The Story So Far: A win for the Wests Tigers will secure second spot on the premiership ladder, their highest ever regular season finish since Balmain and Western Suburbs merged and the highest finish for either of the merged teams since 1985 when Balmain finished second. The Gold Coast were in the box seat for second spot but will now need to beat the Tigers by 10 and hope Penrith lose to finish top-two.

Why to Watch: Old teammates Benji Marshall and Scott Prince take each other on with second spot on the line in a match that should bring the best out of these two exhilarating playmakers.

We Think: The Tigers have a major speed and skill edge out wide and should be able to finish more effectively than the Gold Coast. The Titans loss to Cronulla also suggests they may have peaked a touch early. The Wests Tigers by 4 in a match that should go down to the wire.

Wests Tigers by 4

TAB SPORTSBET: Gold Coast $1.55, Wests Tigers $2.40

BRISBANE v CANBERRA, Suncorp Stadium, Friday 7:35pm

The Story So Far: Brisbane have lost their last three matches and now need to beat Canberra by 15 and hope for South Sydney to lose to make the playoffs. Canberra have won seven of their last eight and currently sit eighth on the premiership ladder. Brisbane have made the finals every year since 1992 while Canberra have not missed consecutive finals series since 1986.

Why to Watch: This match is likely to decide the last finals position in what shapes as a winner-takes-all contest with all the marbles on the line. This is finals footy, a week early.

We Think: This clash has gone to the home team in the last ten matchups but that run should end this Friday with the red-hot Raiders finishing Brisbane’s consecutive finals streak. Brisbane relies too heavily on Darren Lockyer and he is not expected to play and without him they are limp. Even if he returns, he will not be near full fitness. Canberra are flying with seven wins in their last eight matches and their defence looks too stifling for a Brisbane team playing without their halves.

Canberra by 10

TAB SPORTSBET: Brisbane $2.35, Canberra $1.57

PARRAMATTA v NEW ZEALAND, Parramatta Stadium, Saturday 5:35pm

The Story So Far: A tale of overachievement and underperformance. The Warriors have been the surprise team in 2010, currently sitting fifth with a win over Parramatta and a Titans loss giving New Zealand a home final. Parramatta started the season as premiership favourites but were put out of their misery by South Sydney last week.

Why to Watch: Parramatta legend Nathan Cayless (pictured, above) will lead the Parramatta Eels out for the final time in his 259th match for the club, the 219th he has skippered the team, an NRL record for most games as captain.

We Think: Parramatta have lost four of their last five and have been playing some miserably lazy and stupid rugby league of late. With nothing to play for, it is tough to see the Eels rolling a Warriors team trying to build some momentum for a strong finals campaign.

New Zealand by 10

TAB SPORTSBET: Parramatta $1.90, New Zealand $1.90

NORTH QUEENSLAND v SYDNEY ROOSTERS, Dairy Farmers Stadium, Saturday 7:35pm

The Story So Far: The Roosters sit sixth on the ladder and are still a slight hope of a home final if the Gold Coast lose and they roll the Cowboys by a larger margin than the Warriors beat Parramatta. The Cowboys have won only five matches this season but four of those have been against teams currently in the top eight including a 32-14 win over the Roosters in Sydney.

Why to Watch: There is every chance the Roosters are going to need to put up a score and there are few teams better equipped to run in tries by the bucketload than the Roosters with Todd Carney, Mitchell Pearce and Braith Anasta setting the likes of Shaun Kenny-Dowall free.

We Think: The Cowboys have nothing to play for and have suffered double digit losses in five of the last ten weeks. The Roosters may need a big win. This looks like another ugly loss for North Queensland with the Roosters likely to put up a monster score.

Sydney Roosters by 24

TAB SPORTSBET: North Queensland $3.75, Sydney Roosters $1.25

PENRITH v CRONULLA, CUA Stadium, Saturday 7:35pm

The Story So Far: Penrith are third on the ladder but can claim second position if they win and the Tigers lose. That would put the Panthers in the box seat to win a week's rest. Cronulla are long gone but have been in good form since Shane Flanagan has taken over with wins over the Roosters and the Gold Coast in their last three matches.

Why to Watch: The lock-forward battle is one of the best in the NRL with Paul Gallen and Luke Lewis the most valuable player at each club set to take each other on. Whoever wins that arm-wrestle will likely win the match and the arm-wrestle is sure to last 80 minutes.

We Think: Cronulla have become giant killers in recent weeks and there are question marks on how well Penrith are actually travelling. With halfback Luke Walsh out hurt and Cronulla keen to send off Trent Barrett and Luke Covell winners, an upset is on the cards. The Sharks can win in a gritty low-scorer.

Cronulla by 2

TAB SPORTSBET: Penrith $1.30, Cronulla $3.50

MELBOURNE v NEWCASTLE, AAMI Park, Sunday 2:05pm

The Story So Far: Both teams are out of the running with Melbourne’s season ended with the salary cap scandal and Newcastle’s season finishing last week when going down in a courageous loss to the Dragons.

Why to Watch: This is the end of an era for the Melbourne Storm, who have played in four straight Grand Finals with a team that has delighted crowds across the country. This will be the last time Greg Inglis, Ryan Hoffman, Brett White, Brett Finch, Jeff Lima and Aiden Tolman will pull in the purple alongside Slater, Smith, Cronk at al. Expect Melbourne to be fired up.

We Think: Melbourne will be up for this and they have won six of seven at AAMI Park while Newcastle will be without Kurt Gidley. Melbourne should win this easily but I would be surprised to see a blowout with the Knights a mentally strong team who rarely get flogged.

Melbourne by 14

TAB SPORTSBET: Melbourne $1.08, Newcastle $7.50

MANLY v CANTERBURY, Brookvale Oval, Sunday 3:05pm

The Story So Far: Manly have been hot and cold all year and are just holding onto a finals spot. Wins to Canberra and Souths combined with a loss would see Manly drop out of the finals though. Canterbury have won only twice in their last seven matches and are coming off a heartbreaking loss last Monday night.

Why to Watch: Brett Kimmorley and Luke Patten have both champions of the game over the last decade with 586 NRL matches between them. This will be the last match in the NRL for each in what will be the end of an era.

We Think: Injuries and suspension have crippled Manly, who are also having plenty of defensive problems having allowed 20-plus points in 10 of their last 13. Canterbury were strong early against Penrith and should be up to farewell Brett Kimmorley and Luke Patten in winning style. This match has upset written all over it.

Canterbury by 2

TAB SPORTSBET: Manly $1.45, Canterbury $2.65

ST GEORGE-ILLAWARRA v SOUTH SYDNEY, Win Jubilee Oval, Sunday 7:05pm

The Story So Far: The Dragons have the minor premiership wrapped up while South Sydney are a win outside the eight and need a victory over the Dragons and either a Raiders or a Manly loss to make the playoffs. The Dragons have won 12 of their last 14 against the Bunnies.

Why to Watch: This is the final match of the regular season and if the cards fall right then this could determine whether Souths make the finals for only the second time since 1989.

We Think: On paper, South Sydney have more to play for but the Dragons are extremely conscious of hitting the finals with some momentum and will not dare turn in an effort below 100%. Combined with the long injury list suffered by Souths, they seem just a little short on quality to upset the best team in the NRL this year.

Dragons by 4

TAB SPORTSBET: St George-Illawarra $1.26, South Sydney $3.75