It’s the business end of the season and the four best teams will battle it out this weekend but only two can progress to the grand final.
The Storm and Panthers are the red-hot favourites to meet in the final game of the season, but the Roosters and Sharks are out to spoil the party.
There’s a handful of expected changes to the teams for the preliminary finals and some selection headaches still to be solved.
Read on for all of the team news ahead of the preliminary finals.
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Smith & Keary make finals statement | 02:07
FRIDAY
Melbourne Storm vs Sydney Roosters, 7:50pm AEST at AAMI Park
Week 1 Storm team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Christian Welch 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Alec MacDonald
Early mail: Exctiing young gun Sua Faalogo will be available for selection after overcoming a hamstring injury he suffered in the final round of the season. Faalogo has played 14 games this season in stints at fullback, wing and off the bench. He won’t unseat Will Wabrick or Xavier Coates but Craig Bellamy might find room for him on the bench at the expense of Tyran Wishart who played just 17 minutes in the qualifying final.
Last week’s Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sandon Smith 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Connor Watson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Sitili Tupouniua 22. Victor Radley 13. Naufahu Whyte 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Nat Butcher 17. Terrell May
Early mail: Victor Radley made a dramatic return for the Roosters’ elimination final which shifted Naufahu Whyte to the bench and Siua Wong dropped out of the 17. Trent Robinson is expected to go with the same side for their biggest game of the season.
Sharks finally break finals curse! | 03:00
SATURDAY
Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla Sharks, 7:50pm AEST at Accor Stadium
Week 1 Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 12. Liam Martin 17. Luke Garner 13. Isaah Yeo 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 18. Matt Eisenhuth 19. Brad Schneider
Early mail: Scott Sorensen was a late scratching for the Panthers’ qualifying final and he’s expected to return with Matt Eisenhuth shifting back to 18th Man. Brad Schneider was also a late addition in that match for Trent Toelau who has played nine games off the bench in his rookie season. Casey McLean was the 18th Man against the Sharks and could come into calculations.
Last week’s Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 22. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 3. Siosifa Talakai 15. Jack Williams 16. Royce Hunt 17. Thomas Hazelton
Early mail: After Jesse Ramien returned against the Sea Eagles and the side got through unscathed, Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon has his best 17 fit and available. Briton Nikora was put on report aginst Manly but escaped sanction, while Nicho Hynes is cleary still impacted by an ankle injury but will play.
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