The run to the finals

[Meth]

I thought I'd start a thread to discuss all of the twists and turns in the run home to the finals.

A lot of the conversation has been around whether Penrith will catch us, but I actually think our main threat is the Sharks. Penrith have a tough run home (Storm, Raiders and Bulldogs in the last 6 weeks) and while they are capable of winning all of these, it'll be a big ask. The Sharks have a bye and only play 1 top 4 team from here.

I still have us finishing 4th and I have us playing the Raiders in week 1. This is probably outrageous optimism.

I still have a Storm v Panthers Grand Final.

 

[ozenzud]

The problem I had, foolishly, was I started to get confident. I thought we would beat the Titans last weekend. Para are suddenly playing well, we have to play Titans at their home. Bulldogs will beat us, Dolphins are actually TAB favourites this weekend. Dragons could do anything but are out of running realistically and Manly might depend on how they are going....I'm know having a crisis and thinking we may lose every game from here....

 

[Big Marn]

The problem I had, foolishly, was I started to get confident. I thought we would beat the Titans last weekend. Para are suddenly playing well, we have to play Titans at their home. Bulldogs will beat us, Dolphins are actually TAB favourites this weekend. Dragons could do anything but are out of running realistically and Manly might depend on how they are going....I'm know having a crisis and thinking we may lose every game from here....

Having the same doom merchant vibes but didnt want to be the first to post.
Its in the realms of possibility it all turns to dust from here. We've seen it before and it was usually the result of a key injury.

 

[Meth]

Totally could turn to dust-

Dolphins- we are understrength and they're a legit team. Beat them earlier this year.
Bulldogs- tough team, obviously.

Dragons, Titans, Eels and Sea Eagles though- I think we could win 3 of those.


If we don't win 3 from 6 from here, who cares where we finish...we'll be out inside of 2 weeks anyway.

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

I thought I'd start a thread to discuss all of the twists and turns in the run home to the finals.

A lot of the conversation has been around whether Penrith will catch us, but I actually think our main threat is the Sharks. Penrith have a tough run home (Storm, Raiders and Bulldogs in the last 6 weeks) and while they are capable of winning all of these, it'll be a big ask. The Sharks have a bye and only play 1 top 4 team from here.

I still have us finishing 4th and I have us playing the Raiders in week 1. This is probably outrageous optimism.

I still have a Storm v Panthers Grand Final.

Yea good shout. Sharkies definitely have the softest draw home for teams 5-7. And if the Dogs have sealed a top 2 spot by the time they play in R27, they may even rest their frontliners.

I have us finishing 5th (which I'm not upset about) and facing the Fins at home in week 1. Win that and we'd play the loser of Raiders v Sharks away.

 

[Matua]

My natural pessimism when it comes to the Warriors means that no matter what the outcome I'll be ok to process it.

What is weird is being this late in the season and having to take more notice of other games because we're still in the comp.

 

[ozenzud]

My natural pessimism when it comes to the Warriors means that no matter what the outcome I'll be ok to process it.

What is weird is being this late in the season and having to take more notice of other games because we're still in the comp.

How quick we forget our doom and doom preseason expectations. But really, we should be there and about every year.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

It's just so hard to know what is going to happen. Our injury concerns are obviously a major factor. We need JFH back ASAP. We'll get Wayde back, CHT back, and it's really concerning if Vaimauga is out for an extended time.

Webster really needs to coach his arse off this next six weeks. Every single game is winnable, even the Dogs one. But that Capewell DWZ side needs fixing, we need to score points, it's crunch time for him. All was good in 2023 when we were on a roll, we fell off and crashed + burned last year, and now what can he do?

 

[Meth]

Would be great for the Titans to sneak one over the Panthers tomorrow while they’re at it

 

[Blair]

***Wrong thread.

 

[Meth]

A win last night would have been great.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Feel like 5th/6th is a huge chance now. Don't even want to consider something lower.

Home final is the silver lining if that happens (although you get one if you finish top 4 and lose?)

 

[Blair]

Home final is the silver lining if that happens (although you get one if you finish top 4 and lose?)

Yes, like in 2023. The problem there though is you can get well beaten - even walloped - by the first-placed side, then return home and wallop a lower side (in front of your rapturous fans) but then you've lost confidence in winning against a fellow top-four side, and get walloped.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Yes, like in 2023. The problem there though is you can get well beaten - even walloped - by the first-placed side, then return home and wallop a lower side (in front of your rapturous fans) but then you've lost confidence in winning against a fellow top-four side, and get walloped.

A lot of water under the bridge to follow but I feel like we could beat the Dogs in a final. Not the Storm, not the Raiders (unless they had a real bad day) and not the Panthers.

Huge game next Saturday night v the Dogs. Hopefully we get some troops back

 

[Philip_Smith007]

We could lose all remaining matches from here!
We don't have the ability to score points frequently enough when inside opposition 20m. We currently look like a team sitting in 12th.

 

[hitro]

Would be great for the Titans to sneak one over the Panthers tomorrow while they’re at it

Panthers currently thrashing Titans 40-0

 

[hitro]

Panthers currently thrashing Titans 40-0

hang on no it's 24-10 sorry got that wrong before