Broncos (2) v Storm (3)
Friday 7.50pm, Suncorp Stadium
If the Broncos are going to end their 17-year premiership drought, they will have to end their Melbourne hoodoo now. Last week’s 10-point defeat to the Storm was not an accurate pointer to how these sides will stack up on Friday night. Both had 11 key players missing, both will be at full strength at Suncorp Stadium. Brisbane have not defeated the Storm at Suncorp since 2009, but the likes of Reece Walsh and Ezra Mam have ignited their attack to become the best in the competition. Walsh, in particular, has proven the greater the challenge, the higher he rises, as evidenced by his brilliant State of Origin initiation this year.
Storm coach Craig Bellamy is confident star halfback Jahrome Hughes will be fit to line up and overcome his knee injury, however Tyran Wishart has been named as 18th man as a precaution. Whether he takes the field or not will have a huge say on how Melbourne’s attack fires. Irrespective, we are tipping this Broncos attack to click into gear and pave a course to the grand final. Broncos by 4.
Nick Wright
Panthers (1) v Warriors (4)
Saturday 4.05pm, BlueBet Stadium
The final 15 minutes Penrith produced last weekend was a joy to watch, and the atmosphere inside BlueBet Stadium was electric. The Panthers have clicked into gear at the best time, especially their big guns. Nathan Cleary did not miss a beat in attack or defence, the halves combination with Jack Cogger has been seamless, while Dylan Edwards and Liam Martin – two of the club’s best all year – continue to cause all sorts of headaches for rivals. And what about Sunia Turuva, the little Fijian who continues to aim up and take the tough carries? An afternoon kick-off and a dry, fast deck, with 21,525 fans cheering them on, has the makings of a blowout.
The Warriors have been excellent, but have started to show signs of fatigue recently. Sure, they rested blokes against the Dolphins, but they took an eternity to put away lesser opposition, including the Tigers, Manly and the Dragons. Shaun Johnson is their key man, while Addin Fonua-Blake locking horns with James Fisher-Harris will be a heavyweight belter. The Warriors have points, the real issue is leaking them. Panthers by 14
Christian Nicolussi
Sharks (6) v Roosters (7)
Saturday 7.50pm, PointsBet Stadium
Given they have been playing it for the past five weeks, the pressure of sudden-death football won’t come as a shock to the Roosters. During that time, they have won all their must-win games, including the prized scalps of Parramatta and the Rabbitohs. It’s why a disappointing campaign to date – many picked them to take out the title – could have a surprise twist. Adding intrigue to the clash is the coach-off between Trent Robinson and Craig Fitzgibbon. The latter, having served a long apprenticeship at Bondi Junction, has taken Cronulla to successive finals series as a head coach. The Sharks won their only previous clash this season, a 22-12 victory in round seven at PointsBet Stadium. There has been much controversy about the choice of that venue for a play-off game, but there’s no doubt it will be a huge advantage to the hosts.
Reece Walsh, James Tedesco, Nathan Cleary, Kalyn Ponga and Shaun Johnson.Credit: NRL Photos
The Sharks have had to overcome a form slump to book their finals spot. While their record against top-eight teams remains a concern, they showed promising signs in winning four of their last five matches. But after finishing second and going out in straight sets last year, Fitzgibbon’s men need to progress or more questions will be raised about their bona fides. Will Kennedy has been named in the squad, raising hopes the underrated fullback has overcome his hamstring injury. Ditto Joseph Manu, who will be given every chance to prove his fitness. Roosters by 4
Adrian Proszenko
Knights (5) v Raiders (8)
Sunday 4.05pm, McDonald Jones Stadium
With great runs of form comes great expectation … and Newcastle have it all on them. A third-straight sellout will have the Hunter heaving on Sunday, and there is plenty of experience in their pack to deal with it in the Saifiti twins, Tyson Frizell and Adam Elliott. All eyes are on Jackson Hastings (ankle) and Kalyn Ponga (shoulder). Both are expected to return to Newcastle’s spine, and Ponga especially can expect a working over the first time he digs into the line. Dom Young and Greg Marzhew will be needed to take pressure off coming out of trouble, but this has been their forte all season.
Canberra will come up the highway with nothing to lose. Jamal Fogarty’s kicking game is one of their best assets. He had Cronulla’s Connor Tracey in all sorts last weekend and booted almost 600 metres in the first half. Jack Wighton is out in the centres again, where he has his moments but needs more involvement. The Raiders have lost Josh Papalii (biceps) and Corey Horsburgh (suspension) from their middle rotation, and it’s on Joseph Tapine to muscle up, with impressive rookie Hohepa Puru named to start at lock in just his second NRL game.
It’s hard to see anything but a Knights win, but funny things happen in finals. Adam O’Brien has this team humming when, just a few months ago, the drums were deafening around him being sacked. Now his biggest challenge is keeping a lid on the hype around his side. Knights by 14
Dan Walsh
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