Match Discussion: Finals Week 2 vs Warriors @ Go Media Stadium, Penrose / Aotearoa

[perverse]

I don’t think that is true. The Warriors particularly shouldn’t be taking us lightly - we’ve beaten them this year and they only just past us at home. We were a few minutes off beating the Broncos, we took the Panthers to extra time. I reckon the Broncos would much rather the Warriors over us.

I don't think the Broncos care who plays them in week 3. They have the swagger of a team that believes they can march through a brick wall. They will back themselves to blow anyone off the park. It's what a team that is ready to win a comp looks like, and why I think most people look at anyone other than the Panthers or the Broncos as an also-ran this year. They are the two teams with killer instinct at the moment.

We might be a lot of things this year and shaping into quite a talented team, but we look like a team still finding its feet - actually surprising ourselves at times even. If things go well over the next 12-24 months, we might have the same swagger to our gait.

That isn't to say there aren't fairytales in Rugby League, either. Every game is winnable, incredible upsets happen.

 

[Apey]

I don't think the Broncos care who plays them in week 3. They have the swagger of a team that believes they can march through a brick wall. They will back themselves to blow anyone off the park. It's what a team that is ready to win a comp looks like, and why I think most people look at anyone other than the Panthers or the Broncos as an also-ran this year. They are the two teams with killer instinct at the moment.

We might be a lot of things this year and shaping into quite a talented team, but we look like a team still finding its feet - actually surprising ourselves at times even. If things go well over the next 12-24 months, we might have the same swagger to our gait.

That isn't to say there aren't fairytales in Rugby League, either. Every game is winnable, incredible upsets happen.

Can't post it while I'm at work but I did a finals bracket before kick-off. 4/4 this week and the rest is:

Storm def. Roosters
Knights def. Warriors

Panthers def. Storm
Broncos def. Knights

Broncos def. Panthers

They're going to win it all imo

 

[perverse]

Can't post it while I'm at work but I did a finals bracket before kick-off. 4/4 this week and the rest is:

Storm def. Roosters
Knights def. Warriors

Panthers def. Storm
Broncos def. Knights

Broncos def. Panthers

They're going to win it all imo

Yeah for mine the first week unfolded pretty much as expected. The two dominant teams in the top 4 won, and the two form teams in the bottom 4 won. Things get a little hazier the deeper in we go, but it's just hard to see anything but Panthers/Broncos grand final barring something remarkable.

As a Knights/Roosters/Warriors/Storm fan, you're more hoping you can pull off a miracle from here, rather than expecting it to happen.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

God it'd be beautiful if neither Panthers or Brisbane made the grand final

 

[Woody90]

As bad as we were yesterday, might be good thing for the boys as now nobody is giving us any chance of winning. Let the Warriors deal with the expectations of being heavy favourites and not letting the crowd down this time.

If we can somehow pull off an underdog win, amazing, if not they can enjoy the end of their season and reflect on how f**king good they’ve been without the disappointment of letting the crowd down.

Also if we’re gonna get knocked out by anyone, I’d prefer it to be the Wahs. Can’t stand Broncos. Im feeling super relaxed about this game where I had a bad anxious feeling all last week.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

Emotional high from winning in ET at home. Opposition halfback with a calf injury. No pressure away from home. Beat the Wahs last time we met

Warriors by 12

 

[Yosh]

I think most people consider us 3rd favorites still. 3rd but close to no chance because the Panthers and Broncos are so strong though.

 

[Apey]

I think most people consider us 3rd favorites still. 3rd but close to no chance because the Panthers and Broncos are so strong though.

Haha Yoshy, we're not even favourites this weekend.

 

[Haffa]

I don’t think we will win but I’ve felt the same about almost every game for the past 10 weeks, so what do I know?

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

I don’t think we will win but I’ve felt the same about almost every game for the past 10 weeks, so what do I know?

Keep thinking that way then mate

 

[Knight Tales]

Just want to make the prelim. Will help us massively with recruitment and retention. And above all raise the bar of minimum expectation.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

I genuinely reckon we'll win. All the pressure will be on the Warriors now and assuming we've shaken off the cobwebs from week 1, I believe we'll win in a high scoring affair.

 

[Old dog]

I’m reasonably confident of a win and will be happier if we pick fit players, Clune should play and Hastings should start rehab etc on his injury and Lucas for Fitz who I feel for as he is leaving but we can’t let sentiment get in the way of victory, Lucas will do a good job. Ponga got through ok last week and will have gained confidence that the shoulder is manageable.

 

[mozza91]

Nobody seems to be giving us a chance. I love that. Let’s start a thousand miles an hour and blow them off the park.

 

[perverse]

What odds for Gamble chirping away and making Barney do something dumb?

 

[Knight Tales]

If we make the GF with Gamble and Clune as our halves I will believe I have seen it all! That would wind the media up deluxe.

 

[perverse]

If we make the GF with Gamble and Clune as our halves I will believe I have seen it all! That would wind the media up deluxe.

Right up there with Jeff Robson and Daniel Mortimer. It's been done before. You need a good fullback, of course...

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

Clune in for Hastings.
Lucas in for Fitz.

 

[League Unlimited News]

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Adam Clune 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Dylan Lucas 13. Adam Elliott

14. Kurt Mann 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mathew Croker

18. Brodie Jones 19. Enari Tuala 20. Fa'amanu Brown 21. Lachlan Miller 22. Jack Johns

Out: Jackson Hastings (halfback), Lachlan Fitzgibbon (second row)
In: Adam Clune (halfback), Dylan Lucas (second row)

NRL TEAMS - 2023 Finals Week 2 » League Unlimited

leagueunlimited.com

 

[perverse]

Looks like the coach has overruled Jackson. I feel for him, but it's the right call. LOVE seeing Lucas in rather than Jones. Kid looks ready for it. That is as good a team as we can name.