The North Queensland Cowboys are being touted as dark horses for the NRL premiership after achieving a 70% win rate against top-eight teams this season, recently clinching a home final with a strong performance against the Bulldogs. Analysts believe their potent backline, featuring stars like Scott Drinkwater and Tom Dearden, will pose significant challenges for the Newcastle Knights, who rely heavily on Kalyn Ponga's brilliance for success. The Knights, who have won four of their last five games to sneak into the finals, face an uphill battle against the Cowboys' formidable squad. Meanwhile, the Wests Tigers have announced their NRLW squad for a match against the Dragons, including two debutants, as they proudly wear their Women in League Round jersey. As the NRL awards season unfolds, players from various teams, including the Dragons and Eels, celebrated individual accolades amidst player departures and team transitions. Overall, the upcoming finals are set to showcase intense matchups, particularly between the Cowboys and Knights, as both teams vie for glory.