Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time.<\/p>\n
One of the most unpredictable NRL seasons of them all appears to be hurtling towards a predictable finish.<\/p>\n
It was evident from very early in the year that Penrith was again the team to beat. After only two finals games, the side most likely to do so has emerged. The grand final may still be three weeks away, but anything other than a Panthers-Broncos decider will come as a complete shock.<\/p>\n
Brisbane, against a Storm team that had owned them during their 14 previous meetings, made a statement on Friday. This was some response from the champions.<\/p>\n
Up against a depleted team \u2013 Dally M medal hopeful Shaun Johnson was missing \u2013 Penrith laid down a marker of their own.<\/p>\n
In the moments before the match, Warriors coach Andrew Webster said: \u201cIt\u2019s a privilege coming up against a champion side. We are trying to become one.\u201d<\/p>\n
On a sunny Saturday at BlueBet Stadium, they were shown just how far they still have to go. Even without Jarome Luai, who is expected to bolster the side for the preliminary final, this was a clinic.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Panthers will march into another preliminary final.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty<\/cite><\/p>\n By half-time, with the contest effectively over at 20-0, the mountain men had completed all but two of their sets. That the score didn\u2019t totally blow out after the resumption was a testament to the Warriors\u2019 last-ditch defence.<\/p>\n The Panthers are not a team to get into an arm wrestle with. The opponent that has most troubled them during their relentless run has been Parramatta. This is because the Eels have had the courage to use the football, most notably with their offloading game. It is a threat the Broncos also possess.<\/p>\n So far, the teams have played up to their seedings. At some point, someone from outside the top four will go on a run to claim the title. That time doesn\u2019t appear to be now. The Panthers and Broncos have progressed with the benefit of the week off, secure in the knowledge they will not cross paths before the big dance.<\/p>\n Should that eventuate, it could well result in a contested finale. For proof, undertake this exercise: if you were to pick a team comprising the best 17 players, with only Penrith and Brisbane players to choose from, it\u2019s likely that both sides would enjoy almost equal representation.<\/p>\n Nathan Cleary makes a line break.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty<\/cite><\/p>\n There is still more to play out. Injuries can be the big disruptor, and there remains time yet for an unlikely contender to emerge. There could yet be an unexpected twist.<\/p>\n All is not lost for the Warriors. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is abandoning rugby union for rugby league. There\u2019s a lot of that going on in New Zealand.<\/p>\n The Warriors have become more a movement than a team. Their march into their nation\u2019s consciousness continues unabated, even if their progress on the field came to a shuddering halt against the champions.<\/p>\n Kiwi footy fans, those who didn\u2019t stay up to watch, were waking up to news that the All Blacks had lost their first pool game in Rugby World Cup history. Ordinarily, such a result would be enough to plunge a nation into despair. However, they have another football team doing them proud, even if their pursuit for silverware also received a reality check.<\/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<\/p>\n
Most Viewed in Sport<\/h2>\n
From our partners<\/h3>\n