If ever you needed proof the game isn't rigged this was the year. Penrith v Melbourne would have to be the most boring GF possible. Sure, they were the two best teams and deserve it, but that's not the point. Fans want excitement and an underdog story, this year they are getting none of that. They are getting nothing.
If it was rigged, I mean rigged for the betterment of the game, they are certainly doing a bad job rigging it. This dominance by 2-3 sides for a decade is doing nothing for the game.
On another note Cleary just needs to dominate for NSW and he is up there with the best ever. Possibly the best ever to be fair. His halfback play is god level.
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Penrith bring a very different approach to their game. Particularly the big games that count. .They have lost heaps of good players over the years and remarkably can still come up with a highly disciplined style. It can be boring to some and intriguing to others who patiently watch to see which side cracks the first with mental disciplines failures and fatigue.
Watching Cleary looking to take an opportunity is a masterclass in how to take advantage of any vulnerabllity on offer. Amazing player who has a lot of patience, timing and can read a play very well
Agree Tad, turned off the sharks momentum with a 40/20 then a great pass to the centre for a Try - panthers looked a bit off tonight, Edwards Yeo look tired I don't the panthers have enough in the tank to overcome the storm.
It's been a dogshit finals series. Team 1 and 2 into the GF. Everyone else making up the numbers.
Penrith into their 5th consecutive GF. Melbourne perennial Top 4 finishers.
The purists will argue the immaculate rugby league played by both these sides. As for entertainment and attracting a new audience forget it. A complete snooze fest.
Not sure what the NRL could do about it but we've been dining out on a diet of Storm, Panthers and Roosters for way too long. Something needs to change and quickly.
If only we had a mechanism to try and level the playing field and spread talent evenly across the competition so that all teams had the ability to win a premiership and the Top 4 was different each year.
Oh yeah, we have the Salary Cap - but I meant a mechanism that actually works.
It's getting very boring when you know at the beginning of the season that one of the Grand Finalists will be Storm/Panthers/Roosters and the only hope is that both GF spots aren't taken by those 3 teams and you get a shot at losing a grand final to them. Second comes right after first. What an achievement.
But seriously, it's getting predictable and boring. Not good for the game.
I think it's simplistic to try blame this on salary cap or mechanism of spread of talent . Penrith and Melbourne have produced talent and basically any recruits have generally been discards snd don't forget Penrith have been losing him players year in year on.
if anythinhg that needs to change is how young players /juniors are being poached by the likes of roosters and who buy the other clubs best kids and bring them on as juniors
I see where you are coming from but just enjoy the greatness, greatness cannot be contained.
The rules of the game need to be enforced, especially around the play the ball around.....Dylan Edwards is the main culprit.
Most of the rules aren't enforced and some teams get away with it more than others unfortunately. The refs and bunker has definitely had major contributions (at times) to game results even during finals games. Needs to change
Agree
Yep extremely underwhelming.
There's such a a wide gap between the top 2 and the rest and it's concerning tbh.
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