Panfersv Souffs

[ROC181]

Interesting Fact

Kent said that Since 2015 the winner of the GF has been the side that’s beaten the Storm to end their season. That’s good for Penrith, however in 2014 the team that ended the Storms season was Canterbury. They didn’t win the GF. CRAP!

[roostermcgregor]

I just watched a replay of the Riff / Storm game and the Riff won the physical battle easily.
They were up in the face of the Storm's attack all game, and when they had the ball, they made plenty of metres from hard running.
No need for them to push passes, they kept it pretty simple.
Easily the best for the Storm were NAS and Olam - wish those two were wearing the RWB.
Harry Grant looked lost out there , and seemed to be shy of running the football - which is a worry when you are a middle forward.

[ROC181]

Good to see that Momirovski will finally participate in a grand final. Helped us get there in 2018 and unlucky not to be considered for the Storm in 2020. I’m hoping he has a MOM performance.

[Bruce Pickett]

Interesting Fact

Kent said that Since 2015 the winner of the GF has been the side that’s beaten the Storm to end their season. That’s good for Penrith, however in 2014 the team that ended the Storms season was Canterbury. They didn’t win the GF. CRAP!

But that's only a 5 year sample size. Doesn't mean much, but I bet Kent felt like a genius when he said it.

[SamKerrSimp]

But that's only a 5 year sample size. Doesn't mean much, but I bet Kent felt like a genius when he said it.

Melbourne won in 2017 and 2020 so it’s only 4 games and really when you beat a team in the grand final that’s not exactly ‘ending their season’ imo

[ROC181]

But that's only a 5 year sample size. Doesn't mean much, but I bet Kent felt like a genius when he said it.

It just shows that for the last 5/6 years, the team that has beaten the ‘all mighty’ Storm with their Slater’s , Cronk Smith, Munster, Bellamy and co has gone on to win the GF. That’s the cows, the sharks, Roosters, Roosters…That’s 4 out of 6 years. Is it a coincidence? Most likely but at least those that are going for the panthers can hold on to that. And it’s not a stat, it’s a pattern. That’s all!

[King Salvo]

But that's only a 5 year sample size. Doesn't mean much, but I bet Kent felt like a genius when he said it.

This would be more appropriate

How many sides that have lost in week 1 of the finals (teams 1 to 4 obviously) have gone on and made the GF and won it under the current top 8 system which started in 2012

I think only 1 - North Queensland Cowboys in 2015 and they beat Melbourne Storm in the Preliminary Final to make the GF and win the GF against Brisbane the team that beat them in week 1 of the Finals ( 2 vs 3)

[roostermcgregor]

I don't like to talk up players from opposition teams, but has anyone noticed Kikau's passing game lately?
That ball he gave to Too when the Riff scored just after halftime against the Drizz, was an absolute gem.
And its not the first time he has done it - I've seen him give similar passes tin earlier games to Burton, to give him space.
Kikau is a big SOB, but now he has soft hands and also a running game, its going to put the opposition into two minds as to what he is going to do.
I could be wrong, but that side with Too will give plenty of headaches for the Souffs defence on Sunday - I'm looking forward to see what happens.

[Mickie Lane]

I was 60-40 Penrith to start with but Ive now firmed to 50-50.
Souths are getting in my head, ol Wayne winning comps at 3 different clubs = Best ever coach, Cody Walker gets the MOTM. Latrell on the podium celebrating like he played in the GF.
For me Cleary is the key for Penrith, I really like Cleary & think he is the toughest halfback in the game on top of being the best halfback in the game. They say the forwards have to win the ruck for the halves to fire but I think Cleary has it in him to set the standard which then gets his team to win the ruck.

[King Salvo]

I was 60-40 Penrith to start with but Ive now firmed to 50-50.
Souths are getting in my head, ol Wayne winning comps at 3 different clubs = Best ever coach, Cody Walker gets the MOTM. Latrell on the podium celebrating like he played in the GF.
For me Cleary is the key for Penrith, I really like Cleary & think he is the toughest halfback in the game on top of being the best halfback in the game. They say the forwards have to win the ruck for the halves to fire but I think Cleary has it in him to set the standard which then gets his team to win the ruck.

I think it will come down to if the Riff players carrying injuries will last the distance and contribute or be somewhat passengers in the game - Fisher-Harris/To'o/ Edwards/ Kikau/Leota for instance and also Cleary nursing his shoulder which teams haven't really exploited or tested out.

On the flip side there are a couple of Vermin players carrying injuries too - Murray has a shoulder complaint and of course Reynolds groin tightness - tightness is usually a pre-cursor of a more serious injury if adequate rest isn't undertaken.

You see that when players have calf and hamstring tightness - if they play on they eventually suffer strains or torn calf and hamstring injuries. Be able to see if Reynolds still has the groin problem early on - if he kicks or not - general play firstly

[Thirteen]

Isaac Luke ringing the bell. And I thought Souths had a proud history. Is that the best they can come up with?

[ROC181]

I don't like to talk up players from opposition teams, but has anyone noticed Kikau's passing game lately?
That ball he gave to Too when the Riff scored just after halftime against the Drizz, was an absolute gem.
And its not the first time he has done it - I've seen him give similar passes tin earlier games to Burton, to give him space.
Kikau is a big SOB, but now he has soft hands and also a running game, its going to put the opposition into two minds as to what he is going to do.
I could be wrong, but that side with Too will give plenty of headaches for the Souffs defence on Sunday - I'm looking forward to see what happens.

He did it at least twice if I'm not wrong and it was as good as any good back would do.

[ROC181]

my worry about this game is that all the luck is falling onto souffs lap like the injuries, the form and even that little fullback has played better than what most expected. It Shouldn't Be like That!

[The Corner Post]

The game will be decided:
A) In the middle.
Souths seem to be able to bring Walker into the match, even when they are on the back foot.
Compare this to Panthers, I feel Cleary struggles a bit when their middle isn't going forward.
Otherwise the middles seem pretty even.
B) Kick return.
The Panthers wingers are great at getting them going forward on tackle 1 and 2. The Panthers have the advantage here.
X factor)
The Panthers were gassed last week, so were the Storm. That was a hard game.
Compare that to Souths, they've had an easy run so far.

I'm backing Souths to break them down in the first half, then come home stronger in the last 10.

Souths 16 Panthers 6.

[Chookies74]

If Yeo, Capewell and Koroisou play like they did last week, Riff easily.
They bombed 3 tries in first half last week, can't see them doing that again, I'm sure they'll fix up the shape of their left to right attack.
Their early set defence was Rooster like, absolutelyfukn belted Melba into submission.
Leota is a big in.