NRL Finals Week 3 Tips & Previews
Cowboys vs. Eels
September 23rd
There is plenty of intrigue around Parramatta as they arrive for their first preliminary final in 13 years.
A thumping win over the Raiders last week made the league stand up and take notice. Despite some unwelcome distractions in the name of a leaked internal report hitting the media, they seem to have the focus required to take it up to an impressive North Queensland team.
Halfback Mitchell Moses is in scintillating form, and while there is plenty of conjecture about where he’ll be playing football in the long-term, his only focus is on this week. If he gets his running game moving early, he’ll be a headache for North Queensland.
The Cowboys have been as impressive as they have been consistent this season and, with a week’s break, are fresh and ready to go with a significant home ground advantage.
Their dashing style of play had seen off more than a few teams this year, with nobody embodying that better than Valentine Holmes, who showed poise when it counted to secure a comeback win in week 1.
Holmes and the experienced Chad Townsend are arguably the Cowboys’ two most valuable players, and there’s nothing to suggest they can’t guide their team to their fourth Grand Final.
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Panthers vs. Rabbitohs
September 24th
But some doubts that after a week off last week and the bulk of their team rested for the final home and away game, they could lose some touch.
One Panther to already disprove that theory is Nathan Cleary, who returned from a four-week suspension to blow away Parramatta in week one completely.
Cleary brings a few different dimensions to the Panthers and is a proven performer on the big stage.
The Rabbitohs are no stranger to making the preliminary finals, having made the final four for five consecutive years. While they will have to go a long way to reach the pinnacle this year, they haven’t put a foot wrong so far.
Lattrell Mitchell looms as a significant threat and seems to relish the increased spotlight that has come his way recently, playing an essential part in last week’s upset win over Cronulla that saw the Sharks out in straight sets.
The suspension of Taylan May hurts South Sydney, who will also be sweating prolific scorer Alex Johnston as he looks to recover from a hip flexor injury. Johnston has been one of the highlights of season 2022, and his potential absence would be an enormous blow for South Sydney.
The Rabbitohs need everything to go their way in this one, but Penrith can’t be faulted, and the smart money is very much on their side here.
