The Broncos are staring down the barrel of a scary statistical anomaly after ending with the worst case state of affairs from their last spherical conflict.
The Panthers’ halves mixture have solely had one sport collectively forward of the finals, however did destroy a lacklustre Cowboys facet.
Meanwhile, James Tedesco is peaking on the good time and the Storm have a giant resolution to make concerning Papenhuyzen’s greatest position.
Read under for all of the burning questions forward of the primary week of finals!
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Can the Cogger and Cleary mixture minimize it after just one sport?
Following Jarome Luai’s shoulder harm, alternative playmaker Jack Cogger is the person tasked with selecting up his slack. Cogger’s pure place is halfback, however will take over on the left facet of the sphere for the Panthers, with Luai solely a slim likelihood of returning ought to Penrith make the preliminary finals. Nathan Cleary is arguably the sport’s greatest No.7 however his mixture with Cogger could be very uncooked, entering into to the finals with just one sport performed as a partnership. Can Cleary and Cogger lead the Panthers to their third straight premiership? If their efficiency on Saturday afternoon was something to by, the reply is sure. Penrith had been ruthless in assault in opposition to the Cowboys and delivered a near-perfect first half earlier than taking their foot off the gasoline within the second. With gamers like Mitch Kenny and Scott Sorensen returning, Cogger will merely need to play a job and the Panthers’ juggernaut might position on with Cleary as soon as once more main the best way.
Can the Broncos defy the statistics to win in week one?
The stats paint a grim image for the Broncos. The Storm’s Round 27 win over Brisbane was their 14th consecutive sport taking the sweets. Suncorp Stadium can also be revered as one of the crucial feared grounds to journey to in rugby league, however not for Melbourne. They haven’t misplaced to Brisbane on their dwelling soil since 2009. However, if there was ever a crew to defy the chances it’s this Broncos outfit crammed with a number of the sport’s most in-form gamers. Reece Walsh is arguably the season’s greatest recruit, whereas the one-two punch of Payne Haas and Patrick Carrigan is extraordinarily harmful. Throw within the skilled Adam Reynolds and speedsters Herbie Farnworth and Selwyn Cobbo, and the Broncos might get the job accomplished. Coming in to the ultimate spherical of the 12 months, the Broncos would have been assured of securing the minor premiership, which might have seen them face the Warriors. Andrew Webster’s facet would have been thought of an ‘easier’ opponent for the Broncos, however after resting a number of big-name stars Brisbane misplaced each the J. J. Giltinan Shield and their preffered match-up which might come again to hang-out the Red Hill membership.
NRL golf equipment launch finals collection in Sydney | 03:50
The Storm have one of many sport’s greatest gamers on the bench — how can they use him?
There’s no arguing Ryan Papenhuyzen is among the NRL’s greatest gamers. He has solely performed two NRL video games since coming back from a 13-month lay off after an unsightly knee harm, however was spectacular in his first full hitout in Round 27. The Daily Telegraph’s Buzz Rothfield has revealed how Craig Bellamy will utilise his skills, handing him a roving playmaking position off the bench with Nick Meaney staying at fullback. Papenhuyzen will reportedly change a center ahead — however can the Storm’s pack minimize it in opposition to a rampaging Broncos entrance row being a big-man down within the center? Only time will inform, however the considered Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes linking up with Papenhuyzen in the midst of the sphere will strike worry in to Kevin Walters’ coronary heart. Papenhuyzen will float throughout the park and search for holes, being handed freedom much like Joey Manu on the back-end of final season. He would pop up when wanted for Melbourne, however his defence in the midst of the park could possibly be a difficulty and he’ll possible be focused by the Broncos forwards.
Is it simply too good to be true for the ‘Wahs’?
‘Up the Wahs’ chants have unfold like wildfire off the again of an enormous season to complete in fourth. All the speak pre-season was about Cameron Ciraldo becoming a member of the Bulldogs, however the Warriors signed the hidden gem in Andrew Webster. Players and followers alike love ‘Webby’ and he was even likened to Jason Sudekis’ loveable soccer coach character Ted Lasso. But with a conflict in opposition to the reigning premiers looming, is all of it too good to be true? New Zealand are using a wave of success, however absolutely the buck stops someplace? But in the event you have a look at their crew’s type, possibly not. Shaun Johnson is a number one contender for the Dally M Medal, Dallin Watene-Zezlezniak can’t cease scoring and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad could possibly be probably the most dependable man in rugby league. That’s not even together with Addin Fonua-Blake, Wayde Egan and Tohu Harris who’ve all been glorious this season. New Zealand, even when they lose to the Panthers in week one, are a real power to be reckoned with and it’s solely going to get higher subsequent season with the return of one of many membership’s favorite sons in Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
SJ claims Warriors’ participant of the 12 months | 00:33
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Are the Knights too reliant on Kalyn Ponga?
It was solely two months in the past that Knights coach Adam O’Brien was on the chopping block, with membership powerbrokers reportedly assembly with quite a few candidates to take over his position, together with Justin Holbrook. Fast ahead to August, and Newcastle have completed in fifth. The Knights had been in 14th place as late as Round 19, however went on a staggering nine-game win streak and at the moment are one of many hottest groups within the finals. The turnaround from a facet who appeared directionless at first of the season to an attacking power has been nothing wanting spectacular. Credit goes to O’Brien and the membership’s talisman Kalyn Ponga, who has been arguably the most effective participant within the competitors to shut out the 12 months. His resolution to overlook the Origin collection has paid dividends in a giant approach and he has effectively and really jusitified his hefty million-dollar price ticket. But in the event that they Knights do lose him to a head knock or an harm within the finals, can they get the job accomplished with out him? The gun fullback spearhead’s their assault and is the person they try to get in to house. After an AC joint harm, Ponga didn’t characteristic in Round 27 and nonetheless Newcastle had been strong in opposition to the Dragons securing a 20-point win. The Knights have a number of different gamers within the midst of career-best seasons, together with Bradman Best and Phoenix Crossland, who has been glorious at hooker. While Ponga is the crew’s most vital determine, credit score additionally must be handed to the remainder of the facet.
The Sharks’ fullback gamble
The Sharks have a giant resolution on their fingers forward of their conflict with the Roosters within the first week of finals. Craig Fitzgibbon was reportedly “sitting on the fence” concerning the health of stand-in fullback Connor Tracey, nevertheless he “completed some of the session” on Wednesday in accordance with The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis. Elsewhere, Will Kennedy might return from a hamstring harm per week early ought to Tracey be dominated out. A possible swap for Nicho Hynes has already been dominated out, whereas Daniel Atkinson and Kayal Iro are the remaining choices for the No.1 jersey. With a must-win conflict looming, Fitzgibbon now has an enormous name to make along with his first two fullback choices not at 100 per cent health. Do the Sharks carry Tracey in to the sport, just for him to probably go down after taking a knock to his knee? The 27-year-old is a tricky, gritty outdoors again, nevertheless Fitzgibbon could must scrap his four-forward bench system in opposition to the Roosters in favour of taking part in Matt Moylan as a No.14. Similarly, selecting Kennedy would even be an enormous resolution, with the danger of re-injuring a hamstring pressure as a consequence of an early return being extremely excessive. Fitzgibbon’s name has the potential to make or break Cronulla’s season.
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Is James Tedesco peaking on the proper time?
It hasn’t been James Tedesco’s greatest season by his lofty requirements and the gun fullback had admitted he has struggled in 2023. In Origin, he did not ship and there have been even requires him to dropped entering into to Game III. However, the 30-year-old former Dally M Medallist has put collectively a string of strong performances. The Tricolours have gained three video games in a row, and Tedesco performed an instrumental position in his facet’s win over the Rabbitohs in Round 27, securing a finals spot. In Round 25, he additionally scored a double in a mammoth show in opposition to the Eels earlier than a head knock dominated him out of Round 26. There’s little doubt Tedesco’s type is selecting up and his re-emergence as an attacking menace coincides with the Roosters’ dream run in to the finals. He can also be certainly one of a number of Tricolours gamers who know what it takes to win a premiership, having lifted the trophy alongside Luke Keary and Jared Warea-Hargreaves amongst different huge names. Tedesco may also be determined to proper his wrongs from the beginning of the season and anticipate the veteran fullback to ship on the massive stage.
Can the Raiders get the job accomplished with out Seb Kris and Josh Papalii?
Veteran prop Josh Papalii’s season-ending Biceps harm was a hammer blow to the Raiders who scraped in to the finals. But now they may also be and not using a key outdoors again in Sebastian Kris after he was handed a five-game ban for a lifting deal with in Round 27. The 24-year-old has performed 21 video games this 12 months, principally at fullback however he shifted to the winger in opposition to the Sharks. If Ricky Stuart opts to shift Jack Wighton again in to the centres, we might see the return of a membership legend in Jarrod Croker, who has been a strong performer in 2023 throughout his 15 appearances. That leaves a spot on the wing to be crammed, with Albert Hopoate being the possible man to fill the void. Papalii’s absence isn’t the one center ahead Canberra are lacking, with Origin consultant Corey Horsburgh additionally suspended till the grand last if the Raiders go that for. Ricky Stuart made the daring resolution to begin debutant Hohepa Puru at lock in Horsburgh’s absence, however might shift Joseph Tapine to the position and produce Emre Gular again in to the beginning facet at prop, with Puru shifting again to the bench. However, Stuarrt decides to configure his bench, the Raiders are up in opposition to it with a number of key gamers lacking in opposition to a red-hot Knights outfit.
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