The Raiders and Ricky Stuart have taken intention at critics of the membership, questioning if anybody is aware of they’re even taking part in finals soccer.
The Tigers have a mountain of soul looking to do within the low season, whereas the Dolphins carried out admirably of their first NRL season.
Meanwhile, there’s three battles between former mentors and their assistants within the first week of the finals in 2023.
Read on for our Talking Points from Round 27.
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RICKY’S RAIDERS READY TO PROVE CRITICS WRONG, AGAIN
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart and captain Elliott Whitehead have taken intention on the membership’s critics forward of their elimination closing in Newcastle on Sunday.
Canberra have been fourth on the ladder after Round 20 however they misplaced 5 of their subsequent seven video games – together with towards the Sharks within the closing spherical – to complete eighth.
Fox League reporter Darcie McDonald requested Stuart his plan is to “wipe the slate clean” for finals and the veteran coach couldn’t resist having a crack at his critics.
“I don’t know if anyone knows we’re in the finals, we weren’t meant to be,” Stuart mentioned.
“I’m that proud of these blokes, they’ve exceeded everybody’s expectations and if we were a little bit better over the last month we would have been in the top four. That’s gone but I’m so proud of them for making the top eight.”
Raiders star Seb Kris will cop a hefty ban for his ugly spear sort out on Cronulla winger Sione Katoa to hitch Corey Horsburgh (suspended) and Josh Papalii (bicep) on the sidelines.
Stuart was requested if no person giving them an opportunity towards the high-flying Knights, who’ve received 9 video games in a row, would play into his facet’s palms.
“I don’t know if it plays into our hands, going to Newcastle they’re a mad passionate rugby league town which is lovely and good on them (for earning a home final),” Stuart mentioned.
“And good on Adam O’Brien, he was getting sacked three months ago, wasn’t he, so he’s turned around and shoved it up all those people and good on him.”
Whitehead emphasised his males would “reset and focus” on their knockout conflict in Newcastle, whereas additionally having a dig on the haters.
“We’ve got a big week ahead of us, nobody expects us to go up there and win so we’ll just enjoy the week,” Whitehead mentioned.
“We never gave up (after Kris was sent off against the Sharks)… that’s what this team is about and that’s why we are where we are at the moment.
“A few people said at the start of the year that we’d get the wooden spoon and to be where we are we’re pretty proud and we’ll go up to Newcastle full of confidence that we can get the win up there.
“We’ve shown throughout the season that when we get it right we’re a good side. It’s win or die for us now so we’re going to have a good dig.”
Young Sam Walker ices Souths’ season | 00:33
THE TIGERS HAD A SEASON FROM HELL… SURELY IT GETS BETTER IN 2024?
If they filmed Tales from Tiger Town in 2023, it will have been categorised as a horror.
The merger membership earnt their second wood spoon within the membership’s historical past, profitable solely 4 video games out of their 24 appearances.
While they have been in a position to beat the eventual minor premiers, the Panthers, their pleasure all however ended there and it’s again to the drafting board for Benji Marshall.
Tigers powerbrokers didn’t even give Tim Sheens a season on the helm, scrapping their two-year succession plan inside 12 months.
They additionally obtained their ANZAC commemorative jersey very fallacious, apologising for utilizing a picture that depicted American troopers relatively than those that served for Australia or New Zealand.
Former Manly recruitment boss Scott Fulton was additionally employed with out the teaching trio of Marshall, Sheens and Robbie Farah even understanding.
With controversy constantly swirling the blue Wiggle, Anthony Field, even claimed he was keen to purchase the membership and cut up the three way partnership.
Needless to say, he was met with heavy criticism.
The newest within the Tigers story got here when a fan protest was thwarted, taking a stand towards chief government Justin Pascoe.
They chanted about ending the ‘Pascoe Fiasco’ which raises a giant query — is it time for change in Leichhardt?
With again to again wood spoons, there has clearly been no enchancment over the past two seasons.
Even with big-name stars Isaiah Papali’i, John Bateman and David Klemmer becoming a member of the membership, they couldn’t keep away from the NRL’s least coveted prize.
Speaking after his facet’s loss to the Sea Eagles, Marshall was fast to direct blame away from the membership’s administration as the rationale behind their poor season.
“We are all guilty of the wooden spoons, everyone that’s involved in it,” he mentioned.
“I guess we all have a part to play and Justin Pascoe is as much a part of it as I am, and as this bloke (Api Koroisau) is.
“As a club, that’s where we have to be, we have to be better. That’s as far as I’ll go on that.”
With followers revolting, the Tigers should make sweeping adjustments to their soccer division to enhance.
Otherwise, they will put together for one more yr dwelling close to the cellars.
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RABBITOHS’ ‘UNBELIEVABLE’ RECORD IMPLOSION
The Rabbitohs have suffered probably the most gorgeous implosion in NRL historical past.
They grew to become the primary crew to overlook finals after sitting first at any level after Round 11 because the high eight system was launched.
While the Roosters will get loads of well-deserved headlines for profitable 5 straight video games and maintaining their season alive on Friday night time after sitting as little as 14th, questions needs to be — and shall be requested of the Rabbitohs.
They led the competitors after 11 rounds and have been premiership favourites. But then got here the State of Origin interval — which coach Jason Demetriou has pointed to as a turning level — accidents, suspensions and out of doors noise.
They had a possibility to answer the bye week from Hell on Friday night time when going up towards their arch rivals however did not ship.
It got here after a turbulent interval the place assistant coach and membership legend Sam Burgess was proven the door for reportedly questioning the particular therapy Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker have been receiving.
“You hear the great players talk about this time of year, and how you have to build the foundations in your game to be able to hold up in the critical parts of the season,” Fox League’s Michael Ennis mentioned.
“Their completion rate and their disrespect for the ball was evident tonight. They could have won that game, that’s what will hurt them the most.
“For long periods of that game when it was end to end, the South Sydney side were better for the majority of it.
“Ball movement and chasing points that were unnecessary, it has come back to haunt them.”
Ennis believes South Sydney’s demise this season is an “unbelievable” story given their star-studded roster and the kind of footy they have been taking part in earlier within the season.
“Ever since Round 11 when they led the competition, it’s been disruption after disruption after disruption,” he mentioned,
“We are talking about a side that has five New South Wales players, had (Campbell Graham) been fit for Game one that’s six. We are talking about a side littered with stars and some of the best players in the game.
“Not going to play finals, if you had have said at Round 10 or 11, South Sydney won’t play finals this year you just can’t imagine the monumental fallout.
“Latrell Mitchell out with a calf injury for that long period, losing him to suspension has been a significant blow.
“Sam Burgess walking out of the club 10 days ago, assistant coaches getting hauled in and asking if they are on the journey.
“A week out from finals where they had to play a game to fight for finals, senior players out of form, I think the story is unbelievable.”
Crichton airborne as Panthers land MP | 00:29
WHERE DO THE DOLPHINS’ NEW FACES FIT IN?
The Dolphins first NRL marketing campaign is over and the NRL’s latest franchise have turn into nearly each fan’s second crew.
With 9 wins of their debut yr, Wayne Bennett’s males have exceeded expectations after many predicted them to win the wood spoon.
Assistant coach Kristian Woolf defined that the Dolphins could be pleased with what they’ve achieved this yr.
“As we showed earlier in the year, there’s a bit more to this footy team that what people expected,” Woolf mentioned.
“We saw that in the pre-season, we saw the skill level, we saw how hard people had worked and how well we came together as a group, that’s what we showed.
“We can be really proud of what we set up at the start of this year, and the way we played. Setting those foundations of who the Dolphins are.
“We did fall away a little bit, we can’t hide away from that, but I think we can be really proud of what we’ve done.”
The Dolphins are solely going to enhance in 2023 and can welcome three new faces in Herbie Farnworth, Jake Averillo and Tom Flegler.
Now Bennett has the job of becoming the three gun gamers in his beginning facet.
Flegler will nearly definitely turn into a beginning entrance rowers, becoming a member of a rotation which incorporates Jesse Bromwich, Mark Nicholls and Jarrod Wallace.
Farnworth has beforehand expressed his want to play fullback however will probably characteristic within the centres alongside Euan Aitken who’s a starter when match.
With Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow at fullback, Averillo’s finest place stays unknown.
The Bulldogs utility has the power to play five-eighth, fullback, within the centres and will even put on the No.14 jumper.
He shall be wanting beginning soccer and will displace Kodi Nikorima within the No.6, however equally may take Aitken’s centre spot or shift Tabuai-Fidow to centre with Averillo taking part in on the again.
With so many potentialities the one certainty is that Wayne Bennett has an enormous choice to make in 2024.
YOUNG LANDS ALL-TIME CIRCUS DOUBLE | 00:34
James Tedesco joins the Fox League Podcast and takes you contained in the Roosters’ preparation forward of their must-win conflict towards the Rabbitohs, the adjustments he’s made to his recreation and the teachings he’s learnt as a frontrunner.
LISTEN TO JAMES TEDESCO ON THE FOX LEAGUE PODCAST BELOW
NO PONGA, NO WORRIES AS O’BRIEN PRAISES KNIGHTS’ “DNA” AHEAD OF FINALS CAMPAIGN
The gorgeous resurgence of the Newcastle Knights continued on Saturday night time with a dominant 32-12 win over the Dragons, even with out star fullback Kalyn Ponga.
“The Newcastle Knights are taking their fans on a freight train… The Knights are a contender,” Andrew Voss mentioned instantly after Newcastle’s ninth-straight win.
In addition to Ponga, the Knights have been lacking common first graders Dane Gagai, Phoenix Crossland, Tyson Frizell and Jackson Hastings amongst others, with stand-in captain Jacob Saifiti singing the undermanned facet’s praises after the win.
“We had a lot of leaders out tonight, and we are trying to build a culture here where it’s next man up, and I thought the young boys came in and did a job for us so I’m really proud,” Saifiti mentioned.
Coach Adam O’Brien, who was beneath immense strain to maintain his job 9 weeks in the past, and in his personal phrases was “looking at Centrelink” earlier than the Knights’ turnaround, spoke glowingly concerning the bond of his crew and their efforts.
“Proud is the optimal word. We spoke all week about putting in a professional performance and having 8 or 9 first graders out, we expected the younger blokes to do a job and they did exactly that,” O’Brien instructed Fox League.
“We knew everything wasn’t going to be perfect tonight with the personnel changes so we knew our effort had to be perfect to look after each other and I thought we did that.
“We’ve been really consistent all year. Even the games that we’ve lost, I felt like the DNA has been there all along.
“Even in the games that we weren’t winning, we were still putting a tonne of effort in. I think I’m most proud that we just held our nerve, both coaching staff and the players.
“We just stuck to the process and believed in and fortunately it has come out the other side, but one season is over now, another is about to begin for us.”
The Knights will host the Raiders/Roosters in Week 1 of the Finals.
O’Brien admits the build-up shall be a unique really feel for his facet and therefore, it received’t be handled like simply one other week.
“I think it’s important that whilst we stick to our processes like we have all year… I think it’s important to acknowledge that this week is a little different,” he mentioned.
“We will change a few things up, we might get the boys out and about very early in the week and then we will batten down the hatches and prepare for the next opponent.
“I don’t think we’ll treat it like a normal week, because it’s not for these boys, so they deserve to get out and enjoy finals week.”
O’Brien additionally gave an replace to the standing of Ponga, who missed the Dragons conflict with a AC joint harm.
“When we left yesterday morning, he (Ponga) was doing a lot more than I thought he would in the rehab space,” O’Brien mentioned.
“He’s had a look in his eye all week that nothing is going to hold him out of this game
“I don’t have a definitive answer for you but it looked pretty promising (he’ll play next week).”
Foran produces profession first hat-trick! | 01:37
CAN THE BRONCOS TURN AROUND THEIR AWFUL RECENT STORM RECORD?
It’s confirmed. The Broncos will host the Storm at Suncorp Stadium for the second week in a row, however subsequent time, the stakes shall be a lot larger.
The Storm and Broncos rested a mixed 21 gamers for his or her Round 27 conflict on Thursday night time, with Brisbane maintaining in just a few extra common starters than Melbourne.
However, as soon as once more, the Storm proved too good, extending their profitable streak towards the Broncos to 14. What’s extra outstanding is that Craig Bellamy’s facet haven’t misplaced towards Brisbane at Suncorp since 2009.
For reference, Darren Lockyer and Karmichael Hunt have been nonetheless taking part in for the Broncos.
The 32-22 loss meant the Broncos would lose out to Penrith for the minor premiership and accept second, organising the Week 1 Finals conflict towards the Storm.
“Melbourne in their last 26 appearances against the Brisbane Broncos have won 24 times. Such dominance,” Warren Smith mentioned on Fox League.
“It’s almost not a rivalry because for a rivalry, you need the other team to win every now and again but the Broncos can’t find a way.”
“This is why tonight was huge for the Brisbane Broncos, not only because the minor premiership was on the line, but if they want to win this trophy they are going to have to go through the Melbourne Storm again and their record isn’t great, “ Cooper Cronk added.
Leading into next week’s clash, the Storm’s record over Brisbane will undoubtedly be one of the main talking points.
Of course, both sides will trot out vastly different teams on that occasion, with the Broncos possessing more star power than the Storm, but that doesn’t always matter.
For whatever reason, Bellamy has the wood over the Broncos, which will give him and his side the psychological edge heading into the qualifying final.
Walters probably won’t be buying into it publicly, but it is a factor he must acknowledge.
SEND OFF sinks Raiders home final hopes | 00:40
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THE MASTER VS THE APPRENTICE
The Roosters and Sharks clash will mean just that little bit more for both Trent Robinson and Craig Fitzgibbon.
Prior to taking the Cronulla head coach role, Fitzgibbon worked under the Tricolours boss for over a decade before graduating.
Now the pair will face off in their first finals encounter, in only Fitzgibbon’s second season as an NRL coach.
The 6th vs 7th clash is do or die, and interestingly the Sharks and Roosters have only faced off twice in the last two seasons.
Both teams have come away victorious once, setting up a tasty clash in the first week of finals football.
The Roosters surged in to the top eight with five straight wins and were considered a slim chance of playing in the post-season after sitting in 14th after Round 22.
On the other hand, the Sharks also were able to claw their way back into the finals with four wins from five games to close out the year.
Fitzgibbon believes both clubs have endured similar headaches this season on the path to the top eight,
“Bit like us really, earnt the right to play in the semi finals and wasn’t panning out how they probably wanted to,” he mentioned within the post-match press convention after his facet’s win over the Raiders.
“Bit like us but they found a way in there.”
Quizzed on whether or not he was excited to be dealing with up towards his outdated mentor in an elimination closing, Fitzgibbon remained stoic.
“It is a good opportunity for us and our club,” Fitzgibbon mentioned.
“Any semi that you play is a privilege because you earned the right through a lot of hard work, a lot of sacrifices from staff and players.
“So any one of them is a privilege, irrespective of who you’re playing.
“All that stuff (with Robinson) will heat up later in the week.”
Elsewhere, Panthers coach Ivan Cleary may even face off towards his former assistant in Andrew Webster.
The skilled coach defined there shall be time to catch up after the conflict, however for now New Zealand stay the enemy.
“Great performance by Webby and the Warriors, it’s fantastic,” Cleary mentioned.
“It’s great for the game, but yeah we aren’t going to be friends next week so just blessed that we are in the top four and in the finals.
“Worked extremely hard to get here and the old saying, it’s a new competition.”
Broncos coach Kevin Walters additionally frolicked as Craig Bellamy’s assistant within the Melbourne system and can face off solely per week after the Storm bested the Broncos in Round 27.
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
