Who plays who in week one of the NRL finals

Storm v Bulldogs (2nd v 3rd)

Stephen Crichton and Cameron Munster.Credit: Getty Images

It’s reasonable to assume rival coaches Craig Bellamy (Melbourne) and Cameron Ciraldo (Canterbury) will endure some sleepless nights heading into the finals.

Their sides have seemed destined for the top four all season and deserve all the benefits that entails. But far from timing their run into the finals, both teams appear to have hit the wall.

Melbourne have been hammered by the Roosters and Brisbane in their last two matches, and are set to lose Jahrome Hughes (broken arm), Ryan Papenhuyzen (concussion) and Nelson Asofa-Solomona (suspension).

Suddenly, the premiership favourites are vulnerable.

The Bulldogs, meanwhile, have lost four of their past six starts, including a 24-6 defeat against Cronulla on Saturday that did not augur well for the big games ahead.

Melbourne won the only clash between the two teams 20-14 last month.

Sharks v Roosters (5th v 8th)

Nicho Hynes will be a key player for the Sharks.Credit: Getty Images

Both the Roosters and the Sharks head into the finals riding a surge of form and confidence.

The Chooks have won five of their past six games, culminating in 40-10 and 36-6 victories over Melbourne and South Sydney respectively.

There is no team in hotter attacking form – with former Wallaby Mark Nawaqanitawase, who has scored seven tries in his past two games and an NRL-best 23 for the season, leading the way.

Cronulla, meanwhile, have won seven of their past eight games and muscled up nicely in downing Canterbury 24-6 on Saturday.

These two teams are one apiece in their head-to-head clashes this year. The Roosters blitzed Cronulla 42-18 in their first encounter, before the Sharks hit back with a 31-18 victory in round 20.

Cronulla suffered a major setback on Sunday after Nicho Hynes was charged with a hip-drop on Canterbury winger Marcelo Montoya, leaving their main playmaker facing a suspension.

Unless the Sharks can present a successful case at the judiciary, Hynes will be sidelined for the Roosters clash.

Warriors v Panthers (6th v 7th)

A second-string Penrith upset the Warriors in Auckland without their Origin stars.Credit: Getty Images

The Wahs will need to conquer some mental demons to keep their season alive against the four-time premiers.

The last time the Panthers crossed the ditch, they left all their Origin stars behind yet their second-stringers sprung a 28-18 ambush in Auckland.

This time, Penrith will be at full strength, and ominously back in the groove after dismantling St George Illawarra 40-20 on Saturday.

The Warriors’ recent form is a concern. With key men Mitch Barnett and Luke Metcalf both sidelined through injury, they have lost five of their past seven games and are coming off defeats to Parramatta (26-22) and Manly (27-26).

Coach Andrew Webster will need to deliver something special against his former club, or the Warriors will be on Mad Monday next week.

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