After 27 matches in the home-and-away season, eight teams have made it to the 2024 NRL Finals and sit three weeks away from making the Grand Final.
Outlasting nine other teams, the Melbourne Storm, Penrith Panthers, Sydney Roosters, Cronulla Sharks, North Queensland Cowboys, Canterbury Bulldogs, Manly Sea Eagles and Newcastle Knights are the only teams to remain.
Ahead of the opening week of the 2024 NRL Finals,ย Zero Tackleย has you covered with all the latest news and rumours regarding team selections.
Bronson Xerri, Dominic Young, Jordan McLean, Kai Pearce-Paul, Matt Burton, Nathan Cleary, Ryan Papenhuyzen and Tom Trbojevic are some of the names that will return this week.
North Queensland Cowboys vs Newcastle Knights
While the majority of the team will remain the same as last week, the North Queensland Cowboys are expected to make at least one change with Jordan McLean re-entering the team from injury.
Although he missed last week due to a hamstring concern, coach Todd Payten confirmed that he will play in the opening week of the finals.
His inclusion will likely see either Harrison Edwards, Thomas Mikaele or Kulikefu Finefeuiaki make way.
"If this is a final, we'd roll him out but given the risk associated with it, we decided to put him on ice so he's 100% for the week later," Payten said last week.
Starting the season in reserve grade, Jake Clifford is set to remain in the halfback jersey, with Chad Townsend remaining out of the team. This coincides with reports from The Daily Telegraphย that Payten and Townsend barely talk to each other.
Projected Finals Week 1 Team: 1.ย Scott Drinkwaterย 2.ย Kyle Feldtย 3.ย Valentine Holmes 4. Viliami Vailea 5.ย Murray Taulagiย 6.ย Tom Dearden 7. Jake Cliffordย 8.ย Jordan McLeanย 9.ย Reece Robsonย 10.ย Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Lukiย 12.ย Jeremiah Nanaiย 13.ย Reuben Cotter 14. ย Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 15. Harrison Edwardsย 16.ย Sam McIntyre 17. Griffin Neame
Clinching a top-eight spot against The Dolphins on Sunday, Newcastle Knights coach Adam O'Brien will face a difficult choice this week on who to pick, with Kai Pearce-Paul (laceration) and Jacob Saifiti (calf) likely to be available for the clash against the Cowboys.
Pearce-Paul is a near certainty to find himself back into the team, while Saifiti has earned a starting front-row spot in 12 of his 16 appearances this season.
If they are both available, O'Brien will need to select from Pearce-Paul, Saifiti, Brodie Jones, Dylan Lucas, Daniel Saifiti, Mat Croker and Jack Hetherington.
"They're two quality players so it's going to make it a pretty good headache to have when we sit down with the other coaches and select the team," Adam O'Brien said.
"I think Kai's a strong chance. I think the extra week helped (but) I'm not too sure on Jacob; I think it'll be more the following week for him."2
Projected Finals Week 1 Team: 1.ย Kalyn Ponga 2. Fletcher Sharpeย 3.ย Dane Gagaiย 4.ย Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhewย 6. Jack Cogger 7. Phoenix Crossland 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11.ย Tyson Frizell 12. Dylan Lucas 13. Adam Elliott 14. Tyson Gamble 15. Brodie Jones 16. Mat Croker 17. Kai Pearce-Paul
2nd Qualifying Final: Penrith Panthers v Sydney Roosters (BlueBet Stadium, Friday 7:50pm)
1st Qualifying Final: Melbourne Storm v Cronulla Sharks (AAMI Park, Saturday 4:05pm)
1st Elimination Final: North Queensland Cowboys v Newcastle Knights (Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Saturday 7:50pm)
2nd Elimination Final: Canterbury Bulldogs v Manly Sea Eagles (Accor Stadium, Sunday 4:05pm)
