Post Match 2025 Finals Week 1 -Warriors vs Penrith [Round 28, 2025]

[Wrighty]

65 minutes in

Score is 12-8 to the panthers

We have the momentum, amazing defensive set, panthers only gain 20m

Cleary kicks from inside his own 20

CNK is standing out of frame.

Ball bounces favourably, forward pass, game over.

Why was CNK so far out of play. Dallin and the other winger were standing at the right depth. It was a mystifying play by CNK. That last twenty minutes we clocked off. Couple of errors by Leka too including attempting a no look pass and throwing it over the sideline.

But Panthers made no gaffs so deserved to win and kept us to 8 points.

Better team won. Hopefully our young players are better for the experience.

2026 is the Warriors year

 

[3rdstriker]

Is it weird that I feel we should’ve won that?

We were pretty dominant for majority of the game, all their tries were either extremely opportunistic or just unbelievably soft D (the dummy half try and Capwell completely missing the defensive assignment on papalii)

Like I don’t feel like they outclassed us. Tough pill to swallow. Can’t see Penrith going much further based on that display.

I know it was wet but this game highlighted how we are never winning with a fullback that can’t pass. CNK’s poor pass gifted them the To’o try. He just can’t be our number 1 next year.

Also for sixth billion time can we please fuck off DWZ this offseason.

CHT stepped up and played well I thought.

I agree with you mate, We were entering a period of defensive dominance had em on the ropes until that bad bounce.

 

[cro.warrior]

I'm sad about the loss. However next week we wouldn't stand a chance against 17 Bulldogs players and the officials.

 

[jumpman5xl]

Scoreline doesnt reflect on how well we played. Sad our season has come to an end. But awesome fight from the boys. Showed semi finals intensity. Bring on 26.

 

[BlackToko88]

Scoreline doesnt reflecf our effort imo.
8-12 at one stage.

But hey im proud. The boys showed effort and put up a fight. At the end, Panthers got some lucky bounces and touches.

We spent 90% or so in the top 4 this season which os an achievement in itself.

We still continued to find ways to win with no barnett then no metcalf (previouslh we folded when we lost johnson etc)m

Lost tohu preseason, walker week 4. Afb and sj last year. Its been a good year.

We go again next year march

 

[Playdaball]

Please give up on playing Leka at centre

 

[fukuref]

Congrats to the boys on making top 8! So proud with the effort shown tonight. A double movement try and a forward pass try was the difference there. A few changes and we're looking great for next season. Can't wait!

 

[Canonball]

Back from Mt Smart - We were in that and arguably on top right up until their 3rd try (which was a lucky bounce to them) - fuck eh, really proud of that - will reflect more but was a great game with the resources we had available, and we could have got it. We're very close.

 

[Canonball]

Congrats to the boys on making top 8! So proud with the effort shown tonight. A double movement try and a forward pass try was the difference there. A few changes and we're looking great for next season. Can't wait!

yup, definitely a double movement, eish

 

[Canonball]

I thought he nailed the rotations.

This to me was one of his best coaching efforts. Had the team up and liked his creativity in using TMM in that way.

There probably isn't space for both TMM & Healey on the bench but I like the roll of the dice.

The match was lost on the back of individuals who are simply not up to scratch.

Webby squeezed every last ounce he could from what he had to work with.

I've been a stern critic of his at times but I'm struggling to fault him this game.

Yeah agree, thought the rotations were good and I liked TMM at lock, was a good point of difference - Webby is an excellent coach and tonight showed it - was smart with the team selection and got the guys to perform - we lost that on a bouncing ball really, enjoyed it - there's a lot to like about this team

 

[Wrighty]

I am proud of the team tonight. Leota tried to big Daddy intimidate Fish early on on Fish punched him back and that was leadership and she was all on from there. I Pap made a difference off the bench. Well played young man and former Warrior.
Somehow they neutralised CNKs hit ups. I didn't see him to a single good carry all night and that seemed to be a game plan from them to stop our dominant back three metre makers. It was a great tactic by Ivan to take that strength away from us. They were putting a lot of forwards in their kick chase line and giving us stiff shoulders in the tackle. Ivan had his finger prints on that victory.
Great game to watch despite the dissapointment.

 

[Worried2Death]

I am proud of the team tonight. Leota tried to big Daddy intimidate Fish early on on Fish punched him back and that was leadership and she was all on from there. I Pap made a difference off the bench. Well played young man and former Warrior.
Somehow they neutralised CNKs hit ups. I didn't see him to a single good carry all night and that seemed to be a game plan from them to stop our dominant back three metre makers. It was a great tactic by Ivan to take that strength away from us. They were putting a lot of forwards in their kick chase line and giving us stiff shoulders in the tackle. Ivan had his finger prints on that victory.
Great game to watch despite the dissapointment.

Congrats on a good season wrighty, hope you don't spill any celebratory drinks on your Hawaiin shirt, I assume you've got pants on with your mum there, seeya next pre-season mate.

 

[afakasi247]

LOL to the fella that said “lucky the All Blacks are playing tonight” in the gameday thread

 

[Worried2Death]

LOL to the fella that said “at least the All Blacks are playing tonight” in the gameday thread

It was you wasn't it, what's the point of being a Warriors fan if you can't laugh at yourself.

 

[Wrighty]

Congrats on a good season wrighty, hope you don't spill any celebratory drinks on your Hawaiin shirt, I assume you've got pants on with your mum there, seeya next pre-season mate.

Its been a great season In the top 8 since round three onwards I think.

 

[Hardyman's Yugo]

Disappointing end to the season. It probably wouldn’t have made that much difference and we’d have gone out anyhow but we had a great chance to make the 4 and at least have another shot at getting through

 

[Boats n Hoes]

Disappointing end to the season. It probably wouldn’t have made that much difference and we’d have gone out anyhow but we had a great chance to make the 4 and at least have another shot at getting through

yeah not being able to beat the likes of Titans, Dolphins, and Eels at home in the latter rounds really hurt.

 

[ninj]

Great effort and fight but simply outclassed by the premiers. Nevertheless, a great experience for the young guns and the first-timers and take this down as a lesson for what it takes to win premierships. Congrats to a successful season and Up the Wahs 26!

 

[Inruin]

A bit like all season, you can't fault the effort but our attack just isn't there, although we did open up their left edge defense 3 or 4 times in that last 20 minutes. Dropped ball or poor passes when we did cost us though.

Turning point or key moment of the game, as others have mentioned was the freak try from letting the clearing kick bounce. They kicked from their own twenty so I really can't understand why CNK was back on our 10 meters. The team piled on the defensive pressure and he let it all off by not being in position. It was really poor.

I applaud AW for trying something a little different with TMM and Healy on the bench but it was kind of a weird move at the same time. One or the other. Healy with Ale or EIT would have made more sense.

End of the day we were outclassed by the better side but not disgraced.

 

[CWC]

I agree that 'outclassed' is a little strong. We shouldnt have trouble them as much as we did.

However, their finals experience showed through. Where we left the ball bounce to chance, they didn't.

Ironically, I thought we were (or close to) out penrithing penrith up until DWZ let that ball bounce.

To be fair Edwards was bumbling at the back and again if we had faster kick chasers we probably score from one of those, and they let a few bounce too. If we upgrade ourselves a bit we would take them easy next year