Penrith Brothers face their third sudden death final in a row this weekend but the prize of a Sydney Shield Grand Final berth is keeping the players on-task.
Out west they are probably still talking about five-eighth Tori Willie’s 70-metre runaway try after charging down a Ryde-Eastwood Hawks kick in last week’s 36-14 Minor Semi-final win.
Brothers scored six tries to three with Willie and second rower Jermaine Ma’u picking up doubles. Halfback Jared Farkas kicked four conversions and two penalties to add the valuable extras.
Brothers are on a roll after knocking out two teams who finished higher on the ladder – the fourth-placed Sydney Roosters in Week one of the finals and then the third-placed Hawks in Week Two.
They are now gunning for second-placed Hills Bulls in Sunday’s Preliminary Final at Ringrose Park.
The match will be live streamed on NSWRL TV with kick-off at 1pm.
The following game at 3pm is the Ron Massey Cup Preliminary Final between Hills Bulls and Wentworthville Magpies, which will also be shown on NSWRL TV.
Hills Bulls were Minor Premiers this year but were upset by third-placed Glebe Dirty Reds 38-10 in last week’s Major Semi-final.
It was a comprehensive six tries to two victory with one of the four-pointers being scored by former Kiwi international, and Broncos and Bulldogs prop Greg Eastwood.
Hills Bulls are now in the fight of their lives to overcome Wentworthville Magpies, who toppled second-placed St Marys to end their season 23-12.
The winner of this sudden death match meets Glebe in the Ron Massey Cup Grand Final.
The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup reaches a nail-biting end to the regular season with Round 24 deciding who will be the 2022 Minor Premiers.
Penrith Panthers can do it without even playing as they have a bye which takes them to 37 competition points.
But if the Newtown Jets beat the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs on Saturday at 3pm – the match will be live streamed on NSWRL TV – then the ‘Blue Bags’ will move to 39 points and secure the Minor Premiership.
The match is set for Henson Park as part of the Jets’ ‘Reunion Day’ celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Jets 2012 NSW Cup Premiership win and the 30th anniversary of the former Metropolitan Cup win in 1992.
NSWRL TV SCHEDULE
Saturday 27 August
The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup R24: Newtown Jets v Canterbury Bulldogs, Henson Park 3pm
Sunday 28 August
Week Three Finals
Sydney Shield Prelim Final: Hills Bulls (2nd) v Penrith Brothers (5th), Ringrose Park 1pm
Ron Massey Cup Prelim Final: Hills Bulls (1st) v Wentworthville Magpies (4th), Ringrose Park 3pm
