Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon is set to face off with the Sydney Roosters and his long-term mentor Trent Robinson in a winner-takes-all elimination NRL final.
The Roosters, who surged their way into the top eight with five straight wins, have looked in ominous touch in recent weeks and are expected to be buoyed by the return of Joey Manu.
But the storyline which will dominate the build-up to next Saturday's meeting will be Fitzgibbon facing Robinson, who he served as an assistant for more than a decade.
Fitzgibbon's men defeated Canberra 24-6 to lock up a home final at PointsBet Stadium and the theme of old faces meeting each other is littered throughout week one of the finals series.
Brisbane's Kevin Walters will seek revenge against Craig Bellamy and Melbourne on Friday after the Storm prevented the Broncos claiming the minor premiership in the final round of the season.
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary will be facing a familiar foe in Andrew Webster, who has masterminded a revival of the Warriors.
The Panthers-Warriors game has been shifted to the earlier timeslot on Saturday to allow it to hit primetime television in New Zealand.
Canberra face the most arduous of tasks, heading to Newcastle to face a Knights side who haven't lost at McDonald Jones Stadium since April in the weekend's other elimination final.
FRIDAY:
Brisbane Broncos vs. Melbourne Storm, Suncorp Stadium, 7.50pm
SATURDAY:
Penrith Panthers vs. Warriors, BlueBet Stadium 4.05pm.
Cronulla Sharks vs. Sydney Roosters, PointsBet Stadium, 7.50pm.
SUNDAY:
Newcastle Knights v Canberra Raiders, McDonald Jones Stadium, 4.05pm.