NRL Finals: Week one preview
(1) Roosters v (4) Storm: Friday 11th September, 7:55pm Allianz Stadium
The Roosters have stormed into the finals on the back of 12 consecutive wins, clinching their third-straight minor premiership in the process.
Not even the losses of Mitchell Pearce and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves could slow them down, although finals footy looms as a much different prospect for a depleted side.
FAST START: Storm need to come out of blocks
Many pundits have written the Storm off as serious contenders, but their 15-8 victory over the Broncos in round 26 shows they are still very much a force to be reckoned with.
The Roosters haven’t tasted defeat since round eight, but a fired-up Storm side will be sniffing an upset.
The record stands at a win apiece in 2015. The Storm knocked off the Roosters 17-16 in round seven, before the Roosters dominated the return bout 24-2 in Round 12.
The winner goes straight through to week three of the finals, while the loser gets a second chance.
TEAM NEWS:
Pearce could make a shock return after he was initially expected to miss up to six weeks after suffering a hamstring injury in the Roosters' win over Brisbane three weeks ago.
Storm skipper Cameron Smith has battled illness this week, but he flew with his team to Sydney on Thursday and is expected to play.
OUR TIP: Roosters by 6
(5) Bulldogs v (8) Dragons: Saturday 12th September, 5:50pm ANZ Stadium
The Bulldogs come into this clash on the back of five consecutive wins, but neither side has set the world on fire of late.
The Doggies only just got past the lowly Warriors in round 26, while the Dragons suffered a shock loss to the Titans in round 25 and barely survived a furious Tigers comeback last week.
In an ironic twist of fate, Canterbury will be relying on Brett and Josh Morris to put their former side to the sword, while the Dragons will be desperate to make sure that doesn’t happen.
The Dragons got the chocolates back in round six with a 31-6 victory, before the Bulldogs returned the favour in Round 13 with a comfortable 29-16 win.
The winner will take on the loser of the Roosters v Storm clash, while the loser will be eliminated.
TEAM NEWS:
Brett Morris slots straight back in at fullback for the Dogs after being rested last week.
Dragons five-eighth Gareth Widdop is still under an injury cloud after missing the Tigers clash, with officials remaining hopeful he will play. Second-rower Joel Thompson is expected to play despite not being named on Tuesday.
OUR TIP: Dragons by 2
(2) Broncos v (3) Cowboys: Saturday 12th September, 7:50pm Suncorp Stadium
Arguably the match of the round, big brother faces little brother in the all-Queensland derby.
The Broncos defeated every single team in the regular season to finish in second place, while the Cowboys resurrected their season after a horror start.
RARE APPEARANCE: Broncos prop savouring finals
Both sides suffered a slight stutter towards the end of the regular season but managed to steady the ship to head into the finals in good shape.
Once again, both teams tasted success against each other this season, the Broncos winning 44-22 in round three, before the Cowboys turned the tables and won 31-20 in Round 10.
The winner will book a berth in the preliminary finals and get a week off, while the loser will stay alive.
TEAM NEWS
Ben Hunt is expected back for the Broncos despite missing their round 26 loss to the Storm.
Michael Morgan is a chance to play for the Cowboys after suffering what seemed like a season-ending ankle injury against the Warriors three weeks ago.
OUR TIP: Broncos by 8
(6) Sharks v (7) Rabbitohs: Sunday 13th September, 4:10pm Allianz Stadium
The Sharks blew a golden chance to secure a top-four finish when they were upset by the Sea Eagles in round 26, and their reward looms as a Greg Inglis-led Rabbitohs side.
The reigning premiers have been horribly out of form since the loss of Inglis and John Sutton to injury, while Issac Luke’s suspension also hasn’t helped.
HOME GAME? Sharks happy with Allianz Stadium
The return of Inglis will be a huge boost however, and the Rabbits look a much more difficult prospect with GI in the side.
Cronulla have charged into finals on the back of a 7-2 record, but will be kicking themselves at finishing sixth instead of fourth.
The Sharks defeated the Rabbitohs 18-10 in their only encounter earlier in the season.
There are no second chances in this one, with the winner earning a place in week two and the loser bundled out.
TEAM NEWS:
Inglis returns for the Rabbitohs, while Luke is still suspended for another week. George Burgess is missing after being banned for two weeks for throwing a water bottle at Kane Evans.
OUR TIP: Rabbitohs by 6