NRL finals updates: Panthers make big halves call as Cleary benched
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Gus: ‘I don’t think (Cleary) will be used’
Nathan Cleary may be on the bench to start this match, but the Panthers insist he will still be used at some point in this preliminary final.
Phil Gould does not believe we will see the star halfback if he is not needed.
“I don’t think he will be used if he doesn’t have to be,” he said on Nine.
“That (selection call) would say to me that he is not 100 per cent right; otherwise they would be starting him in such an important game.
“They have obviously known all week, which is why they were hiding the training sessions and remained so coy about Nathan’s conditions.
“If he was 85 per cent fit, he would be starting. There first hope will be that they don’t need him. If they do, just how much can he help them given his condition?”
To add to the twists of today’s battle, we are expecting wet weather conditions.
“The wet weather will always favour the underdogs,” Gould continued.
“It will help Newcastle in whatever chance they had this afternoon. These are some interesting developments for a campaign that has been going so smoothly.”
A number of Knights fans have been impacted by the transport delays.
The wet weather and train delays has done no favour for fans making the trip down to Olympic Park from Newcastle this afternoon.
The trains are slowly beginning to come back into operation, but Transport NSW has urged all fans to allow for at least an extra hour of travel to make the game.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, NRL officials are aware of the transport issues impacting Knights fans but that will not cause the kick-off time to be delayed.
Train delays for Knights fans. Cass Pascoe
TEAMS: Panthers make big call on Cleary
Some huge news coming out of the Penrith camp ahead of the preliminary final this afternoon. Nathan Cleary has been named to start on the bench.
There has been mass speculation around the fitness of Cleary after it was revealed he suffered a stress-related injury to his foot in the first game of the finals.
Triple M reported that Cleary did a walk through on the field earlier today and was only kicking with his left foot.
Ivan Cleary has opted for Jack Cogger to start alongside Jack Cole in the halves.
Nathan Cleary. Getty Images
Here is how the teams will line up this afternoon.
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Tom Jenkins 3. Blaize Talagi 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Jack Cole 14. Jack Cogger 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 16. Liam Henry 12. Liam Martin 15. Scott Sorensen 13. Isaah Yeo 7. Nathan Cleary 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Isaiah Papali’i 17. Billy Phillips 18. Luke Garner 21. Freddy Lussick
Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Sandon Smith 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Cody Hopwood 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Francis Manuleleua 13. Mathew Croker 14. Harrison Graham 15. Lachlan Crouch 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Dylan Lucas 18. Fletcher Hunt 19. Thomas Cant
Broncos book spot in the grand final
The Brisbane Broncos are through to the NRLW grand final.
Scott Prince’s girls had to go the long way to make it to the final, but they have done it. They will face the Sydney Roosters.
The Titans have fallen to a 20-8 defeat.
Titans scrambling for answers
Five minutes left on the clock in this preliminary final.
The Titans need to come up with something fast to get over the tryline. Their attacking flare has been fantastic, but they haven’t found the chance to strike.
The Broncos are just locking into defence to keep their spot in the grand final secured.
Crowd figures confirmed
A total of 7,372 people have shown up for this preliminary final.
There is no doubt every one of them are on the edge of their seats right now!
Titans are on the comeback
Oh, we are so on in the Gold Coast!
The Titans have been all over the Broncos in the second half but they were struggling to find the moment to strike over the tryline.
The Broncos look like they are becoming a little worn down in defence and the Titans have capitalised on that, Evania Isa’ako crashing over the tryline.
The celebrations are grand but Lauren Brown was unable to convert.
The Titans need two converted tries to level the scores before full-time. There are 15 minutes left in this match. Here we go!
The Titans celebrate a try. Getty Images
Concern as Chapman screams for trainer
There is some concern for Jaime Chapman in the back of play, having run over to the sidelines and screamed at trainers for some medical attention.
She did not get back into the action after taking down Ali Brigginshaw and appeared to be holding on to her hand, worried about a finger injury.
Medics confirmed with Nine that she had dislocated her finger, but it was promptly popped back in and Chapman is back in the action.
The Titans are well and truly making sure they stay in this game.
Titans left edge put to the test
Round of applause of the left edge defence of the Gold Coast Titans, that was incredible.
The Broncos have really lifted in attack but the Titans are rising with them. Tamika Upton had her eyes on diving over in the corner but she was taken down beautifully by Jaime Chapman.
Upton was pleading for a penalty but she wasn’t getting one. Chapman was loving it and was so fired up. The Titans replicated her efforts and have denied the Broncos a chance from snatching another try.
Chapman takes Upton down in a tackle. Getty Images
Sims stumped by bizarre call
Ruan Sims has been left stumped as the Gold Coast Titans warn a penalty after Indie Bostock was tackled in the air ... only, I don’t think she was.
Bostock went up to collect a Jesse Southwell high ball and beat out Julia Robinson to catch it, but she lost control and it fumbled out in front of Ali Brigginshaw.
The whistle was blown, however, and a tackle in the air call was made. The players all look slightly confused but the Broncos cannot challenge it.
It was a lucky call for the Titans as the Broncos looked ready to pounce.
