'No one gave us a chance': Chasing pack desperate to defy history
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Cronulla captain Blayke Brailey will draw on NSW's unexpected State of Origin series victory as the Sharks look to defy history by becoming the first team in more than three decades to win the NRL premiership from outside the top four.
It's been 31 years since Terry Lamb led the Bulldogs from sixth place to premiership glory in 1995. While plenty of clubs have come close, the challenge of winning four-straight sudden death finals has proved an insurmountable task.
It's a stat this year's contenders are determined to change, with the Sharks leading a group of teams desperate to rewrite the record books.
Hynes smashes Sharks record with 30-point masterclass
Brailey made his NSW debut during this year's series and returned from a broken arm to help the Blues defy history when they upset the Maroons in a Suncorp Stadium decider.
Few gave Laurie Daley's men a chance when they travelled north for Game Three and Brailey said Cronulla will adopt a similar mindset throughout the finals campaign.
"We have the underdog mentality and we all enjoy that approach," Brailey told NRL.com. "No one gives us a chance but it's similar to the Origin series in Game Three when no one gave us a chance. We found it a way and we turned it around.
"People thought we'd just turn up and lose and I'm sure in this finals series people just expect the same. We know what it takes now to deal with that pressure. We've got a few players in our side that love the underdog mentality so we're taking it all in and excited for the weeks to come."
Match: Sharks v Cowboys
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Sharks
5th Position
away Team
Cowboys
8th Position
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Cronulla have received a major boost for Saturday's clash with North Queensland at Allianz Stadium with five-eighth Braydon Trindall named to return from a dislocated shoulder.
The Sharks are in a familiar position entering this year's finals series, Craig Fitzgibbon's men also finishing fifth last season before surging to the preliminary final.
The Cowboys don't have to look too far for inspiration in their bid for the premiership, with Jason Taumalolo and Coen Hess playing a key role in the club's charge from eighth to the 2017 grand final.
North Queensland have also received a major boost in recent weeks with star halfback Tom Dearden making a successful return from an ankle injury.
Tom Dearden Try
Also looking to defy history this year are the Rabbitohs and Knights, who will do battle in a Friday night blockbuster at Allianz Stadium to kick off the weekend.
Both teams also have a track record of deep finals runs from outside the top four, with Newcastle progressing to the preliminary final in 2013 after finishing seventh on the ladder.
Fullback Kalyn Ponga has returned to the form that saw him claim the Dally M Medal in 2023 and has the potential to emulate Reece Walsh's stunning run to the premiership with the Broncos last year.
South Sydney went from seventh to a prelim the last time they played finals football in 2022.
The Rabbitohs are peaking at the right time of year, with star centre Latrell Mitchell back on deck and powerful back-rower David Fifita back to his damaging best.
Latrell Mitchell returns for the Rabbitohs
With finals experience spread across the park, South Sydney captain Cameron Murray is confident his team has the talent to upstage their more fancied rivals.
"We're not paying too much attention to the history books," Murray said. "We're paying attention to the footy we can play and the product we can put on the field.
"If we're disciplined and we turn up with the right attitude, I'm confident we can be successful in the finals.
"We have a lot of big game experience in the team so that helps, but for us it's about our discipline and turning up to play the footy we know we can play."
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