"They'll prove you wrong": Cronk predicts premiership winner

With the first week of finals done, Cooper Cronk has tipped who he thinks will be premiers.

Only six teams remain in the running to lift the Provan-Summons Trophy as the Cowboys and Rabbitohs were eliminated, while the Panthers and Dolphins enjoy a week off following their qualifying final wins.  

Penrith's 19-12 win over the Roosters sees them into their seventh preliminary final in a row and on the verge of their sixth grand final this decade.  

And despite injury concerns surrounding stars Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo, the four-time premiership player for Melbourne and Sydney believes they are too good to ignore, considering their experience.

“I don't think you can go past the Panthers,” Cronk told SEN’s Kick Off.

“They're just so rock solid, and when you start doubting them, they'll prove you wrong type thing, so never knock a champion.”

But if any side is able to knock off Penrith, Cronk backs the Dolphins to pull off the feat.

“On the flip side, the Dolphins, I think, have played a really good brand of football that's super enjoyable to watch,” he continued.

“So, I think if someone's gonna beat Penrith, you've gotta have athleticism, like the Brisbane Broncos did when they almost beat them in the Grand Final (in 2023) and the prelim last year.

“So maybe the Dolphins have that with Hammer (Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow) and (Herbie) Farnworth and the like.

Penrith will face either Newcastle or New Zealand in a preliminary final at Accor Stadium on September 27.

The Knights and Warriors will face off on Sunday afternoon at Eden Park with the match beginning at 4:05pm AEST.

SEN League will have live coverage of the clash from 12pm across our radio network and on the SEN app with Crunch Time NRL.