League: Mcintyre Finals system

WEEK ONE

Qualifying finals, eight teams

* Top four earn home ground advantage.

* Top finisher from regular season plays bottom finisher.

* Two plays seven, three plays six, five plays four.

* Two lowest-ranked losing teams eliminated.

* Two highest-ranked winners get next weekend off.

* Only teams one and two guaranteed second life.

Top eight: Recent form

Roosters

WWWW 48-10 Eels (a), 30-24 Warriors (a), 38-22 Raiders (a), 44-12 Penrith (h)

Casualty ward: Peter Cusack (prop, knee, 2wks).

2003 2nd, 2002 1st, 2001 6th.


Bulldogs

WWLW 54-10 Warriors (a), 52-6 Knights (h), 12-22 Storm (a), 46-18 Broncos (a)

Casualty ward: Jamaal Lolesi (centre, ankle, 2wks). Gone: Dennis Scoot (utility, knee).

2003 3rd, 2002 last (salary cap deductions), 2001 2nd.


Broncos

LLDW 20-46 Penrith (a), 18-46 Bulldogs (h), 34-34 Rabbitohs (a), 24-20 Wests (h)

Casualty ward: Shane Webcke (prop, calf*), Scott Minto (wing, neck*), Darren Lockyer (five-eighth, ribs*), Tonie Carroll (lock, shoulder*), Shaun Berrigan (centre, shoulder*). Gone: Brett Seymour (halfback, knee), David Stagg (lock, leg break), Michael De Vere (centre, knee), Michael Ryan (hooker, knee), Barry Berrigan (hooker, neck).

2003 8th, 2002 3rd, 2001 5th.


Panthers

WWWL 46-20 Broncos (h), 30-20 Eels (a), 56-5 Cowboys (h), 12-44 Roosters (a)

Casualty ward: Tony Puletua (second row, knee*), Joe Galuvao (second row, shoulder*). Gone: Luke Swain (centre, neck).

Suspended: Ben Ross (prop, 2wks)

2003 1st, 2002 12th, 2001 last.


Dragons

BWWW Bye, 36-34 Manly (h), 24-22 Knights (a), 28-10 Warriors (h)

Casualty ward: Luke Bailey (prop, pectoral tear*), Mark Gasnier (centre, collarbone, 1wk).

2003 10th, 2002 7th, 2001 7th.


Storm

LWWW 28-30 Manly (a), 36-28 Sharks (a), 22-12 Bulldogs (h), 36-18 Raiders (a)

Casualty ward: Stephen Kearney (second row, knee*), Billy Slater (fullback, groin*), Matt Orford (halfback, knee*), Kirk Reynoldson (prop, calf, 1wk).

2003 5th, 2002 10th, 2001 9th.


Cowboys

WWLW 36-20 Sharks (h), 24-12 Wests (a), 6-56 Penrith (a), 36-22 Raiders (h)

Casualty ward: Kevin Campion (second row, pectoral tear*), Paul Rauhihi (prop, calf*), Matt Sing (wing, jaw*), Glenn Morrison (second row, neck*). Gone: Jamie McDonald (prop, arm), Chris Sheppard (halfback, knee).

2003 11th, 2002 11th, 2001 13th.


Raiders

WBLL 62-22 Souths (h), bye, 22-38 Roosters (h), 18-36 Storm (h)

Casualty ward: Ruben Wiki (second row, ankle, 4wks) Gone: Luke Davico (prop, pectoral tear), Alan Tongue (second row, shoulder).

Suspended: Simon Woolford (hooker and captain, 2wks).

2003 4th, 2002 8th, 200111th.


* may recover

Peter Jessup's Prediction

* Week One: Roosters eliminate Raiders, Bulldogs eliminate Cowboys, Panthers beat Dragons, Broncos beat Storm

* Week Two: Panthers to beat Storm, Dragons to beat Broncos

* Week Three: Bulldogs to beat the Dragons, Roosters to beat the Panthers

* Grandfinal: Roosters to beat Bulldogs (October 3)