Finals week 2 2025

[crazycat]

Do we care?

Yea...
Raiders vs Sharks.

Bulldogs vs Panthers.

I like these matchups. Lets see how this weekend goes.

 

[Merlot]

Do we care?

Yea...
Raiders vs Sharks.

Bulldogs vs Panthers.

I like these matchups. Lets see how this weekend goes.

i couldn't give a rats . Canberra will smash the sharks
Other game may be decided by decent refereeing. Both teams push the envelope with in an inch, as long as its consistent .each half . Each half can be polar opposites as long s its consistent

 

[hank37w]

I kind of get this. It would be hilarious to watch Sexton carve up the finals series and then depart at the end of the year, then a slow start next year with Galvin at half - imagine the pressure

On the other hand a big loss and straight sets departure would also be satisfying.

Especially a big loss that could be put down to Galvin stuffing up and because of limited minutes played by Reed Mahoney.

Suck on a big one Gus and Ciraldo. 🤣

 

[TheEnz]

I don’t get the Reed situation. Sure, in the past, I thought his discipline made him a bad fit for the team, but he’s made a real effort to improve this year. He’s a better number 9 than the kid who replaced him, and he’s the former captain of the side. The Galvin issue seems to be about Gus and his arrogance, along with Ciraldo getting caught up in his own positive press. Still, dropping Reed has to be tied to something else entirely. I just hope they get embarrassed by the Panthers on the weekend and all the D*head supporters go home with their tails between their legs.

 

[diedpretty]

You know what, in a weird way, I hope they do. I hope they make it all the way to the GF and then lose. And I hope it’s all down to Sexton. Their supporters would go ballistic knowing he’s leaving.

Yea as much as i hate the dogs i am sick of seeing penriff in the GF. I wouldn't mind seeing a raiders v donkeys GF.

 

[Flippedy]

Gus will get the media to spin it so that it's Galvin getting some freedom at 5/8 that won them the game. I get the feeling Burton is on the outer in this team. Moving him without the obvious reason around crittas injury would not have gone down well. Imagine they win and critta is back at centre...where do they put Burton/galvin/ Sexton....now that would be interesting.

Yep while Galvin is still in the team they will try to attribute any success the team has to him, regardless of Sexton taking over at half. He needs to be out of it altogether before I’d want the Dogs to win.

 

[Flippedy]

I have a sick feeling that the dogs will beat Penrith this weekend..

Nope

 

[Milky]

Can’t wait til Dogs are knocked out 🙏🏼

 

[twentyforty]

I have a sick feeling that the dogs will beat Penrith this weekend..

Yeh nah, there’s a lot riding on Chrichtons fitness though.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Ethan Strange out for the Raiders. Big loss.

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

sharks are specials tonight
so are penrith tomorrow

 

[426Tlgerland]

Panthers and Sharks for mine
Panthers to give the dogs a footy lesson
Galvin to have a shocker , Cleary is a good coach and he will have Galvin all worked out , my take Galvin goes side to side all day , checks himself in the big screen 2 times , Mahoney gives away 3 penalty’s first half

 

[Tucker]

Feel sorry for Canberra as they were the best team this year but they have botched the past 3 weeks.
That was a massive blunder resting all those blokes and getting pumped in round 27. Really piss poor preparation for a semi clash against a powerhouse club stacked with big game players. To their credit, they were very unlucky to lose that. They were always a risk of an injury deciding their fate this week but unfortunately it will likely be illness. Can’t see them winning without Strange, who has been close to the best 5/8 in the comp this year….if not the best.
I don’t mind Cronulla. Their backs are great to watch and their pack always dig in and have a go. I wanted Raiders to win this comp, but can settle for the Sharkies.

 

[tiger_one]

Canterbury captain Stephen Crichton has been ruled out of the club's semi-final clash against Penrith.

NRL Late Mail: Finals Week 2 - Strange, Crichton out; Hazelton, Kenny racing clock

See all the late mail, official team news and updates for Week 2 of the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership Finals.

www.nrl.com

 

[tiger_one]

I've always had a soft spot for Nicho .....

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Feel sorry for Canberra as they were the best team this year but they have botched the past 3 weeks.
That was a massive blunder resting all those blokes and getting pumped in round 27. Really piss poor preparation for a semi clash against a powerhouse club stacked with big game players. To their credit, they were very unlucky to lose that. They were always a risk of an injury deciding their fate this week but unfortunately it will likely be illness. Can’t see them winning without Strange, who has been close to the best 5/8 in the comp this year….if not the best.
I don’t mind Cronulla. Their backs are great to watch and their pack always dig in and have a go. I wanted Raiders to win this comp, but can settle for the Sharkies.

They voluntarily cursed themselves. No club who has ever conceded 50 points in a season has gone on to win the comp.

 

[Siberian Kitten]

Hynes v Fogerty ... who can keep their nerve?

Since Strange is out, Sharks look more likely. The Raiders should have rested players against the Tigers and used the last round to tune up. Sewing up the minor premiership might have cost them the big prize.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

sharks are specials tonight
so are penrith tomorrow

Sharks are a huge chance imo. Would be hard backing up from such an emotionally draining match, that you thought you had won twice. The Sharks, they can’t win the comp, but definitely have it in them to get the job done tonight.

 

[Telltails]

The Sharks from a few weeks ago no hope - pretenders. Now seen by plenty as being a genuine chance of a game away from the GF.
I didn't think Penrith were a chance of a 5th 6 weeks ago and now they are right in the frame again
The two teams they are opposing and were humming for most of the season, now looking a bit shaky. Same could be said for Melbourne while Brisbane is enjoying some good form when it counts. At this point no sure things.

 

[diedpretty]

Feel sorry for Canberra as they were the best team this year but they have botched the past 3 weeks.
That was a massive blunder resting all those blokes and getting pumped in round 27. Really piss poor preparation for a semi clash against a powerhouse club stacked with big game players. To their credit, they were very unlucky to lose that. They were always a risk of an injury deciding their fate this week but unfortunately it will likely be illness. Can’t see them winning without Strange, who has been close to the best 5/8 in the comp this year….if not the best.
I don’t mind Cronulla. Their backs are great to watch and their pack always dig in and have a go. I wanted Raiders to win this comp, but can settle for the Sharkies.

Yes i agree - sharks have been given no chance by most on here but they have gone about their job and been flying under the radar. They certainly have been helped by last weeks tough game for the raiders and now Strange being out is a big plus for them. I could live with sharks winning it - anyone but penriff and melbourne.