Roosters coach Trent Robinson has confirmed Ben Marschke will replace suspended hooker Sam Verrills in the semi-final against the Sea Eagles on Friday night. Lachlan Croker has been cleared to play for Manly after overcoming a back injury.

The Roosters will need to find a replacement for Sam Verrills after he copped a two-match ban from the NRL judiciary. Impressive prop Moses Leota has signed a deal that will keep him with Penrith until the end of 2024.

The Roosters have suffered a major blow ahead of Friday night’s semi-final clash against Manly with Tonga prop Siosiua Taukeiaho ruled out with injury. Penrith welcome back fullback Dylan Edwards and forwards Moses Leota and Scott Sorensen for Saturday night’s semi-final against Parramatta.

Sydney Roosters hooker Sam Verrills will contest his high tackle charge at the NRL judiciary tonight. Kick-off in Melbourne's preliminary final on Saturday week has been brought forward to a more fan friendly timeslot of 4pm which also avoids a clash with the AFL grand final.

South Sydney set the cat amongst the pigeons in week one of the NRL finals with their upset win over Penrith. Mitchell Moses produced a superb individual display to propel Parramatta past a dogged Newcastle outfit 28 to 20 in their elimination final at Rockhampton.

Manly coach Des Hasler has ramped up the mind games before tonight's opening finals clash with the Storm by declaring: "Maybe Melbourne are impossible to beat." Johnathan Thurston has endorsed fellow Maroons great Billy Slater as the next Queensland coach.

History will be made when Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium hosts the NRL grand final. Newcastle are sweating on the fitness of prop David Klemmer leading into their sudden-death finals clash with Parramatta on Sunday.

Rookie Blake Taaffe has retained the number one jersey for the Rabbitohs week one finals match against Penrith on Saturday night. Newcastle star Kalyn Ponga is confident his team's struggling attack can fire under pressure in their elimination final against Parramatta in Rockhampton on Sunday.

Melbourne's Cameron Munster rates himself as a "50-50" prospect of lining up for the Storm as he and Josh Addo-Carr race the clock to be fit for Friday's finals opener against Manly. Warriors prop Matt Lodge has been hit with a breach notice proposing a $5000 fine after raising his middle finger to fans in Sunday's 44 to nil loss to the Titans.

Regional Queensland will host Week 1 of the Premiership Finals Series headlined by a double header at Queensland Country Bank Stadium and games on the Sunshine Coast and in Rockhampton. Prodigious talent Jayden Campbell has shot the Titans back into finals football for the first time in five years, delivering last rites on Cronulla's own gutsy campaign in the process.