The upcoming NRL showdown between Penrith and Cronulla has sparked a division among Nine’s panel of tipping experts, even as bookmakers lean heavily in favour of the reigning champions. The Panthers, dominant in the league for nearly five years, are priced at about $1.67 with TAB to kick off their 2025 season with a victory in Las Vegas against the Sharks.
Despite this, some tipsters, including Paul Gallen and Ruan Sims, believe the Sharks could pull off an upset. In contrast, Darren Lockyer has placed his trust in the Panthers for an early win. This anticipation comes on the heels of Penrith coach Ivan Cleary’s surprising decision to leave young recruit Blaize Talagi out of the starting line-up, a move that caught Phil Gould off guard.
Talagi, acquired from Parramatta, was expected by many to take over the vacant No.6 position following Jarome Luai’s departure. However, Jack Cole has instead been given the nod to partner with Nathan Cleary in the halves, and he appears determined to hold onto his position. Rumours suggest that Talagi’s omission may be linked to a shoulder surgery he had during the off-season. Despite this, he has been included in the extended squad, hinting at the possibility of a last-minute inclusion before the game starts.
Coaches have been known to use extended benches to shield emerging players from media scrutiny, only to announce their participation on the day of the match. Ivan Cleary’s strategy, regardless of its specifics, is often difficult to question, given his record as a four-time premiership-winning coach.
In the season opener on Sunday, the experts are roughly split between the Raiders and the Warriors, with the latter being the $1.65 favourites according to TAB.
Here are Nine’s experts’ tipping choices for the grand final:
- Paul Gallen: Raiders, Sharks
- Darren Lockyer: Warriors, Panthers
- Ruan Sims: Warriors, Sharks
- David Middleton: Raiders, Panthers
- Peter Psaltis: Raiders, Panthers
- Matthew Thompson: Raiders, Sharks
- The Mole: Warriors, Panthers
The excitement is building as fans eagerly anticipate the start of the 2025 NRL season, with compelling narratives and strategic moves setting the stage for an intriguing clash.