It is the best time of the year – it is the NRL Finals Series, where the competition’s best eight teams will light it up on their journey to the big dance.
Qualifying Final: Sydney Roosters vs Melbourne Storm
Allianz Stadium, Friday, 7:55pm
Kicking things off, the minor premiership winning Sydney Roosters will host the fourth-placed Melbourne Storm on Friday night at Allianz Stadium.
The winner of this clash will advance straight in to a preliminary final, leaving the two clubs just 80 minutes shy of a Grand Final appearance, while the loser will be forced to front up for a sudden-death semi-final next week.
The two clubs have been more successful than most in recent memory, so they are no strangers to the demands of finals football.
The most exciting match-up will be that of the two fullbacks, with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Cameron Munster both pulling on the number one jumper for their respective clubs.
The two breathtaking youngsters have set the world alight this season, and I see Tuivasa-Sheck getting the better of this battle, propelling his side to victory.
The men from Bondi have won twelve games in a row, and should continue their winning ways tonight.
Elimination Final: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs St. George Illawarra Dragons
ANZ Stadium, Saturday, 5:50pm
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and St. George Illawarra Dragons will go head-to-head in an Elimination Final on Saturday at ANZ Stadium.
Both sides have taken a hit in the playmaking department, with the Bulldogs losing outgoing halfback Trent Hodkinson for the remainder of the season.
The Dragons on the other hand have been dealt a rough hand with five-eighth Gareth Widdop.
The Bulldogs have rotated their three halves for the majority of the season, and while it is a big ask for young Moses Mbye, I believe he will be able to steer his side to victory.
The loss of Widdop will prove too much to overcome for the Red V, bringing down the curtain on their season.
Qualifying Final: Brisbane Broncos vs North Queensland Cowboys
Suncorp Stadium, Saturday, 7:55pm
Arguably the most exciting match-up in Week One of the NRL Finals Series is the Queensland Derby at Suncorp Stadium.
Two of the most dominant spines in the competition will ensure this clash is one for the ages.
The Cowboys welcome back five-eighth Michael Morgan to partner Dally M Medal favourite Johnathan Thurston, whilst Brisbane’s Ben Hunt will slot in to the number seven jumper.
Former Bronco Jake Granville may hold the key to victory for North Queensland, with one of the game’s brightest hookers in Andrew McCullough promising to be an X-Factor for the hosts.
Of the four clashes in Week One of the NRL Finals Series, this one looks to be the toughest to call, given the fluctuating form lines of both teams.
A home crowd may just give Brisbane the edge, which will see them book a preliminary final spot.
Elimination Final: South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Allianz Stadium, Sunday, 4:10pm
The Rabbitohs’ premiership defence faces judgement day on Sunday, as the cardinal and myrtle suit up for an Elimination Final against the Sharks.
Cronulla welcome back Andrew Fifita and Ben Barba on an extended bench, while the Bunnies lose George Burgess to a two-game suspension.
The loss of Burgess is a massive blow for the Bunnies – expect their title defence to end this weekend at Allianz Stadium.
As a parting word, if we are treated to any games as good as the New South Wales Country Rugby League Group 21 Grand Final, we as fans can count ourselves lucky.
In the upper-Hunter region, Denman and Scone had a battle for the ages as they sought to be crowned premiers, going in to extra-time for no less than 48 minutes.
With the two sides locked at 20-all at full-time, it was Denman that would secure the silverware, finally crossing the line to break the deadlock after 128 minutes of play.
