NRL Run Home 2023: Predictions for this week’s preliminary finals and eventual premier

Our NRL finals predictions have been perfect so far, but will they hold up in week three? Find how each of this weekend’s preliminary finals will unfold.

Jarome Luai, Cameron Munster, Reece Walsh and Shaun Johnson.

The NRL preliminary finals are here and we’re one week closer to crowning a premiership winner.

With another two blockbuster games on Friday and Saturday night, we go through how each of the final four can make the grand final, and where they’ll most likely finish.

So far this finals series our predictions have been perfect. Will they hold up in week three?

Jarome Luai is hoping to return from a shoulder injury. Picture: Jake Hunter

For the past four years it’s been Penrith’s competition to lose and somehow they keep finding motivation to go out and win it.

This year they have another chance to make history as the first team of the NRL era to win three premierships in a row – an almost miraculous feat considering how recently we considered back-to-back titles to be impossible.

It says something remarkably profound about Penrith that they’re considered favourites for the title again, even with question marks over the fitness of the side.

Jarome Luai is racing the clock to return from a shoulder injury, while Nathan Cleary is expected to play through a finger issue he suffered at training on Monday.

Kevin Walters’ men have been neck-and-neck as the best team of the season alongside Penrith. Picture: Liam Kidston

It’s been a wonderful season for Brisbane who will be well-rested, full strength and ready to pummel the Warriors at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.

Kevin Walters’ men have been neck-and-neck as the best team of the season alongside Penrith and that should earn them a place in the grand final on Sunday week.

They played the Warriors once this season, a 26-22 thriller back in round 13, but both teams have grown in confidence since then.

The backline match-ups are exciting – with Reece Walsh, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Adam Reynolds and Shaun Johnson – but it’ll be the two heaving forward packs that will determine this one.

Cameron Munster is proven in big games. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

It was a hell of a finish against the Roosters on Friday night but even Melbourne would admit they haven’t been at their best lately.

After being thrashed by the Broncos in week one of the finals they were courageous enough to hang tough with the Roosters.

It will take a lot of gas out of them emotionally and physically.

But their history in September is prolific, and if it’s anything to read into, it’s wise never to underestimate a team coached by Craig Bellamy, or steered around by Cameron Munster.

Shaun Johnson is the key player for the Warriors. Picture: Fiona Goodall/Getty Images

The resurgence of Shaun Johnson and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.

The unbridled passion of their fans under a rookie coach Andrew Webster.

The Warriors have been the story of the NRL season so far and no matter what happens on Saturday night this has been their most successful year in a decade.

The Warriors absolutely blew the Knights off the field in the first 12 minutes in Saturday’s semi-final but they’ll need to stage a similar ambush on the Broncos in a heaving Suncorp Stadium if they’re to make the grand final.

Their big advantage is all the pressure is on the Broncos, so if the Warriors can rattle them with early points they just might win.

Originally published as NRL Run Home 2023: Predictions for this week’s preliminary finals and eventual premier