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In the opening week of the finals we saw ill-discipline from a niggle merchant bring a promising season to a sudden end, a superstar blow a winning opportunity, and a complaint about the amount of air in the balls at Penrith Park. Read on as we take a look back over some of the biggest hits and misses.
MISSSerial pest behaviour costs the Bulldogs There were a lot of reasons the Bulldogs lost their elimination final against the Sea Eagles; from Toby Sexton's inability to take control, to Jaeman Salmon's underwhelming contribution, to Jacob Kiraz's inability to catch a high ball, to a complete lack of line bending middle forwards and Matt Burton's ongoing mediocrity as a goal kicker; having their best finisher sitting at home having failed a drug test, despite not having taken any drugs, can't have helped either. But, if I was to name the one thing that cost the Bulldogs most dearly, it would be the ill-discipline of Reed Mahoney. All year most people have either laughed at or encouraged Mahoney's ability to get under the skin of his opponents with his niggling nature. Coach Cameron Ciraldo repeatedly backed his fiery hooker, when he really should have been telling him to pull his head in. In the biggest game of the year, with the Bulldogs in control of the game, Mahoney lost control of his. There he was, being unnecessarily aggressive, giving away penalties at a crucial time, and turning the momentum in favour of the Sea Eagles. All the Bulldogs needed at the time was a calm and steady head, running the show from dummy-half. 
HITPressure gauge takes air out of Suaali'i's claim Penrith Park had its own "inflate gate" during the second half on Friday night when Roosters goal kicker Joseph Suaali'i complained that the ball felt soft. The ball was swapped out and a pressure gauge was found to test his assertion. It wasn't an easy job as the NRL was running a promotion where any ball kicked into the crowd could be claimed by a lucky fan. To accommodate this there were over 40 balls distributed around the ground in bins. An official went from bin to bin with the pressure gauge making sure that all the balls were properly inflated. The ball Suaali'i complained about was found to be within the required pressure range. Maybe he'll find the Gilbert -- the ball they use in rugby -- more to his liking.
MISSPonga's back finally breaks under the weight of Knights It was the moment when all of Kalyn Ponga's greatness wasn't quite enough to keep the Knights afloat in 2024. Cutting through the Cowboys' defence near halfway, Ponga had support on either side as he looked to draw the fullback. With Tyson Gamble screaming on the inside, Ponga chose instead to pass it to Dane Gagai on the outside. It was probably the right choice, but as a Cowboys defender loomed between them, Ponga's pass was forced low and wide. Gagai couldn't gather ball at knee height and the try was bombed. The score was locked at 16-16 at the time, with 12 minutes remaining. It was all Cowboys from that point onwards as they scored two tries to claim victory and end the Knights' season.
HITStorm spine begins to shine Melbourne Storm took another step towards the premiership with a commanding performance against Cronulla Sharks in Melbourne on Saturday afternoon. Through injury and Origin commitments the Storm's superstar spine have had few opportunities to combine this season. With Ryan Papenhuyzen the most recent piece of the puzzle to return from injury, the Storm are back to their formidable best. Against the Sharks it was Harry Grant's turn to dominate. Grant has been slowly regaining his form after an injury break, and was back to near his best on Saturday. He played the full 80 minutes, and finished the day with three tries. His defence was not at its best, missing a few tackles, but he'll be waiting for the Roosters or Sea Eagles in two weeks' time ready to play his part in another preliminary final.
HITKikau puts in his best effort Two weeks ago Bulldogs forward Viliame Kikau was embarrassed by Manly's Haumole Olakau'atu in a one-on-one edge battle. Olakau'atu ran over and around Kikau all day and the Bulldogs enforcer was also rendered ineffective with the ball. I'm sure part of his performance review following that loss would have included the need for him to do so much more. In a team that lacks big middle forwards, Kikau's size is priceless. If not bending the line up the middle, his role must be to destroy the edge defenders. Kikau responded with what was arguably his best ever performance in the blue and white jersey. He set up the first try with a deft catch and pass to winger Jacob Kiraz and then scored the second try with a barnstorming run down the same edge. His kick chase was not only urgent, but extremely effective and he almost scored a second try from a kick charge down, which bounced agonisingly away from him. Most importantly, for the most part, he kept Olakau'atu relatively quiet all afternoon. The big man did not deserve to be on the losing side. The next quest would be for him to play with that intensity each and every week. A couple more efforts like that during the season might have seen the Bulldogs finish in the Top 4.
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