AAA<\/p>\n
And just like that, after seven months of grinding, brutal rugby league, only eight teams are left in the NRL premiership race.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve got nine games left in the season. Best not to dwell on that too long. Not when we\u2019ve got four fascinating finals<\/a> to look forward to this weekend. Here\u2019s how I see each of them being won and lost, the superstars I\u2019m watching closest and the little details I\u2019m keeping an eye out for as well.<\/p>\n Two attacking geniuses collide, but Murray owns the middle<\/p>\n These sides are attack-minded, which as an old playmaker makes me very, very happy. South Sydney against Newcastle on a dry track at Allianz Stadium should equate to points, points and more points.<\/p>\n And for both teams, it\u2019s all about one man more than any other: Kalyn Ponga.<\/p>\n For South Sydney, it\u2019s how they keep a lid on him. For Newcastle, it\u2019s how they get him one-on-one with Rabbitohs defenders.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n I\u2019m worried about the Knights\u2019 middle forwards, they\u2019ve got a really tough job ahead of them given their two best big men this year Jacob Saifiti (suspended) and Trey Mooney (fractured scapula) will both be watching from the sidelines.<\/p>\n Newcastle\u2019s discipline has to be first-class \u2013 which means no penalties or cheap field position. If the Rabbitohs get their favourite set plays on, then the Knights are in for a long night.<\/p>\n Time to step up: For Newcastle to keep their season alive, they need a 9\/10 or even a 10\/10 performance from Ponga. His X-factor and speed on the edges is how they rattle the Rabbitohs\u2019 big names, particularly when he combines with the left-edge strike power of Bradman Best.<\/p>\n Cody Walker holds the key for South Sydney<\/a>, and in turn, Cameron Murray sets up so much of all their good play with his influence, leg speed and footy smarts in the middle. If he creates room for Cody, watch out, because it brings Latrell Mitchell and friends into the game<\/a> as well.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n What to watch for: Cameron Murray\u2019s late footwork at the line and quick play-the-ball.<\/p>\n The power and pace of Newcastle\u2019s left-edge, particularly from Bradman Best and Greg Marzhew, who is just a beast on the wing.<\/p>\n Joey\u2019s tip: Rabbitohs by 12 The Wahs\u2019 big men and the NRL\u2019s next big thing<\/p>\n This is a real clash of contrasts and predictions of wet and windy conditions would suit the Warriors more than the freewheeling Dolphins.<\/p>\n The Warriors have been flat in the past two weeks against Newcastle and Manly. But I have no doubt they\u2019ve had one eye on the finals and I expect them to come flying out of the blocks, like they did when they rumbled Penrith a month ago.<\/p>\n The Dolphins have to start fast and get quality ball to their left edge early. Test out the Warriors\u2019 right side defence. Herbie Farnworth, Selwyn Cobbo and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow are all amazing attacking threats \u2013 don\u2019t let them go to waste.<\/p>\n For the Warriors, they\u2019ve got to go after Isaiya Katoa and wear him out with a big defensive workload. Apart from that, they\u2019ve already got the perfect blueprint for finals footy. Andrew Webster learned it at Penrith and has adapted it to the Warriors\u2019 strengths \u2013 power forwards, high completions, kick to the corners and sound discipline.<\/p>\n Time to step up: The Warriors\u2019 middle forwards are their strength<\/a> and their leaders. With a huge home atmosphere, James Fisher-Harris, Mitch Barnett and Erin Clark can set up victory in the first 30 minutes if they get on top.<\/p>\n For the visitors, Isaiya Katoa is the focal point of everything they do. He\u2019s the best young player in the NRL<\/a> and the key to their lethal left edge. Katoa has all the tricks of a genuine No.7 \u2013 the temperament, kicking game, ball control, pass selection. I\u2019m fascinated to see how he handles his first finals game.<\/p>\n What to watch for: How Erin Clark readies his body for contact. He\u2019s not a massive middle forward by any means. But he can bump off defenders regularly \u2013 he\u2019s got great balance and body positioning.<\/p>\n The speed, footwork and agility of Herbie Farnworth. One-on-one, defenders just can\u2019t stop him, because he\u2019s not a small man. He\u2019s 100kg, and he\u2019s so quick and agile.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Joey\u2019s tip: Warriors by eight The gambler and the million-dollar marquee man<\/p>\n Now this game I can honestly say I have no idea how it\u2019s going to play out. But what I can\u2019t say loud enough is Cronulla fans, get up, get over Tom Uglys Bridge, and fill up Allianz Stadium<\/a>. The Cowboys won\u2019t have many fans travelling, so make the 40-minute trip up the road to a world-class stadium and make it your fortress for the night.<\/p>\n North Queensland desperately need to find consistency in their game. And I don\u2019t necessarily mean from week-to-week, I mean from one set to the next. The Cowboys\u2019 strength is their right-side attack and they\u2019ll ask plenty of questions of Cronulla, but their own defence is a real issue too \u2013 41.5 missed tackles ranks them 16th in the NRL for the season.<\/p>\n For the Sharks, it\u2019s the same question every year as they limp into the finals with one win from their last five games. Have they got another gear? Personally, I don\u2019t think so, I think the Cowboys have got an upset in them.<\/p>\n Time to step up: All eyes are on Braydon Trindall returning from injury but for me, it\u2019s Nicho Hynes who needs to fire. He needs to own the result. That\u2019s the responsibility that comes with being the highest-paid player at your club and a marquee player.<\/p>\n Scott Drinkwater is North Queensland\u2019s most creative player when he jumps into the front line. They\u2019re all-in on him \u2013 good, bad, rocks or diamonds, that\u2019s just how he plays.<\/p>\n What to watch for: The connection between Tom Dearden and Heilum Luki on North Queensland\u2019s right edge \u2013 particularly Dearden\u2019s short balls to the big man.<\/p>\n And for Cronulla, Blayke Brailey\u2019s service from dummy-half, especially close to the tryline, is elite. His long pass is a thing of beauty, and exactly what you want as a playmaker \u2013 hitting you out in front every time.<\/p>\n Joey\u2019s tip: Cowboys by four Seventh heaven: Which champion prevails?<\/p>\n The Roosters prevailed in a 12-6 epic<\/a> the last time these two teams clashed but watching Penrith last week against the Tigers, I think it\u2019ll be all-out attack from the Panthers \u2013 they love a Sunday afternoon after all.<\/p>\n I still can\u2019t believe Isaah Yeo is playing with a ruptured pectoral<\/a>. The man is a machine. The Roosters are without Sam Walker, so how they tweak their attack is interesting. I\u2019m a big fan of his replacement Hugo Savala. He\u2019s a really intelligent player and a steady half, he\u2019ll ensure the side sticks to Trent Robinson\u2019s game plan.<\/p>\n And then it\u2019s on Daly Cherry-Evans to go back to being that on-ball halfback he was at Manly \u2013 like riding a bike, you\u2019d think.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n I don\u2019t think the Roosters will get too many chances against this Penrith side. And even when they do, what impressed me most about the Panthers last week was their scramble defence as they secured the minor premiership. Dylan Edwards was just everywhere snuffing out Tigers tries.<\/p>\n Time to step up: No surprises here, and it won\u2019t surprise either when he does, because Nathan Cleary is the best big-game player in the NRL. He\u2019s the best player in the NRL by a long way.<\/p>\n One thing I have noticed of late is he\u2019s been launching torpedo bombs, which is an extremely difficult kick to nail in a game, and one he rarely attempts, which just shows how comfortable and confident he is right now.<\/p>\n For the Roosters, it\u2019s Cherry-Evans. Even if Walker was fit, this is why DCE was brought to the club<\/a> \u2013 to lead them in these games. The Roosters need his long kicking game and they need him getting good early ball to Rob Toia and Mark Nawaqanitawase.<\/p>\n Related Article What to watch for: Moses Leota sets the tone for Penrith with his carries. We talk about Manly\u2019s Nathan Brown coming off the back fence, well Moses comes in from the corporate boxes.<\/p>\n And for the Roosters, Rob Toia\u2019s right-foot step will take your breath away. He is so sharp and powerful off it, it\u2019s easy to forget this is just his second season of NRL.<\/p>\n Joey\u2019s tip: Panthers by 14 Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n
First try-scorer: Latrell Mitchell
Man of the match: Cameron Murray<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/eebce152e21d26017355663c07f23b0155434629.jpeg\")
The Warriors are a formidable prospect on home soil.Getty Images<\/p>\n
First try-scorer: Alofiana Khan-Pereira
Man of the match: Erin Clark<\/p>\n![\"Immortal](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/4d153f93f25f05d6ab801774d5133e36a80c1a11.jpeg\")
Immortal inspection: The main men who will decide this week\u2019s NRL finals.Monique Westermann<\/p>\n
First try-scorer: Ronaldo Mulitalo
Man of the match: Tom Dearden<\/p>\n![\"ARL](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/ecae1ed2b514797807939742580b4c4432468096.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
First try-scorer: Tom Jenkins
Man of the match: Nathan Cleary<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
![\"Andrew](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/54e3daf438194693e706b65570bf349f98818d7c.png\")