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They\u2019re only 80 minutes away from another grand final, but I can\u2019t get a read on the Melbourne Storm. It might sound ridiculous, but it\u2019s impossible to figure out what\u2019s happening with their attack.<\/p>\n
Last week, I thought they\u2019d beat the injury-hit Roosters by 20 or 30 points. They were lucky to beat them at all, and managed only 18 points with a miracle last-gasp try.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s clear something is not right with their attack, and if Jahrome Hughes doesn\u2019t play against Penrith, I can see Melbourne having a score put on them. He just has to play if they are any chance.<\/p>\n
What I will say is, like always, defence is the pillar of their game and the reason why Craig Bellamy\u2019s sides can go so deep in a competition, even when they\u2019re struggling on the other side of the ball.<\/p>\n
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Jahrome Hughes\u2019 return can\u2019t come quick enough for Melbourne.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty<\/cite><\/p>\n I suspect they\u2019re still missing one world-class middle forward, and I would even ask whether Nelson Asofa-Solomona needs to play more minutes.<\/p>\n Having said that, I can\u2019t see the Panthers being beaten on Friday night. I think it will become clear in the two preliminary finals why having a week off is so important.<\/p>\n There is always an injury hiccup at this time of year, and Nathan Cleary\u2019s finger complaint came from left field. But I can\u2019t see that stopping him with a fourth straight grand final on the line.<\/p>\n They won\u2019t let up against the Storm and there will barely be a play where the Panthers have a settler. Their combinations have been entrenched for years. You can cut and print what I\u2019ve been saying about them for a long time.<\/p>\n The match-up between Cleary and Cameron Munster might be worth the price of admission alone, nevertheless I\u2019m expecting a low-scoring game. And it\u2019s a game the Panthers will win.<\/p>\n Joey\u2019s tip:<\/strong> Panthers by 14 Everywhere I went in Auckland last week, all I heard was \u201cUp the Wahs\u201d. Whoever came up with the catchcry is onto a winner. They have an entire nation riding them in this year\u2019s finals \u2013 and it\u2019s brilliant to watch.<\/p>\n Going into last week\u2019s match against the Knights, I thought whoever won would be cannon fodder for the Broncos. I\u2019m not as confident now. The Warriors can be competitive, but it\u2019s all going to come down to Shaun Johnson.<\/p>\n He\u2019s the best example of a half perfecting his craft in his later years. The game hasn\u2019t slowed down as he\u2019s reached his 30s, he\u2019s slowed down. His top-end speed has gone. So, what does he do? He finds another way to dominate the game using the years of experience and intelligence he\u2019s built up.<\/p>\n How does he play the Broncos?<\/p>\n He\u2019s got to find a way to unsettle them and that will be through changing the tempo of play all night. When the Warriors need to speed it up, he has to do it. When they have to slow it down, he has to do that, too. Kick the ball out if he needs to. Just do anything to take the Broncos out of their rhythm.<\/p>\n The more you frustrate them by upsetting the speed of the game, the better the Warriors\u2019 chances of making their first grand final since 2011.<\/p>\n Regardless, they\u2019ll have pretty much every supporter, whose team is not still standing, cheering them on.<\/p>\n But it\u2019s not going to be an easy task against the Broncos, who look young, fit, fast, powerful, skilful and hungry. That\u2019s a scary proposition.<\/p>\n Shaun Johnson holds the key for the Warriors.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty<\/cite><\/p>\n Adam Reynolds is the envy of any old halfback pulling the strings, behind a pack led by Payne Haas, Pat Carrigan and Tom Flegler. He knows what he has to do to get them home.<\/p>\n I think this match will have much more entertainment than Friday night\u2019s clash, and there should be plenty of points. I just worry the Warriors might be vulnerable in the last 20 minutes.<\/p>\n Joey\u2019s tip:<\/strong> Broncos by 10 It\u2019s clear in the past few weeks that referees have tried to stay out of the game. There have been limited penalties, the games have flowed and it\u2019s great to watch for fans.<\/p>\n With more ball in play and less set starts, teams need to attack without as much structure, more ball movement and offloads.<\/p>\n Every team has a general formula for plays one to four, when there are lots of stoppages, and then they set up for the last two attacking plays. But currently, there is more pressure on the halves and the kicking game is so important.<\/p>\n I think this style really helps the Panthers and Broncos, and if the referees stay with that approach, they\u2019re near certainties to face off in the grand final.<\/p>\n Stream the NRL premiership 2023 live and free on <\/b>9Now<\/b>. <\/b><\/p>\n Sports news, results and expert commentary. <\/i><\/b>Sign up for our Sport newsletter<\/i><\/b>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
First try-scorer:<\/strong> Brian To\u2019o
Man of the match:<\/strong> Isaah Yeo<\/p>\nWah factor wins over New Zealand<\/h3>\n
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First try-scorer:<\/strong> Selwyn Cobbo
Man of the match:<\/strong> Reece Walsh<\/p>\nIt\u2019s official: Refs are less involved<\/h3>\n
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