The final round of the 2019 NRL season is here and there are positions within the top eight still to be decided. The week kicks off with the Rabbitohs hosting the Roosters in a top four clash which will tell us a lot about the premiership winning hopes of both teams. Next we have the Tommy Turbo-less Sea Eagles making the journey out to Parramatta where the Eels will be waiting, hoping to jump their old rivals into fifth position..
Finally on Sunday we have the Sharks traveling to Leichhardt Oval for a sudden death battle with the Tigers. Win and you're in, lose and your season is over.
Good luck with your tips.
Jump ahead to a particular game.
Rabbitohs vs. Roosters
Eels vs. Sea Eagles
Storm vs. Cowboys
Raiders vs. Warriors
Bulldogs vs. Broncos
Titans vs.Dragons
Tigers vs. Sharks
Panthers vs.Knights
Thursday, September 5
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. Sydney Roosters, ANZ Stadium, 7:50pm (AEST)
Rabbitohs: 1. Adam Doueihi 2. Alex Johnston 3. Campbell Graham 4. Dane Gagai 5. Corey Allan 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Sam Burgess 9. Damien Cook 10. Liam Knight 11. John Sutton 12. Jaydn Su'A 13. Cameron Murray 14. Ethan Lowe 15. Tom Amone 16. Tevita Tatola 17. Mark Nicholls 18. Bayley Sironen 19. Connor Tracey 20. Kurt Dillon 21. Mawene Hiroti
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Joseph Manu 5. Brett Morris 6. Luke Keary 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Sam Verrills 10. Isaac Liu 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Mitchell Aubusson 13. Victor Radley 14. Lindsay Collins 15. Zane Tetevano 16. Nat Butcher 17. Angus Crichton 18. Billy Smith 19. Sitili Tupouniua 20. Poasa Faamausili 21. Drew Hutchison
Verdict: When these two teams met way back in the first round, the Rabbitohs put on an impressive display of attacking football to launch Wayne Bennett's tenure at the club. Since then the Roosters have found their way back into their groove as they head towards a title defence. Bennett will have his Bunnies primed for this game which will provide vital momentum heading into the finals.
Tip: Roosters
TAB odds: Rabbitohs $2.30 (+3.5 $1.95) Roosters $1.62 (-3.5 $1.85)
Friday, September 6
Parramatta Eels vs. Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, Bankwest Stadium, 6:00pm (AEST)
Eels: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Michael Jennings 4. Waqa Blake 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Kane Evans 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Manu Ma'u 13. Marata Niukore 14. Brad Takairangi 15. Daniel Alvaro 16. Ray Stone 17. Tepai Moeroa 18. David Gower 19. Will Smith 20. Peni Terepo 21. Josh Hoffman
Sea Eagles: 1. Brendan Elliot 2. Jorge Taufua 3. Brad Parker 4. Moses Suli 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Dylan Walker 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Martin Taupau 11. Corey Waddell 12. Curtis Sironen 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Manase Fainu 15. Sean Keppie 16. Lloyd Perrett 17. Taniela Paseka 18. Lachlan Croker 19. Tevita Funa 20. Cade Cust 21. Haumole Olakauatu
Verdict: The Eels looked good at times during their loss to the Broncos last week, while the Sea Eagles fell to pieces after losing star fullback Tom Trbojevic to a season-ending injury. The Eels can jump the Sea Eagles into fifth position with a good win here at home against a shell-shocked Sea Eagles team. They need a win here to convince themselves and fans that they'll be more than fodder in the finals.
Tip: Eels
TAB odds: Eels $1.58 (-3.5 $1.80) Sea Eagles $2.40 (+3.5 $2.00)
Melbourne Storm vs. North Queensland Cowboys, AAMI Park, 7:55pm (AEST)
Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. Will Chambers 4. Justin Olam 5. Sandor Earl 6. Brodie Croft 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Dale Finucane 14. Max King 15. Tui Kamikamica 16. Tino Faasuamaleaui 17. Tom Eisenhuth 18. Curtis Scott 19. Joe Stimson 20. Billy Walters 21. Harry Grant
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Jordan Kahu 4. Tom Opacic 5. Murray Taulagi 6. John Asiata 7. Michael Morgan 8. Scott Bolton 9. Jake Granville 10. Jordan McLean 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Shane Wright 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Josh McGuire 15. Coen Hess 16. Peter Hola 17. Francis Molo 18. Corey Jensen 19. Reuben Cotter 20. Tom Gilbert 21. Jake Clifford.
Verdict: The Storm were ruthless last week in dismantling the Sea Eagles, while the Cowboys lifted to farewell their old stadium with a win over the Bulldogs. I'm not sure whether the Cowboys have booked a couple of nights in Melbourne, but it could be a great place to hold their Mad Monday celebrations and soak up some of that locally-famous culture while they are at it.
Tip: Storm
TAB odds: Storm $1.15 (-14.5 $1.90) Cowboys $5.50 (+14.5 $1.90)
Saturday, September 7
Canberra Raiders vs. New Zealand Warriors, GIO Stadium, 3:00pm (AEST)
Raiders: 1. Bailey Simonsson 2. Michael Oldfield 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Nick Cotric 5. Sebastian Kris 6. Jack Wighton 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Josh Papalii 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Dunamis Lui 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Ryan Sutton 14. Siliva Havili 15. Emre Guler 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. JJ Collins 18. Sam Williams 19. Joseph Tapine 20. Jordan Rapana 21. Tom Starling
Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. David Fusitua 3. Adam Pompey 4. Blake Ayshford 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Blake Green 8. Agnatius Paasi 9. Issac Luke 10. Leeson Ah Mau 11. Adam Blair 12. Isaiah Papalii 13. Jazz Tevaga 14. Lachlan Burr 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Ligi Sao 17. Adam Keighran 18. Josh Curran 20. Taane Milne 21. Hayze Perham 22. Leivaha Pulu
Verdict: The Raiders managed to overcome the emotion of Paul Gallen's Shark Park farewell last week, hanging in there to win a golden point thriller. The Warriors typically started well enough, before clocking off well before finishing time against the Rabbitohs. The opening 20 minutes of this game should give the Raiders a good hit-out before the finals, after that Jarrod Croker should have plenty of goal kicking practice.
Tip: Raiders
TAB odds: Raiders $1.20 (-12.5 $1.90) Warriors $4.60 (+12.5 $1.90)
Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs vs. Brisbane Broncos, ANZ Stadium, 5:30pm (AEST)
Bulldogs: 1. Will Hopoate 2. Nick Meaney 3. Morgan Harper 4. Reimis Smith 5. Jayden Okunbor 6. Kieran Foran 7. Lachlan Lewis 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Dylan Napa 11. Josh Jackson 12. Corey Harawira-Naera 13. Adam Elliott 14. Jack Cogger 15. Renouf To'omaga 16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 17. Chris Smith 19. Danny Fualalo 20. Isaiah Tass 21. Fa'amanu Brown 22. Ofahiki Ogden
Broncos: 1. Anthony Milford 5. Jamayne Isaako 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Alex Glenn 2. Corey Oates 6. Darius Boyd 7. Jake Turpin 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Payne Haas 11. David Fifita 12. Matt Gillett 13. Patty Carrigan 14. James Segeyaro 15. Thomas Flegler 16. Izaia Perese 17. Rhys Kennedy 18. Sean O'Sullivan 19. Gehamat Shibasaki 20. Shaun Fensom 21. Joe Ofahengaue
Verdict: The Bulldogs put an end to their own slim chances of making the finals last week with an ordinary attacking display against the Cowboys, while the Broncos won a golden point arm wrestle against the Eels. The Broncos should really be looking for a big win here to launch them into the finals, while the Bulldogs will have their minds on other things.
Tip: Broncos
TAB odds: Bulldogs $2.30 (+3.5 $1.95) Broncos $1.62 (-3.5 $1.85)
Gold Coast Titans vs. St George Illawarra Dragons, Cbus Super Stadium, 7:35pm (AEST)
Titans: 1. Michael Gordon 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Tyrone Peachey 4. Brian Kelly 5. Phillip Sami 6. Alexander Brimson 7. Ryley Jacks 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Mitch Rein 10. Jai Arrow 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Sam Stone 13. Nathan Peats 14. Tanah Boyd 15. Jai Whitbread 16. Bryce Cartwright 17. Jack Stockwell 18. Will Matthews 19. Kallum Watkins 20. Ash Taylor 21. Anthony Don
Dragons: 1. Corey Norman 2. Tristan Sailor 3. Euan Aitken 4. Timoteo Lafai 5. Jonus Pearson 6. Gareth Widdop 7. Ben Hunt 8. James Graham 9. Reece Robson 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Jackson Ford 13. Blake Lawrie 14. Jeremy Latimore 15. Korbin Sims 16. Luciano Leilua 17. Josh Kerr 18. Patrick Kaufusi 19. Zac Lomax 20. Matthew Dufty 21. Jacob Host
Verdict: The Titans lost again last week, this time to the Knights, while the Dragons were simply awful against the Tigers. This will be a real battle to see which set of players have less pride in their jerseys. I'm not sure whether the Dragons have booked a couple of nights on the Gold Coast, but it could be a great place to hold their Mad Monday celebrations in that world-famous culture vacuum.
Tip: Dragons
TAB odds: Titans $2.30 (+3.5 $1.95) Dragons $1.62 (-3.5 $1.85)
Sunday, September 8
Wests Tigers vs. Cronulla Sutherland Sharks, Leichhardt Oval, 2:00pm (AEST)
Tigers: 1. Corey Thompson 2. Robert Jennings 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Esan Marsters 5. David Nofoaluma 6. Benji Marshall 7. Luke Brooks 8. Thomas Mikaele 9. Josh Reynolds 10. Oliver Clark 11. Luke Garner 12. Chris Lawrence 13. Ryan Matterson 14. Matt Eisenhuth 15. Elijah Taylor 16. Alex Twal 17. Michael Chee-Kam 18. Tommy Talau 19. Chris McQueen 20. Moses Mbye 21. Robbie Farah
Sharks: 1. Josh Dugan 2. Sosaia Feki 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Josh Morris 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Shaun Johnson 7. Chad Townsend 8. Aaron Woods 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Matt Prior 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Paul Gallen 14. Kurt Capewell 15. Jack Williams 16. Andrew Fifita 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Billy Magoulias 19. Blayke Brailey 20. Kyle Flanagan 21. Matt Moylan
Verdict: Sunday afternoon in front of a packed Leichhardt Oval, both teams with their seasons on the line - does it get any better than this? The Tigers ran all over the disappointing Dragons last week, while the Sharks ran out of steam against the Raiders. Both teams are keen to send retiring stalwarts Robbie Farah and Paul Gallen out with a finals appearance. There is a lot of magic in Leichhardt Oval.
Tip: Tigers
TAB odds: Tigers $2.10 (+2.5 $1.85) Sharks $1.75 (-2.5 $1.95)
Penrith Panthers vs. Newcastle Knights, Panthers Stadium, 4:05pm (AEST)
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Stephen Crichton 3. Dean Whare 4. Brent Naden 5. Brian To'o 6. James Maloney 7. Nathan Cleary 8. James Tamou 9. Wayde Egan 10. Moses Leota 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. James Fisher-Harris 14. Jarome Luai 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Billy Burns 17. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 18. Sione Katoa 19. Hame Sele 20. Josh Mansour 21. Kaide Ellis
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Bradman Best 3. Sione Mata'utia 4. Hymel Hunt 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 6. Mason Lino 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. David Klemmer 9. Connor Watson 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Tim Glasby 14. Kurt Mann 15. Herman Ese'ese 16. Josh King 17. Aidan Guerra 18. Jacob Saifiti 19. Jamie Buhrer 20. Jirah Momoisea 21. Starford Toa
Verdict: Two of the season's most disappointing teams finish up in a clash that should have meant so much more. The Knights showed some form last week at home against the Titans, while the Panthers were outclassed by the Roosters. Both teams have been an absolute rabble of late, but maybe the Panthers, in front of their home crowd, will rally to send James Maloney off with a win.
Tip: Panthers
TAB odds: Panthers $1.70 (-2.5 $1.90) Knights $2.20 (+2.5 $1.90)