And then there were the top four teams, left to battle out the preliminary finals for a place in the big dance. The Rabbitohs traveling to Canberra to take on the Raiders while the Storm travel to Sydney to face the champion Roosters. There can only be two team in the grand final, which two will miss out?
Good luck with your tips.
Jump ahead to a particular game.
Raiders vs. Rabbitohs
Roosters vs. Storm
Friday, September 27
Canberra Raiders vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs, GIO Stadium, 7:50pm (AEST)
Raiders: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Nick Cotric 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Joseph Leilua 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Josh Papalii 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Iosia Soliola 11. John Bateman 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Joseph Tapine Reserves: 14. Bailey Simonsson 15. Emre Guler 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Dunamis Lui 18. Sam Williams 19. Ryan Sutton 20. Siliva Havili 21. Sebastian Kris
Rabbitohs: 1. Adam Doueihi 2. Alex Johnston 3. James Roberts 4. Dane Gagai 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Burgess 9. Damien Cook 10. Liam Knight 11. John Sutton 12. Sam Burgess 13. Cameron Murray Reserves: 14. George Burgess 15. Tevita Tatola 16. Ethan Lowe 17. Mark Nicholls 18. Jaydn Su'A 19. Corey Allan 20. Dean Britt 21. Mawene Hiroti
Referees: Ben Cummins and Grant Atkins
Verdict: Coach Wayne Bennett returned Adam Doueihi to fullback last week for their clash with the Sea Eagles and the Rabbitohs looked better, but still might have lost if not for some ill-discipline from Manly. Bennett did have the Bunnies unleash some slick backline moves that the Raiders will have to watch out for. The Raiders have had the week off to recover from their epic battle with the Storm, and they'll have a stadium full of viking clapping locals hungry to see the Green Machine into their first grand final since 1994. Ricky Stuart has the right combination of seasoned campaigners, wily exponents of their trade and youthful pace. The Rabbitohs will have to be at their very best to win this one, and they haven't been for several weeks now.
Tip: Raiders
TAB odds: Raiders $1.38 (-7.5 $1.85) Rabbitohs $3.10 (+7.5 $1.95)
Saturday, September 28
Sydney Roosters vs. Melbourne Storm, SCG, 7:50pm (AEST)
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Joseph Manu 5. Brett Morris 6. Luke Keary 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Isaac Liu 9. Sam Verrills 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Mitchell Aubusson 13. Victor Radley Reserves: 14. Angus Crichton 15. Zane Tetevano 16. Nat Butcher 17. Lindsay Collins 18. Sitili Tupouniua 19. Drew Hutchison 20. Jake Friend 21. Ryan Hall
Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. Curtis Scott 4. Justin Olam 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Dale Finucane Reserves: 14. Brandon Smith 15. Tui Kamikamica 16. Max King 17. Will Chambers 18. Marion Seve 19. Joe Stimson 20. Tino Faasuamaleaui 21. Sandor Earl
Referees: Gerard Sutton and Adam Gee
Verdict: The Storm bounced back last week to dismiss the Eels in Melbourne. Coach Craig Bellamy shook his team up, replacing Will Chambers with Curtis Scott before kick-off and the backs seemed to respond to the suggestion that no one was safe. The Roosters were clinical in the first half of their win over the Rabbitohs two weeks ago. If they can hit the ground running despite the week off, they might be too sharp even for the Storm, particularly on the wide open expanses of the SCG. Many tipped this match-up would be the grand final again this year, it should be one of the great games of the year.
Tip: Roosters
TAB odds: Roosters $1.53 (-4.5 $1.90) Storm $2.50 (+4.5 $1.90)