NRL Finals Week One Rewind
0By Stephen Gallagher
Broncos 44 Titans 28
In what was the worst officiated match I have ever witnessed, the Broncos March on.
The Titans scored first to silence the crowd, but it was a Broncos effort on the 10 minute mark which was bizarrely awarded a penalty try.
The Titans failed to let that stop them as they provided some more pin point accuracy to help them regain the lead.
They were ahead at the break, just. Though Jarryd Hayne did his best Ben Hunt impersonation by dropping the kick off. This immediately led to a Broncos try.
Despite a tackler being kicked by James Roberts in the lead up, a fumble at the back saw more green lights for Brisbane.
Errors let the Titans down ultimately, but they did themselves proud this season.
This match was the highest scoring finals game in history.
Sharks 16 Raiders 14
What a comeback win and a deserved week off.
The Raiders in front of their home fans were very sharp early on. A 12-0 lead and everything was running their way.
Cronulla were hanging in there and a big arm wrestle was happening. They got a little bit more possession and nabbed 6 points just before the break.
The Raiders had a few second half setbacks through injury and only mustered up two points.
Cronulla over come a lack of momentum and turned the tables. They started completing their sets and kept turning the Raiders around.
They kept the scoreboard ticking over, and with 5 to go a penalty goal win them the match. Cracking game.
Storm 16 Cowboys 10
A sour game which saw the Minor Premiers secure a week off.
The Storm were the sharper of the two sides throughout the 80, and scored first through a penalty goal.
A Cowboys error saw the Storm streak 80 – but it was right on half time where the North Queenslanders tied it up.
Storm struck first after oranges, which seemed to dent the Cowboys.
The match was very even but the Storm got the job done up front. That’s where they came away with the result.
Cowboys played well, Storm played better. A game that was hardly memorable however.
Panthers 28 Bulldogs 12
Wow. Do we have a new premiership front runner? A phenomenal display from Penrith in the second half broke the hearts of a spirited Canterbury team.
The lack of experience for Penrith showed early on, as the Bulldogs took the first points and showed some brut strength.
The Panthers fought hard with a try before the half, and with a try right after half time they served up a big shot of confidence for themselves.
Confidence saw them run riot, and the Bulldogs could not respond. It will put the other finals teams on notice. Penrith are coming.
Follow Stephen Gallagher on Twitter