KEY MATCH-UPS IN CANBERRA VS SOUTH SYDNEY PRELIMINARY FINAL

*JOSH HODGSON v DAMIEN COOK

The only hooker in the game with a greater influence on their team than these two is Melbourne superstar Cameron Smith. Canberra’s win record flips dramatically with Hodgson in the side and the England international will bring crucial composure to a team with scant finals experience. The Raiders topped the NRL in dummy-half runs this season and Souths must contain Hodgson out of the ruck if they’re to cause an upset. But Cook also wreaks havoc out of dummy-half and has the potential to break big games open, especially late when the forwards are tiring. Both players have big-game experience with Hodgson’s coming in the international arena, while Cook has guided NSW to consecutive State of Origin series wins.

* JOSH PAPALII v SAM BURGESS

Defence will likely decide this game and if either of these wrecking balls are allowed to run free they could carry their team to victory. Papalii is in career-best form since becoming a full-time prop this season and has led Canberra’s pack with aplomb. Burgess was below his best against Manly last week and won’t be at 100 per cent fitness heading into this clash but you can never write off a Clive Churchill medal winner. Papalii had last week off and will be running at all three Burgess’ brothers all night. The big boys usually step up in the big games.

* CODY WALKER v JACK WIGHTON

Walker is one of the most damaging halves in the game at his best and has an unbelievable 19 try assists and 16 tries in 2019. The star playmaker set up two tries and scored another in Souths’ comeback win against Manly last week. But there’s a reason Wighton is on the Kangaroos radar after switching from fullback to five-eighth and making his NSW debut this season. The former bad boy has cleaned up his kicking and passing game dramatically over the course of the season and still remains ferocious in defence.