The final step on the journey to an NRL Grand Final will be taken by the top four teams of the season when the NRL Preliminary Finals gets underway this weekend.
Two titans of the NRL will shake down the thunder in the Melbourne sky on Friday night, when the Storm step onto AAMI Park for a encounter against the Roosters.
Storm stars Cam Munster, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Jahrome Hughes and Xavier Coates are refreshed after the week off, and will need to be at their attacking best against a Roosters side boasting hard-headed forwards Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Victor Radley and Angus Crichton, looking to knock the minor premiers out in an upset.
On Saturday night, Nathan Cleary and the Panthers are chasing another slice of history when they aim to become the first team in 53 years to qualify for five successive Grand Finals.
But first they will need to stop a late-season surge from the Sharks, who at long odds to win, will want nothing more than to silence their premiership doubters by ending the Panthers run of dominance.
NRL on Nine’s coverage for the finals series is hosted by James Bracey, with an expert panel of NRL premiership winners on hand for every step of the journey: Andrew Johns, Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Phil Gould, Paul Gallen, Brad Fittler, Johnathan Thurston, Darren Lockyer, Paul Vautin and Sonny Bill Williams.
Joining them are international rugby league representatives Ruan Sims and Allana Ferguson, sideline reporters Danika Mason and Emma Lawrence, plus commentators Mathew Thompson, Brenton Speed and Peter Psaltis.
Nine Broadcast Schedule
Friday, September 27
Storm v Roosters – Semi-Final 1
Syd/Bris/Melb: 7:00 pm live and free on Channel 9, stream free on 9Now
Adelaide: 6:30 pm live and free on 9Gem, stream free on 9Now
Perth: 5:30 pm live and free on 9Gem, stream free on 9Now
Saturday, September 28
Panthers v Sharks – Semi Final 2
Syd/Bris/Melb: 7:00 pm live and free on Channel 9, stream free on 9Now
Adelaide: 6:30 pm live and free on 9Gem, stream free on 9Now
Perth: 5:30 pm live and free on 9Gem, stream free on 9Now