NRL finals footy discussion 2026

[rugbygoated]

Thy don’t need him to win. They proved that in the GF v Brissie.
As soon as he left the field the comeback began.
They need him for his defence to stop tries. His attack, not so much.

Luai's 2024 season playing halfback kept them afloat in the top 4 while cleary had a long time out. When you look at penrith who were running last half way through 2025 and the back end of this season, it's clear they haven't figured out his replacement. Some may point to JFH being the bigger out which he most likely is over the course of the season, but that game yesterday was not missing an enforcer. Newcastle had Frizell and some young middles. Game was lost due to lack of creativity of cole and cogger with Yeo, Edwards and even Kenny still recovering from injuries. Thought Talagi played pretty well at centre attacking-wise barring his defence against Best

 

[Dr_Ice]

I meant to say had both played 3 games !

Both teams also had the week off in the final round (Knights with the bye and Roosters resting their NRL players)

 

[Dr_Ice]

The great Malcolm Reilly did the same in 1997 led newcastle to grand final first year as head coach

I think he started at Knights in 1995

 

[innsaneink]

Crossland cops four match suspension

Not your average four games though

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

I think he started at Knights in 1995

he did correct mate

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

Why does every hip drop need to be determined to be a send off or not? Not every high tackle is a send off. Each tackle always needs to be judged on its own and the injury caused, just like every illegal tackle is.

You're right. Always seems to be determinate of who does it and who receives it...

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

GF pre match entertainment according to Wiedler
Jai Arrow to do a lap of honour to You will never walk alone

 

[426Tlgerland]

What’s everyone pre game menu , mine
Spicey chicken wings cooked in oven ,then mixed with small amount of honey , chopped fresh chilli and shallots .
Pork spring rolls , side of light soy sauce and sriracha hot sauce .
Home made sausage rolls .
Couple 4x gold tins

 

[Demps]

What’s everyone pre game menu , mine
Spicey chicken wings cooked in oven ,then mixed with small amount of honey , chopped fresh chilli and shallots .
Pork spring rolls , side of light soy sauce and sriracha hot sauce .
Home made sausage rolls .
Couple 4x gold tins

Sounds great.

Thinking some steaks and ribs on the BBQ

 

[orange&black]

What’s everyone pre game menu , mine
Spicey chicken wings cooked in oven ,then mixed with small amount of honey , chopped fresh chilli and shallots .
Pork spring rolls , side of light soy sauce and sriracha hot sauce .
Home made sausage rolls .
Couple 4x gold tins

Sounds great 426. What’s your address??

 

[tig_prmz]

Can I ask why you dont like it? I honestly cant get my head around anyone not agreeing and seeing the logic in it. For me, if someone performs an illegal act, either deliberate or accidental, and it results in serious injury then that should be accounted for. If I accidentally run a red light due to chaos going on in the back seat with kids and dogs carrying on, I get a fine and lose points. If the exact same thing happens and I kill someone, I go to jail. Both incidents pure accidents, no ill intention whatsoever. Just the circumstances in front of me contributed to a loss of mindset that could happen to a lot of people. I totally agree with the injury be counted. As for McLean, well that guy did his illegal act deliberately. He held the player, then reached down between his legs and lifted. He should have been banned for life. And no, im not saying he wanted to break the guys neck, im saying his lifting tackle was intentional, not intentially broke his neck, but intentionally lifted.

I think we are talking extremes, so I'll back off that particular topic.

The reason I don't like it is because if we start grading on severity on the field, then it invites diving in the game.

We can't expect refs to be physios, the only determination of injury is how much the player writhers aroung in pain.

99% of foul play is tame at best which wouldn't harm a fly.

Maybe on field, we look at things like force and intent, but MRC can look at the injury sustained as a middle ground? We are already seeing diving in the game with high tackles, crushers and the kickers.

 

[tig_prmz]

I also feel the NRL needs to be a little more lenient on players with the amount of changes.

Slater made a fantastic point in his podcast regarding protecting the kickers. Crossland rushes on the inside to put pressure on Cleary but he dummies and Crossland ends up on his side instead of in front of him. He tackles him from the side becoming passive as he has to stop so he loses his feet.

I also believe strongly that players are now expecting the defenders to look after their wellbeing. If we are going down that path then let's go down the AFL path and any tackle below the knee should be deemed illegal. I do believe some onus has to be on the attacker to keep themselves safe. Guys like To'o and Tedesco are tough but he ducks his head into each tackle making him harder to handle.

I completely understand players need to adapt and learn, but geeze missing grand finals, getting sent off, missing weeks of footy, missing rep games etc.. it's such a steep penalty. And all this does invite diving into the game as well, something that will completely change the game. Imagine 34 Moses' running around...

 

[tig_prmz]

I also feel the NRL needs to be a little more lenient on players with the amount of changes.

Slater made a fantastic point in his podcast regarding protecting the kickers. Crossland rushes on the inside to put pressure on Cleary but he dummies and Crossland ends up on his side instead of in front of him. He tackles him from the side becoming passive as he has to stop so he loses his feet.

I also believe strongly that players are now expecting the defenders to look after their wellbeing. If we are going down that path then let's go down the AFL path and any tackle below the knee should be deemed illegal. I do believe some onus has to be on the attacker to keep themselves safe. Guys like To'o and Tedesco are tough but he ducks his head into each tackle making him harder to handle.

I completely understand players need to adapt and learn, but geeze missing grand finals, getting sent off, missing weeks of footy, missing rep games etc.. it's such a steep penalty. And all this does invite diving into the game as well, something that will completely change the game. Imagine 34 Moses' running around...

Further to Billy Slater's point, this doesn't take the blame away from Phoenix. But, it is important to understand why are these happening more in the game. The NRL is also partly responsible for changing so many things in a physical game.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

Can I ask why you dont like it? I honestly cant get my head around anyone not agreeing and seeing the logic in it. For me, if someone performs an illegal act, either deliberate or accidental, and it results in serious injury then that should be accounted for. If I accidentally run a red light due to chaos going on in the back seat with kids and dogs carrying on, I get a fine and lose points. If the exact same thing happens and I kill someone, I go to jail. Both incidents pure accidents, no ill intention whatsoever. Just the circumstances in front of me contributed to a loss of mindset that could happen to a lot of people. I totally agree with the injury be counted. As for McLean, well that guy did his illegal act deliberately. He held the player, then reached down between his legs and lifted. He should have been banned for life. And no, im not saying he wanted to break the guys neck, im saying his lifting tackle was intentional, not intentially broke his neck, but intentionally lifted.

Make it mandatory send off then. It is still discretionary. Mitch Kenny, Ryan Couchman and Kodi Nikorima both caused injuries to players that saw them spend time on the sidelines (Hopgood was out for the year with an ACL injury,) and were only binned in the game.

My issue isn't that Crossland got sent, it's the consistency.

If the player is injured and goes off, well you go with him. Simple enough, but apparently not for the NRL...