Michael Maguire has been vindicated after his Broncos ended the Panthers dynasty to book a spot in the NRL grand final.
It was only three months ago that questions were raised over whether he was the right man to lead the Broncos, but he’s silenced his critics in the best possible way.
The Broncos piled on 16 unanswered points in the second half to seal the win, but it was their gritty defence that has set them up for a blockbuster decider against the Storm on Sunday.
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The Sharks have been demanding respect during this finals series and after earning a tonne of it for defeating the minor premiers, they failed to back that up against the Storm.
Meanwhile, Melbourne are through to their 11th decider under Craig Bellamy off the back of statement performances from some of their big guns.
Read on for all the big NRL Talking Points from the preliminary finals.
MADGE VINDICATED AFTER BRONCOS BOOK SPOT IN GF
It was only three months ago that Michael Maguire’s coaching was criticised and now he’s gearing up for the grand final after his Broncos ended the Panthers’ dynasty with a 16-14 win.
A four-game losing streak back in May put ‘Madge’ in the pressure cooker. There were question marks over whether he was the right man for the job and even rumours of player unrest amid claims he was training them too hard, as Bryan Fletcher recalled.
“Half-way through the year when they lost three or four in a row everyone was saying ‘they’re training too hard’. But this is what training hard in January or February does — it sets you up for the back end of the year,” he said.
And Maguire has silenced his critics in the best way possible — a preliminary final win from a side that looked united and far from ‘being off’ their coach.
“He’s had an amazing year, Madge,” Matty Johns said.
“They had that great win at the start of the year, then they hit a bit of a rough patch… and a lot of people were saying, ‘Here’s evidence he’s worked them too hard and players are off them’. But he stuck to his guns.”
Michael Maguire is in another grand final.Source: News Corp Australia
Nathan Hindmarsh added: “He’s had to absorb a lot of pressure but he’s stuck to his systems, stuck to his guns.
“He’s won premierships before, he knows what to do but it was just about not listening to that noise.”
Maguire will take on Craig Bellamy and the Storm on Sunday and if he walks away victorious it’ll top off a pretty impressive few years in which he coached New Zealand to a 30-0 win over Australia in the 2023 Pacific Championships final and won the 2024 State of Origin series.
Penrith miss FRANTIC final chance | 00:43
TOUGHENED BRONCOS DISCOVER PREMIERSHIP BLUEPRINT?
They say defence wins premierships — which means Maguire’s hardened Broncos have just discovered their blueprint for Sunday’s grand final.
It was a tough first half for the Broncos, who went into the break down to the Panthers 14-0. But it wasn’t all doom and gloom because what Michael Maguire’s men showed in the first 40 was grit and desperation in defence.
That clearly instilled plenty of belief in them because they came out firing and piled on 16 unanswered points to book a spot in the decider.
They also continued to scramble to limit the Panthers’ opportunities right down to the final second of the game.
The Broncos had to be gritty in their comeback win.Source: Getty Images
It was that never-give-up attitude in defence that Matty Johns believes won them the game.
“What defined the game was the Broncos’ on-line defence. In that second half, Penrith just looked like they were going to put them away but set after set they just hung in there,” he said.
Champion forward Nathan Hindmarsh agreed, saying: “They had five or six sets (on their line) but even just the first half too, the amount of work the Broncos had to get through… and considering the scoreline, we were sitting there thinking this should be a 20-0 scoreline.”
With players like Reece Walsh, Kotoni Staggs and Ezra Mam, the Broncos are usually praised for their attacking flair but perhaps Sunday’s preliminary final win has unearthed a new side to them.
“They earned this win. Their second half really showed what sort of team they are,” Bryan Fletcher said.
‘What’s over?’: Will the dynasty remain? | 08:50
PANTHERS DYNASTY OVER DESPITE CLEARY’S DENIAL
The Penrith Panthers’ four-year reign on the top of the NRL mountain is over whether they like it or not after their 16-14 loss to the Broncos.
The Panthers led 14-0 with 32 minutes to play before conceding three late tries in a game that was reminiscent of their 2023 premiership win over the Broncos, with the opposite result.
However, while the Panthers won’t be premiers for the first time since 2020, Ivan Cleary was adamant their dynasty is not over.
“What’s over?” Cleary said.
“I’d like to think there’s more in us. We are not going to win it this year, but we definitely showed a fair bit to fight back from a poor start.
“That’s it’s own story, but doesn’t need to be told today. Probably some lessons in there, but ultimately just not quite good enough this year.
“But I feel like we’ve got some real strides with some young guys this year and the core of our team is going to still be there next year, and hopefully they use this feeling, which we haven’t had for a while to spur us on into next year.”
Nathan Cleary and Reece Walsh.Source: News Corp Australia
Nathan Cleary admitted it was a horrible feeling falling one game short of the Grand Final, but is excited by the future with the Panthers.
“I think so for sure, I think that’s initial feelings is like that,” Cleary Jr said.
“Just a horrible feeling losing and being knocked out. I just haven’t felt that in a while, so definitely don’t want this feeling again.
“As Dad touched on, there’s a lot of young guys that can take a lot of experience out of this final series, but also the season as a whole, like a lot of us older guys, as leaders can take a lot out of it too.
“I think we’ve really had to grow as leaders, and quite frankly, we weren’t doing it well enough this year.
“I’ve found it a really enjoyable season, but one where I’ve learned a lot and going into off-season now, it’s like an opportunity to grow even more and come back stronger.
“I’m excited for the future and I wouldn’t say anything’s over there.”
Cleary v Mam KICKS OFF! Bin or no bin? | 00:43
SHARKS FALL SHORT AT FINAL HURDLE AGAIN
Another year, another preliminary final for the Sharks.
Craig Fitzgibbon’s side have once again fallen short of the grand final, going down to the Storm 22-14 after losing to the Panthers at the same stage last season.
It seems Cronulla are on the brink of being genuine title contenders, but when rivals find another gear — the Sharks can’t match them.
So for now, league legend Cooper Cronk explained, Fitzgibbon’s side simply will have double down on what has worked for them to get over the final hurdle.
“They need to improve to win a comp,” Cronk said.
“They need to have a bit more confidence, belief. When September comes around they need to truly believe that they can with that trophy.
“I think for the Sharks, they have a lot of good things happening in Cronulla and things they can double down on.
“That’s two prelim finals, that’s a good team that gets to back-to-back prelims right? They just need to take that next step.
“I think the questions start coming to the Sharks if they get to a prelim next year. Once you get to three and don’t deliver, I think a bit more heat comes.
“But there’s enough ingredients that say that Cronulla is on the right path.”
But do the Sharks have the roster to win a comp?
To address an issue in the middle of the park, they signed Addin Fonua-Blake ahead of the 2025 season, with the marquee man adding starch to their front row.
“I would believe it’s more confidence and mental to get there, they got Fonua-Blake over to take that extra step and got to the same level,” Cronk said.
“But they are a better team than what they were last year, so I think they need to double down on what they’ve got.”
Cronulla also boast an impressive back five, who consistently rack up hundreds of running metres between them.
In the back row, Teig Wilton, Billy Burns and Briton Nikora are all quality NRL players — but finals games are often won and lost by the performances of halves.
“Nicho Hynes, he’s going to get the spotlight. We spoke pre-game about his attitude and change of attitude,” Braith Anasta said.
“He’s been quite stoic throughout the last couple of weeks, outspoken the last couple of weeks, but did he miss the mark?”
For Cronk, Hynes did miss the mark and failed to stand up when given a golden opportunity.
“He was okay, okay is not bad, but when you play in a preliminary final against Melbourne you need to be better than okay,” Cronk said.
“I don’t think he was worse than any other player on the field for the Sharks, I thought defensively in the second half he started falling off some tackles.
“Fonua-Blake for me was the one, he needed to stand up in that first half.”
But overall, it has been a positive campaign for the Sharks — who have certainly improved throughout 2025.
“I feel like they can be proud of their season… they performed admirably,” Kieran Foran said.
“I think it is a good roster, I think it is a good enough roster to win a comp.
“Albeit, they need to learn how to turn up when it matters. They do it each year, they perform strongly throughout the season.
“But when it comes to crunch time their big guns don’t quite deliver on the big stage.”
Fitzy explodes on 18 penalties in prelim | 07:36
MUNSTER CEMENTS BIG-GAME PLAYER TAG IN STORM WIN
Cameron Munster seems to get better the bigger the stage and that was the case in a stunning performance to lead the Storm to another Grand Final.
Munster ran for a whopping 144 metres for a half to go with four tackle busts, an offload, a linebreak, and a try assist in a superb outing.
“Cameron Munster is a big-game player and loves the bright lights and what a game of footy it was from this man,” Anasta said.
“We have come to expect it these days. The more emphasis on a game, the more responsibility on him, he loves it even more.”
Cronk was in awe of Munster’s running game and knew the Storm would win by the way he started the game.
“Sixteen runs for a prelim. you wouldn’t have that in six weeks as a half,” Cronk said.
“When you ask what is his best attribute as a footballer, it is running the football. He can work out everything off the back of that.
“If he is running the ball in the first five minutes it means he is dialled in. I think he had three or four runs in the first five minutes. Just his ability to evade defenders, he is very good to watch when he is up and about.”
Isaiya Katoa marvelled at Munster’s ability to play structured as well as adlib footy in the same game.
“He was still in a running mood and you could see that right from the start of the game,” Katoa said.
“But the thing I love about Munster is he has got the smarts. He doesn’t just play off the cuff all the time. He can understand and read what defenders are doing like he did for the Papenhuyzen try he set up.”
Cronk explained why Munster is such a threat with his running game.
“Most halves wait until they are over halfway to run the ball, but with Munster it doesn’t matter where the play-the-ball is,” Cronk said.
“Runs from dummy-half and close to the line show-and-gos. The thing about being a threat to run, it is not necessarily the defender opposite you that you have to be wary of, it is the hole that could be two or three plays away.
“As soon as Munster steps off his left, he could be right at you.”
Bellamy says Hughes return a “big call” | 12:12
HUGHES PROVES FITNESS IN TOUGH AS NAILS RETURN
The Storm were criticised for rushing Jahrome Hughes back from a broken arm, but the star halfback proved it was the right call as he guided the Storm to the decider.
Hughes had 85 run metres, a whopping eight tackle busts, a linebreak and a try, but it was his kicking game that strangled the Sharks out of the contest.
“The biggest story of the week for the Storm was Jahrome Hughes, would he play or won’t he play? Is he fit enough even if he does take the field? And boy did he prove that he was,” Anasta said.
“His kicking game was really good, but it was that brilliant individual solo try was the moment early on in the game where we realised that he was ready to play.”
Kieran Foran believes Hughes’ try showed he was ready to play.
“That was a confidence booster for Jahrome, I mean what a linebreak, he pins the ears back and gets to the line and when he gets up he just knew he was in the game,” Foran said.
Cronk was in awe of Hughes’ toughness to play with a fractured arm that happened just 22 days prior to the prelim.
“If I am in a prelim final and I have a stuffed shoulder and a broken forearm, I am playing in a dinner suit trying to get through to the GF,” Cronk said.
“Jahrome Hughes with his first opportunity to run just does what he has done his whole career. Breaks off that right foot and goes through.
“He did it all in the first half and the other thing is he didn’t get found out defensively did he?”
Jahrome Hughes made a successful return from a broken arm.Source: Getty Images
Katoa believes the Sharks missed a trick by not targeting Hughes more in defence as he only had to make nine tackles.
“I didn’t think the Sharks went to him and targeted him in defence as much as they should have,” Katoa said.
“I just think the way that he put himself in the picture to make tackles. He wasn’t shying away from contact and I think that paid him back when he had the footy in his hands.”
Cronk lauded the Storm halves’ tactics and run first approach.
“I think sometimes we can over think big games as halves and try and come up with a big play, but ultimately Jahrome Hughes, Harry Grant and Cameron Munster went the running attitude and they said. let’s just get aggressive and we will work everything else out later,” Cronk said.
“It was an inspiring performance because there was a lot of pressure on him to just turn up and do his role, but he did more than that. He ran the ball like he didn’t have an injury.”
Storm march into GF after beating Sharks | 03:11
STEFANO SHINES IN CAREER-BEST GAME FOR STORM
Stefano Utoikamanu stepped up in the absence of Nelson Asofa-Solomona to lead the Storm to the Grand Final with a powerhouse display.
Utoikamanu took on Sharks counterpart Addin Fonua-Blake and finished with 127 metres, four tackle busts, two offloads and 24 tackles with just one miss in a near perfect performance.
“Stefano Utoikamanu had a career best game tonight,” Anasta said.
Cooper Cronk lauded Utoikamanu’s ability to do the tough stuff and then use his skill to find his teammates with his passing game.
“He has played for NSW. so he has played on the big stage before, but that first 30 minutes in particular he was great.” Cronk said.
“Physically he took into the teeth of the Sharks defence and bumped off a couple of big bodies an got the offload for Jahrome Hughes.
“The Storm struggled through that little bit of the second half and the Sharks were coming, they got Addin Fonua-Blake on and what did Craig Bellamy do? He got Stefano straight on and matched fire with fire and he did a really good job.”
Penrith miss FRANTIC final chance | 00:43
NRL MAKE REFEREE CALL
Grant Atkins is reportedly set to be tasked with officiating his first ever NRL grand final next Sunday following Ashley Klein’s penalty-a-thon on Friday night.
Klein entered preliminary final week as the favourite to be officiating this year’s grand final, but his performance in the Storm-Sharks prelim was heavily panned after he whistled 18 penalties.
“Mate, if that’s a prelim and you want a grand final to have 18 penalties … I am not sooking about the ref, the better side won today,” Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon said.
“Melbourne were the better side today, hands down. But I think the first half was 22 minutes of ball-in-play. What are we doing for a prelim?”
The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield has reported that Klein has paid the price.
“I’m 99.9% certain that Ashley Klein will be sacked as grand final referee,” Rothfield said on Triple M’s Sunday Sin Bin.
I spoke to key people at the NRL and these people have been really strong backers of Ashley Klein for a number of years, but they were really disappointed with his performance on Friday night.
“All Grant Atkins has to do is get a pass mark at Suncorp Stadium this afternoon and he will referee his first grand final.”
Atkins called a clean game on Sunday and based off Rothfield’s comments, it’s all but certain Atkins will be given the nod in the big dance.
It’s not the first time this finals series that Klein’s performance has come under fire.
He officiated the controversial 94-minute epic between Brisbane and Canberra, with several calls criticised.
“I thought he had an off game,” journalist Brent Read said following Brisbane’s 29-28 win.
Former NRL star Wade Graham is another who has been critical with the job Klein has done in recent weeks.
“Ashley Klein has been disappointing in this finals series. I think of the Raiders-Broncos games and then on Friday night,” Graham said.
“The way the game eventuated last night with the amount of penalties, I think that’s it for him this year.”
Klein has refereed three grand finals, including last year’s Panthers-Storm decider.