<p>Just like that the NRL regular season has been run and won. The Melbourne Storm finished top of the pops and secured the minor premiership, while at the other end of the table the Tigers completed an unwanted hat-trick of wooden spoons with another last-placed finish.</p> <p>After 27 hotly contested rounds that saw the final make up of the finals go down to the last five minutes of the last game of the regular season, 16 teams have now become eight.</p> <p>The Storm, Panthers, Roosters, Sharks, Cowboys, Bulldogs, Sea Eagles and the Knights are all still alive in their pursuit for the 2024 premiership trophy.</p> <p>Unfortunately for two of the Cowboys, Bulldogs, Sea Eagles and the Knights the journey will end this week.</p> <p>Meanwhile Penrith, Melbourne, Sydney and Cronulla will all be trying to book a ticket straight to the Preliminary Finals.</p> <p>Who will be moving on? Who will be going home: And who will have to fall on their second chance? Let’s find out.</p> <p>For the latest NRL Finals news, analysis, odds and more, check out our NRL tips and predictions for Week 1 of the finals below.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Penrith Panthers vs Sydney Roosters Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, September 13, 7:50pm AEST – Penrith Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The first game of week 1 of the NRL Finals is undoubtedly the biggest. After finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively on the ladder, perennial powerhouses the Penrith Panthers and the Sydney Roosters will meet in the first qualifying final.</p> <p>The winner here will move straight to the preliminary finals, earning an all too valuable week off in the process.</p> <p>The point of difference in this game won’t be who is on the field, it will be who isn’t. Despite their lofty ladder positions, both sides have been ravaged by injuries to key personnel.</p> <p>For Penrith obviously all the news is around Nathan Cleary. Widely considered to be the best player in the competition, he injured his shoulder a few weeks back and was said to be in line to return for the finals.</p> <p>Whether that is this week, the next, or the one after that was never specified and if Cleary Senior thinks his side can take down the Chooks without his son, he may not be rushed back here, with a second chance still in the back pocket.</p> <p>For the Roosters they must play out the entirety of the finals without Sam Walker, Victor Radley and Brandon Smith</p> <p>However, Daniel Tupou, Dom Young, Lindsay Collins and Nat Butcher are all expected to be on deck for this huge finals clash.</p> <p>The absence of Walker, Smith and Radley means the brunt of the Roosters attacking responsibilities will fall on the shoulders of skipper and fullback James Tedesco, who luckily for the Tri-colours has hit top form at exactly the right time.</p> <p>We expect Tedesco to fire, but if Cleary does play, surely Penrith clinch this one at home. If he doesn’t, well it’s anyone’s game. Keep your eyes peeled for both team lists and any late mail leading into this one.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong>Penrith Panthers.</p> <p><strong>Sugar Says:</strong>&nbsp;This just feels right. Great respect for the number 1 defensive team but they do take on the number 1 attacking side. Feels like Roosters have 2-3 tries in them.</p> <p><strong>Sugar's tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/penrith-panthers-v-sydney-roosters-8547721">Sydney Rosters Total Points Bands</a> 11 to 20 Points.</p>

<h2>Melbourne Storm vs Cronulla Sharks Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, September 14, 4:05pm AEST – AAMI Park</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Minor Premiers Melbourne welcome the circling Sharks to AAMI Park in the other qualifying final of Week 1 of the 2024 NRL Finals.</p> <p>There’s no doubt about it, the Sharks have some task on their fins. Not only do they have to battle the top team in the land, away from home at that, they also have to battle their own post-season demons.</p> <p>Cronulla have made the finals over the past two seasons but have failed to record a single victory in either campaign.</p> <p>They’ll be hoping it will be a case of third time’s the charm when they make the road trip to Victoria this weekend.</p> <p>While nearly everyone is expecting Melbourne to do what Melbourne do and win this game with ease, it pays to remember that the Sharks have recent history on their side.</p> <p>They knocked off the Storm at this very stadium back in round 10 with an epic 25-18 victory. Could they be about to do the same?</p> <p>Against a Storm side who have oozed class and consistency all season regardless of who was available and who are coming off putting 50 on the Broncos in Brisbane? We highly doubt it.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong>Melbourne Storm.</p> <p><strong>Sugar Says:&nbsp;</strong>The Sharks left winger (whether it be Stonestreet or Mulitalo) has scored at least 1 try in 8 games in a row. Warbrick &amp; Meaney (Storm right) conceding almost twice the tries and break causes on average as the other side of Howarth &amp; Coates.</p> <p><strong>Sugar's tip: </strong>Ronaldo Mulitalo <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/melbourne-storm-v-cronulla-sharks-8547720">Anytime Tryscorer</a>.</p>

<h2>North Queensland Cowboys vs Newcastle Knights Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, September 14, 7:50pm AEST – Queensland Country Bank Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Giddy up! These Cowboys are peaking at the right time and could be set to shake up the natural order of the NRL finals.</p> <p>They won their final three games of the regular season on the spin, which included a truly crazy 38-30 victory over the Melbourne Storm.</p> <p>Across those three wins they scored a total of 124 points as their attacking weapons such as: Scott Drinkwater, Murray Taulagi and Kyle Feldt all flexed their try scoring muscles.</p> <p>Speaking of Feldt, this could very well be his final game at the club as he is set to depart the North Queensland club come season's end.</p> <p>He has played in excess of 200 games for the club and was instrumental in delivering the club its maiden and so far, only premiership back in 2015.</p> <p>Will he take a step closer to a second ever premiership for his beloved Cowboys? Or will Kalyn Ponga and his plucky Knights</p> <p>Our verdict? Play on Kyle! It doesn’t end here! We’re tipping Feldt to extend his NRL career by at least one more game and send the Knights packing in front of a packed home crowd.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong>North Queensland Cowboys.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Kyle Feldt first try scorer.</p>

<h2>Canterbury Bulldogs vs Manly Sea Eagles Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, September 15, 4:05pm AEST – Stadium Australia</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Wrapping up our NRL final weeks 1 tips and predictions is this do-or-die clash between the Canterbury Bulldogs and the Manly Sea Eagles.</p> <p>It’s a shame that we will be saying goodbye to one of these sides for 2024 after this week, as both looked like top four material at different points this season.</p> <p>Injuries and inconsistencies ultimately cost them both and now they find themselves in a last chance saloon setting.</p> <p>These two teams met as recently as two weeks ago, with Manly coming out on top in a 34-22 thriller.</p> <p>However, that was with the services of one Tom Trbojevic, who hasn’t played since injuring his shoulder in that win.</p> <p>Both sides conceded 40 (or more) points last week in worrying defensive displays on the eve of the finals, however the Bulldogs were severely undermanned in their disaster class against the Cowboys.</p> <p>A number of their first team stars should be back on deck for this one. But will Turbo be fit to kit up for Manly?</p> <p>We’ll have to wait and see, but the participation of one of the game’s preeminent superstars will obviously have a massive bearing on the outcome here.</p> <p>As it stands, we’re siding with the Bulldogs, but if Tommy takes his place at the back, don’t be afraid to jump in and change your tip, because we sure won’t be.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong>Canterbury Bulldogs.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Over total match points.</p>