NRL Weekly Watch: Everything to keep an eye on in the Qualifying Finals

Broncos, Storm to do battle once more

The Storm and Broncos will face-off for the second week in a row at Suncorp Stadium to kick-off the postseason on Friday night with a preliminary finals spot at stake.

Melbourne ran away winners a week ago with both sides resting a host of their first-choice 17.

Adam Reynolds (calf) and Patrick Carrigan (foot) have both been named to make their returns in a big boost for the Broncos.

Jesse Arthars gets the nod on the left wing ahead of Corey Oates whilst Brendan Piakura and Keenan Palasia earn interchange nods ahead of veterans Martin Taupa’u and Corey Jensen.

Jahrome Hughes (knee) and Harry Grant (shoulder) have both been named to start for the Storm whilst Nick Meaney has been named in the No. 1 jersey with Ryan Papenhuyzen on the interchange.

Marion Seve and Young Tonumaipea get the nod ahead of Justin Olam in the centres whilst Bronson Garlick is the preferred No. 14 over Tyran Wishart.

Melbourne’s record against the Broncos is absurd having won 24 of their past 26 against them including 14 in a row.

They have not lost to them at Suncorp Stadium since 2009 and have beaten them in six of their eight finals clashes.

Warriors journey to Penrith in bid to upset defending champs

The Warriors’ biggest test of the season comes on Saturday evening when they travel to take on the Panthers at BlueBet Stadium with a preliminary finals berth on the line.

The Panthers are still without five-eighth Jarome Luai (shoulder) but welcome back Mitch Kenny (leg) and Scott Sorensen (leg) with Luke Sommerton and Luke Garner dropping out.

Jack Cogger partners Nathan Cleary in the halves whilst Lindsay Smith and Spencer Leniu are the preferred interchange middles with Tyrone Peachey at No. 14.

Tohu Harris (back) and Jazz Tevaga (hip) are good to go for the visitors whilst Te Maire Martin starts at five-eighth with Luke Metcalf’s (hamstring) season likely over.

Jackson Ford starts on an edge with Josh Curran and Bayley Sironen on the pine.

Penrith have won seven in a row against the Warriors and six of their past seven against them at BlueBet Stadium.

The Panthers have won the only two finals clashes between the sides – a 2003 preliminary final and a 2018 qualifying final.

Sharks host Roosters in do-or-die showdown

The first of the elimination finals comes on Saturday night in the Shire with the Sharks facing off against a Roosters outfit riding a five-game winning streak.

It is business as usual for the Sharks, however, William Kennedy (hamstring) has been listed among the reserves and is a chance to return into the No. 1 jumper in place of Connor Tracey.

Braydon Trindall remains the first-choice five-eighth with Matt Moylan on the extended bench.

The Roosters have named Joseph Manu (hamstring) in the centres after he missed their Round 27 win over South Sydney with Corey Allan dropping out.

The absence of Daniel Tupou (knee) means that Junior Pauga retains his spot on the left wing whilst Fletcher Baker has been named to start up front with Egan Butcher on the interchange.

These two sides last met earlier this year with the Sharks running out 22-12 winners at PointsBet Stadium in Round 7 in a clash that saw Victor Radley, Nat Butcher, and Brandon Smith all spend time in the sin bin for the Tricolours.

Prior to that, the Roosters had enjoyed a seven-game winning streak over the Sharks.

The two sides have met twice in the finals arena with the Roosters coming away with a pair of wins – qualifying finals in 2002 and 2018.

Listing Raiders Newcastle-bound to face white-hot Knights

With nine wins from their past nine, life could not be better in the Hunter, but it will be a new ballgame when the Knights hots the Raiders in an elimination final on Sunday.

Kalyn Ponga (shoulder), Jackson Hastings (ankle), and Lachlan Fitzgibbon (shoulder) have all been named to play for the Knights.

Tyson Frizell, Dane Gagai, and Phoenix Crossland also return after sitting out Round 27.

With Josh Papali’i (biceps), Corey Horsburgh (suspension), and Sebastian Kris (suspension) all missing for the Raiders, Ata Mariota and Hohepa Puru start in the middle with James Schiller coming onto the wing.

Trey Mooney earns a bench nod whilst Ricky Stuart has also opted to keep Jordan Rapana at the back, Matt Frawley at six, and Jack Wighton in the centres.

Of their past 15 clashes, both sides have won seven to go along with a draw whilst Canberra have won just 13 of their past 18 in Newcastle.

The two sides have never met in the postseason.

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