NRL 2024 - Preliminary Finals

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Friday 27th September
(1) Melbourne Storm vs (3) Sydney Roosters (AAMI Park - 19:50)

Saturday 28th September
(2) Penrith Panthers vs (4) Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (Accor Stadium - 19:50)

 

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[Jatz]

The Daily Telegraph is reporting Cronulla's last 228 mins played against Penrith has a score of 90-0 in favour of the mountain men.

I don't think that's quite right but the recent record is abysmal.

 

[tigs2010]

The Daily Telegraph is reporting Cronulla's last 228 mins played against Penrith has a score of 90-0 in favour of the mountain men.

I don't think that's quite right but the recent record is abysmal.

It's correct. Sharks led 10-0 and lost 20-10. Lost 28-0 & 42-0

 

[Jatz]

It's correct. Sharks led 10-0 and lost 20-10. Lost 28-0 & 42-0

Ahh yeah ok, was wondering how they'd got to that.

Diabolical form against one side. Guess they just see it as a free hit and hope for the best.

 

[Iceman!]

Think a lot of people are underrating the Sharks chances, i hope we kill them again but i think it is going to be a battle. We deserve to be favourites but i can not believe the amount of people just writing the Sharks off.

 

[Jatz]

Think a lot of people are underrating the Sharks chances, i hope we kill them again but i think it is going to be a battle. We deserve to be favourites but i can not believe the amount of people just writing the Sharks off.

What's led you to believe they'll challenge you?

Their recent record in finals is awful.
Their recent record against the Panthers is even worse.
The Panthers are the current 3 time reigning premiers (they've got the big game experience).

I can't think of a single reason why the Sharks could genuinely challenge.

 

[Iceman!]

What's led you to believe they'll challenge you?

Their recent record in finals is awful.
Their recent record against the Panthers is even worse.
The Panthers are the current 3 time reigning premiers (they've got the big game experience).

I can't think of a single reason why the Sharks could genuinely challenge.

It is more where i think Penrith are currently at, i have watched every game this year and our form not just week to week but even inside games has been frustratingly inconsistent. Now obviously we are talking about the standards of the best team in the comp here.

I still think we are a very good team but i think the gap between our best and our worst leaves us very beatable. Our edge defence is a huge worry, Edwards form at the end of the year with his niggles is a worry. I hope what we saw from against the Roosters is a sign we are peaking at the right time and are finally healthy, but i worry that was more just due to how depleted the Roosters team was.

This could also just be that despite Penrith being incredible for half a decade i have another 23 years prior to that which taught me to always be pessimistic when it comes to Penrith so it could just be that coming out to play.

 

[Jatz]

It is more where i think Penrith are currently at, i have watched every game this year and our form not just week to week but even inside games has been frustratingly inconsistent. Now obviously we are talking about the standards of the best team in the comp here.

I still think we are a very good team but i think the gap between our best and our worst leaves us very beatable. Our edge defence is a huge worry, Edwards form at the end of the year with his niggles is a worry. I hope what we saw from against the Roosters is a sign we are peaking at the right time and are finally healthy, but i worry that was more just due to how depleted the Roosters team was.

This could also just be that despite Penrith being incredible for half a decade i have another 23 years prior to that which taught me to always be pessimistic when it comes to Penrith so it could just be that coming out to play.

I don't disagree it's been your worst year since 2019 but you still finished 2nd and your first half against the Roosters was the best football seen this year (arguably).

I have no doubt Ivan will have the boys sharp and motivated for when it counts. That was really the opinion that's been held all year within that group.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Think a lot of people are underrating the Sharks chances, i hope we kill them again but i think it is going to be a battle. We deserve to be favourites but i can not believe the amount of people just writing the Sharks off.

They won't get close to Melbourne, give the Roosters a better shot and even then it's a Hail Mary shot

 

[eddiesmith]

Think a lot of people are underrating the Sharks chances, i hope we kill them again but i think it is going to be a battle. We deserve to be favourites but i can not believe the amount of people just writing the Sharks off.

Everyone wrote the Sharks off months ago and will never change their mind.

Even after they win a final no one thought they would, it’s all negativity as they fight their disappointment the Sharks are still there.

Bigfooty claimed the Dogs would take their spot in the 4…

Of course saying all that, it would be the greatest upset of all time if they won, especially with Penriths no1 player in Ashley Klein running the game and Sharks hater Butler overturning every try in the bunker.

 

[Jatz]

Everyone wrote the Sharks off months ago and will never change their mind.

Even after they win a final no one thought they would, it’s all negativity as they fight their disappointment the Sharks are still there.

Bigfooty claimed the Dogs would take their spot in the 4…

Of course saying all that, it would be the greatest upset of all time if they won, especially with Penriths no1 player in Ashley Klein running the game and Sharks hater Butler overturning every try in the bunker.

Is there any referee in the game that you think doesn't hate the Sharks?

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Is there any referee in the game that you think doesn't hate the Sharks?

To be fair they are all shockers, how Klein is rated so high is farcical

 

[eddiesmith]

Is there any referee in the game that you think doesn't hate the Sharks?

Plenty, but they don’t get the big games as they don’t tow the company line.

But Butler and Klein are the 2 worst and what a surprise they get the Sharks again…

 

[eddiesmith]

To be fair they are all shockers, how Klein is rated so high is farcical

Because the right teams always win when Klein officiates…

 

[Jatz]

Plenty, but they don’t get the big games as they don’t tow the company line.

But Butler and Klein are the 2 worst and what a surprise they get the Sharks again…

It's probably because the NRL have it in for Cronulla!

 

[moto748]

I find it hard to get my head around Ashley Klein. The NRL obviously rate him as the best ref; he gets the big games. And you guys almost unanimously don't rate him. Quite the conundrum. Personally I don't have a problem with him (or any of the NRL refs, really).

 

[D Jenn]

Cronulla are a good team and would likely beat many of the NRL teams the way they are playing. I'd give them a shot if Nathan wasn't playing but he won the GF last year on his own. He's The General in that team and controls everything.

Penrith are clicking into gear, have the team and experience to go all the way yet again.
Only way Sharks win is if they really think outside the box and rattle them, trick plays, one on one strips etc... And for that type of risky play you need everything to go right - and still defend very well.

Can't see it happening.

 

[Paul Kersey]

Smash Cleary every chance you get Cronulla.

 

[moto748]

Smash Cleary every chance you get Cronulla.

Luai has stood up well this season when Cleary has been injured. I wish them well, but the Sharks have it all to do.

 

[moto748]

I have to say, these play-off fixtures suit me very well; 10.50 am KO, so plenty of time for a leisurely breakfast, and then enjoy the game!

 

[Paul Kersey]

Never understand why they open the gates so late at AAMI. Sold out, biggest crowd ever expected here and we're in lines waiting at 6.20pm. MCG does it much better.

 

[The Sultan]

surprised that the NRL have this game on the Friday night before the AFL GF. youd almost think they wanted people in Melb to watch it.

 

[Plugger35]

surprised that the NRL have this game on the Friday night before the AFL GF. youd almost think they wanted people in Melb to watch it.

The only chance people in Melbourne will get to see one of their teams in a GF, assuming the Storm win tonight which they should.

 

[eddiesmith]

Luai has stood up well this season when Cleary has been injured. I wish them well, but the Sharks have it all to do.

He only wants Cleary smashed before the Melbourne game next week

Unfortunately it looks like injuries have made the impossible even harder. Never get any luck, not since 2016 when a shark hating referee ****ed up his first final and was dropped from the no1 spot in favour of a bloke who didn’t hate us!