With an almost full-strength squad except for Dale Finucane and Toby Rudolph, Cronulla look to be warming into the form that saw them reach the top-four last season. They should be wary of a fast improving Cowboys outfit who are showing positive signs of improvement but have a long way to go to play their best football. Cronulla to get the win.

Brisbane were impressive in a dominant win over the Eels last week but the competition leaders face the biggest test of their season against a red hot Rabbitohs outfit backing up from a scintillating comeback victory over Penrith. Souths are playing wonderful football despite a massive injury toll and will be a scary prospect if they are full-strength coming into the finals.

The Broncos’ victory last week came at a high-cost, with Corey Oates suffering a knee injury and stars Payne Haas and Ezra Mam suspended for hip-drop tackles. Jesse Arthars, Keenan Palasia and Jock Madden will join the squad on the wing, prop and five-eighth respectively as cover. For the Bunnies, Tevita Tatola will return from injury at prop in a welcome boost to their middle-forward rotation.

While Brisbane have shown huge improvement as a team, their developing spine combinations and inexperience see them struggle to produce 80-minute performances. Expect the potent play-making combinations and big-game experience in this Rabbitohs line-up to get them over the line.

The Dolphins’ uncanny ability to topple records was on display again last week after the new NRL club produced the biggest comeback victory in the NRL since 1998, scoring 28 unanswered points in the second-half for a two-point win over the hapless Titans. They will face a tougher test this week against the Raiders, who are reeling from the news star five-eighth Jack Wighton has signed a long term deal with rivals South Sydney. The Canberra club enjoyed a bye last week and last recorded a solid victory over the Dragons in round seven.

For the Dolphins, Kenny Bromwich will return at prop in a big boost with the underrated Connelly Lemuelu retaining his place in the second-row in an otherwise unchanged squad. Meanwhile, the Raiders have similarly named only one change with Jordan Rapana set to replace the injured Nick Cotric on the wing.

Canberra will head into this match as firm favourites but should be wary of underestimating their opposition given the Dolphins’ surprising level of success this season. Expect a brutal physical contest between these forward rotations but the loss of superstar Jack Wighton could have an impact on the Raiders’ form. This match could go either way but expect the Dolphins to get up in a close contest.

The Titans habit of blowing significant leads was on display again last week after the Gold Coast club conceded 28 unanswered points to the Dolphins for the worst comeback loss since 1998. They will face a big test against a Manly outfit on the hunt for their third consecutive victory after a solid win over the Tigers last week.

Kruise Leeming and Thomas Mikaele are the casualties from the Titans’ loss, with Klese Haas and Joe Vuna coming onto the bench in an otherwise unchanged squad. For Manly, Kelma Tuilagi will return from concussion in the second-row with Reuben Garrick shifting to centre for the injured Brad Parker. Christian Tuipulotu will join the wing and all eyes will be on Tom Trbojevic as he battles a groin injury with Kaeo Weekes his likely replacement if the superstar fullback is ruled out.

The Titans’ woeful second-half capitulation last week has ramped up pressure enormously on Justin Holbrook and the former Super League coach will be pushing for a big response from his playing group. Expect a tough contest between these two uncompromising forward rotations but Manly should have the ascendency over 80 minutes.

Wests have rallied in recent weeks after a woeful start to their season, they have improved in recent weeks – recording a more respectable six-point loss to Manly in their last game. They will face a huge test of their courage against the reigning premiers, particularly after conceding a heart-breaking comeback loss to the Rabbitohs, conceding two tries in the last five minutes of play for a two-point loss.

The Tigers will be missing Asu Kepaoa and Charlie Staines to injury with Brent Naden returning from injury at centre and David Nofoaluma recalled on the wing in an otherwise unchanged squad. Meanwhile, Penrith have named only one change with Tyrone Peachey replacing the injured Izack Tago at centre.

The Tigers would need to produce a Herculean effort to cause an upset over the reigning premiers. Penrith have been below their best relative to their lofty standards so expect a big response from Ivan Cleary’s troops in the aftermath of the disappointment of last week. Penrith to get the win.

The Warriors were courageous in their last-start loss to Melbourne last week in the face of huge adversity after losing some key players throughout the game. Their job gets no easier this week coming up against a Roosters outfit who produced a scrappy field-goal victory over St George in a tough ANZAC day clash.

The Kiwis will be without Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Jazz Tevaga and captain Tohu Harris in a devastating blow for the club. Dylan Walker is also facing a lengthy suspension with Ronald Volkman his likely replacement if he is unsuccessful in down-grading his charge. Taine Tuaupiki will come in at fullback with Wayde Egan and Viliami Vailea also joining the squad at hooker and off the bench respectively. For the Roosters, Nat Butcher will return from suspension in the second-row while a hamstring injury to Daniel Tupou will see Corey Allan recalled on the wing.

Andrew Webster’s Warriors looked dangerous against Melbourne and only dropped off in the second-half after losing a huge amount of experience between Harris, Nicoll-Klokstad and Tevaga. The Roosters’ new-look halves pairing of Joey Manu and Luke Keary looked dangerous last week and have locked themselves in as the preferred playmaking combination for the foreseeable future. While the Warriors certainly will not make their opposition’s job easier, expect the Roosters’ firepower to prove too much in the absence of so much experience.