The reserve grade finals are already underway, with four crunch games taking place across the NSW and QLD Cups this past weekend.
South of the border, the South Sydney Rabbitohs outclassed the New Zealand Warriors before the Canberra Raiders edged the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles.
In the QLD Cup, the Wynnum-Manly Seagulls got the better of the Souths Logan Magpies away from home, while the Central Queensland Capras comfortably defeated the Sunshine Coast Falcons.
The Sporting News have picked five standout performers from the recent NSW Cup and QLD Cup matches.
MORE: NRL predicted team lists - Every side's likely lineup for Finals Week 1
Matthew Milson (Wynnum-Manly Seagulls)
Milson was instrumental at fullback for the Seagulls in their 30-24 win over the Magpies.
He bagged two tries — one in each half — as well as picking up 135 run metres.
It was a well-rounded showing from the 25-year-old, tackling with 100 per cent efficiency and not making a single error.
JJ Collins (Central Queensland Capras)
The Capras were dominant in their 38-10 victory over the Falcons, scoring eight tries to their opponent's one.
Collins was an unlikely contributor to their attacking success, with the prop running for an impressive 240 metres.
A considerable 94 of those metres were post-contact in a match where he made 22 hit-ups.
He also scored a try late to put the result beyond doubt.
Sam Burns (Sunshine Coast Falcons)
A significant number of key Falcons players were called up to the Melbourne Storm first-grade team ahead of this ground, so the odds were always stacked against them.
However, Burns was admirable in defeat for the Sunshine Coast, making a game-high 58 tackles.
He played all 80 minutes at lock and churned through 106 run metres while also making zero errors.
Josiah Karapani (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
He may not have found the try line, but Karapani was a force for the Rabbitohs on the weekend as they defeated the Warriors 26-12.
The centre made nine tackle breaks and 130 run metres in a physical performance.
James Schiller (Canberra Raiders)
Two tries in the last 20 minutes saw the Raiders snag a hard-earned 24-22 victory over the Sea Eagles on Saturday.
Schiller was immense on the wing, scoring a try in both halves.
The 22-year-old notably made a game-high 10 tackle breaks, seemingly opening the game up whenever he had the ball.
His 226 run metres were also the most of any player on the field.
