NRL FINALS Week 3, 2025 Discussion
NRL Round Discussion NRL FINALS Week 3, 2025 Discussion
- Thread starter 1995warriorsfan
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An insight into my convo with Chat at bedtime tonight 
Melbourne should beat Cronulla. I think Cronulla are a bit overrated. Storm have the better team and big match players.
Broncos vs Panthers is tough. If it was in Penrith they would win, but in Brisbane....... Panthers have the better overall team but the Broncos have x-factor in Walsh and Haas. The Broncos have a few weak links in their lineup if you look through it especially without Carrigan. Toss a coin here.
The only team I don't think can win the title is Cronulla so for a good grand final I really hope Melbourne get through. Melbourne vs Broncos/Panthers will be immense.
Broncos vs Panthers is tough. If it was in Penrith they would win, but in Brisbane....... Panthers have the better overall team but the Broncos have x-factor in Walsh and Haas. The Broncos have a few weak links in their lineup if you look through it especially without Carrigan. Toss a coin here.
The only team I don't think can win the title is Cronulla so for a good grand final I really hope Melbourne get through. Melbourne vs Broncos/Panthers will be immense.
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I’ve got concerns around Hughes getting through the game. Brailey is in great form and him up against Grant should be a good battle. Think Melbourne really needs Harry Grant to have a big game
That's the only issue for sure. Hughes will risk serious injury if he plays and isn't ready. But Bellamy would prefer him to play this week rather than go into a grand final having barely played the past 2 months. Maybe Pezet can come onto the bench in place of Wishart just in case he goes down early.
To be honest they should win with Pezet anyway but Hughes will want to play.
Grant, Paps and Munster will be up for this. If Melbourne get close to an even share of possession they should win comfortably. Sharks need to bash them up front and with their bench to stand a chance, which is possible.
I would rate the games like this based on likelihood to win
Melbourne 75% Sharks 25% (with Hughes)
Melbourne 65% Sharks 35% (without Hughes)
Broncos 45% Panthers 55%
Yeah I agree with all you said. Think sharks forwards like are vital to getting Brailey quick ruck speed. Real animosity between these two clubs historically, could turn into a real scrappy game
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Definitely agree regarding Brailey. That is key for them. This is the litmus test for Hynes as well. Can he deliver.
It's going to be great viewing. Can't wait!
Hynes been going on about being disrespected but goes missing in big moments. Think if he can’t stand up here he never will. As much as I’d love for us to be amongst it, I can’t think of two better games that could provide absolute classics
He seems to be happy to share the playmaking with Trindall this season. But he is going to need to step up here. If I was a Sharks fan and he has another disappointing game when it matters, you would have to be questioning whether he stays in the 7 long term.
I kind of wish the Raiders got through as I think they are better than the Sharks but the Sharks deserve their chance.
It's funny, I read the Sharks forum after we whipped them mid season at their home ground and they were writing off their season completely. Times have changed.
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Hynes played plenty of fullback at storm and could slot back there for Kennedy if things don’t work out in these finals, and they go after someone to take Hynes place in the halves
Hynes was a great fullback. Has maybe lost a bit of pace but if they could find a good 7 and are getting rid of Kennedy, that would be a good option.
Finding a quality 7 is extremely difficult though. Don't know how their youth halves are going but on the market there isn't much. Unless they go for someone like Pezet.
They could have a go at Burton to play five eighth and Trindall 7?
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They could. I am still uncertain about Trindall but he is probably on par with Hynes now and looks comfortable taking on chief playmaker when needed.
Burton would probably go well in the Sharks system.
Really like Burton in the centres but his asking price is that of a halve or fullback. Sharks probably need to look at changing something up if they can’t get past storm or adding another threat
How much is Herbie on at the Dolphins in comparison?
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Farnworth and Crichton both on $850k but both tipped for a million plus in their next contracts. Burton was a decent centre at panthers but haven’t had a look at him to know what he’d be worth in the position. If $1.1 million is true, that’s too much I reckon. Shows with the salaries of those though how important a strike centre is becoming in the game
Oh definitely 1.1 is too much for a centre IMO.
For arguments sake would you take him at centre for $900k?
How much would you pay him to play 6?
I think any elite player in their respective position can demand top dollar. Wingers probably the exception?
Be interesting to compare the top salary in each position currently.
Webster has had him as assistant coach at panthers as a centre, so if he saw him as someone he’d be willing to pay that to then I’d back him to get the best out of him. His goal kicking adds another element that’s probably worth something too. He’s had 4 try assists all season with a lot of the time at five eighth, I don’t think he’s a halve at all but he can kick
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Yeah, agree with all of that. Essentially he has been at 6 so he is in position to kick. No reason he couldn't do that when required at fullback or center I suppose.
I'd be keen on him at center but for the right dollars
But those three arent just centres though are they. All three are game breakers that can also play multiple positions
