NRL Finals 2017: Who's IN and who's OUT for the preliminary finals

IT’S preliminary finals week, the second best week of the year — the best week of the year, of course, being the week of the grand final.

IT’S preliminary finals week, the second best week of the year — the best week of the year, of course, being the week of the grand final.

IT’S preliminary finals week, the second best week of the year — the best week of the year, of course, being the week of the grand final.

Melbourne will host Brisbane and the Roosters will take on the Cowboys with spots in the decider on the line.

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MY TIME: Brennan ready to go

MELBOURNE STORM VS BRISBANE BRONCOS

Friday, AAMI Park, 7:55pm

Storm: 1. Billy Slater 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. Will Chambers 4. Curtis Scott 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Jordan McLean 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Tohu Harris 13. Dale Finucane 14. Kenny Bromwich 15. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 16. Tim Glasby 17. Slade Griffin 18. Jahrome Hughes 19. Robbie Rochow 20. Joe Stimson 21. Young Tonumaipea

No changes from the 21 named to play Parramatta two weeks ago.

Broncos: 1. Darius Boyd 2. Corey Oates 3. James Roberts 4. Tautau Moga 5. Jordan Kahu 6. Anthony Milford 7. Kodi Nikorima 8. Sam Thaiday 9. Ben Hunt 10. Adam Blair 11. Alex Glenn 12. Matt Gillett 13. Josh McGuire 14. Benji Marshall 15. Tevita Pangai Junior 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Herman Ese’ese 18. David Mead 19. Jai Arrow 20. Jaydn Su’A 21. Jamayne Isaako

Darius Boyd returns at fullback, Kodi Nikorima moves to halfback, Benji Marshall to the bench and David Mead out of the team. Tevita Pangai Junior also returns on the bench at the expense of Jai Arrow.

Wendell’s tip: Storm, we all know how good they have been all year and I expect much of the same this week.

Who to look out for: Cameron Smith, not sure I need to say much about this guy, he is a champion. He will lead from the front and guide he side to a second consecutive Grand Final.

SYDNEY ROOSTERS VS NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS

Saturday, Allianz Stadium, 7:40pm

Roosters: 1. Michael Gordon 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Mitchell Aubusson 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Luke Keary 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Friend 10. Dylan Napa 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Aidan Guerra 13. Isaac Liu 14. Ryan Matterson 15. Sio Siua Taukeiaho 16. Zane Tetevano 17. Connor Watson 18. Kane Evans 19. Victor Radley 20. Joseph Manu 22. Mitchell Cornish

Daniel Tupou returns to the starting side after coming off the bench against Brisbane. No other changes.

Cowboys: 1. Lachlan Coote 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Justin O’Neill 4. Kane Linnett 5. Antonio Winterstein 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Michael Morgan 8. John Asiata 9. Jake Granville 10. Scott Bolton 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Ethan Lowe 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Ben Hampton 15. Coen Hess 16. Corey Jensen 17. Shaun Fensom 18. Ray Thompson 19. Javid Bowen 20. Braden Uele 21. Matt Scott

In a huge shock, Matt Scott has been named on an extended bench. The veteran prop hasn’t played since Round 2 and was thought to be out for the season with a knee injury. It remains to be seen if he’ll be fit to play.

Wendell’s tip: Roosters, the Cowboys have been very good this finals campaign after just scraping in but I think the Roosters will be too strong here and set up the Grand Final we have be hoping for.

Who to look out for: Jason Taumalolo, he has been enormous for the Cowboys this finals series and if they are to have any chance he will need to lead from the front again.

Originally published as NRL Finals 2017: Who's IN and who's OUT for the preliminary finals