Eight teams remain as the 2018 NRL premiership heads into the first week of the finals. For two teams their seasons are about to end.
First up we head to Melbourne where the Rabbitohs hope their returning stars have had enough time back on the paddock to combine well enough to topple the Storm. The winner of this one can put their feet up for one week, while the loser will face either the Broncos or the Dragons next week.
On Saturday the Warriors travel to Sydney to face the Panthers who will be relying heavily on the big-game experience of James Maloney. The winner of this game will play the loser of the other Saturday game between the Roosters and the Sharks. That clash promises to give a fair indication of who should be premiership favourites heading into the second week of the finals.
Finally, Sunday afternoon sees the Broncos host the struggling Dragons. Will the return of Gareth Widdop be enough to spark a Dragons form reversal?
Friday, September 7
Melbourne Storm vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs, AAMI Park, 7:40pm (AEST)
Storm: 1. Billy Slater, 2. Suliasi Vunivalu, 3. Cheyse Blair, 4. Curtis Scott, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Cameron Smith, 10. Tim Glasby, 11. Felise Kaufusi,12. Joe Stimson, 13. Dale Finucane Reserves: 14. Brandon Smith, 15. Christian Welch, 16. Tui Kamikamica, 17. Kenny Bromwich, 18. Ryan Hoffman, 19. Brodie Croft, 20. Sam Kasiano, 21. Sandor Earl
Rabbitohs: 1. Alex Johnston, 2. Campbell Graham, 3. Greg Inglis, 4. Dane Gagai, 5. Robert Jennings, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Thomas Burgess, 9. Damien Cook, 10. George Burgess, 11. John Sutton, 12. Angus Crichton, 13. Sam Burgess Reserves: 14. Hymel Hunt, 15. Cameron Murray, 16. Jason Clark, 17. Dean Britt, 18. Braidon Burns, 19. Tyrell Fuimaono, 20. Tevita Tatola, 21. Matt McIlwrick
Verdict: The Storm were missing several key players last week when they lost to the Panthers, in the process releasing their grip on the minor premiership. The Rabbitohs showed glimpses of their best form in dismantling the Tigers in their final hit-out before the finals. While the Storm were giving key players the week off to overcome niggling injuries, the Rabbitohs were fine-tuning their attack and defence for the tough road ahead. Given an even playing field, the Rabbitohs could just about spring an upset in Melbourne this week. It will all come down to whether or not the Burgess brothers can dominate the Storm forwards. If the Rabbitohs can manage some momentum and quick play-the-balls, look for Damien Cook to have a blinder.
Tip: Rabbitohs
TAB odds: Storm $1.75 (-1.5 $1.85) Rabbitohs $2.10 (+1.5 $1.95)
Saturday, September 8
Penrith Panthers vs. New Zealand Warriors, ANZ Stadium, 5:30pm (AEST)
Panthers: 1. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 2. Josh Mansour, 3. Waqa Blake, 4. Tyrone Peachey, 5. Christian Crichton, 6. James Maloney, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Trent Merrin, 9. Sione Katoa, 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 11. Viliame Kikau, 12. Isaah Yeo, 13. James Fisher-Harris Reserves: 14. Tyrone May, 15. Moses Leota, 16. Corey Harawira-Naera, 17. James Tamou,18. Wayde Egan, 19. Jack Hetherington, 20. Tyrone Phillips, 21. Kaide Ellis.
Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2. David Fusitu'a, 3. Peta Hiku, 4. Solomone Kata, 5. Ken Maumalo, 6. Blake Green, 7. Shaun Johnson, 8. James Gavet, 9. Issac Luke, 10. Agnatius Paasi, 11. Adam Blair, 12. Tohu Harris, 13. Simon Mannering Reserves: 14. Jazz Tevaga, 15. Isaiah Papali'i, 16. Bunty Afoa, 17. Gerard Beale, 18. Leivaha Pulu, 20. Mason Lino, 21. Tevita Satae, 22. Karl Lawton
Verdict: The Panthers welcomed back James Maloney last week and managed a second-half surge to beat an understrength Storm. The Warriors fought back well to beat the in-form Raiders in Auckland. The Warriors welcome back five-eighth Blake Green and appear to have an edge in class across the park, but class doesn't always win the big games. The Warriors have a history of struggling on the big stage, while the Panthers have a finals ace up their sleeve in the ever-calm Maloney. This game could go either way but the loser will rue a wasted opportunity, after both clubs spent a large part of the season riding high on the competition ladder.
Tip: Panthers
TAB odds: Panthers $1.72 (-2.5 $1.95) Warriors $2.15 (+2.5 $1.85)
Sydney Roosters vs. Cronulla Sharks, Allianz Stadium, 7:40pm (AEST)
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Latrell Mitchell, 4. Joseph Manu, 5. Blake Ferguson, 6. Luke Keary, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 9. Jake Friend, 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho, 11. Boyd Cordner, 12. Isaac Liu, 13. Victor Radley Reserves: 14. Lindsay Collins, 15. Zane Tetevano, 16. Mitchell Aubusson, 17. Ryan Matterson, 18. Nat Butcher, 19. Sean O'Sullivan, 20. Matt Ikuvalu, 21. Kurt Baptiste
Sharks: 1. Valentine Holmes, 2. Sosaia Feki, 3. Josh Dugan, 4. Ricky Leutele, 5. Edrick Lee, 6. Matt Moylan, 7. Chad Townsend, 8. Andrew Fifita, 9. Jayden Brailey, 10. Matt Prior, 11. Luke Lewis, 12. Wade Graham, 13. Paul Gallen Reserves: 14. Kurt Capewell, 15. James Segeyaro, 16. Aaron Woods, 17. Jayson Bukuya, 18. Scott Sorensen, 19. Ava Seumanufagai, 20. Joseph Paulo, 21. Jesse Ramien
Verdict: The Roosters tore through the Eels last week to win by enough points to snatch the minor premiership from the Storm. The Sharks were in cruise control against the Bulldogs and never really extended themselves. The return of Luke Keary and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has the Roosters back to near full strength and Cooper Cronk is the master of finals football. The Sharks are on a roll having won their last four games, but they have only played two top-eight teams in their last seven and they lost one of those. This should be the game of week 1, with the fullback battle between James Tedesco and Valentine Holmes worth the price of a ticket alone.
Tip: Roosters
TAB odds: Roosters $1.55 (-4.5 $1.90) Sharks $2.50 (+4.5 $1.90)
Sunday, September 9
Brisbane Broncos vs. St George Illawarra Dragons, Suncorp Stadium, 4:00pm (AEST)
Broncos: 1. Darius Boyd, 2. Corey Oates, 3. James Roberts, 4. Jordan Kahu, 5. Jamayne Isaako, 6. Anthony Milford, 7. Kodi Nikorima, 8. Matt Lodge, 9. Andrew McCullough, 10. Sam Thaiday, 11. Alex Glenn, 12. Tevita Pangai Junior, 13. Josh McGuire Reserves: 14. Patrick Mago, 15. Joe Ofahengaue, 16. Korbin Sims, 17. David Fifita, 18. Kotoni Staggs, 19. Sam Tagataese, 20. Gehamat Shibasaki, 21. Troy Dargan
Dragons: 1. Matt Dufty, 2. Nene Macdonald, 3. Zac Lomax, 4. Tim Lafai, 5. Jordan Pereira, 6. Gareth Widdop, 7. Ben Hunt, 8. James Graham, 9. Cameron McInnes, 10. Leeson Ah Mau, 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Tariq Sims, 13. Jack de Belin Reserves: 14. Jeremy Latimore, 15. Kurt Mann, 16. Blake Lawrie, 17. Luciano Leilua, 18. Jason Nightingale, 19. Euan Aitken, 20. Jacob Host, 21. Hame Sele
Verdict: The Broncos did enough last week against the Sea Eagles to guarantee themselves a home final without going overboard; had they done so, their prize would have instead been a clash with the unpredictable Warriors. The Dragons beat the Knights in Newcastle, but still looked far from their best. Gareth Widdop returns for the Red V, but it might have come a little too late to reverse their awful form of late. Suncorp Stadium will be packed to the rafters on Sunday afternoon and the atmosphere will go a long way towards lifting the Broncos to a convincing victory.
Tip: Broncos
TAB odds: Broncos $1.30 (-10.5 $1.95) Dragons $3.60 (+10.5 $1.85)