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Déjà vu: Why Voss thinks we might see an '05 repeat
Nicholas Quinlan • September 26th, 2025 4:54 pm
Mark Twain once said that history never repeats, but it often rhymes.
And according to Andrew Voss, we might just see this weekend's preliminary final matches rhyme with the 2005 season.
In that year, the Wests Tigers and the Cowboys shocked the Rugby League world by defeating St George and Parramatta to make the Grand Final after being the lower placed side.
In the two preliminary final games this year, between Melbourne vs Cronulla and Brisbane vs Penrith, last year’s Grand Finalists, the Storm and Panthers, come into the match as favourites with their experience expected to come through against the other two sides.
But with the Sharks having won nine of their last ten matches and the Broncos having won 11 of their last 13 games, Voss thinks there is a chance that both sides can play spoiler and beat their much-fancied opponents.
“Back in ’05, let me take you back 20 years, Brandy,” Voss said on SEN 1170’s Breakfast.
“Dragons and Eels were favourites. Dragons playing Tigers; Eels playing Cowboys.
“There was just an assumption this is going to be the all-Sydney Grand Final, blue and gold, red and white. It’s going to happen.
“Neither team got up.
“I’ve got a little bit of that feeling. Not that everyone is going with Penrith, mind you, because there are plenty tipping Brisbane, but Penrith are the favourites, and Melbourne is a clear favourite tonight.
“I’ve just got a little bit of a 2005 vibe. A little bit of a Cronulla/Brisbane let’s rematch the ‘97 Super League Grand Final vibes.”
If both sides were to get up, it would mean that for the first time since 2014, neither the 1st nor 2nd placed team made the Grand Final, which would make for a unique match-up.
The preliminary final week kicks off Friday in the Victorian capital with the Melbourne Storm hosting the Cronulla Sharks at AAMI Park from 7:50pm AEST.
Following that, on Sunday at 4:05pm, the Penrith Panthers will look to make their sixth Grand Final in a row when they face off against the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.
SEN will have live coverage of both matches available through the SEN app and its radio network.
