Teams are in for this Sunday's NRL and NRLW grand finals, with a group of First Nations stars vying to complete a Knights fairytale, the Roosters standing firm on Connor Watson, and Broncos skipper Tamika Upton chasing back-to-back triumphs.
After his club adjudicated grade one concussion in last weekend's qualifier win was overruled by the independent doctor, Trent Robinson has named Gomeroi utility Watson on his bench.
Watson and the Roosters are continuing their case to see the 30-year-old play on Sunday night, however he still needs to be cleared by an independent doctor and be exempted from the NRL's 11-day stand-down.
He's reportedly been symptom-free since the weekend after being concussed by a head-knock against the Dolphins late in the first half of his club's 36-20 win, and was yesterday named in the no.14 jumper.
The concussion threatens to end his time at the Roosters ahead of a move to St George next year before joining the PNG Chiefs.
Last year's wooden spooners turned grand finalists Newcastle have First Nations pair Bradman Best and Dane Gagai in the centres.
The pair starred in Sunday's already iconic hold-out over Penrith, Best alone with 185 running metres (41 post-contact), three tackle breaks and 30 tackles in defence.
Best's previous Koori Knockout clubmates Jermaine McEwen and Fletcher Hunt are named in the second row and no.18 jumper, respectively, while Wiradjuri man Dylan Lucas also slots onto the bench.
Best was "lost for words" speaking to Fox Sports' coverage after the win.
"We faced plenty of adversity and challenges throughout the year...this is pretty special," he said.
"I'm still soaking it in now, just looking around. It's pretty special. Our fans, they love us all. They come. They've been through some pretty tough times with us, and this one's for them."
In the NRLW, Tamika Upton, now skipper, and coach Scott Prince are looking to go 2-0 against the Chooks in a grand final rematch.
Last year's decider was a thriller, as Brisbane staged a frantic second half comeback in the see sawing affair to claim a fourth premiership in eight seasons. It was Upton's fifth between her two stints at Brisbane and Newcastle in between.
Off the back of a second Dally M medal, Upton was decisive in the contest, with Prince lifting the trophy in his third year in charge.
Duel Māori and Indigenous All Star Olivia Kernick will look to repeat her 2024 Dally M medal-winning season with another Roosters premiership.
