Prior to an exciting finals series, our team of NRL specialists responds to the major queries. The grand final winner will be? Who’s gonna be the big deal? And in a season full of surprises, which team may pull off the biggest one to date?

The following players have an opinion on how the finals will go: Paul Gallen, Phil Gould, Paul Vautin, Johnathan Thurston, Darren Lockyer, Brad Fittler, Billy Slater, Billie Eder, Nick Wright, Michael Chammas, Roy Ward, Andrew Webster, Dan Walsh, Adrian Proszenko, and Adam Pengilly.

The Sharks, Paul Gallen. They’ll persevere and learn from their blunders in the previous year’s finals.

Phil Gould: Carolina’s team. large-game expertise and large-game players, which they have demonstrated at this point in the season. Additionally, they have the strongest defense in the league

Melbourne Storm, Paul Vautin. Comps may be won with the help of Craig Bellamy, and Ryan Papenhuyzen is returning to add that extra something.

Jonathan Thurston: The Broncos must be the culprits. Their X-factor, Reece Walsh, is leading a formidable forward pack that includes one of the competition’s brightest halves, Adam Reynolds.

Darren Lockyer: Brisbane is the side to defeat because of a combination of brilliant young people with drive, Origin players, and Premiership players.