2024 NRL finals preview – week 3
It’s the penultimate week of the season this weekend as two more teams say goodbye to 2024, and two advance to a Grand Final showdown at Accor Stadium on October 6th.
Fittingly, it’s the top four from the regular season who have made it to the final four. Let’s take a closer look at these two mouthwatering matches.
Melbourne Storm vs Sydney Roosters – Friday 27th September
What happened in week two?
The Storm had the weekend off after their 37-10 win over the Sharks in week one, which took them straight through to this weekend’s preliminary final at AAMI Park.
The Roosters got here the harder way. A 30-10 loss to the Panthers in week one, meant they had to play again in week two. They were magnificent against Manly, as they saw off the Sea Eagles 40-16 in front of more than 40,000 fans at Allianz Stadium.
They took a healthy 20-4 lead into the break, then Daniel Tupou’s try just a minute into the second half effectively killed the contest. Joseph Sua’ali’i was flawless from the kicking tee, and he’ll need to do the same again this week if the Roosters are to win down in Melbourne.
Melbourne Storm team news
The Storm are unchanged from the side that beat the Sharks so convincingly in week one.
Sua Fa’alogo missed that match with a hamstring injury and is named in the extended squad this week, but he’s unlikely to make the matchday squad.
Sydney Roosters team news
The Roosters have named the same squad that saw off the Sea Eagles so impressively last week.
Victor Radley has been named in the starting side again this week, in number 13. Last week, he was a late inclusion but he’s good to go for week three.
Our prediction – Melbourne Storm 32-18 Sydney Roosters
I just can’t see anything other than a Melbourne win this weekend. The Roosters have done brilliantly to get this far, but every side has a ceiling, and I think Sydney will hit theirs on Friday.
Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla Sharks – Saturday 28th September
What happened in week two?
Defending premiers Penrith had the weekend off after their 30-10 win over the Roosters in week one.
The Sharks, meanwhile, were impressive in their 26-18 win over the Cowboys. A 37-10 loss to Melbourne in week one, meant Cronulla had to go round again in week two, and they made no mistake at Allianz Stadium.
They built up a huge 24-0 lead at half-time, and despite a spirited effort from the Cowboys in the second half, it was too little too late, as the Sharks saw out the contest, 26-18.
Penrith Panthers team news
Scott Sorensen has been named in the extended squad and could make his return from injury.
if he does then it’s likely to push Luke Garner to the bench, with Brad Schneider dropping out of the 17.
Cronulla Sharks team news
The Sharks have named the same 17 that saw off the Cowboys in week two.
Jesse Ramien came through that game unscathed after injury, so continues in the centres. Nicho Hynes, meanwhile, will play his 100th NRL game this weekend.
Our prediction – Penrith Panthers 36-12 Cronulla Sharks
I can see the Panthers blowing Cronulla off the park this Saturday. That may seem a little harsh on the Sharks, given that they had the second-best defence in the NRL in 2024, but Penrith are a different prospect entirely to most sides, and after a week off they’ll be going at it full throttle from the first whistle.
