Preliminary finals deemed among toughest games in NRL
Zero Tackle NRL • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 24, 2026, 1:33 AM
Last updated Sep 24, 2026
As the NRL season nears its climax, preliminary finals are highlighted as particularly intense matches. Coaches express that these games often carry more pressure than grand finals, with the potential to end a season abruptly without a chance for redemption. South Sydney has experienced the harsh reality of these matches, illustrating the unpredictability of future opportunities. The stakes are high, with teams one win away from the premiership decider and one defeat leading to elimination.
- •Preliminary finals involve top teams competing for a grand final spot.
- •Coaches note that fear of failure is heightened in these matches.
- •South Sydney's past defeats in preliminary finals underscore their difficulty.
- •Loss in a preliminary final means no chance for a rematch.
- •Roy Masters emphasizes the crucial nature of these games across sports.
- 1:33 AMZero Tackle NRL — COACH’S CORNER: Why preliminary finals might be the hardest games in sport
"Forget the grand final, it's the qualifiers that are toughest.
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