Cronulla Sharks vs Penrith Panthers
Allianz Stadium, 7:40pm, Friday September 14
Team News: Scott Sorensen replaces Wade Graham in the back-row with Kurt Capewell joining the bench. Penrith are unchanged.
Injury Watch: Wade Graham will miss the remainder of the season and possibly the start of 2019 with an ACL tear.
Prediction: Beware the Panthers. Any side that has James Maloney is always a chance come finals time, and with Wade Graham set to miss the rest of the year with a knee injury, this could be Penrith's chance to strike. Cronulla have been the form team of the comp up until last week, where Cooper Cronk choked the life out of them and took Valentine Holmes out of the game. If Cleary and Maloney's kicking game is on song, then Cronulla could be in trouble. But the Sharks are too good to go out in straight sets, and will win this. Narrowly. Sharks by 2. 
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs St George Illawarra Dragons
ANZ Stadium, 7:40pm, Saturday September 15
Team News: South Sydney are unchanged. Kurt Mann replaces Gareth Widdop at five-eighth, with Hame Sele joining the bench.
Injury Watch: Gareth Widdop's season is over following his re-dislocated shoulder, though Jack de Belin has declared he'll be fit for the clash.
Prediction: Where has this Dragons outfit been all year? No one saw St George Illawarra winning last week, let alone score 48 points. South Sydney should have won last week, and will be battered and bruised after such an intense game. But with Greg Inglis and Adam Reynolds confirmed starters, and Sam Burgess wanting redemption for last weeks shocker, the Rabbitohs will be red hot. The Dragons put a lot of effort into getting themselves up for the Broncos game, and I think they'll be flat. The Rabbitohs should win here comfortably. South Sydney by 12.  
Point To Prove: Ben Hunt. The maligned halfback has moved from the 'struggle street' column to the 'point to prove' section after finally standing up to lead the Dragons to victory, in a game where they were given virtually no hope. Despite losing Gareth Widdop, James Graham and Jack de Belin, Hunt put his authority on the game, the challenge now is doing it again for 80 minutes against a Rabbitohs outfit that pushed Melbourne to the edge. 
Struggle Street: Sam Burgess. The big man said it himself, he let his side down. Three errors in the opening quarter of the game, along with conceding penalties and missing tackles, one of which on Brodie Croft led to a Storm try right on half time. The enforcer will be out for a big game against an in-form Dragons pack, and if he's at his bruising best, the Bunnies will go a long way to advancing to their fourth preliminary final in seven years. 
Photo of the Week:

Quote of the Week: "I'm an easy target" - Josh Dugan, getting emotional about his portrayal in the media.

Best Bet: Sharks 1-12. The Rabbitohs game does have the potential to blow out, but Penrith will be up for their clash, and with the Sharks being the best 'grinding' team in the competition, it should be a close one.