If your team is good enough to make the top-eight, it's probably because they're littered with tier-one superstars up and down the roster.
However, the finals series is often decided by the players, outside of the usual headline acts, who perform specific roles that often swing results in tight contests.
These eight players may not dominate the headlines, but their influence is immense. These are the players who will determine who survives the rigours of September football.
The Sporting News breaks down the unsung players who will decide the NRL finals.
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Unsung players who will decide the NRL finals
Canberra Raiders - Jamal Fogarty (Halfback)
Fogarty controls Canberra's attack, directing play so that their weapons in the backline have opportunities to make plays.
The 31-year-old has the advantage of playing behind one of the most dominant forward packs in the competition, however, the onus is still on him to get his ball playing and kicking game right.
Ricky Stuart will be relying on Fogarty to keep his cool in the heat of battle, an attribute that was tested in the 76th minute of the 'Mudgee Miracle'.
The veteran had an opportunity to ice the game with a conversion, but missed, looking like he rushed his action.
Whilst that play didn't ultimately cost his side, he will no doubt be put in another position to make a play for his team that could make or break their season.
Whether it be another conversion, or a field goal, or a set-of-six where they need points, the number seven on Fogarty's back requires him to be the man that steps up - let's see if he does.
Melbourne Storm - Stefano Utoikamanu (Front-Row)
Utoikamanu was brought to Melbourne to anchor their forward pack.
An offseason under Craig Bellamy and a gruelling 27-round season has transformed the towering prop into a well-rounded enforcer in the middle.
Standing at 190 centimetres and tipping the scales at 111 kilograms, Utoikamanu is able to set the tone in contact and dictate field position.
His dominance allows Ryan Papenhuyzen, Cameron Munster and Harry Grant to exploit retreating defences.
However, in the Storm system, this hasn't been the highlight of his game. In fact, the trait that stands out won't make the highlight reels, because it's the dirty work around the middle that will be most pleasing to the coaching staff and his teammates.
Staying connected with the defensive line once the play has gone past him, as well as running in support of his teammates on offence are the keys to his reformed play style.
When fans look at the stats at the end of the game, they might not be blown away by Utoikamanu's production. But if you were to ask his teammates, they will slam the table saying that they couldn't have achieved the success they have so far without him.
Canterbury Bulldogs - Max King (Front-Row)
The Bulldogs have become renowned for playing 'small-ball' through the middle-third of the park.
Players like Jaeman Salmon and Kurt Mann are converted halves, who give Cameron Ciraldo an added dimension, particularly in attack with their foot speed and ball playing abilities.
However, they've only been able to implement this style as a result of the rise of King, who made his State of Origin debut earlier this season.
The 25-year-old is Canterbury's premier prop, and his performances go a long way to deciding whether or not the Bulldogs can compete physically and mentally with their opposition.
At certain times this year their forward pack has been bullied by the other team, making it impossible for their playmakers to have any impact on the outcome of the match.
The Bulldogs play the Storm in week one, so look for King to make a concerted effort to take carries early in the set on offence, and lead the line speed in defence to try and give his side the upper-hand.
Brisbane Broncos - Cory Paix (Hooker)
The Broncos have no shortage of X-factors in their side who will dominate the headlines and deservedly so.
Reece Walsh, Kotoni Staggs, Ben Hunt, Payne Haas, and the currently sidelined Adam Reynolds, all have the ability to break a game wide open.
However, one of the lesser-known names in the squad will have the largest impact on the attacking success that Brisbane has.
Paix is charged with dictating the Broncos tempo from dummy-half, choosing which superstar receives the ball.
His service under pressure could be the difference in turning a half-chance into points, regardless of what part of the field they're in.
Whilst running off the back of Haas and Pat Carrigan sound like one of the easiest jobs in rugby league, all the pressure will be on Paix to make the right choice when he hears an overriding call that might compromise their structure.
Paix's composure will spread to the rest of the spine, who've had a tendency to run hot or cold throughout the season.
Cronulla Sharks - Ronaldo Mulitalo (Wing)
From all the way out on the wing, Mulitalo has become the emotional barometer for this Sharks outfit.
The 25-year-old drives the energy and aggression for his teammates, which has been hard for opposition teams to control when they get it right.
His signature yardage hit-up, which has been good for 156 metres per game on the season, puts his side on the front foot and gives their forwards a rest.
Whilst at certain times his emotions have boiled over (the melee that erupted against the Bulldogs in Round four comes to mind), when he focuses his intensity it yields great benefit for the Sharks.
One of the major criticisms of Craig Fitzgibbon's side has been that they often look flat, or out of answers. Well, Mulitalo could be the man that doesn't allow their aggression to fall below a certain threshold at any point throughout the finals series.
New Zealand Warriors - Marata Niukore (Second-Row)
The Warriors right edge defence has been one of the most consistently leaky units in the NRL this season.
A lot of the criticism has been directed toward the man on the end of the line, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, but a lot of the time the damage has already been done on the inside.
Marata Niukore has the pivotal task of setting the edge and forcing playmakers to distribute the ball early, before the men outside of him are left to make a split-second decision.
The back-rower has long been tasked with being a 'bodyguard' for the halfback who defends one corridor outside of them.
Whilst that's still the case, they also play a more technical role as the first chain in a set of reactions when defending the shape headed in their direction.
Look for Niukore to be intentional and aggressive in his defensive movements in a bid to remedy what is a clear weakness for this Warriors team.
Penrith Panthers - Isaiah Papali'i (Front-Row/Second-Row)
Papali'i is the first player on this list who is likely to start from the bench, and for good reason, the four-time premiers are flooded with stars throughout their starting lineup.
The 26-year-old will be tasked with maintaining the middle dominance that is set by the likes of Moses Leota, Lindsay Smith and Isaah Yeo.
A feature of Penrith's game is the constant barrage of pressure and control, which Papali'i will look to sustain when he takes the field.
His attacking value shows in his five tries and seven line breaks so far this season. Forwards who bend the line and finish plays are priceless in finals intensity.
His 21 offloads point to a second-phase dimension which can transform the Panthers' structured attack, forcing opponents to scramble defensively.
If Penrith don't continue the momentum generated by their starters, the effects of their draining style will be less potent and will let teams back into a game they might not have been in otherwise.
Sydney Roosters - Hugo Savala (Five-Eighth)
For every dynamic playmaker who is able to create opportunities seemingly out of nowhere, there needs to be a counterbalancing force who steadies the ship.
That's the role Savala plays for this Roosters team and it is vitally important.
Everybody enjoys the free-flowing brand of football that Sam Walker brings to the field, and he'll no doubt be the source of many of this side's four-pointers during their finals run.
However, whilst Savala has some attacking upside of his own, his kicking game, communication and game management is what's going to have the greatest impact in the wins and losses column for the Roosters.
In his opportunities this season, the 23-year-old has formed a great connection with Daniel Tupou on cross-field kicks.
Those are the opportunities that can only be leveraged through consistently managing field position.
Savala's leadership has been a pleasant surprise for fans who might not have known his name 12-months-ago. His decision-making and composure will ground his team under the pressure of finals football.