A win for the Cowboys gives them a shot at a home final in Townsville so there's plenty at stake for Todd Payten's men.
Should they knock off the defending champs on Saturday night the Cowboys will join the second-placed Sharks on 36 competition points and then be cheering for an upset win by the Knights over Cronulla on Sunday.
If the Storm win on Thursday night and the Cowboys lose then they will fall to fourth and face Penrith again in week one of the finals.
With the minor premiership in their keeping Ivan Cleary will no doubt take the opportunity to rest some stars - just how many are given a breather will be revealed on Tuesday when the squads are named.
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The Rundown
Team news
Cowboys: A big in for the Cowboys with playmaker Tom Dearden called into the starting side an hour before kick-off as he returns from surgery on a ruptured testicle. His inclusion sees Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow drop back to the bench and Jake Granville to 18th Man. Forward Coen Hess will miss the game due to suspension so Reuben Cotter joins the starting side and Griffin Neame comes onto the bench.
Panthers: The Panthers are 1-17 with no late changes. Coach Ivan Cleary has chosen to rest Dylan Edwards, Brian To'o, Stephen Crichton, Izack Tago, Taylan May, Jarome Luai, Moses Leota, James Fisher-Harris, Viliame Kikau and Isaah Yeo while Api Koroisau (ankle) and Spencer Leniu (shoulder) are also out. Scott Sorensen is back from a calf injury in the second row while regular bench players Matt Eisenhuth and Mitch Kenny move into the starting side. Charlie Staines gets another run at fullback and Sunia Turuva is on the wing while Thomas Jenkins makes his NRL debut at centre as do Liam Henry and Jack Cole on the bench. Mavrik Geyer is 18th Man.
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Key match-up
Chad Townsend v Sean O'Sullivan: The veteran Cowboy has given himself a realistic shot at a second premiership ring to go with the one he collected with the Sharks in 2016. Townsend's steadying hand, calming influence and 19 try assists have been a huge factor in the Cowboys' remarkable transformation and his big-game experience will be critical in the weeks ahead. O'Sullivan, meanwhile, has done a fine job keeping the No.7 jersey warm in Nathan Cleary's absence and he would love nothing better than to hand the keys back to the champ on a winning note. The 24-year-old has proved he has what it takes to get the job done should Cleary be sidelined for any reason during the finals series and if the Panthers do go on to claim back-to-back titles he can certainly take plenty of credit for his role.
Stat Attack
Cowboys back-rower Jeremiah Nanai's tally of 17 tries has him third on the list behind Alex Johnston and Corey Oates. The 19-year-old has found the stripe in 12 of his 20 matches this season and he is a runaway leader as the NRL's top tryscoring forward, with Raider Hudson Young next best on 11.
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