LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
The NRL finals are set to kick off this week, with the Penrith Panthers emerging as the clear favorites to take home the title.
The Panthers, who have won the minor premiership, are aiming for their third consecutive championship victory, a feat that hasn't been achieved since Peter Sterling's Parramatta side in 1983.
However, there are still four weeks of finals football to be played before the premiership is decided.
Despite losing the minor premiership in the final round, the Brisbane Broncos are back among the NRL's elite and ready to challenge for the title.
Coach Kevin Walters has built a formidable team that excels in both attack and defense.
Their attacking prowess is second only to the Panthers, while their defensive record is only bettered by Penrith.
One standout player for the Broncos is prop Payne Haas, who averages 188 meters per match, making him the most dominant forward in the competition.
Additionally, fullback Reece Walsh poses a significant threat with his explosive attacking abilities.
However, there are some concerns, such as their inconsistent performance at Suncorp Stadium and Walsh's high number of handling errors.
While many teams may fear the Broncos, the Melbourne Storm are not one of them.
The Storm have an impressive record against Brisbane, winning their last 14 encounters, including a recent victory in the final round.
In fact, Melbourne handed the Broncos their only away loss of the season back in round 11.
As the finals begin, all eyes will be on the Panthers as they strive for another title.
However, the Broncos and the Storm are among the teams that could potentially stop them in their tracks.
It's set to be an exciting and highly competitive finals series in the NRL.