The first week of this season's NRL finals series promises to be hugely entertaining, with Goliath vs. Goliath clashes in almost every match.

While fans will be eager to watch the league's best sides go head-to-head this weekend, there are a few individual match-ups that demand extra attention.

These are the key match-ups in the finals, Week 1.

1Canberra Raiders vs Brisbane Broncos: Kaeo Weekes vs Reece Walsh

NRL Rd 27 – Broncos v Storm
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 04: Reece Walsh of the Broncos looks to pass during the warm up before the round 27 NRL match between Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm at Suncorp Stadium, on September 04, 2025, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Talk about saving the best for last.

Sunday afternoon's duel between Reece Walsh and Kaeo Weekes promises to be the most fiery clash of the week.

Both in stellar form heading into finals, these two young stars will be hoping to proclaim themselves as the best fullbacks in the competition.

While Walsh has had more time in the spotlight in his career thus far, Weekes has shown he can battle it out with the best fullbacks in the world, and will be salivating at the prospect of cementing this notion when his side plays on Sunday.

The Raiders' success doesn't hinge on Weekes as much as the Broncos' does on Walsh, though, and the latter will need an unreal performance to get his side the win over the minor premiers.

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