NRL Lowdown: How is your team placed for the 2017 NRL finals?
THE NRL finals are looming large as we head into the final round of the season. We check in with every club to analyse their form and finals hopes heading into September.
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IT’S crunch time!
The finals are looming large as we head into the final round of the season, with top four and top eight spots on the line.
We check in with every club to analyse their form and finals hopes heading into September.
STORM
LADDER:
First, 42 points (+271 points differential)
WEEKEND WRAP:
Everything ticked and then some as the all-conquering Storm blitzed the Rabbitohs 64-6 at AAMI Park in a frighteningly clinical display from the minor premiers.
INS AND OUTS
Clean bill of health after the game, so any ins and outs will be purely management. Joe Stimson unlucky to miss out but Tohu Harris the preferred second-rower.
RUN HOME
Raiders
PROGNOSIS
Extraordinary finish to the season but the job is far from over. One more week until the real thing begins.
— Gilbert Gardiner
ROOSTERS
LADDER: Second, 36 points (68)
WEEKEND WRAP
Another week, another nailbiting performance from the Roosters that would have fans very worried heading into the finals. The Roosters have been sticking to their current formula of racing out to a lead before sitting back and inviting the opposition back in. So it was against the Sharks. The Roosters led 12-0 after 30 minutes only for the Sharks to end up equalising in the final 10 minutes. A Michael Gordon penalty goal after field goal attempts was all that separated the teams at the final whistle.
INS AND OUTS
The Roosters are a full strength outfit with the exception of Daniel Tupou so it is now or never for their push through September.
RUN HOME
Titans.
PROGNOSIS
The Roosters will be desperate to finish in the top two and could possibly need a win over the Titans to ensure it. If the Broncos beat the Cowboys on Thursday night then Wayne Bennett’s men pass the Roosters on points differential, meaning the Tricolours will need a round 26 win to get back in the top two. But to do that they need consistency. We’ve been saying it for weeks: the Roosters need to show up and show up for 80 minutes if they want to succeed come finals time.
— David Campbell
BRONCOS
LADDER: Third, 34 points (+154)
WEEKEND WRAP
The Broncos suffered an embarrassing 52-34 loss to the Eels at Suncorp Stadium. The defeat saw Brisbane slip out of the top two and has put them on shaky ground ahead of their finals run.
INS AND OUTS
Forward Korbin Sims broke his arm in the clash against Parramatta and has been ruled out for the season. Joe Ofahengaue will return from suspension however, in a boost for Brisbane’s forward pack. Jordan Kahu (groin) and Tevita Pangai Jr (hamstring) are also both expected to return to the 17. Sam Thaiday is shaping as the best replacement for Sims, which means Ben Hunt could start at hooker with Benji Marshall an option off the bench.
RUN HOME
Cowboys (away)
PROGNOSIS
There is no doubt the heavy loss could do some damage to the Broncos ahead of the finals, but Wayne Bennett has already cracked down on the team at training. The players have focused greatly on their defence over the last two days, with former player Peter Ryan helping out on Monday. With the Cowboys waiting, there is no doubt Brisbane will go to another level for their final game of the season.
— Rikki-Lee Arnold
EELS
LADDER: Fourth, 34 points (+33)
WEEKEND WRAP
Parramatta ran Brisbane off the park, scoring a brilliant 52-34 victory away from home.
INS AND OUTS
Beau Scott and Kaysa Pritchard can be expected to return after being named on an extended bench and warming up with the team on Thursday. Bevan French is also expected to slot in at fullback, which would push Will Smith out of the team.
THE RUN HOME
Rabbitohs (h)
PROGNOSIS
The importance of this win cannot be overstated. A top-four finish is now theirs to lose and they are ensured of at least one home final. Parramatta are set for their best regular season finish since 2007 and will fancy their chances against the best teams in the competition now that they have beaten Brisbane twice.
— Nick Campton
SHARKS
LADDER:
5th, 32 points, (+61)
WEEKEND WRAP
Cronulla went down 16-14 in a top-four showdown against the Roosters at home courtesy of a last-minute Michael Gordon penalty goal.
INS AND OUTS
Jack Bird may return, but the status of his injured shoulder remains to be seen.
THE RUN HOME
Knights (a)
PROGNOSIS
This is as costly a loss as Cronulla have had all season and what makes it all the more disappointing is the fashion in which the Roosters got the winning goal. The Sharks had a seven tackle set and a man overlap due to Luke Keary’s sin-binning and barely got over halfway before Chad Townsend dropped it on the last. For a team who have been hamstrung by errors and discipline all season, it was another example of being undone by their own lack of attention to detail. They should win in Newcastle and win well, but the best they can now finish is fifth, unless the Rabbitohs upset Parramatta.
— Nick Campton
PANTHERS
LADDER: Sixth 30 points (61)
WEEKEND WRAP
STOP! THIEF! That’s exactly how the Panthers would have felt on Sunday after Tariq Sims — like a thief in the night — stripped the ball from Waqa Blake to run in a try that may well have ended the Panthers’ finals hopes. The Dragons won the heart-stopping match at Pepper Stadium 16-14 but not before giving up the half-time lead to a Josh Mansour try after the break. The Panthers got back in the match despite skipper Matt Moylan sitting injured in the stands and despite fullback Dylan Edwards injuring his knee during the match. But in the end it was Sims who stole the match, quite literally, from a Panthers outfit who could have guaranteed their finals berth with a win.
INS AND OUTS
The loss of Matt Moylan (hamstring) hurt the Panthers but the prospect of missing Dylan Edwards (knee) as well is pretty grim reading for Panthers fans.
RUN HOME
Manly (away)
PROGNOSIS
And so it comes down to this: after a huge winning streak the Panthers could now be reliant on other results to qualify for the 2017 finals. If the Cowboys upset the Broncos on Thursday night the Panthers must win against Manly. If the Cowboys win and the Panthers lose they must hope the Dragons lose their clash against the Bulldogs on Sunday. It really is a round where anything could happen and with so many injuries the odds are beginning to stack up against the Panthers.
— David Campbell
COWBOYS
LADDER: Seventh, 30 points (+34)
WEEKEND WRAP
The Cowboys returned to winning ways with a hard-fought 22-14 victory against Wests Tigers. Two late tries from Kyle Feldt helped clinch the victory for North Queensland, who snapped a four-game losing streak to hold on to their spot in the top eight heading into the final round.
INS AND OUTS
In a nice change of pace, the Cowboys managed to get through a match unscathed and should retain the same 17.
RUN HOME
Broncos
PROGNOSIS
It’s a simple equation on paper for the Cowboys: win and they’re in. They host Queensland rivals Brisbane on Thursday night in what was already a blockbuster clash, but results on the weekend have upped the ante. The injury hit Cowboys have played above themselves in recent weeks without tasting success, so the win over the Tigers was crucial for confidence. They’ll face a much sterner test against a Broncos side smarting from a thumping loss to the Eels and desperate to hold on to a top-four spot. If Paul Green’s side fall short, the Cowboys will have to rely on other results to maintain their spot in the top eight — namely Manly or St George Illawarra losing.
— Dominic Burke
SEA EAGLES
LADDER: Eighth, 30 points (+34)
WEEKEND WRAP
Manly’s finals hopes looked in all sorts as they trailed the Warriors by seven points with seven minutes to go, all while running into a gale-force wind in Auckland. But on the back of some brilliance from Tom Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans, the latter kicking two clutch field goals, they rescued their season with a 22-21 golden point triumph.
INS AND OUTS
Second-rower Curtis Sironen was originally slated for a Round 26 comeback from a pec injury, but there has been little word about his recovery.
RUN HOME
Panthers
PROGNOSIS
The manner of their victory was anything but convincing and yet they got the result they needed so the Sea Eagles’ fate remains in their own hands. With a crunch clash against fellow top eight contenders Penrith, Trent Barrett’s side needs to improve if they’re to seal a playoffs spot. Barrett said the win “was an awesome result for us” considering the conditions, and it just might be the spark they need ahead of Sunday’s crunch match.
— Dominic Burke
DRAGONS
LADDER: Ninth, 28 points (+89)
St George Illawarra kept their finals hopes alive with a thrilling 16-14 victory over Penrith. The Dragons’ defence was outstanding, while the forwards recaptured their damaging best. Skipper Gareth Widdop controlled proceedings with his composed and pinpoint kicking game.
INS AND OUTS
Star centre Josh Dugan is no guarantee to play against Canterbury on Sunday after being dropped for missing the team bus. Coach Paul McGregor said he upheld the team’s standards by dumping Dugan.
The Dragons could welcome back prop Russell Packer (knee) for Sunday’s must-win clash against the Bulldogs.
PROGNOSIS
St George Illawarra must beat the Bulldogs on Sunday and hope either Manly, North Queensland or Penrith lose. In the Dragons’ favour is a +89 points differential, the best of the teams in the bottom half of the eight, as well as the fact the Panthers and Sea Eagles play each other.
RAIDERS
LADDER: 10th, 26 points (+87)
WEEKEND WRAP
Canberra broke their Newcastle hoodoo in style with an emphatic 46-28 victory in the nation’s capital. Jordan Rapana kept his hopes of topping the NRL tryscorer charts alive with a hat-trick, while Jack Wighton put in a starring role from the back.
INS AND OUTS
Sia Soliola returns from a five-match suspension after a high shot on Billy Slater in round 20. Ironically, Soliola returns against the same opposition in Melbourne, with the outgoing Dave Taylor likely to make way.
With the Raiders’ season officially finished after a tumultuous few weeks of must-win games, Ricky Stuart may opt to shuffle his line up with a few experimental options.
RUN HOME
Storm (away)
PROGNOSIS
Canberra can look to Mad Monday with their underwhelming 2017 campaign ending following victories to Manly and the Dragons on Sunday. Despite this, Ricky Stuart will be well aware an underprepared trip to Melbourne could end in humiliation for the Green Machine.
Expect the side to lift for their season ending fixture, with any result possible with the Raiders likely to play a carefree brand of footy against the firing minor premiers.
— Tim Williams
RABBITOHS
LADDER: 11th, 26 points, (+87)
WEEKEND WRAP
The Rabbitohs lost 64-6 to Melbourne in a match that went as well for them as the scoreboard suggests.
INS AND OUTS
Adam Reynolds could miss the last game of the season after suffering a concussion but apart from that the only thing the Rabbitohs injured in this loss was their pride.
THE RUN HOME
Eels (a)
PROGNOSIS
The Rabbitohs recent winning streak does not feel as sweet now. This loss to the Storm casts a pall over their entire late-season revival because while Melbourne were scintillating in attack, some of the efforts Souths made without the ball were truly terrible. They are at long odds to upset a Parramatta team who have everything to play for.
— Nick Campton
BULLDOGS
LADDER: 12th, 22 points (-101)
WEEKEND WRAP
Canterbury scored back to back wins with a 26-14 victory over the Titans.
INS AND OUTS
You would expect Josh Reynolds to be rushed back in on the bench for his final game for Canterbury, even if he’s only half fit.
THE RUN HOME
Dragons (a)
PROGNOSIS
Given the season they’ve endured, Canterbury’s win is a bright spot in what’s been a bloody tough year. However, the fashion in which they scored their points will be somewhat bittersweet — Michael Lichaa ran the ball with authority and looked more dangerous than in almost any other match from the last three years. It begs the question of why he was not allowed to do so earlier. Having said that, a win is a win and winning, in case you hadn’t noticed, feels damn good.
— Nick Campton
WARRIORS
LADDER: 13th, 18 points (-119)
WEEKEND WRAP
In the most Warriors finish to a match, the New Zealanders battled hard to establish a seven-point lead over Manly with seven minutes to go ... and lost 22-21 in golden point.
INS AND OUTS
Pride aside, the Warriors emerged from their defeat unscathed and should have the same 17 to pick from for their season finale.
RUN HOME
Wests Tigers (a)
PROGNOSIS
The Warriors end their season with a trip to Leichhardt Oval to tackle the 15th-placed Wests Tigers on Sunday night. We’re tipping points, and lots of them, from both sides.
— Dominic Burke
TITANS
LADDER: 14th, 18 points (-186)
WEEKEND WRAP
The Titans rounded out a week to forget with a deflating 24-16 loss to the Bulldogs.
Gold Coast’s week of woe was summed up by halfback Ash Taylor throwing a pass to Josh Morris on his own line for the Bulldogs centre to score the easiest try of his career.
INS AND OUTS
The news just gets worse for the struggling club. Prop Jarrod Wallace is out after copping a three-match ban for a shoulder charge, while injuries look set to sideline hooker Nathan Peats (shoulder) and Dale Copley (groin), while Ryan James (shoulder) is also in doubt.
In some good news, blockbusting centre Konrad Hurrell could return from a hamstring injury.
RUN HOME
Roosters (a)
PROGNOSIS
One more round to go, Titans fans, and then the pain of 2017 is all over.
— Dominic Burke
WESTS TIGERS
LADDER: 15th, 16 points (-170)
WEEKEND WRAP
After leading 10-6 at half-time the Tigers were starved of possession in the second half and only had three tackles in the Cowboys’ red zone. With everything to play for the Cowboys ran in three tries in the final 15 minutes to claim a 22-14 win at Campbelltown Stadium.
INS AND OUTS
Halfback Luke Brooks was a pre-game withdrawal with a hamstring injury. Michael Chee-Kam faces up to two weeks on the sidelines with a shoulder injury and hooker Matt McIlwrick will escape suspension with an early guilty plea for dangerous contact.
RUN HOME
Warriors
PROGNOSIS
The resilience shown in recent weeks abandoned them in the final 20 minutes of the match and they let in three tries in 15 minutes to let the Cowboys sneak home. Skipper Aaron Woods capped off an impressive few weeks with 191 metres from 21 carries and even crossed for a try. A win in what will be a farewell match for local juniors, Woods and James Tedesco, will see them avoid the spoon.
— Fatima Kdouh
KNIGHTS
LADDER: 16th, 14 points (-212)
WEEKEND WRAP
The Knights were no match for a Raiders side that ran in seven tries to claim a 46-28 victory. To their credit, despite the scoreline, Newcastle still went looking for points and scored two late tries in the final five minutes of the match.
INS AND OUTS
Joe Wardle suffered an ankle injury and forward Daniel Saifiti dislocated his shoulder. Josh King can escape suspension with an early guilty plea for dangerous contact on Canberra’s Clay Priest.
RUN HOME
Sharks
PROGNOSIS
It’s been a long season for the Knights and a battered and bruised side struggled to compete against a full-strength Raiders outfit.
The Knights look set to finish with their third consecutive wooden spoon but coach Nathan Brown insists this bottom-placed finish is different to previous seasons. Brown is confident Newcastle’s recruitment drive coupled with the NRL experience his young players are amassing, will see his team turn a corner in season 2018.
— Fatima Kdouh
Originally published as NRL Lowdown: How is your team placed for the 2017 NRL finals?
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