The finals have arrived in the NRL, with some blockbuster clashes to look forward to in the opening week.
Melbourne and Canterbury will kick off proceedings on Friday night, and both clubs are managing injury issues that arose from the last round of the regular season.
Penrith will fancy their chances of progressing through in their elimination final as the reigning premiers have a clean bill of health as they travel across to New Zealand.
Meanwhile, the Sydney Roosters are also in a sweet spot ahead of their clash against the Cronulla Sharks, who will be able to call upon their talisman Nicho Hynes after a welcome reprieve.
Finally, Canberra will welcome its stars back after they were rested in Round 27 as the minor premiers prepare to take on the red-hot Brisbane Broncos.
MORE: All the latest injury news and updates for every NRL club
Melbourne Storm vs. Canterbury Bulldogs
(Friday, September 12 at AAMI Park, 7:50pm)
Melbourne predicted team:
1. Nick Meaney
2. Will Warbrick
3. Jack Howarth
4. Grant Anderson
5. Xavier Coates
6. Cameron Munster
7. Jonah Pezet
8. Stefano Utoikamanu
9. Harry Grant
10. Josh King
11. Ativalu Lisati
12. Eli Katoa
13. Trent Loiero
14. Tyran Wishart
15. Alec MacDonald
16. Tui Kamakimica
17. Joe Chan
Storm team news:
It couldn't have gone much worse for Craig Bellamy and the Storm last week as injuries plunged the club's finals campaign into chaos.
Jahrome Hughes, who was returning from a shoulder injury against Brisbane, suffered a fractured forearm, which is likely to sideline him for the rest of the season.
Ryan Papenhuyzen suffered a head knock in the closing stages of the defeat and has been ruled out of the qualifying final.
Meanwhile, Nelson Asofa-Solomona copped yet another suspension after getting charged for a high tackle. Stefano Utoikamanu will replace the enforcer after being rested in Round 27.
How Bellamy shuffles his deck in the spine will be interesting, as the coach could go one of several ways.
Nick Meaney could be moved to fullback, with Jack Howarth set to return from a groin injury in the centres. Alternatively, Cameron Munster could switch to the back to cover for Papenhuyzen like he did a few weeks ago.
Sua Faalogo also looms as a potential candidate for the No.1 jersey after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Tyran Wishart and Jonah Pezet are in a battle to grab the halfback role following the injury to Hughes.
In a major boost, Harry Grant will return to the side at hooker after missing the last two games due to suspension. He will push Bronson Garlick out of the team.
Ativalu Lisati was handed a start in the absence of Shawn Blore, with the forward set to battle with Joe Chan for a starting spot in the backrow this week.
Canterbury predicted team:
1. Connor Tracey
2. Enari Tuala
3. Jacob Kiraz
4. Stephen Crichton
5. Jethro Rinakama
6. Matt Burton
7. Lachlan Galvin
8. Max King
9. Bailey Hayward
10. Samuel Hughes
11. Viliame Kikau
12. Jacob Preston
13. Jaeman Salmon
14. Kurt Mann
15. Sitili Tupouniua
16. Josh Curran
17. Reed Mahoney
Bulldogs team news:
Canterbury suffered a few injuries during the last round of the regular season when they were battered by Cronulla.
Bronson Xerri copped a head knock that ruled him out of the majority of the game and the qualifying final this week, while Marcelo Montoya sustained an ankle injury in the closing stages.
In a major boost, Jacob Kiraz could return ahead of schedule to regain his place in the backline. The Lebanon international could slot into the centres or go to the wing, with Enari Tuala keeping his place in the backline.
Jethro Rinakama is likely to bag a spot on the other flank as cover for Montoya.
Matt Burton and Viliame Kikau were in the wars against the Sharks, but managed to get through the clash and will take their places in the side.
Sam Hughes dropped to the bench in a late move by Cameron Ciraldo last week, although the prop is likely to be listed to start in this one. Josh Curran will revert to being used off the pine.
New Zealand Warriors vs. Penrith Panthers
(Saturday, September 13 at Go Media Stadium, 4:05pm)
New Zealand predicted team:
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
3. Adam Pompey
4. Kurt Capewell
5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
6. Chanel Harris-Tavita
7. Tanah Boyd
8. James Fisher-Harris
9. Wayde Egan
10. Tanner Stowers-Smith
11. Leka Halasima
12. Marata Niukore
13. Erin Clark
14. Te Maire Martin
15. Jackson Ford
16. Demitric Vaimauga
17. Jacob Laban
Warriors team news:
Rocco Berry suffered a dislocated shoulder during his side's clash against Manly last week and has been sent to the casualty ward yet again.
The luckless centre will likely be joined in there by Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, who also suffered a shoulder issue against the Sea Eagles.
Kurt Capewell may be moved to the backline to cover for Berry, while Leka Halasima could be promoted from the bench to start in the backrow.
In some welcome good news for the Warriors, Jackson Ford will be available after serving a suspension, while Wayde Egan is also set to return after missing Round 27 due to a hip complaint.
Jacob Laban could also be brought back into the fold via the bench after being sidelined for an extended period with a leg injury.
Penrith predicted team:
1. Dylan Edwards
2. Thomas Jenkins
3. Izack Tago
4. Casey McLean
5. Brian To'o
6. Blaize Talagi
7. Nathan Cleary
8. Moses Leota
9. Mitch Kenny
10. Lindsay Smith
11. Scott Sorensen
12. Liam Martin
13. Isaah Yeo
14. Brad Schneider
15. Liam Henry
16. Isaiah Papali'i
17. Luke Garner
Panthers team news:
The four-time reigning premiers finished in seventh spot on the ladder but are virtually injury-free as they attempt to defend their title again.
Brian To'o and Liam Martin were handed an extra week of rest in Round 27, but the duo will return for this one.
Paul Alamoti will drop out to make room for To'o on the wing, while Martin will replace either Scott Sorensen or Luke Garner in the starting side.
Daine Laurie was a late addition to the bench against the Dragons, but he will drop out of the 17.
Cronulla Sharks vs. Sydney Roosters
(Saturday, September 13 at Sharks Stadium, 7:50pm)
Cronulla predicted team:
1. William Kennedy
2. Sione Katoa
3. Jesse Ramien
4. KL Iro
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo
6. Braydon Trindall
7. Nicho Hynes
8. Addin Fonua-Blake
9. Blayke Brailey
10. Toby Rudolf
11. Briton Nikora
12. Teig Wilton
13. Jesse Colquhoun
14. Siosifa Talakai
15. Thomas Hazelton
16. Braden Hamlin-Uele
17. Oregon Kaufusi
Sharks team news:
The Sharks were impressive as they hammered the Bulldogs in the lead-up to their elimination final this week. Yet they faced the prospect of being without Nicho Hynes for their do-or-die finals clash after he was charged for a hip-drop tackle.
However, the playmaker has seen his initial charge downgraded and he will be free to take his place in the side.
Braydon Trindall missed the victory due to an ankle injury, although he is expected to return to replace Daniel Atkinson.
And in even more good news, Briton Nikora has served his suspension and will start in the backrow ahead of Billy Burns.
Oregon Kaufusi was a late addition on the bench last week after recovering from a calf injury and the forward will likely retain his place in the 17.
Sydney predicted team:
1. James Tedesco
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Billy Smith
4. Robert Toia
5. Mark Nawaqanitawase
6. Hugo Savala
7. Sam Walker
8. Spencer Leniu
9. Connor Watson
10. Lindsay Collins
11. Angus Crichton
12. Victor Radley
13. Naufahu Whyte
14. Benaiah Ioelu
15. Egan Butcher
16. Blake Steep
17. Siua Wong
Roosters team news:
The Roosters are running hot heading into the finals and Trent Robinson is expected to name an unchanged outfit after they got the job done against South Sydney last week to secure their place in the finals.
Connor Watson will be named in the No.9 jersey, yet he has consistently been dropped to the bench for Benaiah Ioelu lately.
Canberra Raiders vs. Brisbane Broncos
(Sunday, September 14 at GIO Stadium, 4:05pm)
Canberra predicted team:
1. Kaeo Weekes
2. Savelio Tamale
3. Matt Timoko
4. Sebastian Kris
5. Jed Stuart
6. Ethan Strange
7. Jamal Fogarty
8. Corey Horsburgh
9. Tom Starling
10. Joe Tapine
11. Hudson Young
12. Zac Hosking
13. Morgan Smithies
14. Owen Pattie
15. Ata Mariota
16. Simi Sasagi
17. Matty Nicholson
Raiders team news:
Ricky Stuart opted to rest the majority of his stars last week for their dead-rubber against the Dolphins.
Kaeo Weekes will return to take the No.1 jersey off Chevy Stewart, while Savelio Tamale and Sebastian Kris will keep hold of their places in the backline.
Manaia Waitere and Michael Asomua will drop out as Jed Stuart and Matt Timoko are brought back into the side.
Adam Cook and Ethan Sanders will be replaced in the halves by Ethan Strange and Jamal Fogarty.
Tom Starling will also return to the spine, pushing Owen Pattie back to the bench and Danny Levi out of the 17.
Joe Tapine will start up front, although he may not be partnered by Josh Papalii, who suffered an ankle injury in training, which has placed his involvement in the finals into doubt.
If Papalii is ruled out, Corey Horsburgh is likely to be handed a starting role at prop after captaining the Raiders there against the Phins.
Noah Martin and Matty Nicholson will lose their places in the backrow to Hudson Young and Zac Hosking, while Morgan Smithies may be able to hold onto his role at lock.
Trey Mooney, Joe Roddy and Kain Anderson will drop off the pine, with Ata Mariota joined by the returning Simi Sasagi.
Brisbane predicted team:
1. Reece Walsh
2. Josiah Karapani
3. Kotoni Staggs
4. Deine Mariner
5. Jesse Arthars
6. Billy Walters
7. Ben Hunt
8. Corey Jensen
9. Cory Paix
10. Payne Haas
11. Brendan Piakura
12. Jordan Riki
13. Patrick Carrigan
14. Tyson Smoothy
15. Kobe Hetherington
16. Ben Talty
17. Jaiyden Hunt
Broncos team news:
Brisbane are in impressive form after winning their last four games in a row to claim fourth spot on the ladder. And Michael Maguire may face a selection headache, with Adam Reynolds firming for a return from injury.
The halfback is likely to be included in the extended squad this week, with an eye on potentially being a late addition against the Raiders.
Meanwhile, the coach also has a tough choice on whether to bring Gehamat Shibasaki back into the side after he was dropped last week due to a disciplinary issue.
In his absence, Deine Mariner performed well in the centres, while Jesse Arthars made the most of his recall on the wing.
Selwyn Cobbo, Ezra Mam and Xavier Willison are all reportedly closing in on a return to action, but the qualifying final is expected to come too soon for the trio.