NRL Finals 2024

[Blair]

It's on again! No Wahs, boo hoo.

Friday 7:50 pm: Panthers v Roosters at Penrith.
Saturday 4:05 pm: Storm v Sharks at Melbourne.
Saturday 7:30 pm: Cowboys v Knights at Townsville.
Sunday 4 pm: Bulldogs v Sea Eagles at Homebush.

Let's do it.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Kikau with his 3rd dangerous contact of the season gets a fine. Finals footy

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Panthers Friday
Storm Saturday
Cowboys Saturday
Dogs Sunday

 

[Blair]

The bittersweetness of Warrior-less finals footy. It's great, but, you know.

 

[Blair]

Kikau with his 3rd dangerous contact of the season gets a fine. Finals footy.

And what a shame Brookie isn't going to be packed. You've had great crowds all season and you're dodgy over there at Homebush.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Geez, I apologise to JJ to whom I said the standard was up this year...if Newcastle make the 8 with that woeful stat, it's clearly not true. The Knights beat the Storm in round 3, and never beat a top 8 side after that.

Should be said, however, that they did drop only 3 games to sides outside the 8, and only 1 after round 4 (losing to us).

Very similar formula to us last year, we didn't beat any top 4 sides in the regular season but were pretty consistent v sides below us.

Any side who didn't make the eight should feel down on themselves, the Knights are so bog average. ,

 

[Beavers Headgear]

I probably come from a different angle with the Knights, all pundits say they are a 1 man side, and Ponga was out for a massive chunk of this season, so to actually manage to hang in enough until he came back while all the others were doing the Bradbury is a handy effort. Had to have plenty go in their favour to have that opportunity though

 

[Big Marn]

That Cowboys stat was unexpected.

 

[JJ]

A lot depends on whether Penrith can hit the go switch… their pack is awesome but has often seemed disinterested, and Cleary has hardly played all year. The stats suggest the Bondi boys are pretenders…. Imo Penrith remain the best side, but whether they’re as desperate as they need to be will be interesting

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

On the flip-side of my comments about Bennett/Dolphins, it's funny how O'Brien is widely perceived as a dud coach and yet for me the Knights have overachieved the last two years.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

That Cowboys stat was unexpected.

Slightly skewed in beating the Storm reserve grade side and Penrith when they rested all their origin guys too. A dangerous side if they can fox defence though

 

[Beavers Headgear]

What I’m potentially liking about this years finals, is a wide variety of ways that the teams play

Penrith extremely regimented to a system, Storm are similar I suppose but do a bit more outside of it

Sharks when they get it right play a power game heavily reliant on the back 5

Dogs with their own small pack style

Manly throw the ball around more than any side in the comp and do it anywhere on the park, is a double edge sword but can go bang bang quickly, can whack in D when in the mood too

Cowboys much like Manly with a strong attacking unit that will trouble anyone if they get their D right

 

[Penrose Warrior]

On the flip-side of my comments about Bennett/Dolphins, it's funny how O'Brien is widely perceived as a dud coach and yet for me the Knights have overachieved the last two years.

Absolutely, making the eight twice (and second week of finals last year) is a fair effort for that squad. I think it's to do with his personality, he seems like a bit of a bore - plus, from memory, gave it the 'do you know who I am' in a pub or something similar.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

What’s Adam Gee done wrong ?
Last year referred origin and the grand final, no controversy at all around his performances. Don’t remember any big howlers from him this season, and he isn’t refereeing finals this weekend

 

[Blair]

I came across a lot of nervous-nellie Panthers fans today. I suppose you don't want to be over-confident but, really, they're at home, in front of a packed house.

The Cleary thing's vexing them and that's understandable. It's not ideal having him 50-50.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

What’s Adam Gee done wrong ?
Last year referred origin and the grand final, no controversy at all around his performances. Don’t remember any big howlers from him this season, and he isn’t refereeing finals this weekend

He was the guy in the Bunker who didn't call a penalty on Jaemon Salmon in our game v the Dogs.

But yeah, there's far worse than him. Weird situation

 

[Blair]

I can tell it's finals time because I can also hear the sound of leather on willow! Back in the day, on sunny spring afternoons like this, we'd be down the nets.

Retirement sucks.

 

[Blair]

A Panthers fan came through work today before heading off to the game. He's in the 'Chairman's Lounge'. He won't pay for a drink all night.

He bought flowers off me. He's knows there's a good chance he'll need to give them to the mrs tomorrow.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Nearly time to get going. Tonight is the only game I think is clear cut, so the Roosters will probably upset me

I think the Sharks have something in them tomorrow, If the Knights had Best I would tip them, the heat may get them though, and Dogs is a genuine 50/50