Race for top 2

[Weaponhead]

Look at the tasks ahead for all teams in the finals race.

Eels vs Storm. A bruising game, so much on the line, positions from 3rd to 6th pending on points difference. Both to bring their top games into play.

East's vs South's, another bruiser. Positions on the table, home semi, and for and against playing a big part. Both to bring their top games into play.

Cows vs Pennies. Cows will come out swinging, they will make it tough for Penrith. Ivan will have thought out what is best for their finals campaign, I expect them to rest players. Cows will be desperate. Cows to bring their top game, Penrith to make sure their back up players know their roles in case they are needed

Broncos vs Dragons. They need to win and win well because of points difference. A lot of pressure. Broncos have to find their best game and play as hard as they can.

Raiders vs Tigers. As above, replace Broncos with Raiders.

Sharks vs Knights. Sharks to continue to get their defence in line and keep them scoreless. Not showing off too many tricks. Knights old boys day could mean they may find some spirit in their game. Sharks need to win, for preparations sake.

Interesting to see what Ivan does given there is a fair chance Pennies will play Cows first week of finals. He may not want to give Cows too much.

For the Sharks, this is a game to get systems and structures right. Tighten roles and process.

 

[bad boy bubby]

This is exactly why I’d prefer to play the cows in week 1. Because I like our chances against them down here and if we win that game and you get the week off….

If you crystal ball it and check out the week 1/2 likely winners etc and you look back at their last 4 weeks leading into a prelim. Most of them will have been absolutely bashed and fought tooth and nail.

Week 1 win is imperative if we want to see ourselves in the big one.

Cows have only been to Sydney 5 times this year, for 3 x losses and 2 x wins. Their wins came against Manly, who capitulated in the last 10 mins in a horrific way, and Saints who didn't turn up in the 2nd half.
Cows at home would be preffered but we have to beat whoever is in front of us, and every game will be extremely tough.

 

[bad boy bubby]

Interesting to see what Ivan does given there is a fair chance Pennies will play Cows first week of finals. He may not want to give Cows too much.

For the Sharks, this is a game to get systems and structures right. Tighten roles and process.

Like we did with our defence last night. I'll reiterate what I said when I got home, our defence was beautiful to watch, the Syncopation in movement. Some people sitting around me were going off because of the terrible way we were playing, I told them to watch our defence as it will bring them more joy.

 

[Weaponhead]

Cows have only been to Sydney 5 times this year, for 3 x losses and 2 x wins. Their wins came against Manly, who capitulated in the last 10 mins in a horrific way, and Saints who didn't turn up in the 2nd half.
Cows at home would be preffered but we have to beat whoever is in front of us, and every game will be extremely tough.

Both Cows and Sharks are unproven in winning big semi finals. Depending on your perspective, that could interesting or concerning. Personally, I am fascinated to see how this Sharks team aims up in the high pressure games. The more big games, the faster the development of this squad. I saw it taking 2 or 3 seasons to really challenge for a comp. To be in the mix in the first season is an unexpected bonus.

Most of the strong teams are losing quality players next year. Cronulla's squad will be very steady with the loss of Fifita and Tolman not diminishing the squad too much.

 

[bad boy bubby]

Both Cows and Sharks are unproven in winning big semi finals. Depending on your perspective, that could interesting or concerning. Personally, I am fascinated to see how this Sharks team aims up in the high pressure games. The more big games, the faster the development of this squad. I saw it taking 2 or 3 seasons to really challenge for a comp. To be in the mix in the first season is an unexpected bonus.

Most of the strong teams are losing quality players next year. Cronulla's squad will be very steady with the loss of Fifita and Tolman not diminishing the squad too much.

What we do have is 5* x Premiership winning players, Wade, Andrew, Dale, Nicho (albeit on the bench but he has the ring and was part of the team), and *Aiden (Storm cap year 'wins').
Plus we have two coaches, Fitz and Pricey who have won multiple Premierships as coaches, and Fitz as a player. Not to mention Hannay with Qld.
We have enough experience there to know which way to travel, and how to get to the big end of season.

 

[Dragon Slayer]

He is. I just watched the game and the Lara Pitt reported that Katoa could be ready for week 2. That's a big sexy plus.

Like wtf is going on with talk Katoa coming back this season?

All reports he was definitely done this season.

That’s amazingly great news if true.

He was our leading try scorer this season before he got injured.

Major plus if it happens.

 

[Weaponhead]

What we do have is 5* x Premiership winning players, Wade, Andrew, Dale, Nicho (albeit on the bench but he has the ring and was part of the team), and *Aiden (Storm cap year 'wins').
Plus we have two coaches, Fitz and Pricey who have won multiple Premierships as coaches, and Fitz as a player. Not to mention Hannay with Qld.
We have enough experience there to know which way to travel, and how to get to the big end of season.

Yes, and that's why it's going to be fun to see how they go. If Dale is healthy, it's a massive bonus. He takes the others with him and gives them belief.

Fitz's low key focus and control is starting to contrast with a bit of fraying at the edges with Payten.

 

[Dragon Slayer]

Don’t worry about the two chances for finishing in the top 4.

Not many teams lose Week 1 and win the Comp.

It’s just a prolonged finals death.

If we lose to whoever Week 1 we’re gorn.

Win Week 1 then seriously get excited.

 

[Dragon Slayer]

Yes, and that's why it's going to be fun to see how they go. If Dale is healthy, it's a massive bonus. He takes the others with him and gives them belief.

Fitz's low key focus and control is starting to contrast with a bit of fraying at the edges with Payten.

Poor Todd has different mind set all of a sudden.

When he got away with the Tigers win he was all like you take the good with the bad, swings and roundabouts.

Bit different in last nights press conference.

How does that d!ck taste like Todd?

 

[2012....Sharks Year]

Doesn't bother me who we play out of the Storm and Cows. Will have to play good sides at some point. As BBB said....sit back and watch these teams bash each other next week. Beat Newie then somehow Jag that first semi at home. Rinse and repeat.... Sit back and watch desperate teams bash each other in sudden death games. This time of year any injury or reasonable suspension is season ending. Fitz is playing it cool...like an old hand.

 

[bad boy bubby]

Don’t worry about the two chances for finishing in the top 4.

Not many teams lose Week 1 and win the Comp.

It’s just a prolonged finals death.

If we lose to whoever Week 1 we’re gorn.

Win Week 1 then seriously get excited.

You're right in that not many do lose the first round then win the comp, in saying that, Penrith lost last year in the first week then won it all.
Just remember, all the other finals team besides us and Canberra (if they make it), have already been playing a couple of weeks of 'finals footy'. They are going to be bashed up well and good.

 

[Ozzi_78]

Don’t worry about the two chances for finishing in the top 4.

Not many teams lose Week 1 and win the Comp.

It’s just a prolonged finals death.

If we lose to whoever Week 1 we’re gorn.

Win Week 1 then seriously get excited.

Penrith lost to south’s last year in wk 1 and still won comp

 

[Ozzi_78]

We play 2nd last game of round next week. We will know exactly our fate. That worrying.

 

[bad boy bubby]

We play 2nd last game of round next week. We will know exactly our fate. That worrying.

No, if the Cows win they will be ahead of us, we will still need to beat the Knights (i know, its the Knights...) but still, if we are guaranteed second Fitz may well rest some players a bit more (Dale, Connor, plus any others that have real niggles)

 

[2012....Sharks Year]

No, if the Cows win they will be ahead of us, we will still need to beat the Knights (i know, its the Knights...) but still, if we are guaranteed second Fitz may well rest some players a bit more (Dale, Connor, plus any others that have real niggles)

Only trouble with that is we have to trim our squad before the Cows play the Pennies. They play 7.30 Sat we play Sunday arvo.

 

[Dragon Slayer]

You're right in that not many do lose the first round then win the comp, in saying that, Penrith lost last year in the first week then won it all.
Just remember, all the other finals team besides us and Canberra (if they make it), have already been playing a couple of weeks of 'finals footy'. They are going to be bashed up well and good.

Bloody Oath!

Finals started 2 weeks early for most in the top 8.

Melbourne Vs Roosters was seriously brutal.

Just out of that game Eisenhuth gone for the season for the Storm, Collins could miss the rest of the finals for the Roosters for that hip drop, Tupou for the Roosters has a groin injury, Victor Radley major concussion issues.

Then they’re all going at it again next week and it’s not even the finals yet. It’s one thing to have a bit of a hit out before the finals but these are just like finals intensity matches and I don’t care who you are that knocks the shyte out of you.

 

[Dragon Slayer]

Penrith lost to south’s last year in wk 1 and still won comp

hahaha!

Thanks Ozzi I knew someone would bring that up. (You bugger)

That’s why I said not many.

 

[Ozzi_78]

hahaha!

Thanks Ozzi I knew someone would bring that up. (You bugger)

That’s why I said not many.

I was too lazy to go back and check if anyone else did lose wk1 and win comp.

 

[Dragon Slayer]

I was too lazy to go back and check if anyone else did lose wk1 and win comp.

Ok have a lazy Sunday Morning.

In the last ten NRL GF’s only Penrith 2021 & Cowboys 2015 have lost Week 1 and won the GF.

Every other GF both teams in the GF won Week 1 except Manly in 2013 who made it after losing Week 1 but lost the GF.

Also in the last 10 finals series only 2 teams outside the top 4 have made the GF and none have won it.

So if you finish outside the top 4 or lose Week 1 history in the last ten years is very much against you.

 

[Ozzi_78]

No, if the Cows win they will be ahead of us, we will still need to beat the Knights (i know, its the Knights...) but still, if we are guaranteed second Fitz may well rest some players a bit more (Dale, Connor, plus any others that have real niggles)

Sorry I should not have used fate. We will know what is required be it something or nothing.