KIERSTEN DUKE: Nicho Hynes’ Cronulla Sharks have not scored against Penrith Panthers in 800 days

Finals footy. One of the best times of the year and what a couple of epic match-ups we have in the NRL preliminary finals.

And not to be forgotten the NRLW start their finals with the reigning champion Knights looking hard to beat.

The NRL action kicks-off on Friday night at AAMI Park with the Storm hosting the Roosters.

Fans will be treated to two star-studded line-ups with Ryan Papenhuyzen against James Tedesco, Nick Meaney against Joey Manu, Xaiver Coates against Dom Young and Cameron Munster against Luke Keary. I could keep going.

Origin hookers Harry Grant and Connor Watson will be another great match but all eyes will be on Tedesco, pictured.

He was outstanding in the Roosters’ semifinal win against Manly and was by far the best player on the ground.

His former teammate Cooper Cronk even went as far as declaring it one of the top five performances of Teddy’s 250 game career.

It’s been a rollercoaster two seasons for the 32-year-old but he seems to have found a purple patch of form lately, ageing like fine wine.

With questions being asked about his future at the club and a potential pay cut on the horizon, Tedesco will be playing with as much heart as ever.

He’d want to retire at the Roosters and will be playing out of his skin to make sure that happens.

After being accused of choking during big games, the Sharks came out in week two of the finals to notch a strong 26-18 win over the Cowboys.

It shut the haters up, but only momentarily, as they face a huge task this week, defeating three-peat champions Penrith.

It will be a mammoth task when you consider that last time these teams came up against each other Penrith put 42 points on the scoreless Sharks.

Oh, and that was without one of the best players in rugby league, Nathan Cleary.

If you think that’s a worry going into Saturday’s game, then try wrapping your head around the fact it’s been almost 800 days since Cronulla last scored against Penrith.

They’ve been kept scoreless for a total of 229 minutes.

Will their marquee and under-fire star Nicho Hynes be able to step up and lead his team?

The half-back has had to dig deep and show resilience plenty of times in his life, but this is the biggest game of his career and could also define it.

Sunday is all about the NRLW with the Knights playing the Roosters at Allianz Stadium.

The team is stacked with talent and would be hungry to improve on last years result as semifinalists.

They boast Origin players Jess Sergis, Olivia Kernick, Millie Elliott, Keeley Davis, Isabelle Kelly and Tarryn Aiken.

Standing in their way are the back-to-back premiership winners. Like Penrith in the NRL, Newcastle is chasing immortality with a three-peat.

I think Jesse Southwell will have a blinder. In 2022 the 19-year-old was named club player of the year.

Although young, she has plenty of experience having won a gold medal in Rugby Sevens at the Commonwealth Games.

She eats pressure for breakfast and played a vital role in guiding the Knights in their two premiership wins. I expect the same from her this year and an Origin jersey next year.