Antonio Kaufusi is no stranger to that finals footy feeling and is looking forward to the Roosters v Souths game this week.
Semi-finals footy, it just sends me back in time to when I was playing finals footy.
Nothing beats that feeling running out for your first training run that week.
The skip in your step, the change in weather, knowing that warmer weather is arriving, the music pumping at warm up.
The new comp starts and half the teams are out and their campaign’s over for the 2019 season.
They will all be recovering from their mad Mondays and will be doing reviews on what they need to do to get better for next year.
But those in the finals series are filled with optimism on how far they can get to the big dance, the holy grail of being crowned this year’s premiers.
Roosters v Rabbitohs clash highlight for finals footy
Cannot go past the Roosters v Souths as my match of the round.
The Roosters were starting to look unbeatable before last week's final-round loss to the Rabbitohs – their second loss of the year to their arch-rivals.
There is bad blood between these teams from the last week. South Sydney and the Sydney Roosters will go head to head in their qualifying final at the grand old Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday.
The Roosters and the Rabbitohs have played in 11 finals matches with Souths holding a 6-5 edge but nine of those games were played before World War II.
The last finals match between them at the SCG was in 1938, won by the Tricolours 19-10. It was a finals-like game last week, so we are in for a treat.
I’m tipping the Roosters to win a close one, especially with Souths inspirational leader, Sam Burgess out.
My upset of the round is not really an upset but a team that won’t feature after this week and I hate to break it to you Broncos fans but your time is up.
You did well in making the eight, but I can't see you guys beating the Eels after that loss to the Dogs last week.
Finals Week 1
Roosters V Souths
Melbourne V Raiders
Manly V Sharks
Eels V Broncos
