NRL Finals Week One 2024

By Stephen Gallagher

FRIDAY: Panthers (2) V Roosters (4)  – Penrith Park – 21.50NZT

Their last game in Penrith until 2025, there’s pressure on the three-time reigning champions to send this stadium off with something they’ve been used to for the last five seasons – a win.

Roosters have deserved their fourth spot and second shot in finals if they lose here, and with the amount of talent on this roster, they will not be dwelling on their injury concerns.

The biggest talking point is obviously the shoulder of Nathan Cleary, who will be lined up and smashed as much as he can by Roosters’ Angus Crichton. The body-guard role of Liam Martin will be an important one.

The kicking game can be the difference. Cleary is known for changing the game with his long kicks to alleviate pressure. The Roosters, not so much.

Just because of what they’ve been doing all year long, I think the resilience of the Panthers will earn them the victory and a week off next week. Will be a tight one.

PREDICTION: Panthers 24 – Roosters 16

 

SATURDAY: Storm (1) V Sharks (4) – AAMI Park – 18.05NZT

Another absolute cracker of a finals match-up. The Storm were front runners for the majority of the season and deservedly so. Wrapping up the J. J. Giltinan Shield with three weeks to go.

Melbourne have showcased almost every style of play this year, which makes them the ultimate finals threat. We know they can grind out wins, we know they can keep their foot on the throttle for 80 and destroy teams, and we know that even with 78 minutes on the clock, they can still come back and win.

Sharks come into this with plenty of confidence. Notching up 40 points last week in Manly, and with the knowledge of getting a win in Melbourne earlier in the season is something that will instill belief in the 17 blokes that will line up for this one.

Eyes will be on Jahrome Hughes, who has had a career-best year form-wise. Virtually unstoppable at the moment.

And don’t go writing the Sharks off if they lose this one. We know their finals record of late. They do too. It’s not the end for them yet.

PREDICTION: Storm 18 – Sharks 12

 

Cowboys (5) V Knights (8) – Queensland Country Bank Stadium – 21.50NZT

I’m going into this weekend that there must be an upset somewhere. And I genuinely believe that Newcastle can get to Townsville and win.

But the simple solution to ending that would be to shut down Kalyn Ponga. He’s their key. Which is so obvious and dumb to say, but the more time he has with ball in hand, the more dangerous the Knights become.

We know their halves haven’t been as good as they should be, and don’t produce points as much as KP does.

For the North Queensland Cowboys, the home advantage should be a big one. Use that. Throughout the week, their coach Todd Peyton commented about making it a hostile environment, and that their fans have been a bit soft and quiet throughout the year on opposing teams.

For the result, these are two teams I can’t trust to turn up and both deliver at the same time. Such up-and-down seasons. The Cowboys are favourites and no one’s doubting that – I just have this sneaking suspicion the Knights will sneak past and get ‘em.

PREDICTION: Knights 28 – Cowboys 26

 

SUNDAY: Bulldogs (6) V Sea Eagles (7) – Accor Stadium – 18.05NZT

I’m so, so happy for the fans of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs that they have had the season they’ve had. Although, yes, the last few weeks have felt like a bit of a stumbling block, I still think this is a remarkable feat and have been brilliant to watch all year.

Manly got the choccies over the Bulldogs two weeks ago. They were able to subdue their attack, and minimise their forwards into submission. It showed that when the game plan is on, and it’s about running over the Bulldogs pack, it can and will work.

A sea of blue and over 50,000 fans are expected to fill up Accor. Scenes of joy not seen since Taylor Swift performed their earlier this season.

I think when it comes down to it, the experience of the Sea Eagles big game players – the likes of Cherry-Evans, and the Trbojevic brothers, will play a big part.

Though, the Dogs won’t lay down. They will throw everything at Manly to get the win. A huge game.

PREDICTION: Sea Eagles 20 – Bulldogs 18

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