NRL Preliminary Finals Tips & Predictions

<p>Here we are, the penultimate week of the season, and now only four teams remain. The Penrith Panthers, Melbourne Storm, Brisbane Broncos and the New Zealand Warriors have outlasted the other 13 teams in the NRL and are now one game away from grand final day.</p> <p>Unfortunately, only two teams can advance to the big dance, so who will they be? The overachieving Warriors? The favourites Penrith? The Reece Walsh inspired Broncos? or September specialists the Storm?</p> <p>There’s only one way to find out. By reading our expert NRL preliminary finals tips and predictions below.</p>

<h2>Penrith Panthers v Melbourne Storm Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, September 22, 7:50pm AEST – Accor Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The first of these two mouth-watering preliminary finals takes place between the <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/penrith-panthers-v-melbourne-storm-7636272">Penrith Panthers and the Melbourne Storm at Accor Stadium.</a></p> <p>The Panthers had last week off to prepare for this clash, while the Storm had to overcome the Zombie Chooks to progress to the final four.</p> <p>It looked as if the Roosters were set to pull off another miracle, as iceman Sam Walker stepped up again to snap a field goal to give his side a one-point lead in the final 10 minutes.</p> <p>The Storm had other ideas however and after some truly diabolical field goal attempts of their own, Camron Munster managed to find a flying Will Warbrick with one final roll of the dice off the boot.</p> <p>The big winger managed to out leap his opposite number and cash in to send his side through to the prelim.</p> <p>Now they must try and upset the Panthers and honestly, we just don’t see that happening.</p> <p>The Storm have been well below their best this finals series. They were belted in week one by the Broncos and could have very easily lost last week had Munster’s miracle play not come off.</p> <p>The Panthers have been the team to beat all year, they cruised into this preliminary final after dismantling the Warriors in week one and that was without star standoff Jarome Luai who is rumoured to be returning this week.</p> <p>We are sure the Storm will offer some resistance, but the boys from the foot of the mountains appear destined to make their fourth straight NRL grand final.</p> <p><strong>Sugar’s final thoughts: </strong>Ivan Cleary and Craig Bellamy have met in finals four times as coaches. It's 3-1 Ivan.</p> <p>We are talking about two of the most successful modern-day coaches who know how to dial things up at this time of year. The biggest margin between the pair at finals time is just eight points.</p> <p>In fact if you look simply at the try tally in those games, none of them were decided by more than one try. Don’t forget Munster, Welch and Grant played in that 2020 QLD team who no one gave a chance.</p> <p>This week I have watched every conceded Panthers try for 2023 and for me it’s the Panthers’ right edge that easily presents the biggest opportunity. Look to Storm’s left side – particularly Cameron Munster.</p> <p><strong>Sugar’s tips:&nbsp;</strong>If you like the Storm – Cameron Munster Anytime Try Scorer &amp; Storm Line.</p> <p>If you Like the Panthers - Liam Martin Anytime Try Scorer. The boy from Temora has a hot hand right now. He has scored in his last four matches in a row.</p>

<h2>Brisbane Broncos v New Zealand Warriors Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, September 23, 7:50pm AEST – Suncorp Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The second preliminary final takes place at Suncorp Stadium between <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/brisbane-broncos-v-new-zealand-warriors-7638174">the Brisbane Broncos and the New Zealand Warriors.</a></p> <p>Like fellow top two compatriots Penrith, Brisbane enjoyed a week off after their resounding win over the Storm in week one of the finals.</p> <p>The 26-0 shellacking of Bellamy’s boys underlined their title credentials and got tongues wagging In the Sunshine State.</p> <p>The Wahs as they’ve been affectionately nicknamed this season, dismantled a white-hot Newcastle side, who were on a 10-game winning streak, to set up this clash with Brisbane.</p>

<p>The Warriors have proved everyone wrong this season, including us, <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/nrl/predictions/new-zealand-warriors">who tipped them to finish dead last before the season started.</a></p> <p>They’ve transformed one of the worst rosters in the NRL, into a top four side playing free flowing attacking footy, largely off the back of veteran half Shaun Johnson, who has managed to recapture his glory days under rookie head coach Andrew Webster.</p> <p>While it has been a hell of a ride, unfortunately all good things must come to an end, yes, we are making the mistake of writing off the Warriors for the second time this season.</p> <p>However, this time it is not due to their perceived lack of quality, but due to the quality of their opposition. At home the Broncos should be too strong, with once were Warrior Reece Walsh primed to send his former side packing.</p> <p><strong>Sugar’s final thoughts: </strong>The man they call DWZ has scored 22 tries this year in just 19 games. This includes ‘two or more’ six times and one of those occasions happened to be a double against the Broncos.</p> <p>I have also reviewed the tape of all the tries the Broncos have conceded this season and Ezra Mam is the absolute target, both physically and at times decision making wise. The Wahs will ask big questions of him come Saturday night.</p> <p>As for the Broncos, the bulk of both Reece Walsh and Adam Reynolds’ try assists this year have come on the right.</p> <p>Admittedly Cobbo gets plenty of these but at the price Kotoni is paying, he’s the play here. 80% of Reynolds' try assists on the right-hand side of the field are off kicks and more often than not, his target is Staggs.</p> <p><strong>Sugar’s tips: </strong>If you like the Warriors - Dallin Watene-Zelezniak two or more tries.</p> <p>If you like the Broncos - Kotoni Staggs Anytime Try Scorer.</p>