NRL Finals Week Three Preview

The 2005 National Rugby League grand finalists will be determined this weekend as four clubs battle it out for a berth in the premiership decider.

Aussie Stadium will be packed to the rafters on Saturday night for the Tigers and Dragons, though how the league could not accommodate the thousands of supporters unable to access the game by moving it to the Telstra Stadium is mystifying.

The crowd may not be as large for Sunday's clash between Parramatta and North Queensland but the action will be just as exhilarating. Will the minor premiers earn the chance to take the major honours under lights next Sunday or can the Cowboys make club history?

All matches live on Channel Nine (NSW/QLD) - Check local guides for other areas. Replayed on Fox Sports.

Saturday Night, September 24
First Preliminary Final
St George-Illawarra vs Wests Tigers
Aussie Stadium, Sydney - 7:45pm.

There will not be a spare seat in the house at Aussie Stadium when the Dragons and Tigers fight for a grand final spot. For St George-Illawarra, it presents an opportunity to return to the biggest game of the year after being overrun by a miraculous Melbourne outfit in 1999.

The Dragons are fresh from the week off and poised to finally shed the ‘potential’ tag and become the premier team in the competition. The forward pack contains plenty of muscle and have the size advantage over their opponents, though the Tigers have played well against some big packs throughout the year. But the Dragons will plan on taking control in the forwards and target Benji Marshall, and his troublesome shoulder, in attack.

The rise of the Wests Tigers has taken them into unchartered waters and while they will go into this game as underdogs, have every chance of continuing the fairytale run. Scott Prince and Marshall provide the spark and they have good finishers in the outside backs but will the Dragons forwards allow the Tigers playmakers the room to create? St George-Illawarra have too many big guns, and Mark Gasnier loves playing the Tigers.

Tip: DRAGONS by 12.

DRAGONS: Clint Greenshields, Colin Best, Mark Gasnier, Matt Cooper, Wes Naiqama, Trent Barrett (c), Ben Hornby, Luke Bailey, Dean Young, Jason Ryles, Ben Creagh, Lance Thompson, Shaun Timmins. Interchange: Michael Henderson, Justin Poore, Corey Payne, Michael Ennis, Aston Simms (one to be omitted).

TIGERS: Brett Hodgson, Daniel Fitzhenry, Shane Elford, Paul Whatuira, Pat Richards, Benji Marshall, Scott Prince (c), Anthony Laffranchi, Robbie Farah, John Skandalis, Ben Galea, Mark O'Neill, Dene Halatau. Interchange: Liam Fulton, Chris Heighington, Bryce Gibbs, Todd Payten.

Referee: Tim Mander.

FootyTAB: Tigers 4.5   Sporting Bet: Dragons - $1.54, Tigers - $2.50

Sunday, September 25
Second Preliminary Final
Parramatta vs North Queensland
Telstra Stadium, Sydney - 4:00pm.

It has been a long time between drinks for the powerful Parramatta club and the last time they pressed for premiership honours, the Knights jumped them in the first half of the 2001 grand final and they could not recover. Only four seasons have passed since then but this is almost a completely different side.

The Eels side has a very balanced look about it, despite the continued absence of workhorse Nathan Hindmarsh, and the backline contains a few big boys with speed to burn. Rookie half Tim Smith is the pivotal player and interchange forward Dean Widders always seems to make an impact once he hits the field.

The Cowboys are at big odds for this clash, considering it is a preliminary final, and the loss to the Tigers two weeks ago appears to have cast doubt on their premiership mettle. But the memory of a narrow defeat at this stage last season would still burn deep and unlike the opposing team, have won knockout finals in recent history. Plus they have the current Dally M player of the year, Johnathan Thurston, in their ranks – the same guy who won a premiership medal with the Dogs last year. His clash with Smith will be all important.

Though not reflected in the odds, this could be the close contest of the weekend but the Eels should still prevail.

Tip: EELS by 6.

EELS: Wade McKinnon, Luke Burt, Ben Smith, Timana Tahu, Eric Grothe, John Morris, Tim Smith, Nathan Cayless (c), Mark Riddell, Paul Stringer, Daniel Wagon, Glenn Morrison, Chad Robinson. Interchange: PJ Marsh, Dean Widders, Michael Vella, Adam Peek, Luke O'Dwyer, Fuifui Moimoi (subject to appeal), Aaron Cannings (three to be omitted).

COWBOYS: Matt Bowen, Ty Williams, Josh Hannay, Paul Bowman, Matt Sing, Johnathan Thurston, Brett Firman, Paul Rauhihi, Aaron Payne, Shane Tronc, Steve Southern, Luke O'Donnell, Travis Norton (c). Interchange: David Faiumu, Jacob Lillyman, Justin Smith, Mitchell Sargent, Rod Jensen (one to be omitted).

Referee: Steve Clark.

FootyTAB: Cowboys 9.5   Sporting Bet: Eels - $1.23, Cowboys - $4.25

Note: All kick-off times Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) unless stated.

•  Have a view on this story? Send us your feedback!