After 27 amazing rounds of NRL action, we have reached the greatest time of the year: Finals time!
I would argue that we have three games this weekend that rest on a knife's edge. The other could see us all end up with egg on our face if the Warriors upset Penrith.
The Sharks/Roosters looks like the closest game of the weekend. The betting odds back that up.
It could come down to one play. One bounce of the ball. One decision.
Below, we're going to look at five players, I believe, who will help decide fixtures this weekend.
This won't necessarily be a list of the biggest names. Of course, Nathan Cleary is important to Penrith's chances, but he's entering his first Finals series without a certain halves partner for many years.
Simply put, if the player listed below doesn't fire, then their respective team cannot win.
With that said, below are five players who will decide their Finals match-up:
2Reece Walsh (Brisbane Broncos)
There is an argument that Reece Walsh is the form player of the competition right now. The undoubted key to a Broncos Premiership tilt.
A month ago, fans were calling for him to be dropped, saying that the Broncos can't win the comp with him at fullback. Too erratic.
That sums up Reece Walsh.
There's a famous clip of an Italian soccer coach using a quote: "sometimes maybe good, sometimes maybe" ... not so good!
I love watching the Broncos superstar play. You literally never know what you are going to get.
He can be scoring worldly tries from anywhere on the park one minute yet handing the opposition a try the next. Sometimes in the very next set.
If he plays well, the Broncos can go all the way. They can beat the Minor Premiers in Canberra. No doubt.
If he plays badly, Canberra can absolutely walk the Broncos and set up a home Prelim.
There is no more entertaining player in the game. There's only one player more important to his team's fortunes this weekend.
