NRL FINALS WEEK 1: Who Wins & Who Goes Home?

If you want to get support directly from us to remove your repetitive self-doubt, join our FREE community: The Sport Is Life Movement -   / sportislife   Ready to gain the clarity and direction to move forward with purpose, especially when life throws you a curveball? Join the Game Plan training today. https://www.ianhawkinscoaching.com/ga... Episode Summary: The NRL Finals are here; and Week 1 has four fascinating games. South Sydney are back in September for the first time since 2022, while Newcastle have gone from the 2025 wooden spoon to playing finals football just 12 months later. Despite some huge injury setbacks, the Knights have been one of the stories of the season. Can they upset the Rabbitohs and keep their remarkable turnaround alive? The Warriors host the Dolphins in a massive qualifying final, with a week off and a home preliminary final waiting for the winner. Both sides are loaded with attacking talent, powerful forward packs and genuine premiership belief. Is this the game that tells us who makes the Grand Final? Cronulla and North Queensland meet in an elimination final between two teams capable of brilliant football; and completely losing the plot. Braydon Trindall is back for the Sharks after their attack struggled badly without him. Does his return change Cronulla enough to turn their form around, or can the Cowboys end their season? And minor premiers Penrith face a Roosters side that rested a stack of players last weekend. Sam Walker is out, but Ian refuses to put a line through the Roosters given the experience and attacking talent still available to them. Meanwhile, Isaah Yeo is back despite carrying a serious biceps injury. Could his leadership actually be Penrith's biggest advantage heading into September? We preview and predict all four Week 1 finals. PLUS; we look back at the seasons of two teams who missed September. PARRAMATTA EELS: There were glimpses late in the year, but can Jason Ryles turn them into an 80-minute, week-in-week-out football team in 2027? What impact will Jerome Luai have, and is Parramatta's investment in youth finally starting to build something sustainable? CANTERBURY BULLDOGS: After a slow start ultimately cost them a finals spot, they've got some huge decisions to make; particularly around their spine. Crichton? Galvin? Burton? What does their best combination actually look like in 2027? The Bulldogs can get down the field, but their lack of creativity remains the major question. Who are you backing in all four finals? Drop your Week 1 predictions in the comments and subscribe to Sport Is Life for our NRL reviews, previews and plenty more. About the Host: Ian Hawkins is dedicated to showing how sports can transform lives. With extensive experience as an athlete, a coach, PE teacher, community volunteer, and manager at Fox Sports, Ian brings a wealth of knowledge to the podcast. His journey began in his backyard, mentored by his older brother, and has since evolved into coaching elite athletes and business leaders. Ian's commitment to sports and personal development is evident in his roles as a performance coach and active community member. Through "Sport Is Life," Ian shares inspiring stories and valuable lessons to help listeners apply sports principles to all areas of life. Join the 2025 Planning Session here   / 1c6aqzhgey   Check Me Out On: Facebook:   / ianhawkinscoaching     Instagram:   / ianhawkinscoaching   YouTube:    / Канал   Theme Music Artist: One Day Kings   / onedaykings   See https://www.captivate.fm/privacy-poli... for privacy information.