2024 NRL: Five Must Watch Games in the Final Four Rounds

With four rounds left until the 2024 Finals Series, NothingButLeague looks at the run home to see which five games will have the biggest finals implications.

ROUND 24

PENRITH PANTHERS VS MELBOURNE STORM, BLUEBET STADIUM. THURSDAY AUGUST 15

This blockbuster clash could decide the minor premiership (and could be a grand final preview?). Entering the final month of the season, Melbourne (38) have a two-point lead over Penrith (36) in first place, and a slight points differential advantage (Melbourne +169, Penrith +164). Melbourne “upset” the triple premiers in round 1: beating the Panthers 8-0 at AAMI Park – which kept alive their incredible opening round streak under Craig Bellamy – while Penrith belted Melbourne (38-4) in last year’s preliminary final. With both sides set to finish in the top two, the psychological advantage for the winner will be massive as they head into September.

ROUND 25

MELBOURNE STORM VS THE DOLPHINS, AAMI PARK. SATURDAY AUGUST 24

While The Dolphins have been in the eight for most of this season, if the Redcliffe-based club want to make their first finals series, this is a must win. What will the Storm’s approach be? Will they start resting key players or will Craig Bellamy demand perfection in the weeks leading to the finals? Melbourne won an entertaining round 16 clash at Suncorp Stadium (30-24): while Melbourne seemed to have the game in hand with a 30-18 lead, The Dolphins kept fighting and were a chance to send the game to Golden Point in the final minutes. They’ll need the same fight to beat Melbourne here.

ROUND 26

NORTH QUEENSLAND vs MELBOURNE STORM, QUEENSLAND COUNTRY BANK STADIUM. THURSDAY AUGUST 29

Another Thursday night clash that should live up to the hype. It’s the middle of three games against Queensland teams for the Storm (with Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium in round 27). Though they won’t be intimidated by travelling to Townsville, winning two from three at Queensland Country Bank Stadium so far. For the Cowboys, this is a chance to show they’re legitimate finals contenders and get closer to at least one home final. The Cowboys won both 2023 clashes (45-20 and 36-6).

CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS VS MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES, ACCOR STADIUM. FRIDAY AUGUST 30

This is a huge clash between two of the most improved bottom eight sides from 2023 (which deserves better than the 6pm Friday slot). Canterbury’s slow build under Cameron Ciraldo has finally paid off and they’ll play their first finals series since 2016. Manly have also improved under Anthony Siebold and the dark darks of the 2022 “pride jersey” scandal seems a lifetime away. This is their first clash for 2024 – though the Sea Eagles won both 2023 clashes comfortably (42-24 and 31-6) – and could potentially be an elimination final preview.

ROUND 27

MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES VS CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS, 4 PINES PARK. SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 8

The second-last game of the 2024 regular season shapes as another blockbuster. While Manly should play their first finals series since 2021 (when they were preliminary finalists), the Sharks are hovering around the top four. Heading into the last round, will they be eyeing the vital double chance or preparing for an elimination final? Either way, they won’t get any sympathy from the parochial 4 Pines Park (Brookvale Oval) crowd, who would love to see their Sea Eagles win and possibly get a home elimination final. Last season’s clashes were split 1-1: Manly winning 30-26 and Cronulla winning 20-14.