Wicky, NRL Fantasy Scout & Kyle Bedford break down each side’s players by which side of the field they play on for every game in Week 1 of NRL Finals in 2024.
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Panthers v Roosters
Fri 13/9, 7.50pm
Wicky’s breakdown – The Panthers get Nathan Cleary back. He seems to do this every season – be injured for extended periods during the regular season and come back when it matters most. Can he do it one more time?
The Roosters get both wingers (Tupou and Young) back as well as Nat Butcher and Lindsay Collins. Although they lost 3 key players in one game a couple of weeks ago, it’s still a stacked unit.
|
R WING |
R CTR | R EDG | R HLF | L HLF | L EDG | L CTR | L WING |
|
To’o |
I Tago | Martin | Cleary | Luai |
Sorensen
|
Alamoti | Turuva |
| D Tupou | Suaalii | A Crichton | Keary | S Smith | Tupouniua | Manu |
D Young |
| L WING | L CTR | L EDG | L HLF | R HLF | R EDG | R CTR |
R WING |
The Panthers have scored 41% of their tries through their right edge (compared to 33% through their left) even with Nathan Cleary missing large chunks of the season.
Cleary himself will be a big threat, he should be keen to run the ball to show his shoulder isn’t a problem.
And defensively – the Roosters should be weaker on their right with Sandon Smith and Tupouniua defending next to each other so Sorenson or Alamoti could be targets on their left side.
The Panthers have conceded 57% of tries through their right edge (compared to 28% through their left). And the Roosters have Keary on the left with no Sam Walker on the right anymore.
Everything points to the Roosters going left – look out for Angus Crichton especially. The Man of the Series in this year’s Origin series will be fired up to step up in the Finals series.
Storm v Sharks
Sat 14/9, 4.05pm
Wicky’s breakdown – The Storm get Papenhuyzen back at fullback and Welch back on the bench.
The Sharks have great depth with Uele, Hazelton and Stonestreet all in the reserves. They actually match up really well with the Storm on paper. They do fall short in the spine compared to the Storm but their squad from 1-17 is excellent with no clear weak points.
| R WING | R CTR | R EDG | R HLF | L HLF | L EDG | L CTR | L WING |
| Warbrick | Meaney | E Katoa | J Hughes | Munster | Blore | Howarth | Coates |
| Mulitalo | Iro | Wilton | Trindall | Hynes | Nikora | Talakai | S Katoa |
| L WING | L CTR | L EDG | L HLF | R HLF | R EDG | R CTR | R WING |
The Sharks have conceded 45% of their tries through their left edge. Jahrome Hughes is most punters’ Dally M Medal winner for 2024 – him and Eli Katoa are our players to watch out for the Storm this weekend.
For the Sharks – the stats show they’ve been left side dominant and the Storm are weaker defensively on the right. Trindall has to step up if the Sharks are going to go deep into September. Look out for Iro and Mulitalo on the Sharks’ left edge.
Cowboys v Knights
Sat 14/9, 7.50pm
Wicky’s breakdown – The Cowboys get Jordan McLean back in the only team change for either team.
Ponga returns to North Queensland (where he started his career) in excellent form – can he take his Knights to week two of the NRL Finals?
|
R WING |
R CTR | R EDG | R HLF | L HLF | L EDG | L CTR | L WING |
|
Feldt |
Vailea | Nanai | Clifford | Dearden |
Luki
|
Holmes | Taulagi |
| Marzhew | Lucas | KPP | Crossland | Cogger | Frizell | D Gagai |
Sharpe |
| L WING | L CTR | L EDG | L HLF | R HLF | R EDG | R CTR |
R WING |
The stats don’t point to either side of the field in this contest but let’s go with the eye test. Kalyn Ponga has put the Knights on his back again in 2024, with Best and Marzhew back to their destructive best we think that’s where they’ll lean to go in attack. And Fletcher Sharpe’s speed will always make him an option for multis etc.
For the Cowboys – the most attractive thing about their attack is the number of options they have. Nanai and Luki have been in great form. But who can look past Kyle Feldt in a big game?!
Bulldogs v Manly
Sun 15/9, 4.05pm
Wicky’s breakdown – The Bulldogs have had The Foxx, Josh Addo-Carr’s drama throughout the week. He won’t be playing. Him and Kurt Mann are their only players missing.
Manly get a fresh Tom Trbojevic back, this should be an absolutely epic encounter.
| R WING | R CTR | R EDG | R HLF | L HLF | L EDG | L CTR | L WING |
| Kiraz | Crichton | Preston | Sexton | Burton | Kikau | Xerri | Skelton |
| Talau | Koula | Lawton | Brooks | DCE | Olakau’atu | Garrick | L Hopoate |
| L WING | L CTR | L EDG | L HLF | R HLF | R EDG | R CTR | R WING |
The Bulldogs had Burton, Xerri and Addo-Carr missing from their left side defence last week. However, the Cowboys still tore the Bulldogs fully available right side defence to shreds.
If this continues – look out for Luke Brooks and Tommy Talau on Manly’s left edge.
For the Bulldogs – their form has been up and down over the last month and they lack finals experience. We think they’ll go to their big guns in Burton and Kikau.
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