The business end of the NRL season has arrived as clubs jostle for places on the ladder.
A mouthwatering clash between Penrith and Melbourne kicks off proceedings on Thursday night, while the Sydney Roosters will attempt to knock off Canterbury in a headline fixture on Friday.
Cronulla will be hoping to bounce back from a poor performance last weekend when they take on the embattled Gold Coast Titans.
Elsewhere, Manly are in the last chance saloon when they face off against the Wests Tigers. A clash between North Queensland and Newcastle then closes out the round.
The Sporting News delivers its predictions and best bets for select Round 24 matches in the NRL below — all odds per bookmaker Sportsbet.
MORE: NRL injury list | NRL draw, fixtures | NRL ladder, standings
Panthers vs. Storm prediction, tip, best bet
Penrith's nine-game winning streak will be on the line when they host Melbourne in the second grand final rematch of the season to kick off the round.
The Panthers were anchored to the bottom of the ladder just over two months ago. But Ivan Cleary's side have since gone on an unbeaten run to position themselves in fourth spot.
Melbourne is also in strong form, losing just one of their past 10 matches despite dealing with some key injuries during this period.
Ryan Papenhuyzen missed a month due to a calf issue before returning in Round 22, with his return arriving at the perfect time after Jahrome Hughes went down with a shoulder injury the previous week.
However, the fullback is out of this one, which has forced a backline re-shuffle that Penrith are sure to try and exploit.
The Storm certainly have their work cut out for them without two of their spine members, although the Panthers will also be at a disadvantage with Isaah Yeo ruled out of the blockbuster.
Regardless, the men from the foot of the mountains are in red-hot touch, scoring 30 or more points in each of their last five games.
Admittedly, their opponents have been at the wrong end of the table: Parramatta, South Sydney, Wests Tigers, Gold Coast and Newcastle.
This will be their sternest test since they beat Canterbury in a low-scoring affair halfway through their winning run.
Casey McLean and Blaize Talagi have overcome rocky starts this year to stamp themselves as dangerous components of Penrith's attack.
McLean has made the centre position his own since midway through the season and is in the midst of a great little run, scoring in four matches in a row.
Talagi has unlocked McLean on several occasions with his strong running game and deft pair of hands close to the line. The five-eighth has crossed for two four-pointers of his own in his last four appearances, while also providing four assists.
The duo will fancy their chances of causing mayhem against a patched-up defensive line, which will consist of Nick Meaney at fullback and either Joe Chan or Marion Seve shaping up in the centres on their side of the field.
Prediction: Penrith by 4
Best bet: Casey McLean anytime tryscorer ($2.55)
Broncos vs. Dolphins prediction, tip, best bet
The Battle of Brisbane will take place between the Broncos and Dolphins as both clubs attempt to recover from nightmare outings last week.
Michael Maguire was forced to watch on as his two halves pulled their hamstrings during the same play to leave his side's spine and finals chances in disarray.
Ezra Mam and Adam Reynolds have been replaced by Billy Walters and Ben Hunt, respectively.
The switches have also impacted the hooker position, with Cory Paix and Tyson Smoothy now tasked with providing the service out of dummy-half.
Meanwhile, Selwyn Cobbo, Xavier Willison, and Brendan Piakura are also confined to the casualty ward, leaving the Broncos with spot fires to attend to all over the field.
If there is any club that can empathise with Brisbane's injury troubles, it's the Phins.
Kristian Woolf has been without the majority of his pack for some time now, with Tom Flegler, Daniel Saifiti, Tom Gilbert and Max Plath all sidelined.
To make matters worse up front, Felise Kaufusi and Francis Molo are suspended for this one. Meanwhile, a large part of their attacking arsenal has been rubbed out, with Jack Bostock and Herbie Farnworth injured.
The Phins have racked up scores on a host of opponents during the campaign, but got a taste of their own medicine last week as the Sydney Roosters powered through the middle of them on the way to a 64-12 win.
So, which team will respond to all of their misfortune and setbacks the best in front of a bumper crowd at Suncorp?
Brisbane have won four of their five meetings against their rivals, but have famously failed to fire without Reynolds in the No.7 jersey, losing their last six fixtures on the bounce without him.
Prediction: Broncos by 6
Best bet: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow anytime tryscorer / Under 49.5 points ($4.00)
Rabbitohs vs. Eels prediction, tip, best bet
South Sydney finally snapped a nine-game losing streak last week as Latrell Mitchell helped to guide the Rabbitohs past the Gold Coast.
Positioned out in the centres, the New South Wales star laid it on a silver platter for Alex Johnston to score a double and inch ever closer to breaking Ken Irvine's long-standing record.
It was only the third time this season Johnston has managed to score two tries or more in a game. Yet with Mitchell beside him, the sight of the PNG international leaping into the corner may become a familiar one in the closing weeks of the campaign.
However, the Bunnies' favourite won't be the only winger in a confident mood and looking to cross the stripe when Parramatta takes on Wayne Bennett's side on Saturday night.
Josh Addo-Carr also bagged a double in Round 23 as the Eels claimed a 19-18 victory over North Queensland.
The Foxx has chalked up 13 four-pointers in 18 appearances during his maiden campaign at Parra. He will be looking to add to this tally via the service of Mitch Moses.
The 30-year-old has now scored in three successive matches, with his late-season form mirroring his start to the year when he crossed for seven tries in his first six games.
Prediction: Eels by 6
Best bet: Player A, B & C to combine for 4+ tries - Zac Lomax/Josh Addo-Carr/Alex Johnston ($3.00)