* Quote of the Round: “Billy’s retiring and someone’s got to take that mantle. These sort of players, for what he has done, he’s up there with the top players in the competition,” Dean Pay anoints Valentine Holmes as the heir apparent to Billy Slater.

* Man of the Round: James Tedesco is shaping as the buy of the NRL season after another blockbuster effort in the Sydney Roosters’ rout of Parramatta, crossing for a try, setting up another three, making two linebreaks, busting 11 tackles and running for 220 metres.

* Stat that Matters: Gavin Cooper became the first forward in the 111-year history of the league to score in nine-straight matches after he crossed in North Queensland’s win over the Gold Coast to send Johnathan Thurston out a winner.

* Magic Moment: When Anthony Milford cleaned up a loose ball one metre out from his own tryline, he burst into the backfield before dabbing a deft grubber which Corey Oates reeled in above his head for a contender for try of the year.

* Talking Point: The finals are here but who is the favourite? At the end of the regular season, just two points separates the first-placed Sydney Roosters and eighth-placed Warriors, making it the closest finals race in the competition’s history.

* Judiciary Watch: None

* Casualty Ward: Brisbane – Tevita Pangai Jrn (hamstring); South Sydney – Sam Burgess (hamstring); St George Illawarra – Jack de Belin (foot); Warriors Simon Mannering – (sternum), Issac Luke (concussion); Manly – Tom Trbojevic (concussion).

* Under Pressure: St George Illawarra were less than impressive in their win over a depleted Newcastle and face an early exit.