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:

1Nicho Hynes (Cronulla Sharks)

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ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 31: Nicholas Hynes of the Blues looks dejected after defeat during game one of the 2023 State of Origin series between the Queensland Maroons and New South Wales Blues at Adelaide Oval on May 31, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

There is no more polarising player in the game than Nicho Hynes.

The Sharks halfback has won a Dally M medal, has more line-break assists in the competition than anyone this season and as been the Sharks main man since the second he arrived in the Shire.

That said, until he delivers a best on ground performance in a winning Finals game, he will always carry the tags he has been given.

Hynes was the Sharks' best in both of their Finals games in 2020. Easily! Both games were losses.

I was at the Sharks/Cowboys Final last year, and even with Cronulla comfortably in the lead, Cowboys fans were still yelling at Hynes about "head noise".

Is it right? Debatable. Is it fair? Not at all. Is it a cold hard fact that Hynes has yet to deliver for the Sharks under the brightest of lights? Undisputedly!

The only way the Sharks can beat the Roosters is if Hynes plays well. If he doesn't, then the talks of his struggles under pressure will intensify.

I don't think it's hyperbole to suggest that Saturday evening is the biggest game of Nicho's career.

No player will have as big of a bearing on their team's fortunes this weekend, positively or negatively.

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