- Apr 21, 2015
- 1,943
- 1,554
That is strange. I can understand them giving up on a top 4 spot but you'd think they'd still be trying for top 6 and a home final even if it's a knockout one.
2026 NRL General Discussion Thread
- Thread starter bb_gun
- Start date
broncos4life
International Captain
- Oct 5, 2011
- 28,350
- 30,547
Don’t say that around James Graham unless you want to get punched in the throat.
MrTickyMcG
NRL Player
- Jun 3, 2021
- 1,821
- 4,753
Why would they do that?
- Feb 23, 2014
- 12,189
- 17,690
Guess they think top 4 is gone, so are taking the chance.
- Jul 28, 2016
- 35,577
- 52,032
They'll probably be confident in all those match ups... they'd be hoping for sharks/wahs in week 2 though.
Looking at the ladder predictor the winner of 5th vs 8th gets the loser of 1st vs 4th... so raiders/wahs/sharks/broncos... and then they go to storm for a prelim.
Panthers finishing 6th/7th would see them heading to dogs in week 2 and raiders (likely) in a prelim... that seems like a doable path to the GF for them to be honest.
4th/5th looks to be an OK spot for us to finish though... 5th spot plays 8th in week 1 (likely dolphins or rorters) then likely get wahs/sharks in week 2... but then head to melbourne for a fresh and rested storm in a prelim though.
BroncosFever
State of Origin Rep
- Jun 6, 2014
- 7,012
- 12,774
They're not the same team this year, initially they were a long way off the mark but recently they've been found out by a couple of teams who can stay with them and have the class to finish them off. Even the Titans had them in a spot.
I can see them going out in week 1, particularly if it's an away game.
Redfern_1980
QCup Player
- Jun 21, 2024
- 459
- 1,863
"Home" final at Commbank though so no real advantage for Panthers when comparing to the old Bluebet Stadium in Penrith
JayPee
State of Origin Captain
- Mar 16, 2017
- 8,786
- 5,044
It's actually smart and probably the best chance they have of winning it again. They have had a hard run the last month. A number of golden point games in bloodbath up and back physical games. Why bust your ass for the chance at 4th place? A spot you probably won't get anyway. Their best chance is to be fresh if they want to win in their typical style and hope you get lucky with the draw. They have shown they can match it with these sides still so they don't need the reps.
That would be great if Des answered questions or did media Monday-Friday. The Queensland media are over Des.
BroncosFever
State of Origin Rep
- Jun 6, 2014
- 7,012
- 12,774
The sport is corrupt, the betting odds on Penrith/Canterbury switched before the club even notified anyone that they'd be resting players, the teams aren't even out yet.
- Jun 12, 2013
- 16,858
- 22,617
If they can't make Top 4, they have to win 4 games straight no matter where they finish in the bottom of the top 8. Makes sense to rest players at some point I guess. Take the week off against the Dogs given they're so physical etc, belt the ever living shit out of the Dargons the following week and go into the finals with some momentum.
JayPee
State of Origin Captain
- Mar 16, 2017
- 8,786
- 5,044
It was moving when the price came up. It didn't switch until the news actually came out.
Swordfish
NRL Player
- Aug 24, 2022
- 1,708
- 3,688
Just finish up on 4th spot, take down (highly likely) Raiders in Canberra & get a week off.
Let the rest deal with all kinds of scenarios & whoever turns up at Suncorp for PreFinal, just hand their arse to them & we go to Accor for GF to rewrite history books.
Fernando
State of Origin Rep
- Jun 6, 2015
- 5,243
- 6,050
Yep, makes sense. They don't really have a home ground advantage either if even if they finished 5-6.
Hopefully this Cleary being rested story leads to an official process clubs have to follow to keep fans up to date about injuries and resting and team lists in general.
Tristan1990
QCup Player
- Sep 29, 2016
- 568
- 1,187
Sucks the Storm won't do that against us.. my only hope is they haven't won a premiership for a while and they think resting is a good idea haha
