The players to watch when picking your NRL Fantasy Finals teams for the Preliminary Finals.

 

Broncos: No changes after enjoying a week off. Corey Parker will be a frontrunner for the captaincy here, and Ben Hunt is a great buy if you're backing a Brisbane win. The tackle-hungry Andrew McCullough has the edge over Jake Friend at hooker, while Sam Thaiday is the top-ranked prop in this contest.

Roosters: Mitchell Pearce has been named to make his return, with Jackson Hastings named on the bench and Matt McIlwrick dropping out. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was back to his superb best last week and is a must-have if you're predicting a Roosters win, while Mitch Aubusson's place in the starting pack makes him the safest option at centre for this match-up.

 

Storm: The Storm are unchanged, with Jordan McLean again named on the bench despite starting at prop in recent weeks, with Tim Glasby named in the No.10 jersey. Dayne Weston and Christian Welch are a couple of extra names on an extended bench this week. Unless you're predicting a massive Cowboys win, pick Cameron Smith and make him one of your captains. Jesse Bromwich also has the edge over the Cowboys' Kangaroos props, while Cameron Munster has been sensational at fullback in the backend of the season. 

Cowboys: No changes for North Queensland after their thumping of Cronulla last week. Johnathan Thurston should really be in your team, and probably your skipper if you're backing a Cowboys victory. Jason Taumalolo has been quiet recently (in Fantasy terms at least) but is capable of big things, and the same goes for Lachlan Coote. Gavin Cooper has the highest season average of the second-rowers in this game, while the centre position is a bit of a lucky dip – pick whoever you think is most likely to get over the try-line.

Get Fantasy news updates from the Lone Scout on Facebook or Twitter and read more Fantasy hints and tips here.