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A home final is on the line in the penultimate round of the regular season, with the Sharks hoping to hold on to second position when they take on the Roosters.
Meanwhile, the Warriors and Wests Tigers will play-off to remain a mathematical chance in making the finals.
The Knights and Rabbitohs then duke it out in a bottom-of-the-table clash, before the Eels and Dragons clash in pursuit of something to cap off a horror 2016 campaign.
Cronulla Sharks versus Sydney Roosters
Saturday, 27 August, 7:30pm (AEST) at Southern Cross Group Stadium
After suffering three losses in a row, the Sharks’ chances of securing a first week home final are slipping, with a win needed to guarantee they finish inside the top two.
Inspirational skipper Paul Gallen and Tongan international Sosaia Feki return from injury in a huge boost for the Sharkies, with the pair elevated to the starting side at the expense of Gerard Beale and Kurt Capewell.
They come up against a Roosters side who have found form off the back of Mitchell Pearce, who has led the way alongside Boyd Cordner.
The boys from Bondi last week defeated the Dragons 42-6, following a convincing win over North Queensland, and currently sit in 14th position, two points shy of archrivals South Sydney.
Easts have a good track record playing Cronulla, with 20 wins from 35 outings since 1998, the Sharks victorious 14 times and one draw.
Shane Flanagan’s men triumphed last time they met, coming away with a 32-20 victory in Round 19.
Prediction
Cronulla will jump back into the winner’s circle as they prepare to relaunch their bid for a maiden premiership.
Sharks by 12.
What you need to know
Kickoff: 7:30pm (AEST)
Venue: Southern Cross Group Stadium
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Last meeting: Sharks defeated Roosters 32-20 (Round 19, 2016)
Head-to-head: 35 played – Sharks 14, Roosters 20, 1 Drawn
Sharks last three games: 6-12 versus Rabbitohs, 18-32 versus Dragons, 14-30 versus Raiders
Roosters last three games: 42-6 versus Dragons, 22-10 versus Cowboys, 18-38 versus PanthersCronulla Sharks
1. Ben Barba, 2. Sosaia Feki, 3. Jack Bird, 4. Ricky Leutele, 5. Valentine Holmes, 6. James Maloney, 7. Chad Townsend, 8. Andrew Fifita, 9. Michael Ennis, 10. Matt Prior, 11. Luke Lewis, 12. Wade Graham, 13. Paul Gallen (c)
Interchange: 14. Joseph Paulo, 15. Chris Heighington, 16. Jesse Sene-Lefao, 17. Jayson BukuyaSydney Roosters
1. Blake Ferguson, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Mitchell Aubusson, 4. Shaun Kenny-Dowall, 5. Latrell Mitchell, 6. Connor Watson, 7. Mitchell Pearce, 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 9. Jake Friend (c), 10. Dylan Napa, 11. Boyd Cordner, 12. Aidan Guerra, 13. Sio Siua Taukeiaho
Interchange: 14. Sam Moa, 15. Isaac Liu, 16. Ryan Matterson, 17. Kane Evans
New Zealand Warriors versus Wests Tigers
Sunday, 28 August, 2pm (AEST) at Mt Smart Stadium
These teams need to bring their A-game, having pressed their credentials for a playoffs berth since State of Origin.
The Warriors and Tigers last played September football back in 2011. The two sides meeting in the semi-finals, with the Kiwis coming out on top and making a shock charge to the grand final, eventually losing to Manly.
Shaun Johnson was there in the 2011 grand final, producing a glistening performance. His opposite number, Luke Brooks, was only 16 at the time, and is finally showing signs of maturity.
His partner in crime, Mitchell Moses, will prove the key however, and must give something in attack given the notable absence of James Tedesco.
Forwards Sauaso Sue, Chris Lawrence and Elijah Taylor need to provide big minutes and stop the likes of Ryan Hoffman, Simon Mannering and Ben Matulino.
In 26 meetings since 2000, encounters between the two franchises have been evenly split at 13 each.
They met in Round 1, with the Tigers victorious 34-26 at Campbelltown Stadium.
Prediction
Shaun Johnson will keep his side in with a shot at the top eight, leading the Warriors to a hard-fought win.
Warriors by 10.
What you need to know
Kickoff: 2pm (AEST)
Venue: Mt Smart Stadium
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Last meeting: Wests Tigers defeated Warriors 34-26 (Round 1, 2016)
Head-to-head: 26 played – Warriors 13, Wests Tigers 13
Warriors last three games: 6-34 versus Cowboys, 22-41 versus Rabbitohs, 24-14 versus Titans
Wests Tigers last three games: 10-40 versus Panthers, 18-19 versus Titans, 26-14 versus CowboysNew Zealand Warriors
1. David Fusitu’a, 2. Tuimoala Lolohea, 3. Blake Ayshford, 4. Solomone Kata, 5. Manu Vatuvei, 6. Thomas Leuluai, 7. Shaun Johnson, 8. Jacob Lillyman, 9. Nathaniel Roache, 10. Albert Vete, 11. Bodene Thompson, 12. Ryan Hoffman (c), 13. Simon Mannering
Interchange: 14. Ma’afoaeata Hingano, 15. Sam Lisone, 16. Ben Matulino, 17. James Gavet, 18. Iulio AfoaWests Tigers
1. David Nofoaluma, 2. Jordan Rankin, 3. Tim Simona, 4. Kevin Naiqama, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Mitchell Moses, 7. Luke Brooks, 8. Aaron Woods (c), 9. Dene Halatau, 10. Sauaso Sue, 11. Josh Aloiai, 12. Chris Lawrence, 13. Elijah Taylor
Interchange: 14. Kyle Lovett, 15. Ava Seumanufagai, 16. Tim Grant, 17. Joel Edwards, 18. Michael Chee-Kam
Newcastle Knights versus South Sydney Rabbitohs
Sunday, 28 August, 4pm (AEST) at Hunter Stadium
Its Old Boys’ day in the Hunter, and the Knights will have fire in their belly for Jeremy Smith’s farewell game. The veteran is signing off after 12 years and over 200 games at the top level, including 22 Tests for New Zealand.
A host of big names return for the red and blue, with Jarrod Mullen, Pat Mata’utia and Sione Mata’utia all named.
They will not be without further names added to the casualty ward though, with Danny Levi having back surgery and Nathan Ross suspended, while Will Pearsall and Mickey Paea drop out.
Cory Denniss also comes into the side on the wing after making his debut earlier in the year.
The key for the Knights will be to shut down Greg Inglis and Souths’ forward pack, spear-headed by Sam Burgess, which will be down to Korbin Sims and Smith.
With Adam Reynolds back, the Rabbitohs have been travelling well in recent weeks and are coming off a 12-6 victory over the Cronulla Sharks.
Surprisingly, the Knights have got the better of Souths historically, with 13 wins in the NRL era compared to the Bunnies’ 11.
The cardinal and myrtle were victorious last time though, a 48-6 victory back in round 2.
Prediction
Newcastle will be inspired, but it won’t be enough to stop the rampaging Rabbits.
Rabbitohs by 18.
What you need to know
Kickoff: 4pm (AEST)
Venue: Hunter Stadium
TV: Live, Nine Network and Fox Sports
Last meeting: Rabbitohs defeated Knights 48-6 (Round 2, 2016)
Head-to-head: 24 played – Knights 13, Rabbitohs 11
Knights last three games: 6-26 versus Titans, 6-42 versus Panthers, 14-28 versus Bulldogs
Rabbitohs last three games: 12-6 versus Sharks, 41-22 versus Warriors, 14-15 versus StormNewcastle Knights
1. Jake Mamo, 2. Cory Denniss, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Peter Mata’utia, 5. Brendan Elliot, 6. Jarrod Mullen, 7. Trent Hodkinson (c), 8. Sam Mataora, 9. Tyler Randell, 10. Korbin Sims, 11. Sione Mata’utia, 12. Mitchell Barnett, 13. Jeremy Smith (c)
Interchange: 14. Josh King, 15. Daniel Saifiti, 16. Jacob Saifiti, 17. Pat Mata’utiaSouth Sydney Rabbitohs
1. Greg Inglis (c), 2. Alex Johnston, 3. Hymel Hunt, 4. Aaron Gray, 5. Joe Burgess, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. George Burgess, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Thomas Burgess, 11. John Sutton, 12. Kyle Turner, 13. Sam Burgess
Interchange: 14. Jason Clark, 15. Jack Gosiewski, 16. Angus Crichton, 17. Nathan Brown, 18. Cameron McInnes, 19. David Tyrrell, 20. Zane Musgrove
Parramatta Eels versus St George Illawarra Dragons
Monday, 29 August, 7pm (AEST) at Pirtek Stadium
Both sides are playing for pride, being out of contention for a top-eight spot.
The Eels put in a spirited first half effort last week against the Raiders, going into the break with the lead. But the Green Machine fought back, with Brenko Lee bagging four tries.
Brad Arthur has named a number of stars to return with Beau Scott, Brad Takairangi and Rory O’Brien all returning to the line-up.
It was also worth noting how outstanding Semi Radradra was in his return last week, with a three line-breaks and 217 metres.
Meanwhile, Paul McGregor has dropped Benji Marshall and Russell Packer is out due to injury, while Timoteo Lafai returns from suspension in place of Taane Milne.
The Dragons experienced a heavy 42-6 loss at the hands of the Roosters last week, and McGregor needs his side to improve, with his job at risk.
These two clubs – alongside the Knights – are in the bottom three for points scored, meaning this encounter could be extremely low scoring.
The Eels defeated St George last time they met, 16-12, in Round 16 last year.
Two draws have come between the clubs in their 30 meetings, with the remaining 28 matches evenly split at 14 each.
Prediction
St George Illawarra will just sneak home.
Dragons by 6.
What you need to know
Kickoff: 7pm (AEST)
Venue: Pirtek Stadium
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Last meeting: Eels defeated Dragons 16-12 (Round 16, 2015)
Head-to-head: 30 played – Eels 14, Dragons 14, 2 Drawn
Eels last three games: 18-28 versus Raiders, 16-38 versus Broncos, 10-9 versus Sea Eagles
Dragons last three games: 6-42 versus Roosters, 32-18 versus Sharks, 8-12 versus BroncosParramatta Eels
1. Bevan French, 2. Semi Radradra, 3. Michael Jennings, 4. Brad Takairangi, 5. Michael Gordon, 6. Clinton Gutherson, 7. Jeff Robson, 8. Danny Wicks, 9. Isaac De Gois, 10. Tim Mannah (c), 11. Manu Ma’u, 12. Tepai Moeroa, 13. Beau Scott
Interchange: 14. Kaysa Pritchard, 15. Kenny Edwards, 16. Peni Terepo, 17. Daniel Alvaro, 18. David GowerSt George Illawarra Dragons
1. Josh Dugan, 2. Kurt Mann, 3. Euan Aitken, 4. Timoteo Lafai, 5. Jason Nightingale, 6. Gareth Widdop, 7. Drew Hutchison, 8. Leeson Ah Mau, 9. Mitch Rein, 10. Mike Cooper, 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Joel Thompson, 13. Jack de Belin
Interchange: 15. Will Matthews, 16. Jacob Host, 17. Jake Marketo, 21. Luciano Leilua
Roarers, which game are you most looking forward to in Round 25?
In case you missed it, you can read Part 1 of my Round 25 preview here.
You can find Riley on Twitter @rileypettigrew
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