The NRL finals picture became somewhat clearer as the Cowboys stunned Canterbury 44-6 at Accor Stadium before Penrith defeated Gold Coast 18-12.
In the early game, Canberra stayed alive in the race for eighth with a late 26-24 victory over St George Illawarra, whose season is now officially over.
Here’s how the final Saturday triple-header of 2024 unfolded.
Cowboys blow Dogs away to seal home final
North Queensland coach Todd Payten said pre-game that he came to Accor Stadium on a “hit and run” mission, and that turned out to be a pretty accurate description of the Cowboys’ 44-6 win over Canterbury, confirming a fifth-placed finish and home elimination final at Queensland Country Bank Stadium next week.
Tom Dearden and Kyle Clifford ran the show from the halves with Griffin Neame also impressing in a first-half blitz that gave the visitors a 20-0 half-time advantage. Three more tries were added in the second half and with Wollongong-bound Valentine Holmes perfect from the tee the score line ballooned out, sending the healthy crowd home disappointed.
“We come down here with a job to do – and we did it pretty well,” Payten said post-game.
“Our edges, that’s the best they’ve defended all year, both sides. I thought our ruck did a very good job, every time they dropped (Viliame) Kikau back through the middle, we were getting numbers in that tackle. There’s no secret – you’ve got to defend well to win.
“A positive step for us, but what’s happened today and the previous 26 weeks is out the window. She’s a new ball game.”
Worrying signs for Ciraldo as Canterbury capitulate
After missing out on a top-four finish, Canterbury were still in pole position to play a home final at Sydney Olympic Park, needing just one victory from home clashes with Manly and North Queensland. While that scenario could still eventuate, Cameron Ciraldo’s men will need to cross the Harbour Bridge to face Manly in week one of the finals if the Sea Eagles account for Cronulla tomorrow afternoon.
Defence has been the backbone of the new-look Bulldogs side in 2024 and the manner in which they were defeated today did not please Ciraldo.
“Pretty similar to last week, a lot of stuff we need to fix quickly before next week,” the Bulldogs coach said.
“What’s done is done now. New competition starts next week and we deserve to be there. If we fix a couple things from that performance, we’ll give ourselves a much better opportunity next week. We just need to bring our best next week, that’s what this week’s about.”
Panthers earn home qualifying final with shaky win over Titans
It was not all rosy for Penrith in the final regular season game at BlueBet Stadium – particularly in the first half – but in the end the three-time premiers had too much class for the lowly Titans, sealing a home qualifying clash with the banged up Sydney Roosters next week.
Penrith barely resembled themselves in the first 40 minutes, managing only a single try and trailing 6-4 at half-time with errors flowing. With respect to the Titans, a better side would have made more of the opportunities presented to Gold Coast, who could only score once.
The Panthers improved in the second stanza with Dylan Edwards getting the Panthers back in front. Ivan Cleary’s side were mostly comfortable in the end but it was hardly a showing that would put much fear into Trent Robinson and the Roosters. It will be a completely different build-up this week with so much more at stake in week one of the finals, however, and no side is as experienced in this stage of the season as Penrith.
Raiders continue late-season surge to stay alive – for now
Even with a victory today in Kogarah, Canberra were always going to be at very long odds to snatch eighth spot – that would have required an unlikely stalemate in the Hunter between the Dolphins and Knights. They fought hard, keeping Flanagan’s side scoreless in the second half and when big Corey Horsburgh’s 77th-minute try levelled the scores, Kaeo Weekes owned the moment to keep his side’s season alive.
Ricky Stuart has done well to keep this side in contention with some impressive wins over the Roosters and Penrith, but ultimately an unholy combination of injuries and the dearth of top-end talent means the Green Machine will not play finals in 2024, barring a shock draw on Sunday afternoon in the Hunter.
“Some really disappointing performances throughout the season have got in this position,” Stuart said post-game.
“It’s our own doing. We’ve had probably four or five (poor performances), and that’s hurt us. That was a massive effort. The comeback showed a lot of grit and a lot of character, and that’s the sort of stuff I know is in the squad.”
Titans can’t seize chances as disappointing campaign comes to an end
Coming away from the home of the three-time premiers was never going to be a simple task but Gold Coast contained their highly fancied opponents to just three tries and even led at half-time. The only knock on this effort by Des Hasler’s side was they could’ve had a bigger lead with better execution as Penrith had a very tough time holding on to the ball.
For the third straight season, Gold Coast have missed the finals. Not only that, but they will finish 14th for the second year in a row. There have been a few fleeting high points in 2024 – the incredible humbling of big brother Brisbane comes to mind – but ultimately it is another wasted campaign in Hasler’s first season at the helm. Like all clubs injuries have been an issue for the Titans, with
The Kick: Dragons fail to respond after poor Parra loss
Despite the remote chance of sneaking into the top eight at the conclusion of Round 27, Shane Flanagan had his St George Illawarra side well prepared for their final regular season contest. Unfortunately for the fans who turned up to Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, while they started well the Dragons faded badly, going scoreless in the second half and being overrun by the plucky Raiders.
Flanagan will be disappointed with the way his side have fallen off – last week’s costly loss to Parramatta was quite uncharacteristic for a team who have matured as the season progressed and looked to have all but confirmed a top-eight spot. Again this afternoon, the second-half capitulation will be more cause for concern as Red V fans wonder if 2025 will be the year their long finals drought finally ends.
“It just shows what’s happened the last three weeks,” Flanagan said.
“Errors, no patience whatsoever. No resilience, no patience – I’ve got a lot of work to do. I need to instil that in them (to become) a hard-nosed footy team. That’s my job in the off-season.”
The 2016 premiership coach will be boosted by the addition of Maroons centre Valentine Holmes in 2025 as well as former rep hooker Damien Cook but conversely must do without Parramatta-bound Zac Lomax, whose excellent form this season earned him his first NSW Blues jersey.
