NRL finals teams 2023: The seven big calls heading into the opening week of the finals
The NRL finals are here, but what will be the keys for some teams in the premiership chase? Brent Read takes a look at seven big calls on the eve of the finals series. Plus, all the teams news.
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The NRL finals are here, but what will be the keys for some teams to get the win and keep their season alive in some cases.
Brent Read takes a look at seven big calls on the eve of the finals series.
KING ARTHARS
Brisbane coach Kevin Walters has Adam Reynolds and Patrick Carrigan back at his disposal but the most contentious selection was that of Jesse Arthars on the wing ahead of Corey Oates.
Mind you, it probably shouldn’t have been. Arthars has been rock-solid when given his chance this season, scoring eight tries in 17 appearances.
Oates, on the other hand, has only made nine appearance and failed to cross the stripe. His defensive stats were no doubt at the forefront of Walters’ mind as well as he went about picking a side capable of ending a 14-match losing streak against the Storm.
Oates has been shaky in that department – according to the Broncos’ own website, his tackle efficiency is only 69 per cent. He has missed almost half as many tackles as he has made this year.
Sure, you need to score points to win games but finals are generally won on defence and that hasn’t been Oates’ strong suit this year. It meant that Arthars was the preferred option in a side that’ll be hellbent on ending their Melbourne hoodoo on Friday night.
WILDCARD PAPS
Storm coach Craig Bellamy resisted the urge to recall Justin Olam for Friday night’s game – he couldn’t even make the extended bench – but he did bring back Jahrome Hughes and return the No. 1 jersey to Nick Meaney.
That means Ryan Papenhuyzen is back to the interchange bench, where he shapes as a wildcard for the Storm throughout this finals series.
The Melbourne superstar is two games into his NRL return and is rapidly finding the form which had him on the verge of State of Origin selection before he shattered his kneecap.
Papenhuyzen admitted there were days during his long injury lay-off when he seriously contemplated life without the game.
“There were definitely days you think about it for sure,” he told this masthead.
“It is a tough one to speak about because I was always positive about coming back. Then you would have a setback in that little half an hour or wherever you’re feeling it and you do think about it.
“That is rough. I feel like I am pretty set up outside footy but at the same time, even at the weekend having a beer in the sheds with the boys, (you miss) those sort of things.
“I am not a big drinker and what not, those moments I got a taste of not having it for a while now. I think it is trying to savour them and appreciate what it is because once it is taken away for that long, you start to miss it and start to realise how much it means to you.”
The Storm have used Papenhuyzen in a roaming role and he has the potential to blow the game open on Friday night.
MARTIN IS STARTIN’
Te Maire Martin missed five tackles in a big loss to the Dolphins last weekend but that was in a side missing a host of big names, including his halves partner this Saturday afternoon – Shaun Johnson.
Johnson, the favourite to win the Dally M medal after a red-hot year for the Warriors, should ease the pressure on Martin and coach Andrew Webster no doubt hopes that will help bring out the best in the former North Queensland and Brisbane Broncos player.
Martin’s role is simple, just as it was for Luke Metcalf before a hamstring injury consigned him to the sideline. No need for the flash stuff. Just do your job.
The Warriors’ no-nonsense forward pack should give them every chance and then it will be up to Martin and Johnson to ice their chances when they come along.
Do that, and the unfancied New Zealand outfit is a chance to ride the Wahs wave all the way back to Auckland and a preliminary final.
It’s a huge ask, but Martin has faced bigger challenges in his life and come out the other side – he retired early in 2020 after a brain bleed but returned to the NRL at the start of 2022 and hasn’t looked back.
TRACEY OR KENNEDY
Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon has named Will Kennedy on an extended bench, meaning he is every chance to make his return from a hamstring injury one week ahead of schedule.
The timing could be impeccable given his replacement at the back – Connor Tracey – limped off last weekend with a knee problem.
Tracey has been cleared of serious damage and hopes to be fit to play on the opening weekend of the finals. It leaves Fitzgibbon with a potential headache as he ponders which way to go with his side.
Kennedy was among the Sharks’ most consistent performers prior to succumbing to injury, winning himself a lucrative contract extension in the process.
Tracey has been a revelation since taking over the job, prompting other clubs to begin sniffing around a player who has one year left on his deal and is as versatile as any player in the NRL.
At some point, if the Sharks go deep into the finals, Fitzgibbon will be forced to make a choice between the pair. It’s one of those win-win situations coaches greet with mixed emotions.
Both can do the job but one bloke will have his heart broken.
MANU MAGIC
No surprises with Joey Manu being named in the centres. The Sydney Roosters superstar missed last week with a hamstring injury and like any soft tissue injury, there is always a question mark over the best time to return.
If the Roosters are going to roll the dice, they may as well do it now. Manu is an out-and-out match-winner and if he manages to prove his fitness, the scales tip significantly toward to the Roosters.
The Roosters have been all over the shop this season but the past month they finally found some consistency and there is genuine belief that they can do some real damage in the finals.
That belief will only be amplified if Manu manages to take his place on Saturday night.
“We were always confident within the four walls that we could get it done,” captain James Tedesco said.
“We knew it was a tough task but we didn’t think it wasn’t doable. We always finish the year strong – we have been doing that for years at the Roosters.
“We always had that belief that if we played our best footy, we gave ourselves a chance. Anything can happen in the finals.”
IRONMAN PONGA
Speaking of rolling the dice, Newcastle may be forced to do it not once but twice as they prepare to stare down finals mortality.
It’s arguable that no player in the game is as valuable right now as Kalyn Ponga, the Knights superstar who damaged his shoulder in the penultimate round of the regular season and then sat out the final round win over St George Illawarra.
Ponga was always going to be picked to take on Canberra but he will do so with a seriously damaged shoulder that will likely require painkilling injections and lashings of strapping.
If there was ever a question over Ponga’s toughness, it has been dispelled this season. He has overcome career-threatening head knocks to put himself in the firing line as part of a Knights side tearing up the NRL.
Now he is ready to play finals football with a bung shoulder. As for Jackson Hastings, his ankle is unlikely to be 100 per cent but his return will be another boost for a Newcastle side in a rich vein of form.
They have been fortunate to have Adam Clune holding the fort but Hastings has been their on-field general for most of the season and he has earned the No. 7 jersey.
NO MOVE FOR WIGHTON
Every game could be Jack Wighton’s last for Canberra as he prepares to join South Sydney next season. The surprise is that he will likely finish his career in the centres.
Wighton is the Raiders’ most dangerous player and there are plenty of pundits who believe the club would be better served by having him at five-eighth, where he could demand more of the ball and potentially cause more damage.
Coach Ricky Stuart believes otherwise and has resisted the temptation to return Wighton to the No. 6 jersey. It is an interesting call given what is at stake as the Raiders head to McDonald Jones Stadium for a sudden-death final against the NRL’s most in-form side.
If Canberra are to pull off an upset, Wighton shapes as the man most likely. On his day, he is capable of wrecking havoc.
On Sunday, it looks like he will have to do it from the centres.
TEAMS: Sharks, Raiders pull finals shocks
Sharks fullback Will Kennedy has emerged as a shock contender to return for the finals with the attacking weapon included in Craig Fitzgibbon’s extended squad to face the Roosters.
Kennedy is on the comeback trail from a hamstring injury suffered six weeks ago against the Panthers.
His training loads and running have progressed to a point where Kennedy could be used if fellow fullback Connor Tracey (knee) falls short of being available for the must-win elimination final against the Roosters at PointsBet Stadium on Saturday night.
Tracey hobbled from the field with a knee complaint in Cronulla’s last round victory over the Raiders last Sunday.
Tracey was walking freely at the Sharks media call on Tuesday, but must pass several running tests on Wednesday and Friday before being cleared to play in the eliminational final at PointsBet Stadium.
RICKY SPRINGS FINALS SURPRISE
—David Riccio
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart also sprung a surprise by choosing utility James Schiller on the wing in the absence of the suspended Sebastian Kris.
The skilful Schiller has beaten Albert Hopoate for the right to play Newcastle in the elimination final clash in the Hunter on Sunday.
Just nine-games into his NRL career, Schiller, is the nephew of Raiders legend Brett Mullins.
BRONCOS BACK ARTHARS OVER OATES
—Peter Badel
Broncos flyer Jesse Arthars has edged out Corey Oates in a fierce battle for a wing spot for Friday night’s qualifying final against the Storm.
And in a huge boost for the Broncos, injured duo Adam Reynolds (calf) and Pat Carrigan (foot) are certain starters after training strongly with the main squad.
Brisbane coach Kevin Walters has finalised his starting 13, with Arthars officially clinching the left-wing spot ahead of Oates, who trained with the second-string ‘Renegades’ side wearing a yellow bib.
The axing of Oates comes as a crushing blow for the former Queensland Origin star, who is the sole survivor of Brisbane’s 2015 grand-final team.
Just five days ago, Oates was Brisbane’s first-choice left winger against the Storm, while Arthars started at centre after Walters opted to rest 11 top-liners, including backline quartet Reece Walsh, Kotoni Staggs, Herbie Farnworth and Selwyn Cobbo.
Given his experience as a 201-game legend, Oates was regarded as a selection certainty for Brisbane’s finals clash against bogey team the Storm, who have won their past 14 games over the Broncos.
Oates has had an injury-ravaged campaign, with a broken jaw and two knee problems restricting him to just nine games.
Keenan Palasia wins the final bench spot.
Tyson Smoothy is locked in as Brisbane’s No. 14, while Palasia is set win the final spot alongside Brendan Piakura and Kobe Hetherington, relegating Martin Taupau and Corey Jensen to extended squad duties.
FIRST QUALIFYING FINAL: FRIDAY, 7.50PM (EST), SUNCORP STADIUM
Brisbane Broncos (2) v Melbourne Storm (3)
Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Brendan Piakura 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Keenan Palasia 18. Corey Oates 19. Martin Taupau 20. Corey Jensen 21. Jock Madden 22. Tristan Sailor
Analysis: All rested players are back on deck, as are guns Adam Reynolds (calf), Kotoni Staggs (suspension) and Patrick Carrigan (foot). Jesse Arthars wins a wing spot ahead of veteran Corey Oates. Keenan Palasia gets the nod on the bench ahead of Corey Jensen.
Storm: 1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Marion Seve 4. Young Tonumaipea 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Tom Eisenhuth 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Ryan Papenhuyzen 18. Tyran Wishart 19. Tariq Sims 20. Tepai Moeroa 21. Reimis Smith 22. Grant Anderson
Analysis: The 13 players rested last week are all back on deck. Jahrome Hughes (knee) and Harry Grant (shoulder) will be assessed later in the week but are expected to play. With Nick Meaney back, Ryan Papenhuyzen reverts to the bench where he’ll play as a super sub.
QUALIFYING FINAL: SATURDAY, 4.05PM (EST), BLUEBET STADIUM
Penrith Panthers (1) V New Zealand Warriors (4)
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jack Cogger 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Tyrone Peachey 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Zac Hosking 18. Jaeman Salmon 19. Matt Eisenhuth 20. Luke Sommerton 21. Luke Garner 22. Thomas Jenkins
Analysis: Mitch Kenny (leg) and Scott Sorensen (leg) are key inclusions after missing the last few weeks. Jarome Luai (shoulder) remains sidelined but is aiming to return late in the finals.
Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris 14. Dylan Walker 15. Jazz Tevaga 16. Bayley Sironen 17. Josh Curran 18. Freddy Lussick 20. Taine Tuaupiki 21. Bunty Afoa 22. Tom Ale 23. Edward Kosi
Analysis: Tohu Harris is somewhat of a shock inclusion after originally being ruled out for two weeks with a back injury. The rested brigade all return including Shaun Johnson, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Addin Fonua-Blake.
ELIMINATION FINAL: SATURDAY, 7.50PM (EST), POINTSBET STADIUM
Cronulla Sharks (6) V Sydney Roosters (7)
Sharks: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Jack Williams 15. Royce Hunt 16. Thomas Hazelton 17. Oregon Kaufusi 18. Kayal Iro 19. Daniel Atkinson 20. Jesse Colquhoun 21. William Kennedy 22. Matt Moylan
Analysis: Unchanged 17 but William Kennedy is a chance to return at fullback from a hamstring injury in place of Connor Tracey, who is in doubt with a knee issue.
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Fetalaiga Pauga 3. Billy Smith 4. Joseph Manu 5. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Fletcher Baker 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Siua Wong 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley 14. Sandon Smith 15. Egan Butcher 16. Terrell May 17. Angus Crichton 18. Drew Hutchison 19. Naufahu Whyte 20. Corey Allan 21. Jaxson Paulo 22. Dylan Napa
Analysis: Joseph Manu is a key inclusion after missing last week with a hamstring injury. Daniel Tupou remains sidelined with a knee injury with Junior Pauga to again play wing.
ELIMINATION FINAL: SUNDAY, 4.05PM (EST), MCDONALD JONES STADIUM
Newcastle Knights (5) V Canberra Raiders (8)
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Adam Elliott 14. Kurt Mann 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mathew Croker 18. Adam Clune 19. Lachlan Miller 20. Dylan Lucas 21. Enari Tuala 22. Brodie Jones
Analysis: Kalyn Ponga (shoulder), Jackson Hastings (ankle) and Lachlan Fitzgibbon (shoulder) are back from injury. Tyson Frizell, Dane Gagai and Phoenix Crossland return after being rested.
Raiders: 1. Jordan Rapana 2. James Schiller 3. Jack Wighton 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Nick Cotric 6. Matt Frawley 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Ata Mariota 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Hohepa Puru 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Trey Mooney 18. Jarrod Croker 19. Albert Hopoate 20. Danny Levi 21. Ethan Strange 22. Xavier Savage
Analysis: James Schiller comes onto the wing in place of Seb Kris, who will miss five matches through suspension.
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