Cameron Smith and Matty Johns have agreed on who they feel will make the 2021 NRL Grand Final with two sides clear favourites to make the decider.
The pair hypothesised that Melbourne and South Sydney will be the team battling it out for the premiership on October 3 off the back of the Rabbitohs' upset win over Penrith in week one.
Both sides have had strong home-and-away seasons with the former taking out the minor premiership and coming tantalisingly close to achieving an historic 20 wins in a row.
The Rabbitohs finished in third place, four wins clear of fourth-placed Manly and last week outlasted Penrith to set up a home preliminary final date against the winner of the Sea Eagles and Roosters semi.
Speaking on SEN 1170 Breakfast, Melbourne Storm legend Cam Smith explained that it would take something extraordinary to prevent his prediction from coming to fruition.
"I think itโs Melbourne and the Rabbitohs,โ Smith said.
โI think itโs pretty clear cut now, after the loss on the weekend, Penrith will have to play their absolute best game of the season to reach a Grand Final.
โFirstly, theyโve got to get through Parramatta, then theyโll have to go through Melbourne who were red hot on Friday night.
โThen the Rabbits, they looked so composed, they played a solid style of football that works so well in finals.
โI donโt see either of the Roosters or Manly beating the Rabbitohs after what I saw on the weekend.โ
Smith's former side comprehensively defeated Manly on the Gold Coast last Friday evening, beating Des Hasler's side 40-12.
Ryan Papenhuyzen had a night to remember as he scored two tries and ran the show for Craig Bellamy's side to book a preliminary final spot against Parramatta or Penrith.
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Matty Johns on the other side of the panel highlighted how the Souths knocking off Penrith 16-10 on Saturday night has turned the narrative of finals on it's head.
โI said the loser of Melbourne and Manly couldnโt rebound to win the comp, but that was purely off if Penrith won in week one, I couldnโt see [South Sydney] beating the Panthers,โ Johns said.
โBut after that game, itโs really changed a lot of stuff.
Johns also noted the weeks break that Melbourne and the Rabbitohs have and how it should play into their hands - especially in another COVID-marred finals series.
โWe used to think all the time whether it was better to have the week off, or keep playing to gain momentum,โ the Newcastle legend said.
โItโs undeniable now that the advantage the week off gives you.
โFor that reason, Iโm with Cameron, Iโm with Souths, and theyโll play Melbourne."
The semi-finals kick off this week with Manly and Sydney doing battle on Friday night in Mackay.
The other fixture sees the Panthers going up against the Eels at the same venue with Penrith going in as clear favourites, especially considering their previous victory over Parramatta in Round 25 which ended 40-6.
