I know my family is going to struggle to get to these Thursday / Friday night games. Especially the 6pm one vs Cowboys.
There was a very clear message from members, asking for Saturday’s and sundays. Yet, we’ve ended up with more thursdays or fridays, despite there being more time slots on the weekend.
Pretty disappointed, and of course - memberships go on sale well before the draw is released.
With the exception of the particular game time, I love the draw for us. We need to hit the road running against what is expected to be the majority of the top 8 in the first 10 rounds, then we have SOO with 3 Bye’s, hopefully NC, Yeo & Dyl have “niggles” that prevent them from playing SOO, then we go back into good footy leading into the finals.
There are a squillion people, including friends of mine, who insist that the Panthers can’t win again. Funny, same thing was said in 22,23 & 24
I’ve put it out there to people I know that we may not win a 5th straight, but tell me who will win it. No-one has offered a winner at this stage.
Anyway, I’ve put up $100 straight-up bet to any takers who want to nominate the '25 premiers, winner takes the $200. They need to nominate their winner, not just say NOT Penrith, as I’m not betting against the field, just their ‘winner’. If we are both wrong we keep our money. No-one has put their money up.
The draw is what it is. Experts will pore over it and make predictions based on it. Most of what they predict will be shite, same as every year. Matt and I were discussing that one of the experts last season, after using all his knowledge of the schedule, the byes, the %age of easy vs hard etc etc etc, predicted the slimies to finish up the top of the ladder in '24 - they almost got the spoon!!!
I am disappointed with the 6pm Fri home game vs cows as it promises to draw next to no-one - bad for a likely top 8 finishers clash, but it just shows how the NRL business model is incumbent on Ch9 money - focus is on the 8pm Thu & Fri night & 4pm Sunday games - the rest don’t count.
And I don’t understand the timing of the Mudgee game. The NRL encourages clubs to take games to the country & then puts it on a time that surely suits no-one, either from Central West of Penrith??
Anyway, the task is clear. Just like the past few seasons - win enough game to make the finals & then go from there. Nothing changes!!!
Bring it on!!!
The only other team I would have any confidence in tipping would be Storm. Maybe another team will emerge through the season, but at this stage I think it’s a 2 horse race
Yes agreed. I honestly can’t nominate another winner than these two. That said, I was surprised at how well $torm did this year as I thought they were starting a slide, but just kept winning. The other two teams to make the 4 this year, the roosters seems to have hit the wall with so many changes coming thru, and the sharks, well they just can’t do it when the whips are cracking.
No other team has won the minor premiership than us, storm & chooks in 12 seasons.
My tip would be the Broncos, it is purely dependent on the players buying into the Madge way. Yes they have off field dramas, but if that group aim up, they can be a force.
I also think the Dragons are a front rower off the top 8 now they have a young talented 1/2, they will be a different side next year, doubt they will compete for the title, but will be the biggest improvers. The Bulldogs are the Big ?
Storm will always be thereabouts just depends on their SOO series and their run home.
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