NRL preliminary finals: The psychological impact of losing before the grand final

In the National Rugby League (NRL), losing a preliminary final can be more psychologically devastating for players and coaches than losing a grand final. While grand final participants often experience a sense of achievement and relaxation, preliminary final matches are characterized by high tension and the fear that a single mistake could end a season just short of a premiership.

Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy has noted that players can lose their competitive edge when transitioning from a preliminary final to a grand final. Bellamy’s own career reflects this, as he has expressed more profound distress following preliminary final losses than after narrow defeats in grand finals. Notable instances include the 2011 loss following the club’s previous expulsion for salary cap breaches, and a 2023 defeat to the Penrith Panthers that prevented him from achieving successive premierships.