Imagine that – 13 games per week for the next 7 weeks! “When too much sport is never enough…” and all that. And the NRL has done the women’s game a huge favour by giving it a ‘stand alone’ season opener tonight featuring a 2023 Grand Final rematch between the reigning premiers, the Newcastle Knights, and last year’s runner-up, the Sydney Roosters. On top of that, for the absolute tragics, every women’s match will be telecast live throughout the whole NRLW season. So please make sure that all domestic relationships are stable and based on a mutual appreciation of footy fever in extremis!
NRL Round 20 action saw the Raiders, Rabbitohs, Broncos and Cowboys do all they could to preserve their various degrees of finals aspirations. By contrast, the Warriors, Knights, Dolphins, Titans and Bulldogs did themselves no favours, although the Dolphins were a tad unlucky to not pull off an upset win over the Panthers. Manly’s drawn result earlier in the season may prove to be a real bonus for them as they now sit just that little bit extra ahead of the mid-table conglomeration of about 5-8 teams who are, technically, still in it. Are the Broncos, Souths, Knights and Warriors really still viable finals candidates? You’d have to say that things will have to fall their way if any of them are to crack the eight.
Round 21 Friday night footy has the Warriors taking on the Wests Tigers. The Wahs will still fancy their chances of snagging a finals spot; to do so they simply have to win – every game, probably! Wests are spoon favourites and I can’t see them mounting a challenge, especially with Sezer out. Get on the Warriors. Then it’s the Eels versus the Storm, 1st v 16th. No contest – Melbourne. Jason Ryles certainly hasn’t wasted any time starting to put his stamp on the 2025 set-up with Trent Barrett (coaching staff) and Ryan Matterson seemingly told to look elsewhere. (With heaps more to come!)
On Saturday afternoon, the Broncos host the Bulldogs in one of the key matches of the weekend. The Broncos looked almost back to their old selves against the Knights – just how important is Adam Reynolds? But the Doggies were far from disgraced in their loss to the Cowboys. Goal kicking was, again, a major factor in that one. The Broncos just have to keep winning or it’s season over; the Doggies can survive a loss but would much prefer to consolidate a finals spot. A four point game, you’d have to say. I’ll go with the heart and pick the Broncos. In the twilight game, the Cowboys take on the Sharks – aarrgghh! The Cowboys looked their best in ages last weekend with Dearden having a blinder; the Sharks continue to confound even the best tipsters. I still don’t understand how they can be third on the ladder! Prop and I will both agonise over this result. I’m from north of the Tweed, so I’ll go with the Cowboys. The late match is the pick of the weekend with the Roosters hosting the Sea Eagles. The Chooks will be very disappointed with their effort in Melbourne and will be out to re-establish their place in the hierarchy. Manly looked timid early on against the Titans before the cream rose to the top with Brooks and Turbo turning on a clinic. Fourth spot is arguably on the line here. Something tells me that the Roosters will rebound and be crowing come the final hooter.
On Sunday, the Dragons will try to sustain their hopes when they take on the Panthers. I just can’t see it happening, especially with the premiers likely to be at almost full strength. Get on the boys from Penrith. The Dolphins are back home to meet the Titans. A loss is absolute curtains for the Gold Coast’s season; the Dolphins are hanging on by their fingernails. In a tight one, I’ll go with the Dolphins. Finally, in the other ‘survival of the fittest’ clash, the Raiders take on the Rabbitohs (who found a goal kicker in a most unlikely place last weekend). The Rabbitohs have to win or they’ll be too far gone; the Raiders need to win to stay in touch while a loss will make it so much harder. I know the game is being played in Canberra, but, somehow, I think the Rabbitohs might just keep the true believers believing for another week.
NRLW Round 1 is a bit of guesswork given the lack of any meaningful form based on State leagues and trials. In other words, your guess is as good as mine but we’ll mention the bookies’ take just in case you think that’s worth anything.
Tonight’s Grand Final rematch is a great first up game to get the season underway. Newcastle are the defending premiers for a reason – they’ve been the best team in the NRLW for the last two years. They’ll start as favourites with the bookies against the ever-contending Roosters. That’s good enough for me at this stage. Newcastle.
On Saturday, the early game has the Sharks are at home to the Cowboys where everyone seems to think that the Sharks are firm favourites. Let’s go with that – Sharks. Then the Broncos take on the Eels at Lang Park, surely enough of an influence to get the home side over the line. Go Broncos.
Come Sunday and the Dragons lead off against the Titans, last season’s big improver. The bookies think so too with the smart money on the visitors. Get on the Titans. The final game has the Wests Tigers meeting the Raiders in what the pundits think is a toss of the coin game. So I tossed a coin and it came down Wests Tigers.
Next week, once we’ve seen a bit of footy, we should be in a position to make more informed comments. For now, enjoy the feast before us!
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About Ian Hauser
A former teacher with a (very) modest sporting CV enjoying his retirement years. A Queenslander through and through, especially when it comes to cricket and rugby league. Enjoys travel, coffee and cake, reading, McWilliam's Cream Apera and a glass or three of wine. Footy Almanac's Thursday online editor who moonlights as a hobby editor.
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