NRL Round 25 Review – Redemption, Upsets & The Retirement Of A Legend.

The final round of the regular season had it all, redemption, upsets and a farewell to a legend.

Game 1 – Rabbitohs V Tigers

The Rabbitohs certainly had a point to prove after three straight losses had fans worried about their form heading into the finals and they couldn’t have made a bigger statement. The home side ran in eight tries to come away with a convincing 51-10 victory. The only sour note for the Rabbitohs is that they will now wait for the results of scans on Sam Burgess’ injured hamstring.

Game 2 – Warriors V Raiders

The Warriors knew the had to be at the top of their game to defeat the Raiders who were coming off strong victories over the Rabbitohs and Roosters. The Raiders scored the first try and looked set to cause another upset before the Warriors scored three consecutive tries. Whitehead did have the Warriors nervous when scoring in the 54th minute to make it 20-16 but the home team were able to hold out the late surge and come away with the win.

Game 3 – Storm V Panthers

The Panthers had history against them as they had not beaten Melbourne since 2013 and were without a victory in Melbourne since 2005. This looked their best chance as the Storm elected to rest 9 of their regular starters for the upcoming finals. Josh Mansour got over the line to score first before Kaufusi crossed over to level it up. The Panthers then scored four consecutive tries to take a convincing lead. Drinkwater scored late for the home team but it wasn’t enough with the Panthers coming away with a 16-22 victory.

Game 4 – Knights V Dragons

The Dragons were desperate to get the win here after an embarrassing 38 point loss to the Bulldogs in Round 24. The home team took an 8-0 lead into half time before the Dragons hit their straps and crossed the line four times and come away with a 14-24 victory.

Game 5 – Titans V Cowboys

The Cowboys couldn’t make the finals but they had plenty to play for here as they were bidding farewell to club legend and future immortal Johnathan Thurston. The Titans scored the first two tries of the match and looked to upset a fairytale finish for Thurston but the Cowboys then scored tries in the 34th and 43rd minute to level the scores. Thurston got the fairytale finish with the Cowboys defeating the Titans 26-30.

Game 6 – Eels V Roosters

With the minor premiership in sight, the Roosters had plenty to play for when running out against the Eels and they didn’t look like being beaten. Jarryd Hayne continued his great form with a try in the 37th minute but the Roosters ran in eight tries to take the victory and the minor premiership.

Game 7 – Bulldogs V Sharks

After a week of controversy, the Sharks were looking to put it all behind them and remind their fans that they have their sights firmly on the finals. They did exactly that with a decisive 18-30 victory over the Bulldogs.

Game 8 – Broncos V Sea Eagles

Wayne Bennett has a knack of getting his team to fire at the right time of year and with victories over the Rabbitohs and Roosters coming into this one the experts had the Broncos as good things and they were 100% correct. The home team crossed the line on eight occasions to down the Sea Eagles 48-16.

Results:

• Rabbitohs 51 Vs Tigers 10
• Warriors 20 Vs Raiders 16
• Storm 16 Vs Panthers 22
• Knights 14 Vs Dragons 24
• Titans 26 Vs Cowboys 30
• Eels 10 Vs Roosters 44
• Bulldogs 18 Vs Sharks 30
• Broncos 48 Vs Sea Eagles 16