New Zealand Warriors continued their remarkable form beating the Sydney Roosters 30-13 courtesy of a stunning 24-0 second half which erased any doubters as to their premiership credentials. The Auckland-based franchise head to the second preliminary final on the back of 11 wins from their last 13 games, the best record of any team in the NRL.

Defending premiers Melbourne, despite realistically being outplayed by the Brisbane Broncos for 79 minutes, staged a dramatic finish to take out the match 16-14. Melbourne, three-time minor premiers and the benchmark team of the last couple of years, have certainly limped into the last match before the Grand Final – but some would argue that their lack of firing makes them more dangerous as they are still to click.

Let’s look at the games:

Preliminary Final Game One (Friday September 26, Sydney Football Stadium, 19.45. Referee Tony Archer). 3 – CRONULLA SHARKS (Last game - Cronulla 36-10 Canberra, Last 5 - WWWWL) v 1 – MELBOURNE STORM (Last game – Melbourne 16-14 Brisbane, Last 5 – WLWLW). Previous meeting: Round Two, Cronulla 17 Melbourne 16.

Of course the big news coming into this match is the possible suspension of Storm captain Cameron Smith after being charged with a grapple-tackle offence. Either way, the wounded Storm have hardly been impressive of late, but with a team littered with internationals and three of the best backs in the game in Billy Slater, Israel Folau and Greg Inglis – all of whom are yet to really fire – the Storm have looked shaky in the last two months.

However, the simple fact is that Melbourne have been far and away the best team in Australian Rugby in the last three years and will pose a mighty threat to the premiership.

The Sharks are quietly confident of breaking their 41-year premiership drought, superbly coached this year by Ricky Stuart, and being controlled by Brett Kimmorley in the halves - having possibly his best season ever. 

Banned star Greg Bird will not be handed a reprieve after his serious assault allegations, but the Sharks have been consistent all season and the boys from the Shire should realistically start the match as favourites. Prediction: Sharks by four.

Cronulla Sharks: 1. Brett Kearney, 2. Misi Taulapapa, 3. Ben Pomeroy, 4. David Simmons, 5. Luke Covell, 6. Blake Green, 7. Brett Kimmorley, 8. Ben Ross, 9. Isaac De Gois, 10. Adam Peek, 11. Luke Douglas, 12. Fraser Anderson, 13. Paul Gallen. Melbourne Storm: 1. Billy Slater, 2. Steve Turner, 3. Matt Geyer, 4. Israel Folau, 5. Anthony Quinn, 6. Greg Inglis, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Jeff Lima, 9. Cameron Smith, 10. Brett White, 11. Michael Crocker, 12. Sika Manu, 13. Dallas Johnson.

Preliminary Final Game Two (Saturday September 27, Sydney Football Stadium, 19.45. Referee – Shayne Hayne. 2 – MANLY SEA EAGLES (Last game - Manly 38 - 6 St George, Last 5 - WWWWL) v 8 – NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS (Last game - Warriors 30 – 13 Roosters, Last 5 - WWWWL). Previous meeting: Round 15: Manly 20 Warriors 14.

The Warriors have confirmed their title qualifications with back-to-back wins over Melbourne, as well as triumphs over Cronulla and Brisbane to bring the best record of any team in the last three months. 

The most dramatic change for the previously inconsistent Warriors has been a remarkable starching of their defensive systems, and a step up in leadership from premiership winners Brett Tate and captain Steve Price.

Custodian Wade McKinnon returns to the team from suspension to boost a Warriors team that is benefiting not only from a mid-season turnaround but the wave of emotion following Ruben Wiki.

However, they will play the best attacking team in the NRL who – if not for their nemesis Melbourne - would be the standout team in the league for the last two years.  While not flashy, Manly Sea Eagles are the reliable team of the competition led by Dally M player-of-the-year winner Matt Orford. 

With a pack as abrasive as the New Zealand forwards, coach Des Hassler has his team as justifiable competition favourites. Inflictors of the Warriors’ worst defeat this year (52-6), they have an outstanding record, winning four of their last five against New Zealand.

But the Warriors have never looked as intimidating as they do now in late 2008, and Manly have conceded that. It will be a beautiful game. Prediction: Warriors by six.

Manly Sea Eagles: 1. Brett Stewart, 2. Michael Robertson, 3. Steven Bell, 4. Steve Matai, 5. David Williams, 6. Jamie Lyon, 7. Matt Orford, 8. Brent Kite, 9. Matt Ballin, 10. Josh Perry, 11. Anthony Watmough, 12. Glenn Hall, 13. Glenn Stewart. New Zealand Warriors: 1. Wade McKinnon, 2. Aidan Kirk, 3. Brent Tate, 4. Jerome Ropati, 5. Manu Vatuvei, 6. Michael Witt, 7. Nathan Fien, 8. Ruben Wiki, 9. Ian Henderson, 10. Steve Price, 11. Simon Mannering, 12. Ben Matulino, 13. Micheal Luck.