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2nd Preliminary Final: South Sydney Rabbitohs v Sydney Roosters.
@ ANZ Stadium, Friday, September 26. The match kicks off at 7.55pm (AEST).
Last time – Roosters 22-18 Rabbitohs @ 1300 Allianz Stadium, Thursday, September 4
Rabbitohs: (At end of regular season - 3rd, 34 points, +224)
The Bunnies earned the week off with a 40-24 demolition of Manly. They led 40-0 before the Sea Eagles woke up and scored four late tries after the Bunnies clocked off. They get Origin forward Ben Te'o back from suspension and are as close to full strength as any side could hope in September. Gun centre Dylan Walker left Allianz Stadium in a moon boot but is a definite starter. The Bunnies have fallen in the preliminary final in coach Michael Maguire's first two seasons in charge and they are once again 80 minutes away from their first grand final since 1971.
Roosters: (At end of regular season -1st, 36 points, +230)
The reigning NRL champs let a 30-0 lead slip against North Queensland but somehow held on for a 31-30 semi-final victory to keep their title defence alive. Hooker Jake Friend completed a miracle recovery following a stint in intensive care with blood on his lungs and will be better for the run next week. Prop Dylan Napa is available for selection after serving his two-match ban for a shoulder charge.
1st Preliminary Final: Penrith Panthers v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
@ ANZ Stadium, Saturday, September 27. The match kicks off at 7.45pm (AEST).
Last time – Panthers 22-16 Bulldogs @ ANZ Stadium, Friday August 1.
Panthers: (At end of regular season - 4th, 34 points, +80)
The Panthers have defied the critics and a horrific late-season injury toll to be one win away from the NRL decider. They shocked the Roosters with a dramatic 19-18 victory in the qualifying final to earn the week off. They are still without without Isaac John (achilles), Peter Wallace (knee), Tyrone Peachey (pectoral), Elijah Taylor (knee) and Bryce Cartwright (ankle) but that hasn't bothered this season's giant killers in recent weeks.
Bulldogs: (At end of regular season - 7th, 30 points, +7)
How much did the golden point win over Manly take out of the Bulldogs? That question is likely to be answered in the last 20 minutes of this one. Josh Jackson is on report for a chicken wing tackle and will be lucky to escape sanction, despite coach Des Hasler insisting the second-rower doesn't know how to play outside the rules! Field goal hero Trent Hodkinson has a slight knee strain but will be right to play.