NRL Finals Week 3: Teams, lineups, tips, odds, what you need to know

And then there were four teams left in the fight for the 2024 NRL Championship. This week we see the Storm take on the Roosters in Melbourne, while the Panthers take on the Sharks in Homebush to determine the two finalists.

Good luck with your tips.

Friday, September 27

AAMI Park, 7:50pm (AEST)

Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero Bank: 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Christian Welch 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Alec MacDonald Reserves: 18. Grant Anderson 19. Kane Bradley 20. Lazarus Vaalepu 21. Joe Chan 22. Sualauvi Faalogo

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Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sandon Smith 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Connor Watson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley Bank: 14. Spencer Leniu 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Nat Butcher 17. Terrell May Reserves: 18. Zach Dockar-Clay 19. Siua Wong 20. Fetalaiga Pauga 21. Jake Elliott 22. Michael Jennings

officer
Referee: Touches: Bunker:

Forecast: The Roosters blew the Sea Eagles off the field in the first half last week, taking advantage of their strong forwards to create space for their halves and give experienced captain James Tedesco the opportunity to run amok. Lead forward Jared Waerea-Hargreaves managed to stay off the charge sheet and will be happy to take on the Storm forwards. Victor Radley will take his broken shoulder blade into another big game on painkillers. Connor Watson and Sandon Smith have had another week to settle into their roles. The Roosters are going into this game as strong as they could have hoped.

The Storm had a break last week after crushing the Sharks in Week 1 of the finals. Their superstar backbone is starting to develop in impressive fashion, which could see them go all the way this year. They need to win this game in attack first and their pack arguably has fewer big names compared to the Roosters, but that has always been the Storm's way. Coach Craig Bellamy knows how to get the best out of his unknown forwards, who work together as a unit and are stronger than the sum of their parts.

On the eve of the AFL Grand Final, AAMI Park is expected to be packed to capacity, with some Swans and Lions fans perhaps even snapping up tickets to make the weekend a two-day footy fest. After being thrashed by the Panthers in last season's match, the Storm will be focused on taking that crucial step towards another Grand Final appearance. They won't do it all on their own, but they should win at home.

Tip: Storm at 8

PointsBet odds: Storm $1.28 (-10.5 $1.90) Roosters $3.70 (+10.5 $1.90)

Saturday, September 28

Accor Stadium, 7:50pm (AEST)

Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Brian To'o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo Bank: 14. Brad Schneider 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Matt Eisenhuth 18. Casey McLean Reserves: 19. Trent Toelau 20. Scott Sorensen 21. Daine Laurie 22. Luke Sommerton

Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Dough Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes Bank: 14. Siosifa Talakai 15. Jack Williams 16. Royce Hunt 17. Thomas Hazelton Reserves: 18. Daniel Atkinson 19. Braden Hamlin-Uele 20. Mawene Hiroti 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Samuel Stonestreet

officer
Referee: Touches: Bunker:

Forecast: The Sharks won their game against the Cowboys last week thanks in large part to their defense in the first half. While they prevented the Cowboys from scoring, they were able to capitalize on their defensive errors and build an insurmountable lead. They will have to do their best to suppress the Panthers' offensive weapons and they will have to be extremely patient on offense, as the Panthers will not give up points like the Cowboys do.

The reigning premiers have had two more weeks to work on Nathan Cleary's shoulder and all the other pesky injuries the team has had to deal with. There is absolutely no need to worry that they will not be able to compete, having taken this route on the way to the grand final in three of the last four years. They have their processes in place and the vast experience they have in finals makes it all seem somewhat routine.

The Sharks are a tough team to beat. All year they have been accused of not being able to beat the teams above them. They have stuck to that script so far in this finals series, losing to the Storm before beating the Cowboys. They will need to play 80 of their best minutes to beat the Panthers. I just can't see them doing it.

Tip: Panthers with 10

PointsBet odds: Panthers $1.23 (-11.5 $1.85) Sharks $4.15 (+11.5 $1.95)

All odds are correct at time of publication. Visit pointsbet.com.au for the most up to date information.