NRL finals footy discussion 2026

[69-05-41]

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Just to be extra safe I will be at 40,000 feet somewhere over Europe. Anything to avoid Nein commentary.

 

[Telltails]

Penrith just don't seem to trouble sides with their attack in recent times like the use to. McClean hasn't looked as dangerous since coming back from injury and they look almost robotic. Still a great side but they lack a bit of spontaneity/strike when they need to chase points. Did not create one overlap in 40 plus minutes against 12 men. Don't think they were a chance in hell of beating the Roosters without Cleary.
Newcastle on the other hand after that performance - can't write them off.

 

[wstigers11]

Today was the fourth highest prelim crowd of the NRL era (98-present)

09 CBY v PAR (74.5k)
10 SGI v WT (71.2k)
12 CBY v SOU (70.3k)
26 PEN v NEW (57.1k)
14 SOU v SYD (52.5k)

 

[Flippedy]

Honestly if Luai was still at Penrith the last two years I reckon they win both those comps

That’s how bad Talagi/Cogger have been.

The talent is finally dwindling. Penrith have done so well for so long despite losing many of their big names at the start of each season. The replacements have stepped up each year, but the talent pool is nowhere near what it once was. I can’t write them off as a possible finals contender for a couple more years, but their dynasty is well and truly over.

 

[Droppy05]

They have guts spirit, and never give up attitude, we have lazy overpaid players, a bloke that sat out a game for not getting his way, they have something in that town WT will never have

Also have a coach.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

The talent is finally dwindling. Penrith have done so well for so long despite losing many of their big names at the start of each season. The replacements have stepped up each year, but the talent pool is nowhere near what it once was. I can’t write them off as a possible finals contender for a couple more years, but their dynasty is well and truly over.

They’re still making prelims. That’s still a pretty high standard for a club whose talent is dwindling.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

That injury these days would be back by 8 weeks IMO

Why? Genuine question. Not being facetious. I’m far from a doctor.

 

[Betterdays22]

The talent is finally dwindling. Penrith have done so well for so long despite losing many of their big names at the start of each season. The replacements have stepped up each year, but the talent pool is nowhere near what it once was. I can’t write them off as a possible finals contender for a couple more years, but their dynasty is well and truly over.

Maybe. They won NSW Cup and Flegg, 2nd in Matts. Talent still there. Much simply falls on what Nathan Cleary wants to do.

 

[Speed2burn]

Just to be extra safe I will be at 40,000 feet somewhere over Europe. Anything to avoid Nein commentary.

Sometimes we go to extreme lengths 😉

I’ll be in Japan while the big dance is on lol. Hopefully can find somewhere to watch it

 

[pawsandclaws1]

You can almost imagine the discussion between the player and his specialist touching on his quality of life moving forward post football. At what 28 years of age and with hopefully an excellent portfolio of investments, a good bank balance and perhaps a pay out, medical retirement must surely be a consideration.

 

[Halbrowne61]

They’re still making prelims. That’s still a pretty high standard for a club whose talent is dwindling.

And recently won Knock On Effect Cup and Flegg.
Still amazing depth !

 

[Oscar Martinez]

When Penrith couldn't put us away in the second half, and were outplayed by our half strength team, in a game that they threw everything at and were looking to use as a training run confidence booster, I knew they were done.

 

[Gazman]

Yes and Benji said No

Computer Says No

Yes that was the rumour but Sheens and Benji has the last say I think

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Ivan said in the presser that his bad foot before the game was the other one. So he has two broken feet. Will need surgery on both.

 

[shiretiger]

Wouldn't that be something? If so, the 50 point rule says get on the Knights for Premiers

Well, I put $5 on the Knights at $13 to win the Premiership last Friday right after making that post.

The payout value got down to $1 or thereabouts at half time yesterday. It was amazing to watch that number grow during the half and currently sits at $16.81.

Well done Knights. That was the most epic GF Qualifier that I have witnessed in my 59 years.

Now if only the Wests Tigers could do something similar.

 

[Furious1]

The talent is finally dwindling. Penrith have done so well for so long despite losing many of their big names at the start of each season. The replacements have stepped up each year, but the talent pool is nowhere near what it once was. I can’t write them off as a possible finals contender for a couple more years, but their dynasty is well and truly over.

As others have since said, KOE and Flegg winners as well as Prelim in NRL, there is still plenty of talent there but I think the salary cap has finally caught up to them. They haven't been able to replace players with other players equally as good. This means they depend more on Cleary then ever. The system is strong, which keeps them at or near the top but unlike through the dynasty, when they get injuries now it brings them a lot more back to the pack.
What we witnessed over the years was quite remarkable and while you can never say never, it is probably unlikely a lot of us on here will ever see that sort of run again.

 

[TigerBurnsy]

Why? Genuine question. Not being facetious. I’m far from a doctor.

Dylan Lucas this year came back after 8 weeks

 

[Telltails]

Grand final week is almost better than the game itself.No doubt it will be going off up at Newcastle - Bondi not so much

 

[wstigers11]

Dylan Lucas this year came back after 8 weeks

Lucas’ was a dislocation Nathan’s broke skin

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

Dylan Lucas this year came back after 8 weeks

Was his a compound fracture?