NRL Finals: Storm look to end Panthers' dominance

The NRL regular season is done and dusted and there is no rest for the wicked as we head straight into the finals campaign this week.

It has been an exciting season so far and finals look set to be the same as the top eight teams battle it out for the premiership.

Penrith Panthers are targeting their fourth straight grand final victory, but Melbourne Storm are the hot fancies to end that streak.

The Storm can be backed at 2.50 to win the grand final, while the Panthers are available at 3.10.

Then there is a big gap to the Sydney Roosters at 7.00 and Cronulla Sharks at 12.00.

Let’s take a look at what lies ahead in the NRL finals.

NRL Finals format

There are a total of nine games to be played in the NRL finals, including the grand final.

There are two qualifying finals, two elimination finals, two semi-finals, two preliminary finals and then the big one, the grand final.

Week one of finals

In week one of finals two qualification finals and two elimination finals will be played.

Panthers v Roosters

The opening game of the finals series sees the Panthers, who finished second on the ladder, take on the third-placed Roosters, in a qualifying final.

The game will take place at Panthers Stadium on Friday night and the winner will go straight through to the preliminary final, while the loser will get a second chance to progress.

Penrith can be backed at 1.42 to win the game, while the Roosters, who have been hit by a number of key injuries, are 2.90.

Storm v Sharks

The second qualifying final will take place at AAMI Park, Melbourne, on Saturday and sees the Storm take on the Sharks.

The Storm finished top of the ladder, winning the minor premiership, while the Sharks ended the season in fourth.

Melbourne are the hot fancies at 1.30 to come out on top, while the Sharks can be backed at 3.60 to pull off an upset.

Once again, the winner will head to the preliminary final, the loser will get a second chance in the semi-finals in week two.

Cowboys v Knights

The first of the elimination finals takes place on Saturday and sees the North Queensland Cowboys, who finished fifth, take on the Newcastle Knights, who claimed eighth spot.

Here there are no second chances. The winner will progress to the semi-finals, while the loser sees their season come to an abrupt end.

The Cowboys, who have home advantage at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville, can be backed at 1.44 to win the game and progress.

The Knights are 2.80 to get the job done and keep their season alive.

Bulldogs v Sea Eagles

The final game of week one, sees the Canterbury Bulldogs and Manly Sea Eagles clash in another elimination final at Accor Stadium, Sydney, on Sunday.

Once again, the winner will progress to the semi-finals, the loser will be out and there is little to separate the two sides.

The Bulldogs finished sixth on the ladder and can be backed at 1.82 to win, while the Sea Eagles are available at 2.00.