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1. Genuine spoon showdown
Jamie Soward of the Panthers. Photo: Getty
Last year's surprise packets Penrith are one loss away from a wooden spoon when they host Newcastle on Saturday. The losers will finish last, which would come as a surprise for the Knights following their bright start to the season. The Panthers have been dismantled by injuries while the Knights sacked a coach as they became entrenched at the bottom of the ladder. Penrith have not "won" the spoon since 2007, while the Knights' only last-placed season was in 2005.
2. Are the Dragons making up the numbers?
Euan Aitken of the Dragons reacts after knocking on against the Gold Coast Titans last weekend. Photo: Getty
St George Illawarra have been poor in recent weeks as they barely hold on to eighth place. A finals spot will exceed most predications from the start of the season but the Dragons need to improve drastically if they are any hope of lasting beyond week one. They play an under-fire Tigers who showed their best when they played carefree football last week. 'Robbie Farah watch' will continue, in what may be his final game for the Tigers.
3. Can the Cows win without Michael Morgan?
Michael Morgan of the Cowboys is injured during the Nz Warriors clash at Mt Smart Stadium on August 22, 2015 in Auckland. Photo: Getty
North Queensland will finish third regardless of the result of their local derby against Gold Coast on Saturday. Of more concern for the Cowboys will be their performance, as they again play without injured five-eighth Michael Morgan. The Cowboys struggled against Melbourne in their last start minus the creativity of Morgan, who may not play again this season because of an ankle injury. Ray Thompson has another chance to partner Johnathan Thurston in the halves.
4. Will the shot clock work?
Out of finals contention: the Eels-Raiders clash will trial shot-clock rules to be introduced next year.
After a trial in some under-20s games during the past two weeks, the NRL will get its first taste of the shot clock in the Parramatta-Canberra game. With the rule to be introduced next year, the NRL are fine-tuning just how long the tipped stoppages will be. Players will need to form a scrum within 35 seconds and kick line drop outs by 30 seconds to avoid being penalised.
5. Can the Sharks secure a top-four spot?
Ben's back: Barba can hopefully add spark to the Sharks' hopes of a top-four finish. Photo: Getty
Cronulla finished last year with the wooden spoon in what was a year to forget. Now they are on the verge of a top-four finish. All that stands in their way is a Manly side which will be aiming to farewell coach Geoff Toovey in style. Ben Barba returns for the Sharks, who need to improve their slow starts after half-time in recent weeks. Barba can hopefully add the spark which has been missing in his absence.
6. Will the Bulldogs continue the Warriors' heartache?
Josh Reynolds is back in the Bulldogs side to replace Trent Hodgkinson. Photo: Getty
Come Sunday night, the Bulldogs will know if the result of their match means anything against the Warriors. While a top-four spot is out of reach they may be playing to host a home final in week one of the finals. Josh Reynolds makes his return, replacing Trent Hodgkinson. They play a Warriors side desperate for the year to end, having lost its past seven games.