2024 NRL Round 27 Preview

One of the more fascinating final-round schedules in NRL history is set to unfold this weekend, with plenty at stake in every match after Thursday’s dead-rubber is out of the way.  

From Friday’s wooden spoon bowl, to Top 8 rivals jostling for home NRL finals and looking to leapfrog one another, to a winner-takes-all eighth-place playoff to close out the regular season on Sunday, it shapes as a Round 27 rollercoaster for fans and punters.  

The only inconsequential game of the round, Brisbane Broncos are looking to finish a bitterly disappointing year on a positive note, while the minor premiership-winning Melbourne Storm are tuning up for the finals with a near full-strength line-up.  

The Broncos have won just one of their last 16 against the Storm – a 26-0 shutout in last year’s qualifying final at Suncorp. The archrivals’ fortunes have headed in opposite trajectories this season.  

Playing their way back into Top 8 contention with wins over the Cowboys and Eels, the Broncos crashed out of the running with a pitiful 40-6 loss to the Dolphins last Saturday – the third time in five games they have conceded 40-plus points.  

Kotoni Staggs is out this week, which sees Selwyn Cobbo go to centre and Corey Oates return on the wing. Fletcher Baker, Jaiyden Hunt and Kobe Hetherington come in for Payne Haas, Brendan Piakura and Xavier Willison, while Reece Walsh’s name stands out in the reserves list.  

The Storm sent a second-string team to Townsville, which did the club proud in a 38-30 loss to the Cowboys – just their second in 12 games.  

Jahrome Hughes, Will Warbrick, Nick Meaney, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Harry Grant, Josh King, Shawn Blore, Eli Katoa and Trent Loiero come back into the team, while Xavier Coates is on the reserve list after a long injury layoff. Sua Faalogo replaces an injured Ryan Papenhuyzen at fullback.  

Craig Bellamy has signalled the Storm’s intent with the team he’s named and this could get very ugly for a crestfallen Broncos outfit with only pride on the line and several of their best players in the casualty ward.  

Tip: Back the Storm to Cover the Line (-15.5) @ $1.90 

SGM: STORM BY 21-30 / OVER 51.5 TOTAL POINTS / NICK MEANEY 12+ POINTS / JACK HOWARTH ANYTIME TRYSCORER / JESSE ARTHARS ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $37.78 

A sold-out Campbelltown Stadium sets the scene for what shapes as a rousing western derby, with the loser to be lumped with the wooden spoon.  

Wests Tigers, last in 2022-23, chalked up back-to-back wins over Souths (18-16) and sin-bin-ridden Manly (34-26) before last weekend’s bye. Amazingly, the joint venture has not won three in a row since Rounds 4-6 of the 2018 season.  

There’s been no shortage of spirit and enterprise in the Tigers’ performances of late, with several youngsters starting to find their feet at this level alongside the guidance of Api Koroisau. Josh Feledy has been named at centre with Junior Tupou moving to wing and Solomon Alaimalo (concussion) out. 

The Eels notched their sixth victory of the season against a Dragons side that had to win last Saturday, romping to a 44-12 lead before hanging on to win 44-40. Maika Sivo and Clint Gutherson scored five tries between them.  

Kelma Tuilagi returns for the Eels, which sees Shaun Lane go to prop and Ofahiki Ogden to the bench. Sean Russell replaces Jake Tago on the wing. 

The teams have split their four clashes since the start of 2022, with the Tigers claiming a pair of one-point wins at CommBank Stadium. The clubs have played at Campbelltown just once, with the Tigers racking up a big win in 2012. The Eels have a 2-1-4 record at the Tigers’ suburban home grounds.  

After losing 10 straight at Campbelltown, the Tigers have grabbed consecutive wins over the Raiders and Rabbitohs at the ground.  

The Eels have not conceded less than 20 points since Round 4 and have leaked 30-plus in their last four. The Tigers are tempting $2.20 outsiders given their 5-4 record at their suburban home ground, but expect the final margin to reflect the clubs’ desperation to avoid the NRL’s most unwanted prize. 

Tip: Back Either Team to Win by Less Than 6.5 Points @ $2.95 

SGM: TIGERS +2.5 / UNDER 53.5 TOTAL POINTS / JUNIOR TUPOU ANYTIME TRYSCORER / WILL PENISINI ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $27.42 

The sting has been taken out of the traditional final-round blockbuster by South Sydney’s dismal campaign and has been further overshadowed by Sydney Roosters’ injury crisis on the eve of the finals.  

A 14-12 loss to Canberra (after a wild Daniel Tupou try on the buzzer and a missed sideline conversion) has likely cost the Roosters a second-placed finish, as well as Sam Walker, Brandon Smith and potentially Victor Radley for the season with injury.  

It was just the Tricolours’ second loss in 10 games as they now look to regroup without three of their key pieces.  

Nat Butcher is also out this week and Daniel Tupou is being rested. Fetalaiga Pauga comes in on the wing, Joseph Sua’ali’i is back in the centres, Sandon Smith takes over the No.7, Connor Watson starts at hooker, and Siua Wong, Zach Dockar-Clay and debutant De La Salle Va’a are new faces on the bench. 

The 15th-placed Rabbitohs are on a six-match losing streak in which they’ve failed to score more than 16 points. They went down to the Panthers 34-12 last Friday and seem to be marking time until the off-season, struggling with Latrell Mitchell and Cameron Murray.  

The Rabbitohs have now lost Jack Wighton, with Dean Hawkins coming in to partner Cody Walker. Richie Kennar replaces Fletcher Myers on the wing.  

The Roosters have won all three derbies since their dramatic 2022 elimination final, including a vital 26-12 win in the final round last season and a 48-6 rout in Round 3 this year. The Rabbitohs have won four of the last five encounters at Accor Stadium.  

Though there’s not a great deal hinging on the result for the Roosters (assuming the Panthers will beat the Titans), there’s still more than enough quality in Trent Robinson’s squad to put their struggling archrivals to the sword.  

Tip: Back the Roosters to Cover the Line (-13.5) @ $1.90 

SGM: ROOSTERS BY 11-20 / UNDER 53.5 TOTAL POINTS / FETALAIGA PAUGA TO SCORE 2 OR MORE TRIES @ $37.56 

St George Illawarra blew it in Round 26 and Canberra’s recent giant-killing efforts are a case of too little, too late – but the winner of this match can pray for a draw in the Knights-Dolphins showdown, which would catapult them into the finals..  

The Dragons and Raiders are both in a share of eighth competition points-wise but are hamstrung by a dreadful for-and-against.  

The Saints could have controlled their own destiny with a win over second-last Parramatta last weekend but instead set a premiership record for the highest-ever losing score in a 44-40 defeat. It was much worse than it looked, too, trailing 44-12 with 12 minutes to go.  

Shane Flanagan’s much-publicised dressing-room dressing down of Ben Hunt could go either way this week in terms of motivating a positive response on the field after the Dragons dropped back-to-back games for the first time since Round 9.  

The Dragons get Moses Suli back to partner Jack Bird in the centres, with Lyhkan King-Tongia at five-eighth. Mat Feagai moves to the wing for the axed Mikaele Ravalawa. Jacob Liddle and Blake Lawrie are other additions.  

The Raiders knocked over heavyweights Penrith (22-18) at home and Sydney Roosters (14-12) away with gritty defensive displays that have been their trademark at times in 2024…and have completed deserted them at others.  

Jamal Fogarty and Ethan Strange return for the Raiders, so Kaeo Weekes reverts to fullback for the injured Jordan Rapana. Simi Sasagi will start and Trey Mooney joins the bench with Elliott Whitehead suspended.  

The Raiders have won seven of their last nine against the Dragons, including victories in Canberra (20-14) and Wollongong (36-26) last season.  

On recent performances, the Raiders appear the most capable of harnessing the sliver of finals hope. The Dragons have conceded 26-plus points in six of their last eight games and their improved campaign looks set to peter out in disappointment.  

Tip: Back the Raiders to Win @ $2.15 

SGM: RAIDERS BY 1-12 / OVER 51.5 TOTAL POINTS / MATTHEW TIMOKO ANYTIME TRYSCORER / KAEO WEEKES ANYTIME TRYSCORER / MATHEW FEAGAI ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $77.23 

Another final-round encounter with both combatants playing for the same reward and consequence as fifth-placed Canterbury hosts sixth-placed North Queensland.  

The winner is guaranteed a home elimination final, while the loser is vulnerable to getting leapfrogged by Manly and being forced to travel in week one.  

The Bulldogs’ red-hot run was halted in a Round 26 reality check, with the Sea Eagles ending their five-match winning streak 34-22. The leading defensive team in the NRL heading into the game, it was the most points Cameron Ciraldo’s gritty side has conceded all year.  

Stephen Crichton is a huge in for the chastened Bulldogs, timely with Bronson Xerri out suspended. Matt Burton has been ruled out after failing an HIA, bringing Drew Hutchison into the halves.  

The Cowboys have won five of their last six games, but they made hard work of a gift two points against a second-string Melbourne side last Thursday as they bumbled their way to a 38-30 win.  

It summed up the strength and weakness of the NRL’s third-best attacking outfit and by far the worst defensive unit of the top seven teams. The Cowboys’ only change sees Thomas Mikaele replace Jaxon Purdue on the bench.  

The Cowboys have won 10 of the clubs’ last 14 clashes, including a gripping 20-18 win in Townsville in Round 20. But the Bulldogs have won two of the last three in Sydney, including last year’s 15-14 golden point thriller. Only one of the teams’ last 14 matches produced more than 44 points.  

The importance of Crichton’s return can’t be understated and a return to the Bulldogs’ usual defensive resolve should be enough to subdue the Cowboys, who have left Townsville just once since the end of June. The Bulldogs have won seven of their last eight at Accor Stadium. 

Tip: Back the Bulldogs to Win @ $1.75 

SGM: BULLDOGS BY 1-12 / UNDER 47.5 TOTAL POINTS / STEPHEN CRICHTON ANYTIME TRYSCORER / SCOTT DRINKWATER ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $44.59 

Penrith moved back up to second after other results fell its way in Round 26 and only need a win over out-of-contention Gold Coast to clinch a home qualifying final.  

Nathan Cleary’s injury was compounded by back-to-back losses to Melbourne and Canberra that briefly threatened the Panthers’ top-four spot. They mitigated that with a comfortable 34-12, Jarome Luai-led win over Souths, along with losses to the Roosters, Sharks and Bulldogs.  

Scott Sorensen returns for the Panthers with Matt Eisenhuth the player to miss out.  

The Titans’ season has unravelled after emerging as a genuine Top 8 chance in early-August. They’ve leaked 160 points in losing their last four games, including a 36-14 loss at Newcastle last Sunday after a promising start.  

Keano Kini is back for the Titans, but David Fifita is sidelined with Klese Haas to start. Arama Hau is set to debut and Jacob Alick is back in the 17. 

The Panthers have won nine of their last 10 against the Titans, including the last five in a row by an average margin of 21 points. 

The Titans’ attacking threats are everpresent with Alofiana Khan-Pereira scoring 23 tries in 20 games and Jojo Fifita bagging seven in his last five, but the Panthers have plenty on the line and it’s hard to see them getting rolled at home – though a 19.5-point line looks a bit over the top.  

Tip: Back Under 51.5 Total Points @ $1.90 

SGM: PANTHERS BY 11-20 / 41-50 TOTAL POINTS / ALOFIANA KHAN-PEREIRA ANYTIME TRYSCORER / PAUL ALAMOTI ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $61.30 

Following on from arguably their best win of the season as well as a significant injury setback, Manly Sea Eagles are searching for a win over Cronulla Sharks at 4 Pines Park that would earn them a home elimination final at the same venue.  

Manly was magnificent in a 34-22 upset of in-form Canterbury last Friday, with their halves and back five on fire and the pack setting the platform to break down the NRL’s best defence at regular intervals.  

But the result was tempered by another injury to Tom Trbojevic, who is out this week but hopes to be back for the finals, as well as losing Jason Saab. Tolu Koula will fill the fullback breach, with Clayton Faulalo replacing Saab on the wing. Ben Trbojevic rejoins the bench.  

After four straight, high-quality wins, Cronulla was forced to play the support role in Shaun Johnson’s glorious farewell – pipped on the buzzer 30-28 by the also-rans Warriors in a loss that potentially cost them a top-two finish.  

Only a heavy defeat here and a big loss to the Bulldogs can bump the Sharks out of the top four, while losses for the Panthers and Roosters would give them a shot at jumping to second.  

The Sharks get Jesse Ramien and Ronaldo Mulitalo back, with Daniel Atkinson going to the bench and Sam Stonestreet dropping out. The elephant in the room last week was Nicho Hynes’ modest return from an eight-week layoff – the Dally M winner suffered his fifth consecutive loss at NRL level. 

The Sea Eagles have won 19 of the clubs’ last 25 encounters and ended a three-match Sharks winning run with a 30-26 away victory in Round 21 last season. The Sharks have won their last two at Brookvale after losing seven straight there.  

Manly went 2-3 during Trbojevic’s most recent injury break. But the Sea Eagles have turned 4 Pines Park into a fortress with five straight wins – an upset of Melbourne and four subsequent victories by 13-plus – and deserve their narrow favourite’s tag after the Sharks’ inopportune stumble.  

Tip: Back the Sea Eagles to Win @ $1.78 

SGM: EITHER TEAM TO WIN BY LESS THAN 10.5 POINTS / OVER 49.5 TOTAL POINTS / SIONE KATOA ANYTIME TRYSCORER / TOMMY TALAU ANYTIME TRYSCORER / HAUMOLE OLAKAU’ATU ANYTIME TRYSCORER / KAYAL IRO ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $110.48 

Barring a rare golden point draw, one of these teams will go through to the finals in eighth spot and the other will roll into Mad Monday – a dream promotional result for the NRL in the last game of the regular season.  

The quiet achievers of the run home, Newcastle has recorded three emphatic wins over battling teams and an unlucky golden point loss at Cronulla in its past four games. A Kalyn Ponga first-half double and Fletcher Sharpe second-half hat-trick spearheaded a 36-14 win over Gold Coast last Sunday.  

Tyson Frizell (concussion) returns in a huge boost for the Knights, while Tyson Gamble (hand) is also back. Will Pryce and Thomas Cant drop off the bench.  

After losing five of their previous six games – and their spot in the Top 8 – the Dolphins carved out arguably the greatest win in their short history last Saturday, crushing the Broncos 40-6 in front of 50,000 fans at Suncorp Stadium.  

Wayne Bennett’s backline rejig came up trumps with centre Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and five-eighth Jake Averillo scoring two tries each and recalled fullback Trai Fuller starring. Meanwhile, Herbie Farnworth was unstoppable at centre.  

Jesse Bromwich and Kodi Nikorima (on the interchange) are big ins from concussion protocols. Isaiya Katoa and Lachlan Hubner drop out of the Dolphins’ 17. Felise Kaufusi received a charge downgrade at the judiciary and is free to play.  

Since the Knights inflicted the Dolphins’ maiden defeat at Newcastle in Round 3 last year, the Dolphins have taken out clashes in Perth in late-2023 (30-28) and at Suncorp in Round 8 this year (18-14). Jamayne Isaako has scored six tries in the clubs’ three encounters.  

The Knights are 6-4 at McDonald Jones Stadium this season, winning three of their last four. The Dolphins are just 2-5 outside Queensland in 2024.  

But last week’s ambush of the Broncos had finals footy written all over it – and the Bennett factor looks set to bring down another of his former clubs this weekend in what should be an absolute barnburner. 

Tip: Back the Dolphins to Cover the Line (+2.5) @ $1.90 

SGM: EITHER TEAM BY UNDER 6.5 POINTS / UNDER 49.5 TOTAL POINTS / HAMISO TABUI-FIDOW ANYTIME TRYSCORER / BRADMAN BEST ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $28.43 

2023

The final round of the 2023 NRL regular season is here and there’s still plenty to sort out ladder-wise.

The top-four picture is clouded by the mass resting of star players, while injuries and suspensions have impacted the aspirations of desperate Top 8 hopefuls.

The do-or-die Rabbitohs-Roosters grudge match headlines the weekend, but the Cowboys’ must-win assignment at Penrith and the round-closer between the Sharks and Raiders ensures interest remains high to the last minute of the home-and-away campaign.

Brisbane can clinch the club’s first minor premiership in 23 years with a final-round win, but Kevin Walters has prioritised freshening up his squad for the finals.

Likewise, with a third- or fourth-place finish a formality for Melbourne, Craig Bellamy has spelled many of his big names.

The Broncos are resting Reece Walsh, Herbie Farnworth, Selwyn Cobbo, Ezra Mam, Billy Walters, Payne Haas and Kurt Capewell, while Adam Reynolds and Patrick Carrigan are injured, and Kotoni Staggs is suspended.

Tristan Sailor, Josh Rogers, Jock Madden and Tyson Smoothy form a novice spine, Jordan Pereira and Delouise Hoeter are among the new faces out wide, and Martin Taupau’s return bolsters the forwards.

The Storm are giving a spell to Nick Meaney, Marion Seve, Xavier Coates, Cameron Munster, Christian Welch, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Tui Kamikamica, Tom Eisenhuth and Trent Loiero, with Harry Grant and Jahrome Hughes on the injured list.

Ryan Papenhuyzen will start at fullback, Jayden Nikorima and Tyran Wishart will steer the ship in the halves and Justin Olam gets a recall.

The Broncos have won their last seven, including a hard-earned 29-18 result in Canberra last Saturday.

The Storm are on a three-match run, scoring 123 points in disposing of the Raiders, Dragons and Titans.

If not for the mass changes, plenty of attention this week would be focused on the Storm’s 13-match winning streak against the Broncos – who have not beaten Bellamy’s charges at Suncorp Stadium since 2009.

It’s a bit of a lottery, but Melbourne looks to have more experience across the board and shape as the value option as a $2.20 underdog.

Tip: Back the Storm to Cover the Line (+3.5) @ $1.90

SGM: STORM WIN / OVER 43.5 TOTAL POINTS / WILL WARBRICK ANYTIME TRYSCORER / BRENDAN PIAKURA ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $30.95

The first of two inconsequential Round 27 matches sees Manly chase its 11th win of the season and Wests Tigers their fifth.

The Sea Eagles’ finals flame was officially snuffed out via a plucky 29-22 loss to the Warriors in Round 25, but they responded with a 42-24 defeat of the Bulldogs last Sunday with Jason Saab taking his tally to five tries in two games with a double.

The wooden-spoon-bound Tigers snapped a 10-match losing streak with a 24-23 nail-biter against the Dolphins a fortnight ago, before going down 32-8 to the Roosters last weekend.

Dean Matterson replaces Kelma Tuilagi on the bench in Manly’s only change, with Josh Schuster left out again.

Alex Twal and Jake Simpkin return for the Tigers but Stefano Utoikamanu and John Bateman will miss the last game of the season.

Api Koroisau is named at halfback, while centre Joseh Feledy and interchange Kit Laulilii get NRL debuts.

The Sea Eagles have won their last five against the Tigers, including a 22-16 victory at Campbelltown in Round 8. The previous four encounters were decided by 14-plus.

Twelfth-placed Manly has lost just one game to a team currently lower than them on the ladder and are looking to improve on a 5-4 record at 4 Pines Park this season.

Another high-scoring win for DCE and the Sea Eagles is on the cards.

Tip: Back Manly to Win and Over 47.5 Total Points @ $2.35

SGM: MANLY BY 11-20 / JASON SAAB TO SCORE 2 OR MORE TRIES / DAVID NOFOALUMA ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $33.29

It’s a promoter’s dream with bitter rivals South Sydney and Sydney Roosters duking it out for a finals spot.

The Rabbitohs are guaranteed a place in the Top 8, while the Roosters would still need either the Cowboys or Raiders to lose – but the loser on Friday will definitely be sent packing.

As well as limping towards the playoffs with just four wins from their last 11 games – including a dismal 29-10 loss at Newcastle in Round 25 – Souths have spent their bye week in turmoil, headlined by assistant coach Sam Burgess’ abrupt exit.

The Roosters have been walking the tightrope for a month but have stayed alive with four straight wins, their previously flaccid attack averaging 30.5 points per game in putting away the Sea Eagles, Dolphins, Eels and Tigers.

Blake Taafe will fill Souths’ fullback breach with Latrell Mitchell suspended, while Izaac Thompson comes onto the wing at Taane Milne’s expense. Michael Chee Kam replaces Jacob Host in the second-row.

Roosters big guns James Tedesco and Angus Crichton return to temper Jared Waerea-Hargreaves’ long ban, while in a potential boost Joey Manu has been named despite picking up a hamstring injury last week.

Souths have won five of the last seven derbies, including last year’s explosive elimination final. But the Roosters won an Allianz barnburner 20-18 in Round 3.

The Tricolours are searching for their first win over the Bunnies at Accor Stadium since 2018.

The Rabbitohs have been installed as $1.83 favourites, but their recent formline, Mitchell’s absence and their ability to respond to the off-field tumult makes this a very tough assignment.

The Roosters have plenty of momentum and look the better option in a massive showdown.

Tip: Back the Roosters to Win @ $1.98

SGM: EITHER TEAM BY UNDER 6.5 POINTS / OVER 43.5 TOTAL POINTS / DANIEL TUPOU ANYTIME TRYSCORER / CAMPBELL GRAHAM ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $20.02

The Warriors have won seven straight and can equal club records for most consecutive victories and most regular-season wins by taking down a Dolphins side that has lost six in a row.

But with a top-four berth sealed and no chance of climbing higher, the Warriors have opted to rest their best players.

Andrew Webster’s side has looked tired despite their winning run, making very hard work of an 18-6 home defeat of the battling, injury-hit Dragons last Friday.

The Warriors’ big six of Shaun Johnson, Addin Fonua-Blake, Wayde Egan, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and the injured Tohu Harris are all absent this week, while Luke Metcalf (hamstring) has been sidelined.

First-choice five-eighth Te Maire Martin plays his first top-grade game since Round 6, partnered in the halves with Ronald Volkman.

Other quality fill-ins include Ed Kosi, Taine Tuaupiki and Freddy Lussick, while Mitch Barnett returns from injury.

The Dolphins have won only one of their last 11 – a golden point defeat of the Titans with Origin players out in Round 19 – and were lapped 34-10 at Suncorp by the Cowboys last Saturday.

Only three teams in the NRL have a poorer defensive record than the Dolphins but they can still rack up quick points through the likes of Jamayne Isaako, the competition’s leading tryscorer, and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.

Skipper Jesse Bromwich returns for the Dolphins, but Josh Kerr is out suspended.

The rejigged Warriors combination are $2.40 outsiders, but with at least eight players looking to prove they are worthy of a spot in Andrew Webster’s finals 17, expect them to come out firing.

The Dolphins will want to finish a promising debut campaign on a high note but they’ve looked a weary bunch for almost three months.

Tip: Back the Warriors to Cover the Line (+4.5) @ $1.90

SGM: UNDER 48.5 TOTAL POINTS / ED KOSI/JAMAYNE ISAAKO TO HAVE 2+ TRIES COMBINED / EITHER TEAM BY UNDER 10.5 POINTS @ $8.48

While the rest of the top four have given a bunch of stars a pre-finals break, Ivan Cleary has signalled his intentions of snaring another minor premiership by naming the strongest Penrith side he could – though the pursuit of the JJ Giltinan Shield will be moot if Brisbane wins on Thursday.

Nevertheless, it shapes as bad news for North Queensland Cowboys, who are also relying on other results to squeak into the Top 8 but cannot make it without a win at the foot of the mountains.

The Panthers also have a point to prove after being pumped 32-18 by the also-ran Eels at home last Thursday.

The two-time champs had won their last eight games but produced easily their worst defensive display of the season and were behind 28-4 with 15 minutes to go.

Dylan Edwards, Sunia Turuva, Mitch Kenny and Scott Sorensen are back from a rest, with the injured Jarome Luai the only top-liner missing from last week’s line-up. Izack Tago has been named in the reserves.

After three straight losses – culminating in a bitterly disappointing 32-12 home defeat to Cronulla – the Cowboys stayed alive with a 34-10 cruise against the slumping Dolphins in Round 26.

Rookie centre Zac Laybutt grabbed two tries among a sparkling back-five performance.

The Cowboys have won their last two against the Panthers, but those were in the last round in 2022 with a stack of Penrith top-liners rested and a Scott Drinkwater-inspired golden point win in Round 16 with both players missing a host of Origin players.

There’s the possibility the Panthers make some late changes if the minor premiership is out of reach, but the Cowboys seem to have run out of puff against quality teams and their first victory at Penrith since 2016 looks highly unlikely.

Tip: Back the Panthers to Cover the Line (-10.5) @ $1.90

SGM: PANTHERS BY 11-20 / OVER 41.5 TOTAL POINTS / NATHAN CLEARY ANYTIME TRYSCORER / KYLE FELDT ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $46.25

Newcastle Knights are locked in for a home elimination final regardless of Round 27 and have spelled a handful of players for this road trip to take on second-last St George Illawarra Dragons.

The Knights are the form team of the competition, winning their last eight in a row – including four victories against current Top 8 rivals.

Last weekend’s 32-6 thumping of Cronulla (after the scores were tied 6-all at halftime) came with the caveat of on-fire Kalyn Ponga’s shoulder injury, however.

Super League-bound livewire Lachie Miller slots back in at fullback for Ponga and key trio Tyson Frizell, Dane Gagai and Phoenix Crossland get a rest, with Brodie Jones, Enari Tuala and Fa’amanu Brown coming in.

The Dragons have lost five straight but have made life difficult for a succession of finals hopefuls and title contenders in each match.

They pushed the Warriors all the way in an 18-6 loss in Auckland despite suffering multiple injury setbacks during the match.

Jack de Belin returns from suspension, while Mat Feagai replaces injured debutant on the wing.

The teams last met in Round 6 last year, the Saints chalking up their 14th win in 18 games against the Knights, who have won an away game in this rivalry since 2011.

This is clearly a different Knights side while the Dragons have regressed from a fairly low base.

While the changes make things tougher for the visitors, Newcastle’s three-quarter line is in devastating form and their underrated pack should have too much grunt for a Saints side looking forward to Mad Monday.

Tip: Back the Knights to Win @ $1.82

SGM: KNIGHTS BY 1-12 / OVER 46.5 TOTAL POINTS / ENARI TUALA ANYTIME TRYSCORER / MOSESE SULI ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $55.97

In another dead-rubber, Gold Coast will be confident of a season-closing home win over a Canterbury side that is on the ropes on and off the paddock.

The Titans are a better team than their 8-15 record might suggest, but they have lost eight of their last nine with their resolve falling away in recent weeks in defeats to the Sharks (36-6), Panthers (40-14) and Storm (37-16).

Moeaki Fotuaika is back after missing Round 26 for the birth of his child, replacing the injured Isaac Liu in the only change to the Titans’ 17.

Since notching their last win over the Dolphins in Round 22, the Bulldogs have given up 120 points in losses to the Knights and Sea Eagles; they have conceded almost 100 more points than any other team.

But that almost pales in comparison to the torrent of leaks in recent days coming from the club about player unrest.

The embattled Bulldogs have left Tevita Pangai Jr out, while Harrison Edwards is also out. Sam Hughes and Kurtis Morrin join the bench.

The Titans blew a 14-0 halftime lead against the Bulldogs in Sydney in Round 12, pipped at the post 20-18.

That was when the Bulldogs still had a bit of spirit and commitment about them, though, and their horrific week in the news cycles should give the Titans a free hit at Cbus Super Stadium.

Tip: Back the Titans to Win by 13+ @ $2.05

SGM: TITANS WIN / OVER 53.5 TOTAL POINTS / KIERAN FORAN ANYTIME TRYSCORER / ALOFIANA KHAN-PEREIRA TO SCORE 2 OR MORE TRIES @ $19.38

Plenty on the line for both teams in the last match of the regular season with the winner securing a home elimination final – while Canberra are at risk of missing the finals altogether if North Queensland pull off an upset on Saturday.

Cronulla turned a crumbling campaign around with three straight wins over Souths, Gold Coast and North Queensland.

But with Nicho Hynes a late withdrawal, the Sharks were hammered 32-6 at Newcastle on Sunday despite a solid first-half display.

Hynes is back on deck, pushing Matt Moylan back to the bench in the Sharks’ only change.

The Raiders have had the wobbles for some time, with their only wins in the past six rounds coming against the struggling Tigers and Bulldogs. But they gave the Broncos a run for their money before fading late in a spirited 29-18 loss in Round 26.

The Raiders have lost Corey Horsburgh to suspension and Josh Papalii (bicep) has succumbed to injury.

Hohepa Puru will debut off the bench. In positive news, Jamal Fogarty (facial injury) has been named and has been training.

The Raiders are on a nine-match winning streak against the Sharks, whose last win in the rivalry was back in 2018, the Green Machine prevailed 24-20 at home in Round 3.

Despite some encouraging performances prior to their trip to Newcastle, the Sharks are yet to shed their flat-track bully rep and are a modest 5-4 at home this season. Expect the high stakes to keep this one close.

Tip: Back the Raiders to Cover the Line (+9.5) @ $1.90

SGM: EITHER TEAM BY UNDER 6.5 POINTS / OVER 45.5 TOTAL POINTS / JACK WIGHTTON ANYTIME TRYSCORER / JESSE RAMIEN ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $38.11