Expert Tipping: NRL Finals Week 3 & NRLW Finals Week 1

We're one week away from the big dance and across the NRL and NRLW competitions there are four massive games to come. 

The pan66.com writers are here to offer up their take on the action ahead, which all starts on Friday night with the Storm taking on the Roosters. 

Expert tips for NRL Finals Week 3

Storm v Roosters

Brad Walter: The Roosters showed against Manly last week that they aren’t going to die wondering as they bid to farewell their departing stars with a premiership win. The Roosters forward pack are all Test or Origin representatives, while they have strike across the backline. Roosters by 2. 

Cameron Mee: Melbourne have been dominant all season and that should continue against an understrength Roosters side on Friday night. The Roosters will turn up ready to play and match it with the Storm throughout the first half but expect the hosts to grind their opponents down as the match progresses. Cam Munster is set to play a key role throughout the game while Tyran Wishart will help swing the contest in his side’s favour in the second half. Storm by 8.

Colleen Edwards: The Roosters will be hoping for third time lucky when they take on the Storm for the final time this season, but taking down Melbourne in Melbourne is a different type of task. The Tricolours have so far defied their injuries and their doubters and put in a dominant display against the Sea Eagles last week, but a well-rested and hungry Storm are a whole new beast. Storm by 6.

Corey Rosser: The wounded Roosters have fought on admirably to get here, but against an all-star spine like the one Melbourne possesses, I struggle to see them matching up in the big moments. The middle battle will be ferocious, but in the end Harry Grant's wizardry on the back of what the Storm do will be the difference. Storm by 4.  

Martin Lenehan: These two sides produced a cracking contest in last year's finals series with a late Will Warbrick try getting the Storm across the line. Another enthralling contest is guaranteed with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Nelson Asofa-Solomona going at it in the middle before Munster and Hughes match wits with Keary and Smith. The Roosters are bound to put up a fight but the Storm's class and composure will carry them into a fifth grand final in nine years. Storm by 2. 

Panthers v Sharks

Brad Walter: Cronulla got the finals hoodoo off their backs against the Cowboys last weekend and will now approach the match against Penrith with nothing to lose. The rise of Braydon Trindall means they now have playmaking options either side of the ruck and can spring the biggest upset in finals history. Sharks by 4.

Cameron Mee: The three-time defending premiers have too much firepower up front and class throughout their backline for the Sharks, with Penrith surging towards a fifth-straight grand final. Cronulla will play with plenty of confidence at Accor Stadium but Nathan Cleary is simply a level above the competition and will guide the team back to a decider. Panthers by 14. 

Colleen Edwards: The Sharks shook the monkey off their back last week by winning their first finals match in eight attempts, and while it was a convincing first half, the way they let the Cowboys back in the second sparks some doubt on if they can rise again against the Panthers. Penrith showed their class in their win over the Roosters in the opening week of finals and have had time to finetune the areas that slipped away a bit in their second half. Panthers by 8.

Corey Rosser: Penrith were painting by numbers in Finals Week 1. They know exactly what to do at this time of the year and having done it all before they also know that can reach the levels of required to win the big moments. Rested and ready to go, there'll be no stopping Ivan Cleary's men. Panthers by 8. 

Martin Lenehan: With a week off under their belt the premiers will be ready to rip and tear against a Sharks outfit that has enjoyed a fine season under Craig Fitzgibbon. The men from the Shire will fight to the end but the class of Cleary and Luai and the power of Fisher-Harris and Leota will be too much to handle in the end. A fifth straight grand final beckons for the best team of the modern era. Panthers by 10. 

Game of the Round preview

Expert tips for NRLW Finals Week 1

Broncos v Sharks

Brad Walter: This is a battle between a team who started the season as the best in the NRLW and a favourite which struggled for a win, but the roles have been reversed, with the Sharks losing their last three matches after an unbeaten run in the opening six games and the Broncos have won seven in a row. With the semi-final being played before a sold out Totally Workwear Stadium, it’s hard to see anything but a Broncos win. Broncos by 4. 

Cameron Mee: Cronulla had the wobbles in the final three weeks of the season but they will travel to Brisbane knowing they came agonisingly close of a victory over the Broncos in Round 8. The Sharks relished the underdog tag earlier in the year and won’t be afraid to take it to their opponents. Semi-finals are often decided by an individual piece of brilliance and Emma Tonegato has the talent to break the game open in the dying stages for her side. Sharks by 4. 

Colleen Edwards: Minor premiers Brisbane come into this match with winning momentum and a desire to return to their ways of old which saw them claim three-straight NRLW titles, while the Sharks have stuttered into the finals with three straight losses. Broncos by 6.

Corey Rosser: After a roaring hot start to the season Cronulla have looked miles away from their best over the past month, and it seems unlikely that this is the occasion to rediscover it. The Broncos on the other hand haven't lost since Round 2 and are the team to beat this year. They shouldn't have too much trouble disposing of the Sharks. Broncos by 14. 

Martin Lenehan: A team brimming with match-winners and riding a seven-game winning streak, the Broncos will storm into their first grand final since 2020 by taking care of the Sharks. With Ali Brigginshaw and Gayle Broughton calling the shots and Mele Hufanga and Julia Robinson running riot out wide, the Broncos will pack too many punches for the Sharks. Broncos by 12. 

Roosters v Knights

Brad Walter: Newcastle are back-to-back premiers and have a proven record in big matches, while the Roosters have been hit hard by injuries to key players. Any team boasting Tamika Upton and Jesse Southwell is going to score plenty of points and the Knights will give themselves a chance at a three-peat. Knights by 2. 

Cameron Mee: The Roosters have fallen in the semi-finals in each of the past two seasons and they enter this weekend’s game determined to snap the streak. There have been chinks in the Knights' armour throughout the 2024 season and the Roosters boast the talent to break their opponents down. Isabelle Kelly looks set to play just a week after dislocating her elbow and Jessica Sergis is in the mix to return from injury, with the pair’s ability enough to get the Roosters over the line. Roosters by 2.

Colleen Edwards: One of the toughest games to tip for this weekend with both teams stacked with talent and primed for finals action after overcoming plenty of adversity during the season. However, while the Roosters have the big-game players to get the job done – and they will be hoping for Tarryn Aiken and Jess Sergis to be late inclusions – it’s hard to go past the experience of the Knights. Knights by 2.

Corey Rosser: With injury clouds hanging over three of their best players, there's a good chance the Roosters will be understrength come kick off, or at best underdone even if Isabelle Kelly, Jess Sergis and Tarryn Aiken do play. Similar to the Panthers in the NRL, the Knights' squad knows how to get it done at finals time. Knights by 4. 

Martin Lenehan: With Tamika Upton and Yasmin Clydsdale leading the way the Knights will keep the dream of a third-straight premiership alive and march into the big one. The defending champs have won four of their past five and their attacking machine has well and truly clicked into gear. They have averaged 32 points per game across that stretch and have the firepower to take down the Roosters in a classic semi-final. Knights by 4. 

Game of the Round preview