KEY POINTS:
FRIDAY, SEPT 12
Sydney Roosters (4th, 15-9) v Brisbane Broncos (5th, 14-1-9) at Sydney Football Stadium, 9.45pm
Head to head: Roosters 11, Broncos 19
Most recent match: Broncos 20 bt Roosters 14 at SFS (Rd 2, 2008)
Form: Roosters - LLLWW; Broncos - LLWWW
A battle of the premiership smokeys. On paper both Brisbane and the Roosters can win the crown as they boast all-star lineups with title-winning experience. The Roosters have lost Willie Mason (knee) for the year and could be without Mark O'Meley (high tackle) and Setaimata Sa (late tackle) this week depending on the match review panel. Brisbane are near full-strength and look to be ready to peak at the right time.
SATURDAY, SEPT 13
Cronulla Sharks (3rd, 17-7) v Canberra Raiders (6th, 13-11) at Toyota Stadium, 6.30pm
Head to head: Sharks 27, Raiders 23
Most recent match: Sharks 36 bt Raiders 24 at Canberra Stadium (Rnd 16, 2008)
Form: Sharks - WLWWW; Raiders - WWWLW
Two of the real surprise packets of 2008. The Sharks confounding many by their ability to keep pace with the frontrunners and the Raiders defying wooden spoon predictions to charge home. They play very contrasting styles - the Sharks an impeccable defensive unit and Canberra one of the best attacking sides. Canberra will need to tighten defensively for any chance of upsetting Ricky Stuart's committed outfit.
Manly Sea Eagles (2nd, 17-7) v St George Illawarra (7th, 13-11) at Brookvale Oval, 8.30pm
Head to head: Sea Eagles 3, Dragons 9
Most recent match: Dragons 20 bt Sea Eagles 18 at Brookvale Oval (Rnd 11, 2008)
Form: Sea Eagles - LLWWW; Dragons - LWWWL
This is a massive danger game for the Sea Eagles who would have preferred anybody but the Dragons first up. St George Illawarra shocked Manly with a 20-18 win here earlier this year and, with the likes of Mark Gasnier and Matt Cooper, the red and whites are capable of anything. But Manly are a resilient football side and far more mature than last year. Jamie Lyon made a strong comeback from a knee injury last week and defensively there are few better than the Sea Eagles.
SUNDAY, SEPT 14
Melbourne Storm (1st, 17-7) v New Zealand Warriors (8th, 13-11) at Olympic Park, 4pm
Head to head: Storm 11, Warriors 9, Drawn 1
Most recent match: Warriors 8 bt Storm 6 at Mt Smart Stadium (Rnd 20, 2008)
Form: Storm - WWWLW; Warriors - WWLWW
Premiership favourites Melbourne have just one concern heading into this clash with lock Dallas Johnson suffering a knee injury in the last round belting of Souths. The Warriors won seven of their last nine games to get to this point however it could be a brief finals appearance against the rampant Storm. But if one side isn't daunted by Melbourne it is the Warriors. They beat them 8-6 only six weeks ago and also won at Olympic Park in a major upset in 2006.
HOW THE FINALS WORK
* The two highest placed winners from week one proceed directly to the third week for the preliminary finals.
* The two lowest placed losers are eliminated.
* The two other winners will host the two other losers next week in sudden death semi-finals.
- AAP