Wayne Bennett was cagey about who he'll pick at fullback for South Sydney's first-up finals clash with Penrith after his team staved off St George Illawarra.
After watching Tom Trbojevic score a miraculous solo try and finish possibly the best team effort of 2021 to help Manly cement fourth spot, coach Des Hasler declared: “There is enough points in this team to trouble anyone”.
The Lions and Bulldogs played out an all-time classic that went right down to the wire.
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary lauded the efforts of Brian To'o in just his second game back from ankle surgery as the side finalised their preparations ahead of a showdown with South Sydney next week.
Craig Bellamy expects Ryan Papenhuyzen to grow in confidence after his hat-trick against the Sharks secured the Storm's fourth minor premiership in six years.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson described five-eighth Drew Hutchison's starring role in the 40-16 win over the Raiders in Mackay on Thursday night as "definitely his best performance".
Johnathan Thurston has been sent off a hero in thrilling circumstances before the biggest crowd for nine years at Cbus Super Stadium – and much of it was from his own doing in the 323rd and final game of a magnificent 16-season NRL career.
Tevita Pangai phoned Michael Maguire to reject Wests Tigers' advances last month, but there were no such pleasantries as the Panthers recruit bashed and barged his new side into a surprise shot at the minor premiership.
The Bulldogs gave the finals-bound Sea Eagles an almighty scare in a 36-18 loss on Sunday, with a controversial try awarded to Tom Trbojevic proving crucial.
It was all or nothing as the out-of-form Bulldogs took on an Essendon side who hadn't won a final since 2004.
It was supposed to be a historic night with the Storm to become the first team to ever record 20 straight wins.
Sharks interim coach Josh Hannay praised injured prop Andrew Fifita for helping to inspire the young Cronulla side to a gritty 24-16 defeat of Brisbane just days after undergoing surgery for a fractured larynx.
