Eight clubs have become six and only five games remain in the 2023 NRL Premiership season.
The Week 2 Finals action kicks off on Friday night with an intriguing game between the Storm, who are looking to bounce back from a hefty defeat to the Broncos, and the Roosters, who are relying on their momentum to secure another upset win.
We’re then off to New Zealand on Saturday, where the Warriors and Knights both attempt to continue their fairytale seasons into a Preliminary Final.
Check out my thoughts on both games and NRL Finals Week 2 Tips below.
Week 2 of the NRL Finals kicks off in Melbourne on Friday night with an interesting clash between the Storm and the Roosters.
Two weeks ago, I thought that the Storm actually played themselves into serious Premiership contention by continuing that incredible run of form against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.
That was immediately forgotten, however, when they lost to the exact same club only a week later and were completely starved of points.
Another cruel injury to Ryan Papenhyzen compounded that loss, with the star fullback now facing yet another lengthy spell on the sidelines.
The Roosters have been a greatly improved side throughout the last six weeks or so and won through to this point of the season with a thrilling single-point win over the Sharks last week.
All things considered; I am actually of the opinion that the Roosters might have played their Grand Final to win through to this.
The Storm have done it without Papenhuyzen for most of the year, and while his injury is very disappointing, he is a little less vital to their make-up than perhaps he would have been this time last year.
I’m therefore expecting the Storm to bounce back in a big way, and that’s where I’m looking for a tip!
Just can’t wait for this one.
The Wahs and Knights have been easily the two biggest surprise packets of the 2023 NRL season, and they face off for a position in the final four on Saturday afternoon.
In my opinion, the Warriors have boasted a sleeping giant of a roster for quite a few years, but the addition of players like Charne Nicoll-Klokstad and probably more importantly, a coach like Andrew Webster this year has seen them immediately turn it all around.
They were rather handsomely beaten by the Panthers last weekend, but their chances really were dashed a couple of days later with the scratching of Shaun Johnson.
He returns this week, as do the Warriors to New Zealand and boy, have they been a tough road assignment for every other club this year.
I still can’t quite get my head around the Knights.
At the beginning of the Origin period, they were just awful. It looked like it would be a very long time until they’d be back to playing credible footy, and coach Adam O’Brien looked to be on the chopping block.
They’ve since won ten games in a row, including a Golden Point thriller over the Raiders last week to win through to this clash.
At their best and at home, I do believe the Warriors just to be a better side than the Knights, and I think they’ll get the job done.
Same Game Multi selections:
- Warriors 1-12
- Under 41.5 Points
- Dallin Watene-Zelezniak Anytime Try