South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. Wests Tigers
ANZ Stadium, 7:50pm, Thursday August 30
Team News: Robert Jennings returns on the left wing, pushing Hymel Hunt to the bench, and Tyrell Fuimaono out of the side. Dean Britt replaces Junior Tatola on the bench. Elijah Taylor returns at lock, pushing Matt Eisenhuth to prop to cover for the injured Russel Packer.
Injury Watch: Packer misses the Tigers final clash of the season with a knee injury.
Prediction: The Rabbitohs have to make a statement here, or at least escape with a win, if they want to head into this finals series with confidence. The Tigers kept their season alive with a win over Manly, but victories from both the Warriors and Brisbane quickly ended the slim hopes of a finals berth. Wests managed a 22-6 win over the Bunnies in their last encounter, but a week out from the finals and finally back to full strength, the Rabbits will snare a win in this one. Rabbitohs by 8.
New Zealand Warriors vs. Canberra Raiders
Mt Smart Stadium, 6pm, Friday August 31
Team News: Gerard Beale replaces Leviaha Pulu on the interchange bench. Canberra are unchanged.
Injury Watch: Blake Green misses another week with a calf strain.
Prediction: Oh what might have been if Canberra had Josh Hodgson for the entire season. Back-to-back wins over the Roosters and Rabbitohs have shown the Raiders faithful what might have been, but on the other side of the ditch, Warriors fans are ecstatic, with their club securing their first finals appearance since the 2011 Grand Final. Home turf and Simon Mannering's 300th should push New Zealand to a win, but it'll be close, and high scoring. Warriors by 4.
Melbourne Storm vs. Penrith Panthers
AAMI Park, 7:55pm, Friday August 31
Team News: Tim Glasby starts with Christian Welch dropping back to the bench. James Maloney returns at five-eighth, pushing Tyrone Peachey to centre in place of the injured Dean Whare. Billy Slater will miss due to a family emergency.
Injury Watch: Dean Whare's season may well be over after fracturing his arm against the Warriors. Ryan Hoffman has been named in the reserves for Melbourne.
Prediction: James Maloney's return is a huge inclusion for the Penny Panthers, and a rest (finally) will have done him a world of good. Melbourne are still understrength, with the likes of Nelson Asofa-Solomona amd Suliasi Vunivalu aiming for next week, and their indecision over the number seven jersey may come back to bite them. But a team led by Cameron Smith won't lose a golden opportunity like this to wrap up the minor premiership. No one has given Penrith much of a chance in this one, expect it to be a close affair, but on home soil the Storm will sneak home. Storm by 2.
Newcastle Knights vs. St George Illawarra Dragons
ANZ Stadium, 3pm, Saturday September 1
Team News: Jack Cogger replaces Connor Watson at five-eighth. Jamie Buhrer starts in the back-row in place of the concussed Lachlan Fitzgibbon, with Jacob Lillyman and debutant Tom Starling joining the bench, and Luke Yates dropping out. Jason Nightingale and Euan Aitken are both injured for the Dragons, with Matt Dufty returning to the starting side at fullback and youngster Zac Lomax starting at centre. Blake Lawrie replaces Jacob Host on the bench.
Injury Watch: Euan Aitken will miss 2-3 weeks with a hamstring injury, while Nightingale's career appears over following a hyperextended elbow.
Prediction: What has happened to the Dragons? Leading the competition for the majority of the season, St George now appear almost certain to miss out on a top four spot following an absolute drubbing at the hands of the Bulldogs. The Knights are expecting their biggest crowd of the season, with over 25,000 tickets sold for their annual old boys day clash. However, the Dragons need a win on the eve of finals and they may just pinch one here, but Mitchell Pearce will have his side amped to bring this season to an end in style. Dragons by 1.
Gold Coast Titans vs. North Queensland Cowboys
Cbus Super Stadium, 5:30pm, Saturday September 1
Team News: The Gold Coast are unchanged, while Te Maire Martin returns at five-eighth in place of Jake Clifford, while Shaun Fensom replaces Francis Molo on the bench.
Injury Watch: No immediate concerns.
Prediction: The only clash of the weekend that features two teams that won't play finals footy. The Titans have been really impressive in the last few weeks on the back of strong showings from Ash Taylor and especially AJ Brimson, however it's Jonathan Thurston's final game. Ever. Some regard him as the greatest player to ever lace a boot, and being the last time he runs out onto a football field, the Gold Coast have nearly sold out Cbus Super Stadium. The Cowboys lifted last week in his final home game, and will lift again to send JT out a winner. One last show-and-go try would be a fairytale finish to a glittering career. Cowboys by 10.
Parramatta Eels vs. Sydney Roosters
ANZ Stadium, 7:45pm, Saturday September 1
Team News: Parramatta have reshuffled their line-up yet again, with Jarryd Hayne shifting to fullback, Corey Norman to five-eighth, Jaeman Salmon to the bench, Bevan French returns on the wing, Reed Mahoney starts at hooker and Cameron King drops out. Jared Warea-Hargreaves replaces Dylan Napa at prop.
Injury Watch: Dylan Napa has accepted a three-game ban for his brutal shot on Andrew McCullough.
Prediction: Similar to the Rabbitohs, the Roosters need to stop their losing streak and get back into the winners circle, and who better than the last placed Parramatta Eels. The blue and gold have one hand on the wooden spoon, what will be their fourth in seven years, and a Roosters outfit who could still potentially finish on the top of the table will fire, even with without the fiery hardman Dylan Napa. Luke Keary and Cooper Cronk will take this chance to gel a little more before the finals, this could be a cricket score if the tricolours click early. Roosters by 20.
Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs vs. Cronulla Sharks
ANZ Stadium, 2pm, Sunday September 2
Team News: The Bulldogs are unchanged, while Matt Moylan returns at five-eighth in place of Kyle Flanagan.
Injury Watch: Rhyse Martin will play despite only lasting a matter of minutes last weekend.
Prediction: Who knows! Canterbury are showing glimpses of brilliance of late on the back of the likes of Lachlan Lewis and the unsung Adam Elliot, with back-to-back wins over the finals bound Warriors and Dragons a sight of what could have been. Meanwhile Cronulla were brilliant against Newcastle, and will be mighty keen to cement a top four spot, and probably face off against Melbourne in week one of the finals. Cronulla should snare the win, but the Bulldogs will farewell the Morris brothers with everything they have. Sharks by 6.
Brisbane Broncos vs. Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Suncorp Stadium, 4:10pm, Sunday September 2
Team News: Jake Turpin replaces Andrew McCullough at hooker. Matt Wright replaces Jorge Taufua on the wing with Taniela Paseka called up on the bench. Martin Taupau returns to the starting side with Shaun Lane in the second row and Jack Gosiewski reverting to the bench.
Injury Watch: McCullough will miss the game following a huge concussion last week.
Prediction: Depending on other results, this could be Sam Thaiday's farewell to Suncorp. A stadium where he has notched over 100 wins, clinched Origin series, played international Tests, he isn't going to want to finish on a sour note. Manly look spent, they tried their heart out against both the Titans and Tigers in recent weeks, but couldn't find the killer blow. And with so much off field noise, it's easy to get sidetracked, and Wayne Bennett will have his men focused on the two points on offer. Cherry-Evans will have fond memories of the ground after his successful return to Origin in July, but it won't a happy day for the Manly skipper on Sunday evening. Brisbane by 14.
Point To Prove: Jarryd Hayne. While reports claim he's close, Hayne is yet to secure a contract for 2019, and Brad Arthur shifting the superstar to fullback could be exactly what he needs to confirm he deserves a spot in the side. Hayne has certainly improved in the last six weeks, and showed he has what it takes to be a dominant and freakish force in the NRL. It just comes down to how much effort he applies. Another one-year deal could be the perfect answer.
Struggle Street: Ben Hunt. I could put the Queensland halfback's name here every week since Origin II, his confidence is absolutely shot. Widdop's injury gave Hunt a chance to stand up and show that this is his team, and he simply hasn't. The effort wasn't there against the Bulldogs, and the former Brisbane half symbolises his entire team when I say he looks spent. If he doesn't find some of that early season form this week, a first week exit in the finals looms for St George Illawarra.
Photo of the Week:
Quote of the Week: "Every club in the NRL, that includes the Sharks, are cap compliant in 2018. The 2018 finals series will not be affected by this investigation." - Todd Greenberg confirms Cronulla are under the cap ahead of the 2018 Finals Series
Special Mention: Quick mention to Jacob Lillyman, Chris Heighington, Kevin Naiqama, Blake Austin and Jonathan Thurston who will all depart the NRL at the end of this round through either retirement or a move to the Super League. Entertainers and role models, we thank them for all they've done.
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