The NRL finals are finally here with eight clubs still in the hunt for the trophy – here is how each team is shaping up.
Finals Week 1 teams
All times AEST
Qualifying Final: 2 Panthers vs 3 Roosters at BlueBet Stadium: 7.50pm, Friday September 13
Panthers: Star halfback Nathan Cleary is still yet to be cleared to return from his shoulder injury.
“He has got a few hoops to jump through, but we’re hopeful,” said coach Ivan Cleary after Saturday night’s win over Gold Coast.
Win a Ziggy BBQ for Grand Final day, thanks to Barbeques Galore! Enter Here.
Roosters: Trent Robinson said Daniel Tupou and Dominic Young would return after getting a rest in the final round with Mark Nawaqanitawase making way despite his impressive debut.
Back-rower Nat Butcher will suit up after he sat out the win over Souths in the concussion protocols but Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (suspension), Brandon Smith (knee), Sam Walker (knee) and Victor Radley (shoulder) will be watching from the sidelines.
Qualifying Final: 1 Melbourne vs 4 Cronulla at AAMI Park: 4.05pm, Saturday September 14
Storm: Ryan Papenhuyzen will return at fullback after a week off to test his injured leg, replacing rookie Sua Fa’alogo who injured strained his hamstring in the win over Brisbane.
Second-rower Eliesa Katoa is free to play after only being fined for a hit on Tristan Sailor.
Sharks: Jesse Ramien was placed on report in the 46th minute of Sunday’s win over Manly for a high shot on Karl Lawton. He was not sin-binned as the referee deemed the first point of contact for the heavy hit was on his opponent’s chest. The centre failed to finish the match with an ankle complaint.
Oregon Kaufusi was rested from the win over Manly so Royce Hunt or Tom Hazleton could be squeezed out of the side to face the Storm.
Elimination Final: 5 North Qld vs 8 Newcastle at QCB Stadium: 7.50pm, Saturday September 14
Cowboys: Veteran prop Jordan McLean is due to return after a few weeks out with a hamstring problem with Harrison Edwards likely to be squeezed out of the game-day 17.
Knights: Jacob Saifiti (calf) and Kai Pearce-Paul (shin) are close to making a return.
Elimination Final: 6 Canterbury vs 7 Manly at ANZ Stadium: 4.05pm, Sunday September 15
Bulldogs: Bronson Xerri will return from a one-game ban for a hip-drop tackle that injured Manly flyer Jason Saab a fortnight ago. Josh Addo-Carr (ankle) and Jeral Skelton (leg) are set to come back with Jacob Kiraz in doubt with a shoulder problem.
Five-eighth Matt Burton (concussion) will replace Drew Hutchison.
Sea Eagles: Tom Trbojevic (shoulder) will be back but Jason Saab (ankle) is likely out for at least another week.
Manly coach Anthony Seibold said Trbojevic could have played in the final round against Cronulla but they kept him out of action as a precautionary measure.
“Tom will play, I’m less sure about Saaby,” he said.
Bench forward Corey Waddell will return after serving a two-game ban for a high shot.
with AAP