Week two of NRL Finals raises questions for Grand Final deciders

The Grand Final qualifiers are locked in following a somewhat predictable week two of the NRL Finals.

Two blockbuster top four battles now decide who is off to the big dance and claim the 2024 NRL Telstra Premiership following a massive rugby league season.

SHARKS V COWBOYS

The Sharks claim big win over the Cowboys

The headlines heading into the Sharks v Cowboys game were anything but favourable for the Cronulla Sharks side.

After failing in their bid to get the game moved from Allianz Stadium to Shark Park, Craig Fitzgibbon’s side would need to break an unwanted losing streak in the finals.

Nicho Hynes was in the spotlight for underperformance, with fans and experts alike wondering whether the 2022 Dally M Medallist should even be in the line-up.

The Cowboys on the other hand were running hot following a sensational performance against the Newcastle Knights the week prior.

Any doubts as to whether the Cronulla Sharks were up for the challenge were quickly put to bed as they poured on 24 unanswered points in the first half of the contest.

Braydon Trindall was involved in everything for the Sharks, while Hynes put any questions on his mindset to bed as the Sharks held on for a 26-18 win over the Cowboys.

Valentine Holmes did everything he could to fight the Cowboys back into the contest, but it wouldn’t be enough to push them through to the Prelims.

ROOSTERS V SEA EAGLES

The Roosters were dominant against the Sea Eagles

Unfortunately for NRL fans, they were treated to a much less entertaining second game of the weekend as the Sydney Roosters ran wild over a lacklustre Manly Sea Eagles outfit.

The Roosters looked basically unstoppable without ever getting out of first gear.

They put 40 points on the Sea Eagles and poked their nose through the line just about every time they had possession.

James Tedesco was the standout for the Roosters, scoring a double while having an involvement in plenty of points for the Tricolours in his 250^th NRL appearance.

The Sea Eagles will head back to the drawing board after a performance that had fans shaking their heads.

Superstar fullback Tom Trbojevic was a complete non-factor, while Daly Cherry-Evans would have his time over if he was given the opportunity.

Though the scoreline finished at a slightly more respectable 40-16, the Roosters well and truly had the cue in the rack.

WHAT’S NEXT?

The Melbourne Storm await the Sydney Roosters.

The Roosters and Sharks now head into the Prems as underdogs against the respective 1^st and 2^nd seeded teams in the Melbourne Storm and Penrith Panthers.

While the Sharks will look to upset the back-to-back-to-back premiers’ chances of a fourth straight title, the Roosters will look to rock the boat on enemy soil against the top of the table Melbourne Storm.

With no major injuries or suspensions worth mention heading into week three, we should be up for a couple of mouthwatering grand final deciders.

The Panthers ($1.25 favourites) and the Storm ($1.30 favourites) will be fighting against two teams that have plenty of momentum.