OH my goodness! What a first ‘round’ of footy finals we witnessed last weekend. It simply had everything.
Game 1 last Friday saw the Melbourne Storm defeat the Bulldogs but only after they got an almighty scare from Ciraldo’s men. Up 18-14 with 20 minutes to go it looked like the Storm were gone – but two late tries, which were both converted saw them prevail 26 points to 18.
The Bulldogs were brave given their injury toll on the night, none more significant than skipper Stephen Crichton’s, who was in a moon boot post-game with an ankle injury.
The first game of Saturday had the reigning premiers Penrith up against the NZ Warriors. As expected the 4 time premiership victors had total control over the boys from across the ditch to win comfortably 24 to 8.
Brian To’o was a stand-out as was Isaiah Papali’i off the bench who was formidable.
We then saw the first upset of these finals when the Cronulla Sharks doused the fire burning from Bondi, in particular their footy team the Roosters, who were even expected by lots to make it all the way to the Grand Final, such has been their fantastic form of late. But it was not to be, with the potential giant killers of these finals Cronulla gaining a massive scalp to win 20 to 10.
Then came Sunday and the finals match most were looking forward to. The first placed Canberra up against the 4th placed Brisbane Broncos. And it did not disappoint. WHAT A GAME!
Both teams came out with a finals intensity and the back and forth scoring from both teams saw the minor premiers Canberra go into half time up 18-12. Then things started to really heat up. A bit of ‘push you shove me’ mid way through the second half saw the Raiders Hudson Young and Broncos Reece Walsh both sent to the bin for 10 minutes. Then a couple of minutes later Pat Carrigan joined his Bronco teammate in the bin for a high shot on the Raiders Morgan Smithies. A total 4 minutes of carnage. But wait, the best is yet to come.
Upon his return from the sin bin, Reece Walsh put on a 15 minute rugby league clinic like never seen before. Actually Nathan Cleary’s 2023 Grand Final ’ 15 minutes was the last time we saw one player so brilliant on a rugby league field. Walsh produced everything to mount an auspicious comeback for his team. Down 28 to 12 with 20 minutes to play, Walsh exploded. He set up two tries, scored one, kicked a 40/20, and hit the crossbar from 45m from a field goal attempt. Whew!
The aftermath? Broncos won on the back of a Ben Hunt field goal 29-28. Walsh has been issued a fine nothing further. Carrigan a 1-2 week suspension depending on if he fights it or not.
For the record, I don’t think Walsh’s supposed headbutt was a legitimate headbutt, more of a head nudge. And he’ll be free to play the prelim final at Suncorp against either the Panthers or the Dogs. Carrigan on the other hand doesn’t appear to be so lucky. On the other side of the draw Melbourne await the victor of the Raiders v the Sharks in Melbourne for the other preliminary final game. Aaah Rugby League, what a game it is, it is most definitely the game that never sleeps…
MG (random Westie) OAM
