Week One of the 2023 Finals is upon us. We've been presented with three mouth-watering clashes, as well as an expected Newcastle win over Canberra.
Week One of the Finals can be very hit or miss.
Sometimes, you get game of the year contenders. Other times, unfortunately, the pretenders are separated from the contenders in a brutal fashion.
Everyone remembers the Grand Finals. Prelims too. Sometimes, though, games that take place in the weeks prior fall away from our memory.
Today is a day to revive some of those Week One classics.
In the spirit of the Top Eight battling it out this weekend, we've narrowed it down to our top eight games from Week One of the Finals since 2013:
1. Roosters 4 def Manly 0 - 2013
Not only was this the best Week One Final's game of the past decade, it can lay claim to be one of the best games of all time.
If you haven't seen this game, you'd look at the score-line and raise your eyebrows at such an outlandish claim.
One try was scored across 80 minutes. Only four line breaks were made. The Roosters, who won, didn't even register a single line break. Manly completed at only 65%.
This was the most brutal game of modern Rugby League that I can ever remember.
Defensively, this game was undoubtedly the best game potentially ever.
I was there that night, and I still have no idea how Manly didn't run up a score. They had all the running, made all the breaks and looked destined to win this game.
The Roosters absolutely belted the Manly ball carriers close to the line, forcing a series of game-saving errors.
When Roger Tuivasa-Sheck crossed for the Roosters in the ninth minute, I thought we were in for a night to remember. We were but for totally different reasons.
It's tough to enjoy a highlights package of the game, but on the night, this was the most entertaining, brutal and perfect Finals footy game I can ever remember.
Ah Dan, how I envy your memory. The only one I can recall is Sharks v Cows.
Comes of being old, I guess.