And so there were four. The remaining NRL teams named their lineups for this weekends games, the Eagles, Cowboys and Storm all naming extended benches with some late decisions on inclusions to be made. The Eels remain as per program from last weekend.
The other interesting selection is in the referee department. Shayne Hayne has been dumped in favour of Paul Simpkins who will control the Cowboys / Manly game.
The decision to take Paul Simpkins over the likes of Sean Hampstead and Steve Clark is a very contentious one. Simpkins has been without confidence for the latter part of 2007 and has somehow been thrown another lifeline by Robert Finch and his selection team.
NRL Teams, Finals Week 3
SATURDAY
MANLY SEA EAGLES v NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS at Sydney Football Stadium, 7:45pm
SEA EAGLES: Brett Stewart, Michael Robertson, Steve Bell, Steve Matai, Chris Hicks, Jamie Lyon Matt Orford (c), Jason King, Michael Monaghan, Brent Kite, Anthony Watmough, Glenn Stewart, Luke Williamson. Interchange: Travis Burns, Glenn Hall, Mark Bryant, Steve Menzies, Matt Ballin, Jack Afamasaga, Adam Cuthbertson (three to be omitted).
COWBOYS: Matt Bowen, Ty Williams, Ashley Graham, Paul Bowman, Ben Farrar, Justin Smith, Johnathan Thurston (c), Matt Scott, Aaron Payne, Carl Webb, Sam Faust, Matthew Bartlett, Mark Henry. Interchange: David Faiumu, Jason Smith, Jacob Lillyman, Ray Cashmere, Neil Sweeney, Ben Vaeau (two to be omitted).
Referee: Paul Simpkins
SUNDAY
Second semi-final
MELBOURNE STORM v PARRAMTTA EELS at Telstra Dome, 4pm
STORM: Billy Slater, Steve Turner, Matt King, Israel Folau, Anthony Quinn, Greg Inglis, Cooper Cronk, Ben Cross, Cameron Smith (c), Brett White, Clint Newton, Ryan Hoffman, Dallas Johnson. Interchange: Jeremy Smith, Matt Geyer, Michael Crocker, Jeff Lima, James Aubusson, Garret Crossman
EELS: Jarryd Hayne, Krisnan Inu, Joel Reddy, Timana Tahu, Eric Grothe, Brett Finch, Tim Smith, Nathan Cayless (c), Mark Riddell, Fuifui Moimoi, Nathan Hindmarsh, Ian Hindmarsh, Feleti Mateo. Interchange: PJ Marsh, Josh Cordoba, Chad Robinson, Daniel Wagon
Referee: Tony Archer