We take a look at the contenders for the 2010 NRL Premiership and how they might go in the finals.
St George Illawarra Dragons: Without doubt the Dragons are the most consistent and disciplined team still in contention for the title, but they have not been able to shake that horrid 'chokers' tag, particularly after a few less-than-convincing performances in the run home to the finals. They were in a similar position last season and ran out of puff when it counted; coach Wayne Bennett has taken this into account this season and deliberately gone easy on his troops in the post-Origin period. The Dragons are clear premiership favourites for a reason and with Bennett calling the shots and the best defence in the league at their disposal the merged club is ideally placed to claim its first premiership, giving loyal 'St George' fans their first chance to seriously celebrate since 1979.
Penrith Panthers: Not since 2004 have the Panthers experienced September action, the longest finals drought of any club currently participating in the NRL. With that in mind, Matthew Elliott's men may struggle to navigate through the pressure of playoffs, especially if their crafty half-back Luke Walsh is prevented from showcasing his impressive kicking game - a massive source of four-pointers for the club this season. They are a club with huge potential to go places, but maybe not this year.
Wests Tigers: The Tigers have maintained their lofty position on the ladder despite hardly setting the world on fire. This must be a god-send for Tigers supporters who have watched their talented side promise so much yet narrowly miss out on finals action over the past four years. With the likes of Benji Marshall, Robbie Farah and Lote Tuqiri in the ranks, there is little doubt they have the attack to cause some real damage deep into the finals. But questions do remain over their temperament and whether they have the patience to overcome consistently focussed units such as the Dragons and Titans.
Gold Coast Titans: After a worrying mid-season period that saw the Titans slide down the ladder, their experienced men in Scott Prince, Mat Rogers, Luke Bailey and Preston Campbell have conjured a revival that has many people asking whether they really can take out the title. This club has an even spread of talent right through its ranks and has settled into a consistent brand of footy at the right time of the season. Impressive coach John Cartwright would have learnt plenty from the club's straight-sets exit from the finals last season and it wouldn’t surprise to see the NRL's new boys taking the field on grand final day. They've got the halves, the workmanlike pack and the pace to get there.
New Zealand Warriors: Along with the Roosters, the Warriors have surprised many this season, especially after losing inspirational former skipper Steve Price before the word go. Faces not too familiar to rugby league audiences in Australia have really stepped up and coach Ivan Cleary deserves plenty of praise for steering this potentially rudderless ship towards a finals berth. It's difficult to see them going too far into the finals series with such a hit-and-miss defensive record, but stranger things have happened.
Sydney Roosters: Coach Brian Smith has done wonders with this club that only last year finished with the indignity of a wooden spoon. The purchase of Todd Carney has really sparked the Roosters into a serious attacking threat, with his late-season halves combination with Mitchell Pearce providing the club with some much-needed direction. They have a good aggressive pack and some free spirits in the backline, giving them a genuine wildcard flavour heading into the semis.
Canberra Raiders: The Raiders are the club most likely to go on a 'Parramatta' style run through the finals. If they qualify they have the right ingredients to cause some damage, with a massive forward pack, a skilful playmaker, Terry Campese, and some exciting young backs all giving the club's fans reason to be hopeful. What may count against them during the finals is their inability to produce wins against decent teams on the road, but they do have momentum which is crucial at this stage of the season.
Manly Sea Eagles: There was a stage last season where people thought the Sea Eagles could not win football games without injured full-back Brett Stewart. Well they have moved on from that now, but there is still something not quite right about a club that can look premiership material one week and resemble cellar dwellers a few days later. Manly have produced some real finals-style performances this season yet haven't been able to build any decent momentum. Co-skipper Jamie Lyon is the new Brett Stewart of their side and anything they may be able to achieve in the finals is bound to come off the back of him. Preliminary final potential, but that's about it.