used to be week 1 home semi week 2 home city week 3 home state.Every week the stadiums got bigger.All of a sudden the nrl want penrith to fail so they allow raiders and storm 2 home semis what a joke.

7th means you play loser of Storm/Dogs rather then Canberra/Brisbane.

Id expect Storm to win. Would you rather play Dogs in Sydney or Brisbane up there? And then the following week it would be Canberra if finish 7th instead of the Storm down there.

Only issue will be if Dogs beat the Storm.

 

[Sime_11]

Just hoping that Martin Kenny and Leota find their finals form - if they are on in September we will be very hard to beat

 

[snickers007]

With Melbourne's loss last night, I don't think anyone can really predict what will happen in the finals.

- A few weeks ago, Broncos lost 3 of their starting 13 (including their 6,7), and they're arguably looking more dangerous than ever.

- I think it's fair to say that we broke Melbourne in Golden Point. That was their Grand Final. Especially with Hughes gone - they may be out in straight sets.

- Roosters and Dolphins are both super dangerous on their day - but only one will make it, and neither can back it up 4 weeks in a row.

- Sharks have shown nothing in 2025 to suggest that they won't get stage fright again this September.

- Warriors are playing busted, and on the slide. And without Metcalf have lost all direction.

- Bulldogs are planning for their future with Galvin & Haywood, despite leading the comp. And it's all gone to shit.

- Raiders have the tools, but are very young, and may have played their GF against us in Mudgee.

- And the Panthers are playing busted, and have lost 3 years worth of games in a season.

The crazy thing is that one of these teams will win the comp! How good is Rugby League?

 

[Chins]

Will we see finals Marto or is he washed? Fire up son

 

[Fangs]

Paps now concussed. Happened running around like an idiot with 90 seconds left with the game lost.

I repeat: What in the f**k was Bellamy thinking?

No Paps or Hughes. Maybe they win? Dogs will feel like they are right in it next week.

 

[age.s]

I actually think the Broncos look better without Mam/Reynolds. Hunt is about as good a backup 7 as you can get and Walters has been very good in the 6. He's tougher physically/defensively than Mam, digs into the line when running the ball and throws the odd gem of a pass. Feels like a simplified game from their halves has unlocked Walsh too, who seems to be picking his moments better, although he still has the odd brain fart mixed in.

Like us, they'd be much higher on the table if the first few months of the comp were discounted. I dont think their style would hold up well against ours, but they're not cannon fodder like the Sharks or Warriors.

 

[age.s]

The crazy thing is that one of these teams will win the comp! How good is Rugby League?

I'm with you on the sentment, but this finals series feels particularly unusual in terms of how many genuine contenders there are. Most years theres 1-2 genuine contenders and maybe a realistic dark horse. If any other team slinks into a gf they're usually blown away (eg, Cows 2017, Parra 2022). Id say this year theres 5 teams you could make a realistic case for winning the thing and 2 more which arent that far back in the pack which is completely wild.

 

[Girds89]

Given 5 and 6 is locked up.

If the chooks lose tonight ivan has to rest nath and yeo.. maybe edwards too and just play with 16.

 

[Fangs]

Given 5 and 6 is locked up.

If the chooks lose tonight ivan has to rest nath and yeo.. maybe edwards too and just play with 16.

Either that or reduce the minutes at least. Playing 80 wouldn't make a lot of sense.