NRL finals footy discussion 2026

Yossarian said:
He certainly didn’t hold his line. He’s gone sideways. Close enough to make a catch? Dunno about that. I think he knew what he was doing.
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You made me question myself, so I went back and watched it a few times.

I still dont think its a penalty.

He didnt change his line or take his eyes off the ball.

If he did either of those, then i agree its a penalty. But he didnt.

So there's no proof that he wasnt genuinely contesting. Just because he is a prop doesn't mean he isnt allowed to contest - he is as entitled as the next bloke.

I agree 100% he knew what he was doing, but i consider it smart footy. High footy IQ.

And lets flip it... Leka only had eyes on the ball and wasn't looking at players around him. So if its good for one, why not the other? Tyson doesnt need to give leka a free run - he just cant deviate his line or intentionally take him out... and I dont believe anyone can prove he did, because he had his hands in the air, eyes on the ball and kept the same line... smart play in my opinion
 
So the Knights go from the wooden spoon to playing for a spot in the GF. What have they done differently that we can LEARN from?? For starters:

By replacing Adam O'Brien with Justin Holbrook, the Knights unlocked an aggressive, resilient, and attack-minded playing style. The Tigers have stuck by Benji Marshall, but we haven't established a consistent, steel-capped defensive identity and roster stability rather than the constant off-field noise that plagued us.

Despite the massive jump up the ladder, Newcastle did not completely tear apart their team. Their core group remained almost identical to the 2025 wooden spoon squad. Rather than frantically buying and selling every window, they have focused on internal development. The Tigers must stop the high-turnover "roster clearing" cycle and actually build chemistry around elite players (but not of the Luai kind).

As Bradman Best revealed, the Knights' turnaround wasn't an accident—they treated their high-profile opening match in Las Vegas as a statement game to completely rewrite their culture. They set immediate expectations and built momentum early.

It can be done, if you know how.
 
Well done Knights, your fans will be proud. Holbrook close to Coach of the Year.
Some 50/50 calls but that happens every week. Wahs out in straight sets, pity after a strong year.
Penrith v Newcastle should ensure a big crowd although Sunday @ 4.05 not a fan friendly time for away supporters. I think 2pm would have been much better !
 
Halbrowne61 said:
Well done Knights, your fans will be proud. Holbrook close to Coach of the Year.
Some 50/50 calls but that happens every week. Wahs out in straight sets, pity after a strong year.
Penrith v Newcastle should ensure a big crowd although Sunday @ 4.05 not a fan friendly time for away supporters. I think 2pm would have been much better !
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Penrith Newcastle should get 50k at that game Sunday
 
Tiger_heart said:
So the Knights go from the wooden spoon to playing for a spot in the GF. What have they done differently that we can LEARN from?? For starters:

By replacing Adam O'Brien with Justin Holbrook, the Knights unlocked an aggressive, resilient, and attack-minded playing style. The Tigers have stuck by Benji Marshall, but we haven't established a consistent, steel-capped defensive identity and roster stability rather than the constant off-field noise that plagued us.

Despite the massive jump up the ladder, Newcastle did not completely tear apart their team. Their core group remained almost identical to the 2025 wooden spoon squad. Rather than frantically buying and selling every window, they have focused on internal development. The Tigers must stop the high-turnover "roster clearing" cycle and actually build chemistry around elite players (but not of the Luai kind).

As Bradman Best revealed, the Knights' turnaround wasn't an accident—they treated their high-profile opening match in Las Vegas as a statement game to completely rewrite their culture. They set immediate expectations and built momentum early.

It can be done, if you know how.
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Holbrook brought in 20 new staff with him
 
innsaneink said:
Holbrook brought in 20 new staff with him
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?? Really?? I think this may be a rumor, ink...likely stemmed from confusion surrounding the club's broader junior pathway head coach announcements or the normal turnover of player rosters.
In terms of his inner-circle first-grade coaching staff, Holbrook kept it to a very small, tightly knit group is my take on it. Either way, there is something to be learned.
 
Tiger_heart said:
?? Really?? I think this may be a rumor, ink...likely stemmed from confusion surrounding the club's broader junior pathway head coach announcements or the normal turnover of player rosters.
In terms of his inner-circle first-grade coaching staff, Holbrook kept it to a very small, tightly knit group is my take on it. Either way, there is something to be learned.
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I heard it today on SEN
 
If Kalyn Ponga can beat Penrith he will ascend into legend status. That was an insane performance from him against the Warriors. People forget that this guy is one of the best players in the game when he is not injured. Absolute superstar.

Kiwi hooker Phoenix Crossland had like 5 or 6 effort plays which saved tries for his team. Dom Young had a couple of crazy defensive efforts too, their whole team played like man men.
 
Tiger_heart said:
So the Knights go from the wooden spoon to playing for a spot in the GF. What have they done differently that we can LEARN from?? For starters:

By replacing Adam O'Brien with Justin Holbrook, the Knights unlocked an aggressive, resilient, and attack-minded playing style. The Tigers have stuck by Benji Marshall, but we haven't established a consistent, steel-capped defensive identity and roster stability rather than the constant off-field noise that plagued us.

Despite the massive jump up the ladder, Newcastle did not completely tear apart their team. Their core group remained almost identical to the 2025 wooden spoon squad. Rather than frantically buying and selling every window, they have focused on internal development. The Tigers must stop the high-turnover "roster clearing" cycle and actually build chemistry around elite players (but not of the Luai kind).

As Bradman Best revealed, the Knights' turnaround wasn't an accident—they treated their high-profile opening match in Las Vegas as a statement game to completely rewrite their culture. They set immediate expectations and built momentum early.

It can be done, if you know how.
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Recruited well , junior development

In hindsight , how many would have spent an extra 100 k and got Dylan Brown instead of Luai
Manululea from Penrith , Trey Mooney and Sandon Smith
 
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