There's a big weekend ahead in sport, with both the NRL and AFL getting to the critical stages of their seasons.
And, internationally, the Rugby World Cup gets underway, as does the Davis Cup semi-final in Glasgow between Great Britain and Australia.
Friday night's NRL clash at the Sydney Football Stadium between the Sydney Roosters and the Canterbury Bulldogs is a repeat of the league's 2004 grand final.
The Bulldogs won that one by three points.
Anthony Minichiello played for the Roosters that night, and he is predicting another close contest.
He says the key will be the battle between the forwards.
"They've got big forwards that are strong and like to play with the ball as well. So I think there's some really good matchups one-on-one in that team. And you've seen (the Bulldogs' Sam) Kasiano and (the Roosters') Kane Evans go at it last time they played, and hopefully they do it again, and I think the fans love it. So, it's got the makings of a good game, I think."
The winner earns the right to play Brisbane in a preliminary final next week.
Perhaps the story of the finals so far has been the Cronulla Sharks' suceess.
After the fallout from the drugs scandal which has hung over the team for two years, the Sharks are now closing in on what would be their first-ever premiership.
On Saturday evening, they play the Cowboys in Townsville, looking to spring another surprise after ending defending premier South Sydney's season last weekend.
Second-rower Wade Graham scored in that match, and he says the team can win it all.
"We've just got to keep it going now. Obviously, the further we go down throughout the year and the bigger the games get, the louder the noise gets on the outside. So, it's just a matter of us staying focused and, you know, trying to keep doing what works for us and to keep going, but the belief's definitely there that we can give it a real crack."
The winner of the Cowboys-Sharks match will travel to play the Melbourne Storm in a preliminary final next weekend.
In the AFL on Friday night, Hawthorn plays the Adelaide Crows and needs to bounce back from a 32-point loss to West Coast.
The Hawks are looking for their third straight premiership.
The Crows, meanwhile, are aiming to continue their epic run to the finals which includes edging the Western Bulldogs last weekend.
John Worsfold became the coaching director of the Crows following the death of Phil Walsh two months ago, and he suggests the best is yet to come.
"We know that, while we win, that dream is still there. We have to just focus on getting the job done this week. Otherwise, all those dreams are finished. You know, they performed under a lot of pressure, and they held up really well. We believe, also, we can play better."
If successful, the Crows will travel to play the West Coast Eagles in a preliminary final.
On Saturday night, the Sydney Swans take on North Melbourne for the right to play Fremantle in next week's other preliminary final.
In tennis action this weekend, Great Britain and Australia will face each other in the Davis Cup semi-final.
Australia is without Nick Kyrgios, dropped after his ongoing controversies on the court.
Back in the fold in his place is Bernard Tomic, who says he is looking forward to it.
"Very happy to be back in the team, a, very good atmosphere. You know, I've been feeling very good, and we're all confident. So, I'm just very happy to be back."
Belgium takes on Argentina in the other semi-final, with the South American nation bidding to reach its fifth Davis Cup final.
Argentina has lost all four finals it has played, though.
Belgium is into the last four for the first time since 1999.
And in the early hours of Saturday morning, the Rugby World Cup kicks off when host nation England takes on Fiji at Twickenham.
Pool A rivals Australia and Fiji will play on Thursday morning.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika says he is happy with his side's preparation.
"Number one was just to get ourselves enjoying our work again and get people enjoying watching the rugby again, because, when that happens, you're more likely to do something with better quality when you're enjoying it more. So, I think we're enjoying ourselves along the way."
In a good omen for Australia, the Wallabies have twice won the World Cup on British soil, in 1991 and 1999.
Share
