The NRLW Finals are officially here! After 11 entertaining rounds of the finest female footy in Australia only six sides remain. 

We will bid farewell to two of those six this week as the Tigers, Raiders, Knights and Broncos all run out to take part in do-or-die matches.

As for the Roosters and Titans, they’re already locked into Week 2 courtesy of their top-two finishes, meaning these two elimination finals will decide who joins them in the final four.

Regardless of what transpires this weekend, for two teams, they’re guaranteed to make history. 

The Wests Tigers and Canberra Raiders will run out for their first-ever NRLW finals appearance on Friday night, in what is a massive milestone for both clubs.

Meanwhile, perennial powerhouses Brisbane and Newcastle will renew last year's preliminary final rivalry a day later.

Both results this week will set up mouth-watering Week 2 clashes. The winner of Tigers vs Raiders will face the minor premiers, the Sydney Roosters, while the Bronco vs Knights victor takes on the Gold Coast Titans. 

With four clubs chasing two spots in the preliminary finals, and plenty of plotlines in play, Week 1 of the NRLW finals series is shaping up as unmissable viewing.

For the latest analysis, news and betting tips for all of this weekend’s finals action, check out our NRLW Finals Week 1 tips and predictions below. 

Wests Tigers Women vs Canberra Raiders Women Prediction

Friday, September 18, 7:50pm AEST – Campbelltown Stadium 

In some serious scheduling serendipity, the opening game of the NRLW Finals is an instant rematch from the final round of the regular season.

That’s right, the Tigers played host to the Raiders last week and will do so again, although they’ll be hoping for a different outcome here. 

The Green Machine came up trumps 22-10 last start and should head into this one full of confidence as a result.

However, it’s not all good news for those who hail from the nation’s capital as their co-captain Simaima Taufa is facing a Grade 2 charge from last week and is disputing the grading, so her availability needs to be watched closely in the lead-up.

For the Tigers, coach Craig Sandercock will be buoyed if captain Kezie Apps (leg) and fullback Caitlin Turnbull (foot) are fit to return after missing the back end of the regular season. 

Their absence in Rounds 10 and 11 clearly hurt Wests Tigers, and getting two experienced leaders back for an elimination final would be a timely boost. 

However, there is no chance of a Faythe Manera appearance, as she is out for the season with a suspected ACL injury.

In terms of players to watch in this one, Raiders’ winger Mackenzie Wiki has been prolific all season, running in 10 tries, and was among the standouts in last week’s win. Centre Leianne Tufuga also impressed in that match. 

For the Tigers hooker Salma Nour, whose dummy-half running has made her one of the competition's most dangerous attacking weapons, is the player Canberra will need to work overtime to contain.

Playmaker Raecene McGregor is the other player the Raiders will need to wrangle if they're to repeat their Round 11 win. 

All in all, both sides will be desperate to make the most of a first finals appearance in club history, which should make for a fierce, high-stakes contest.

However, Canberra's win over the Tigers just a week ago, combined with a more settled roster, gives them the edge in the H2H betting. 

That being said, finals football has a habit of rewarding sides with returning stars, and a fit-again Apps and Turnbull could tip the balance for Wests Tigers. 

If Taufa is cleared to play for the Raiders, expect Canberra to have enough firepower to get the job done in a tight contest.

Head-to-head prediction: Canberra Raiders Women. 

Betting tip: Mackenzie Wiki first try scorer. 

Brisbane Broncos Women vs Newcastle Knights Women Prediction

Saturday, September 19, 4:05pm AEST – Totally Workwear Stadium 

This weekend’s second NRLW Elimination Final carries a bit of extra weight as it’s a rematch of last year's preliminary final.

Brisbane won on that occasion on their way to claiming the premiership, so you can bet Newcastle will be out to flip the script. That being said, they arrive under far more pressure than their opponents.

On the form front, Brisbane finished the regular season on a high, winning three straight matches to secure third spot, headlined by a 52-18 demolition of the Warriors last time out.

Eighteen-year-old rookie centre Deleni Paitai was one of the shining lights of that particular performance, scoring twice and racking up 94 running metres. 

Skipper and NRLW GOAT Tamika Upton has been vocal about her side's chances, pointing out that while seven or eight players from last year's grand final side are gone, she still backs her team to defend their title from outside the top two.

There's also emotional weight behind Brisbane's campaign, with veteran playmaker Ali Brigginshaw playing her final season. 

She was given a heartfelt send-off after Round 11, and that occasion could add extra fuel for the Broncos as finals football begins.

Newcastle's path to this final has been far rockier. They finished sixth with 10 points and go into this match off the back of a 32-20 loss to the Titans.

Coach Ben Jeffries has been blunt about the equation facing his team: win or the season ends. 

A win would also mean back-to-back preliminary finals appearances for the Knights, which Jeffries has identified as a genuine motivating factor for his group.

Amongst Newcastle’s up-and-down season rookie hooker Charley Lahmert has been a genuine bright spot. 

Encouraged to make the move from New Zealand by Andre Ponga (father of Newcastle NRL star Kalyn Ponga) Lahmert has developed into a key figure in the Knights' spine. 

Prop Tayla Predebon is another player to watch after returning from suspension to score a hat-trick in Round 10, and unsurprisingly she's held her spot in the run-on side since.

For Brisbane, Paitai's form makes her one of the most dangerous new talents in the competition, while Brigginshaw's finals experience and know-how in big moments shouldn't be underestimated.

Brisbane's recent form, home ground advantage and finals experience, sees them installed as clear favourites in the H2H betting here. 

While Newcastle have shown flashes of quality, particularly through Lahmert and Predebon, their loss to the Titans last week doesn't inspire much confidence against this red-hot Broncos outfit. 

We expect Brisbane's superior depth and big-match temperament to prove decisive here, as they ensure Brigginshaw’s legendary NRLW career gets to continue for at least one more week. 

Head-to-head prediction: Brisbane Broncos Women. 

Betting tip: Deleni Paitai first try scorer.