Melbourne are in the best position to hit the NRL finals with a wet sail as their chief title rivals pick up the pieces from a chaotic final-round.
Of the NRL’s eight finalists, four suffered last-round losses with the Storm and fast-finishing Cronulla the only two teams without serious dramas arising from their matches.
Minor premiers for the third time in four years, the Storm are also expected to welcome Cameron Munster back following their win over North Queensland.
They will now have a near clean bill of health for their clash with Canberra, with only prop Christian Welch still sidelined.
“Next week is going to need a better performance than what we dished up (against North Queensland on Friday night),” captain Cameron Smith said.
“We’re going to need a lift in intensity than what we had. But the boys have it in them and I’m really confident moving into next week.”
The Storm’s preparations for the qualifying final against Canberra will be a virtual walk in the park compared to that of their rivals.
The Raiders lost winger Michael Oldfield to a shoulder injury in their loss to the Warriors, while they will have the distraction of the Hudson Young judiciary case,
The Roosters are also facing a serious test of their middle with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves headed to the judiciary in a bid to beat a high tackle charge and face South Sydney.
The defending premiers are also waiting on the fitness of fellow forward Sio Siua Taukeiaho (ribs) and hooker Jake Friend, who suffered an infection from his fractured arm.
The Rabbitohs also have their own issues ahead of Friday’s highly-anticipated qualifying final, after they toppled the Tricolours on Thursday night.
Sam Burgess will miss the match after pulling the hair of Billy Smith, again threatening to leave them short in the middle .
Parramatta will also head to the judiciary this week ahead of Sunday’s elimination final against Brisbane, with Kane Evans at risk of missing for a high shot.
They at least face a Broncos team at Bankwest stadium who were poor in their loss to Canterbury on Saturday night, with coach Anthony Seibold warning they can’t see a repeat performance.
The Sharks meanwhile will carry a distinct advantage into the other elimination final against Manly.
Matt Moylan is an outside chance of overcoming a hamstring injury to return at Lottoland, with Cronulla carrying the momentum of Sunday’s season-defining 25-8 win over the Wests Tigers.
The Sea Eagles have endured a finish to the regular season from hell, culminating in last Friday’s loss to Parramatta.
Sitting pretty in the top four a fortnight ago, they must scramble to put together a 21-man squad for Saturday night.
Gun forward Martin Taupau is facing a one-game ban for a high tackle, while Curtis Sironen (calf) and Taniela Paseka (knee) have added to a star-studded casualty ward that already includes Tom Trbojevic.
