CROSS FORUM NRL Round 27 Discussion

[Big Pete]

Brisbane Broncos vs. Melbourne Storm
Suncorp Stadium, Thursday 5 September 2024
Kick Off: 7:50pm

BRISBANE BRONCOS

1. Tristan Sailor 2. Corey Oates 3. Selwyn Cobbo 4. Deine Mariner 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Joshua Rogers 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Fletcher Baker 11. Jaiyden Hunt 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan

14. Blake Mozer 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Benjamin Te Kura 17. Martin Taupau

18. Josiah Karapani 19. Cory Paix 20. Reece Walsh 21. Vaa Semu

MELBOURNE STORM

1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Grant Anderson 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero

14. Tyran Wishart 15. Christian Welch 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Alec MacDonald

18. Kane Bradley 19. Joe Chan 20. Lazarus Vaalepu 21. Ativalu Lisati 22. Xavier Coates

Wests Tigers vs. Parramatta Eels
Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Friday 6 September 2024
Kick Off: 6:00pm

WESTS TIGERS

1. Heath Mason 2. Junior Tupou 3. Solomona Faataape 4. Josh Feledy 5. Charlie Staines 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Alex Seyfarth 12. Samuela Fainu 13. Isaiah Papali'i

14. Latu Fainu 15. Sione Fainu 16. Fonua Pole 17. Alex Twal

18. Tim Johannssen 19. Alexander Lobb 20. Reuben Porter 21. Kit Laulilii 22. Tony Sukkar

PARRAMATTA EELS

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Blaize Talagi 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Daejarn Asi 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Brendan Hands 10. Shaun Lane 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Joe Ofahengaue

14. Joey Lussick 15. Makahesi Makatoa 16. Luca Moretti 17. Ofahiki Ogden

18. Jake Tago 19. Matt Doorey 20. Ethan Sanders 21. Haze Dunster 22. Wiremu Greig

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. Sydney Roosters
Accor Stadium, Friday 6 September 2024
Kick Off: 8:00pm

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS

1. Jye Gray 2. Tyrone Munro 3. Taane Milne 4. Richard Kennar 5. Jacob Gagai 6. Cody Walker 7. Dean Hawkins 13. Davvy Moale 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jacob Host 8. Tallis Duncan

14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Liam Le Blanc 16. Sean Keppie 17. Siliva Havili

18. Michael Chee Kam 19. Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson 20. Brock Gray 21. Fletcher Myers 22. Dion Teaupa

SYDNEY ROOSTERS

1. James Tedesco 2. Fetalaiga Pauga 3. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 20. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Luke Keary 7. Sandon Smith 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Connor Watson 17. Terrell May 11. Angus Crichton 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Naufahu Whyte

14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Siua Wong 16. Delasalle Vaa 19. Blake Steep

5. Dominic Young 10. Lindsay Collins 18. Michael Jennings 21. Jake Elliott 22. Xavier Va'a

St George Illawarra Dragons vs. Canberra Raiders
Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Saturday 7 September 2024
Kick Off: 3:00pm

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS

1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Jack Bird 5. Mathew Feagai 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Jack de Belin 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su'A 13. Tom Eisenhuth

14. Connor Muhleisen 15. Toby Couchman 16. Blake Lawrie 17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner

18. Hamish Stewart 19. Michael Molo 20. Savelio Tamale 21. Max Feagai 22. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga

CANBERRA RAIDERS

1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali'i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Simi Sasagi 13. Morgan Smithies

14. Danny Levi 15. Corey Horsburgh 16. Ata Mariota 17. Trey Mooney

18. James Schiller 19. Zac Woolford 20. Emre Guler 21. Jed Stuart 22. Adam Cook

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs. North Queensland Cowboys
Accor Stadium, Saturday 7 September 2024
Kick Off: 5:30pm

CANTEBURY BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS

1. Connor Tracey 2. Jeral Skelton 3. Jacob Kiraz 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Drew Hutchison 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon

14. Bailey Hayward 15. Kurtis Morrin 16. Harry Hayes 17. Josh Curran

19. Blake Taaffe 20. Jack Underhill 21. Eli Clark 22. Lipoi Hopoi 23. Jonathan Sua

NORTH QLD COWBOYS

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter

14. Sam McIntyre 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Harrison Edwards 17. Griffin Neame

18. Jaxon Purdue 19. Chad Townsend 20. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 21. Marly Bitungane 22. Tomas Chester

Penrith Panthers vs. Gold Coast Titans
BlueBet Stadium, Saturday 7 September 2024
Kick Off: 7:35pm

PENRITH PANTHERS

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Brian To'o 6. Brad Schneider 7. Jarome Luai 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo

14. Trent Toelau 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Luke Garner

18. Matt Eisenhuth 19. Mavrik Geyer 20. Casey McLean 21. Daine Laurie 22. Luke Sommerton

GOLD COAST TITANS

1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Beau Fermor 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Kieran Foran 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. Chris Randall 12. Klese Haas 13. Isaac Liu

14. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 15. Erin Clark 16. Keenan Palasia 17. Arama Hau

18. Josiah Pahulu 19. Tanah Boyd 20. Joe Stimson 21. Tony Francis 22. Jaylan De Groot

Manly Sea Eagles vs. Cronulla Sharks
4 Pines Park, Sunday 8 September 2024
Kick Off: 2:00pm

MANLY SEA EAGLES

1. Tolutau Koula 2. Clayton Faulalo 3. Tommy Talau 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Matthew Lodge 11. Haumole Olakau'atu 12. Karl Lawton 13. Jake Trbojevic

14. Ben Trbojevic 15. Josh Aloiai 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Nathan Brown

18. Toafofoa Sipley 19. Jamie Humphreys 20. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 21. Jaxson Paulo 22. Caleb Navale

CRONULLA SHARKS

1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes

14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Jack Williams 16. Royce Hunt 17. Thomas Hazelton

18. Braden Hamlin-Uele 19. Siosifa Talakai 20. Jayden Berrell 21. Tuku Hau Tapuha 22. Samuel Stonestreet

Newcastle Knights vs. Dolphins
McDonald Jones Stadium, Sunday September 8 2024
Kick Off: 4:05pm

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Fletcher Sharpe 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jack Cogger 7. Phoenix Crossland 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Dylan Lucas 13. Adam Elliott

14. Tyson Gamble 15. Mathew Croker 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Brodie Jones

18. Thomas Cant 19. Will Pryce 20. Jackson Hastings 21. Sebastian Su'a 22. Kai Pearce-Paul

THE DOLPHINS

1. Trai Fuller 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Jake Averillo 7. Sean O'Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Max Plath 10. Tevita Pangai Junior 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Kenny Bromwich

14. Jeremy Marshall-King 15. Ray Stone 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Kodi Nikorima

18. Lachlan Hubner 19. Isaiya Katoa 20. Oryn Keeley 21. Kurt Donoghoe 22. Tesi Niu

 

[Sproj]

Oh well, see you guys for NRL next year.

 

[Big Pete]

Actually shaping up to be a decent final round.

All begins on Friday at 6:00pm with the Spoon Bowl between the Tigers and the Eels. It's all a bit of fun and games because the truth is both teams have had horrible years, but only one team will be remembered as Sponners.

Then Sydney are playing for a home final against their traditional rivals the Rabbitohs. It'll be our first look at the Roosters minus Walker, Radley and B. Smith. They should be too strong and I expect a big response, whether that will carry them through to the finals remains to be seen.

There is still a chance of a Bradbury for either St George/Canberra if Knights/Dolphins ends up a draw, so it's kind of like a back-up finals qualifier match. These teams have played in some of the most perculiar games in history and this has a lot of the same ingredients. Curious to see if Flanagan bloods some more young forwards ahead of the game and gets a head-start on '25. Despite making up the numbers, I think both coaches have done a pretty good job with the rosters they have - it's just a question of whether they can actually build a good roster in the years to come.

Canterbury-North Queensland are playing off for fifth and an opportunity to take on the winner of the Newcastle/Dolphins qualifier which shapes as a much easier passage into week two of the finals than Manly home/away. If the Cowboys win, they've done pretty well considering how soft they've been this year. Canterbury feel like the sentimental favourites this year, but falling short of the Top 4 has just made it a bridge too far, unless we see some crazy scorelines this weekend.

Ordinarily I wouldn't spare too much thought on a Panthers/Gold Coast match, but if the Gold Coast do cause an upset, it could potentially put Melbourne/Panthers back on a Week 1 collision course. Penrith should win, and should have that home semi against the Roosters - but that's still another 80 minutes they have to get through.

That loss to the Warriors is going to haunt the Sharks. They had a golden opportunity to earn a home semi and put themselves in the box seat only to find themselves staring down the barrel of the Melbourne Storm in Melbourne. The Sharks did win there earlier in the year, but no Papenhuyzen, Coates, Hughes etc. for the Storm made it difficult. Meanwhile Manly tend to struggle without Tommy but they are playing for a home semi and if there was ever a chance for a 5th-8th placed team to make waves, this would be the year. So another massive game for Manly and a chance to really define this season.

Then you have the play-off for 8th, Newcastle vs. Dolphins. How did we get here? I just think in '24 there's this glut of teams and it really comes down to the luck of the draw. Newcastle's most impressive win was an early season win against a Storm team missing both their halves. That's really all it comes to. Dolphins are in a similar position, but at least they have wins over Cronulla, Manly and North Queensland to vouch for them and they completely obliterated the Broncos in the first round of qualifiers. I think Dolphins are more deserving, but they have to prove it on Sunday. Otherwise Newcastle get in again and reportedly, O'Brien gets to stick around and Newcastle get to enjoy their sixth year under him.

 

[Sproj]

Actually shaping up to be a decent final round.

All begins on Friday at 6:00pm with the Spoon Bowl between the Tigers and the Eels. It's all a bit of fun and games because the truth is both teams have had horrible years, but only one team will be remembered as Sponners.

Then Sydney are playing for a home final against their traditional rivals the Rabbitohs. It'll be our first look at the Roosters minus Walker, Radley and B. Smith. They should be too strong and I expect a big response, whether that will carry them through to the finals remains to be seen.

There is still a chance of a Bradbury for either St George/Canberra if Knights/Dolphins ends up a draw, so it's kind of like a back-up finals qualifier match. These teams have played in some of the most perculiar games in history and this has a lot of the same ingredients. Curious to see if Flanagan bloods some more young forwards ahead of the game and gets a head-start on '25. Despite making up the numbers, I think both coaches have done a pretty good job with the rosters they have - it's just a question of whether they can actually build a good roster in the years to come.

Canterbury-North Queensland are playing off for fifth and an opportunity to take on the winner of the Newcastle/Dolphins qualifier which shapes as a much easier passage into week two of the finals than Manly home/away. If the Cowboys win, they've done pretty well considering how soft they've been this year. Canterbury feel like the sentimental favourites this year, but falling short of the Top 4 has just made it a bridge too far, unless we see some crazy scorelines this weekend.

Ordinarily I wouldn't spare too much thought on a Panthers/Gold Coast match, but if the Gold Coast do cause an upset, it could potentially put Melbourne/Panthers back on a Week 1 collision course. Penrith should win, and should have that home semi against the Roosters - but that's still another 80 minutes they have to get through.

That loss to the Warriors is going to haunt the Sharks. They had a golden opportunity to earn a home semi and put themselves in the box seat only to find themselves staring down the barrel of the Melbourne Storm in Melbourne. The Sharks did win there earlier in the year, but no Papenhuyzen, Coates, Hughes etc. for the Storm made it difficult. Meanwhile Manly tend to struggle without Tommy but they are playing for a home semi and if there was ever a chance for a 5th-8th placed team to make waves, this would be the year. So another massive game for Manly and a chance to really define this season.

Then you have the play-off for 8th, Newcastle vs. Dolphins. How did we get here? I just think in '24 there's this glut of teams and it really comes down to the luck of the draw. Newcastle's most impressive win was an early season win against a Storm team missing both their halves. That's really all it comes to. Dolphins are in a similar position, but at least they have wins over Cronulla, Manly and North Queensland to vouch for them and they completely obliterated the Broncos in the first round of qualifiers. I think Dolphins are more deserving, but they have to prove it on Sunday. Otherwise Newcastle get in again and reportedly, O'Brien gets to stick around and Newcastle get to enjoy their sixth year under him.

I'm happy you're happy.

 

[1910]

Va’a on debut. Thats cool.

 

[Super Freak]

Kayo FTW.

 

[Big Pete]

Va’a on debut. Thats cool.

Hadn't seen a ton of Della before he signed with the Roosters. I'm surprised at how quickly he's jumped ahead of Xavier. I know Xavier had his set-backs, but he still looks like an impressive prospect in his own right.

Between the Va'a brothers and Steep, the Roosters still look pretty strong moving forward. Fingers crossed for Toia, he's one of those players who could have found himself in a Queensland jersey by now if injuries had have been kind.

 

[1910]

Hadn't seen a ton of Della before he signed with the Roosters. I'm surprised at how quickly he's jumped ahead of Xavier. I know Xavier had his set-backs, but he still looks like an impressive prospect in his own right.

Between the Va'a brothers and Steep, the Roosters still look pretty strong moving forward. Fingers crossed for Toia, he's one of those players who could have found himself in a Queensland jersey by now if injuries had have been kind.

Yeah I have been watching the Roosters Cup side, they are like the Raiders of the 1980's nearly all Queenslanders. Toia deserves good luck.

I was never on the Va'a train, I always expect them to be a bit TPJ and go to boxing and come back to League- it just always seemed they were too naturally blessed to commit.

I agree, Della has well and truly jumped over Xavier which I find surprising.

 

[Foordy]

Souths have asked the NRL to be able to alter the side they named on Tuesday, so they can include Latrell Mitchell, given the NRL won't allow him to serve his suspension this week

 

[BroncsFan]

Souths have asked the NRL to be able to alter the side they named on Tuesday, so they can include Latrell Mitchell, given the NRL won't allow him to serve his suspension this week

Lol... NRL have dug themselves into such a deep fucking hole all because they didn't just say he's suspended until Round 2 2025.

They should allow them to do it... let Trell play Rd 27 in a fucked year for them when he hasn't run for like 6 weeks... he'll play like 2mins off the bench and still be gassed.

Also lol at Souths for being petulant little bitches... just suck it up... it's one fucking game.

 

[tommy]

If it's still Maori vs aboriginal the all star game then it's racism to include it in any suspension. What about poor old whitey who isn't available for selection? It really shouldn't count.

 

[GCBRONCO]

 

[Big Pete]

Nawaqantitawase on 'debut' for the Roosters.

I wonder how that works in relation to Rookie of the Year? Does playing for the Wallabies take you out of contention? Or do you get lumped in with the Lachlan Galvins of the world who are playing remarkably good footy for their age?

A lot of clubs would struggle if they lost the calibre of Keary, Manu, JWH and Suaalii. Sydney have some great young talent coming through to the point where I think they can still make some positive strides in 2025 and put themselves back in contention in 2026.

Tigers, Eels and Rabbitohs on the other hand can't wait until the season is over with. It's been a horrible year for all of them and like us Broncos fans I'd imagine they've been counting the days for sometime now. The Eels especially have their work cut out for them with Sanders, Talagi and Arthur moving on. It's tough when you need to make changes and the next generation has decided to go elsewhere.

 

[Foordy]

NRL statement re: Latrell Mitchell

“The NRL has informed South Sydney Rabbitohs that Latrell Mitchell will not serve his suspension in Round 27,” an NRL spokesperson said.

“Based on information provided, the NRL is not satisfied that the player is fit and available to play in Round 27.

“The NRL sought clarification and further information from the club concerning the player’s fitness and availability to participate in the match, including a fitness assessment.

“Despite several requests, this was not provided in the time required to make a proper and informed assessment of the player’s fitness to participate in the match this evening.

“The player will serve the one-match suspension when he is fit and available to play in the 2025 NRL season.”

 

[JayPee]

Galvin is an exceptional player. Don't see this kind of play at 19 from a half

 

[Battler]

Galvin is an exceptional player. Don't see this kind of play at 19 from a half

He’ll be great for the chooks in 2-3 years time

 

[Brocko]

Did anyone see Gutho just then

 

[Bull Shark]

The Tigers are so bad I don’t think they could even put 40 points on the Broncos ..