Sydney Roosters vs Melbourne Storm – Friday night – Allianz Stadium

The Storm have played, and beaten, three genuine contenders in the last four rounds. In those wins over the Broncos, Cowboys and Sharks they have conceded just 16 points - and two of those wins were away from home. There is absolutely nothing wrong with their form heading into their finals campaign. Sadly for them, they're taking on the only team in better form. Coach Potato speaks of the importance of streaks and the current Roosters streak stretches to 12 wins in a row. They've lost one game since Anzac Day, and providing they can avoid the Sharks it's hard to see who might stop a team in such a rich vein of form. These sides met back in round 12 on a cold Monday night, where the chooks dominated in a 24-2 display. They had Waerea-Hargreaves and Pearce that night, but those asked to slot into the Roosters seventeen are doing so seamlessly. Ironcially enough, it reminds me of the Storm when they were at the peak of their powers. In their tremendous round 24 victory over the Broncos, the Roosters proved they can win a tough grinding game without the ball. It wouldn't surprise me if this game is a similar contest. It sounds like Cameron Smith picked up the Brisbane flu last weekend. He's unlikely to sit the game out, but if it's the same strain we battled in the Thinker household he's not going to be 100%. It's not the game of the weekend, but it would have been on almost any other weekend.

FUN FACT: Roosters coach Trent Robinson speaks French.

Verdict – Roosters by 4

Result - Storm 20 defeated Roosters 18

Canterbury Bulldogs vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Saturday afternoon – ANZ Stadium

In the last fortnight the Bulldogs have scraped home against the team that ran last and scraped home against the team that ran fourth last. During the same period the Dragons have lost to the team that ran third last and beaten the team that ran second last in extra time. It doesn't look like great form going into the finals, so it may be a good thing that they're playing each other. These sides met twice during the regular season - the Dragons won easily in round six and the Bulldogs turned the tables in round 13. Note that the Dogs in round six were without Brett Morris, Klemmer, Graham and Kasiano. This time around the Dragons are without Gareth Widdop - he may not be the most dynamic playmaker in the NRL, but he is a composed and clever footballer, and Marshall is a more potent force with Widdop by his side. Many thought the Dragons would be contesting the spoon in 2015 so they've done very well to be here, but on weights and measures the Dogs should prevail.

FUN FACT: Dragons coach Paul 'Mary' McGregor was the first captain of the merged St George Illawarra club.

Verdict – Bulldogs by 8

Result - Bulldogs 11 defeated Dragons 10

Brisbane Broncos vs North Queensland Cowboys – Saturday night – Suncorp Stadium

Near enough to 50,000 will roll through the turnstiles on Saturday night...and why wouldn't they? Two of the most consistent teams this season at the best football stadium in the country. Morgan comes back under an injury cloud and all of a sudden we know about a groin issue that Thurston has been carrying for months. Is this clever mind games from coach Paul Green? Is it too clever? No-one pulls the wool over the eyes of Wayne Bennett easily. Ray Thompson has been named on an extended bench as back-up - let's see if he makes the seventeen. Much like the earlier game on Saturday these sides met twice during the regular season, with each side winning convincingly on their home turf. The Broncos win (44-22) was way back in round three, and I think they're a better side now than they were then. Boyd didn't play in that game and he's found his mojo at the back, and the more Hunt and Milford play together the more they blossom. Of course, the Morgan/Thurston pairing is the strongest in the NRL...but are they fit? And let's not forget the anti-Cowboys conspiracy when it comes to finals football. It may or may not be true, but even if it isn't it can still affect the result. When Thurston gets frustrated he overplays his hand, and the cracks emerge. All I ask is that a referring error doesn't determine the outcome. I'm genuinely excited about this contest. The stage is set...let the show begin.

FUN FACT: Broncos coach Wayne Bennett is 29 years older than the youngest coach in the finals race (Robinson - 36). Despite that, he still ran past my house on Monday morning...twice

Verdict – Broncos by 4

Result - Broncos 16 defeated Cowboys 12

Cronulla Sharks vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Sunday afternoon – Allianz Stadium

Perhaps foolishly, I suggested the Rabbits would miss the eight this season. They didn't, but they're on the ropes and asking someone to knock them out. The Sharks will knock them out. Greg Inglis is back and he's a match winner. But how fit is he, and how many opportunities is he going to get behind a forward pack that can't possibly win that battle? George Burgess threw his bottle out of the cot last week and won't be there, Issac Luke is sitting in the cot with him and Kyle Turner has been thrown to the wolves in the back row. To make matters worse the Fifita brothers are back for the Sharks this week - they'll be fired up after an extended period in the cage. With Ben Barba also returning there's plenty of fast and furious little men to turn this game into a potential carve-up. And with all that I can get $1.80 for the Sharks. Excuse me sir, can I have some more?

FUN FACT: Rabbitohs coach Michael 'Madge' Maguire played at fullback for the Adelaide Rams in their first ever game. They lost to the Cowboys 24-16.

Verdict – Sharks by 20

Result - Sharks 28 defeated Rabbitohs 12

Wally Lewis - finals week one selections (in bold)

Note: tips from Wally will be published on Thursday night or early Friday morning.

• ROOSTERS vs Storm
• BULLDOGS vs Dragons
• BRONCOS vs Cowboys
• SHARKS vs Rabbitohs

Finals tipping competition - all are welcome

Throughout the finals we shall run a tipping competition for a bit of fun. I'll check under the couch cushions and see if I can scrounge together a modest first prize. I'm keeping this as simple as I can. Place your winning tips and a winning margin for each game in the comments section on this page (four games this week - first grade finals only). The person with the highest total after the grand final wins. In the likely event of a tie for first, those margin selections will come into play. A clumsy attempt to explain how the margins are scored is below:

Tip: Roosters by 4

If the Roosters win by 10 you get 1 point and a margin tally of 6 (i.e. 10 - 4 = 6). If the Roosters win by 4 you get a point and a margin tally of 0 (4 - 4 = 0). If the Storm win by 2 you get 0 points for the selection plus a margin tally of 6 (i.e. 2 + 4 = 6). If there is a tie (and there probably will be) the person with the lowest margin tally is declared the winner.

I'm happy to answer any questions. Participation is voluntary and anyone can enter, not just those in the official tipping competition. Note that the official tipping competition is still running. If you're in that competition try to remember to tip in both. The judges decision is final, and I am the judge. Coach Potato has kindly offered to help out, and will be my back-up should I fall down a well or get locked in a box by Ms Thinker. I'm meant to go to a team drinks session on Thursday night so the latter is a distinct possibility.