Sydney Roosters vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Friday night – Allianz Stadium

These sides met in round 21, and what started as a Roosters romp turned into one of the games of the year. The Chooks flew the boxes and raced to a 22-0 lead. Then they switched off (or did the Bulldogs switch on?), and the Bulldogs hit the front with ten minutes to go. The Chooks switched on again (or did the Bulldogs switch off?), scoring three tries in the last ten minutes to prevail 38-28. Both sides experienced periods in that game when they absolutely dominated their opponent. With that, both teams should head into this game knowing they can win if they keep the switch on for more than 40 minutes. The minor premier doesn't tip out in the first two weeks of the finals very often but I'm leaning to an upset. Pearce comes back but that halves combination may not necessarily click straight away, and Hastings has been tremendous. Reynolds and Mbye hardly set the world on fire for the Bulldogs last week but they should be better for the run. The Roosters will try and speed this game up and the Bulldogs will try and slow this game down. Hasler got a chance to observe how the Storm did just that one week ago. Providing the Dogs forwards don't get run off their feet they can win this, particularly with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves unavailable for the tri-colours. Note that in the round 21 clash,  JWH carted the ball for 238 metres. The Chooks have done well without him, but I feel his absence could prove the difference. It's a home game for the Chooks, but the Dogs will have plenty of support in the cheap seats. It's either the Chooks by plenty or the Bulldogs by barely enough. Doggies in a close one.

FUN FACT: Roosters coach Trent Robinson played just four club games in his football career. Bulldogs coach Des Hasler played 12 games for Penrith that no-one can remember, and 12 games for his country that no-one can forget.

Verdict – Bulldogs by 2

Result - Roosters 38 def Bulldogs 12

North Queensland Cowboys vs Cronulla Sharks – Saturday night – 1300SMILES Stadium

The Sharks might be rank outsiders on Saturday night but they have beaten the Cowboys twice already this season. The first time the Sharks did so the Cowboys were without co-captain Thurston, and the second time they did it the Cowboys were without their other co-captain Scott. Those are significant omissions, but it's clear the Sharks have a style of game that can trouble the lads from the north. Ennis is free to play and that worries me - he'll be in the face of Thurston all night and he won't be the only one. Even in front of a boisterous Cowboys crowd the men with the whistles may be reluctant to use them. As I've said previously, if Thurston get frustrated his performance drops. The Cowboys need a performance and a half from their forwards on Saturday night. They've had an extra day to prepare for this game which helps, and I'm hoping the home crowd lifts them. There is no doubt that the quality of the Broncos/Cowboys contest was superior to the Sharks/Rabbitohs final. If the Cowboys can maintain that level or improve (and they can improve) they'll be too good. At $3.15 the Sharks are absolutely backable, but I won't be tipping them.

FUN FACT: Cowboys coach Paul Green played for four of the six clubs left in contention, including the two clubs playing on Saturday night.

Verdict – Cowboys by 8

Result - Cowboys 39 defeated Sharks 0

Wally Lewis - finals week two selections (in bold)

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

• ROOSTERS vs Bulldogs
• COWBOYS vs Sharks