NRL Finals Week 3

By Stephen Gallagher

FRIDAY: Dolphins (3) v Roosters (4) – Suncorp Stadium – 21.50NZT

What a great start to the Dolphins' tenure in the National Rugby League. Their fourth season and playing in a preliminary final. The Brisbane Broncos did the same thing, and we know just how successful they’ve been since their inception.

And then you go back to their very first game. Dolphins V Roosters, and the Dolphins were given no chance, and upset the Bondi Boys. Now these two teams play for a spot in the Grand Final.

A week off would have done wonders for this young Dolphins side. They went to Auckland and won with ease, and now are going to be playing in front of 50,000 fans at Suncorp.

For the Roosters, they’ve gone the long way, but the return of Sam Walker at half-back is a huge inclusion.

Both sides are probably as close to full-strength as they possibly can be, which is awesome for this huge match.

The Dolphins got the chocs last time these two played, and it was a very physical match, but the Dolphins did it the way they always do. Giving their outside backs the time and space to dominate.

Roosters will be relishing this opportunity. They play for premierships; it’s written on the inside collar of their jerseys. That’s going to be something that coach Trent Robinson will be addressing to his troops before they run out into the hostile cauldron in Queensland.

This is a real coin-flip game for me. I can see the Dolphins winning it, I can see the Roosters winning it.

In these sorts of games, experience shines through. The Roosters have been in this situation plenty of times before. The Dolphins are almost playing with house money to get here. It’s awesome to see, and they won’t shy away from the big stage.

TIP: Roosters 1-12

 

SUNDAY: Panthers (1) V Knights (7) – Accor Stadium – 18.05NZT

There’s so much unknown around just how fit Nathan Cleary is for this match. He’s not going to pull out, but a foot injury to the games greatest player is going to hamper them.

Whether it’s just him doing less in-play kicking, not goal kicking, or less hesitant to run.  These are all things that will play into the Knights hand as they look to do the unthinkable and knock the Panthers off their perch.

But this is the Penrith Panthers we’re talking about. A side that is gunning for their sixth grand final in seven years. Yes. Six grand finals in seven years.

This side is built around big moments, big games, and tough matchups. You won’t look in a single eye of a Panthers player on Sunday and see fear. They want this game badly.

There’s talk about the Knights having played their Grand Final last week, knocking the Wahs out in an epic clash in Auckland.

Last year’s wooden spooners are one win away from making the season’s biggest game.  Without their million-dollar man, Dylan Brown, in the halves.

I really enjoy watching this Newcastle team play. Their DNA is clear. They play for the Steel City, and they play like their blue-collar fans would want them to.

As a resident of Penrith, I want to see them win. They know they can, but this Knights fairytale is something a lot of neutral fans want to see.

Penrith will get it done, but it’s going to take everything.

TIP: Panthers 1-12

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