This is one of the best weekends of the year – and I think the biggest winner will be one few are expecting.
Ivan Cleary says minor-premiers Melbourne deserve the tag of premiership favourites heading into the finals.
The Roosters prop expects his old Panthers crew will know exactly how to get under his skin.
The Swans announced on Wednesday night that skipper Callum Mills will miss the side’s preliminary final,while Hawks coach Sam Mitchell knows he can’t replace the dependable Sam Frost for the Hawks’ must-win final this week.
Having ducked a showdown with the AFL on Saturday night,the NRL knows there will be a flow-on effect for the second week of the finals.
Sydney’s east and west will collide,the 2016 grand final combatants will renew their rivalry and the Bulldogs will play finals for the first time in eight years.
The NRL has avoided a head-to-head clash with its rival code by moving the Canterbury-Manly clash away from Saturday night at Olympic Park,where the Giants are playing Brisbane.
Ivan Cleary’s record breakers are favourites to kick off the finals series,pending last-round results. But they also have their eyes on how to get back to their new home as quickly as possible in 2026.
As the former NSW premier considers his future at the club,the Tigers’ majority owners are facing D-Day as political turmoil engulfs the club.
The competition’s two most improved teams – the Bulldogs and Dragons – have taken to standing in a huddle and breathing during games. And they insist the one per-center is working.
His teammates knew how much just being there meant to the club after the death of his mother – and it might be a valuable lesson for the Rabbitohs’ most influential star.