7. Sydney Roosters Trent Robinson's men had an off year in 2016, but they are a mainstay in the title scene. They won the comp in 2013 and finished minor premiers in the two seasons after that, before finishing second this year. Your mate who goes for the Roosters but lives outside of their geographical area is usually the mate who also supports the New England Patriots, Los Angeles Lakers and Manchester United. There is no feel-good factor here. Back in the fold: After a lengthy one-year drought, Roosters fans can finally see their team in the post-season again. Credit:AAP 6. Manly Sea Eagles After locking up a finals berth on Saturday night, the team who most people love to hate are back after missing the play-offs the past two years. With two recent premiership wins and a huge history of recent success, the Sea Eagles aren't exactly the most likeable club in the finals. It speaks volumes that even the most casual footy fans know that hating Manly is encouraged.

5. Melbourne Storm The evil empire down south have somehow climbed to FIFTH on this list, such is the slate of teams vying for the trophy in 2017. Nobody likes the Storm, but you have to respect them. The rugby league they're playing in 2017 is absolutely scintillating with Billy Slater and Cam Smith both arguably in career-best form – which, when you think about their resumes, is insane. Team to beat: You don't have to like the Melbourne Storm, but you have to respect their talent. Credit:AAP The Storm are super-fun to watch and are nearly unbackable favourites to win the competition. For them not to win would, in my mind, eclipse the 2001 Parramatta Eels as the greatest choke in the NRL era. 4. Cronulla Sharks

The defending champions were one of the neutral's favourites for the crown last year but as we all know, nothing will cause a bunch of battlers to sour in the eyes of the Australian public more than achieving success. Obviously the main narrative from last year is dead, but there are far worse teams you could throw up there as ones you'd want to be the first to go back-to-back in the NRL era. Obviously one competition win erases any number of lean years (Souths and Wests Tigers fans will back me up here as well) but they are still among the least-detestable teams in this year's finals. Tall order: Cronulla are trying to become the first team in the NRL era to go back-to-back. Credit:Louise Kennerley 3. Penrith Panthers The Panthers haven't lifted the trophy since 2003, and even when they did, it was as massive underdogs and fan favourites. The past 15 years have been hit and miss since then, and with a young talented squad and a lack of real rivals in terms of other teams, Penrith are an easy choice for neutrals to jump on board with. If you can ignore some of the admittedly undeserved hype that this team received when installed as comp favourites at the start of the year, there's not a whole lot to root against here. 2. North Queensland Cowboys

The injury bug bit nobody harder than Paul Green's men in 2017, but they've Steven Bradbury'd their way into the finals after the Dragons blew it late against the Dogs on Sunday evening. For the Cowboys to win the competition from here would be nothing short of a miracle, with many stars missing huge chunks of the season and their talisman Johnathan Thurston remaining on the sideline. They'd be a clear choice for sentimental favourite, but they did win a competition only two years ago and with JT back will probably go very close to doing so again next year. 1. Parramatta Eels Loading Which leaves us with only one logical choice. The Eels have been the feel-good story of the year, and have finished in the top four for the first time since 2005. Their last finals appearance was that magical run in 2009, which of course ended in a grand final loss to the Storm after Jarryd Hayne had spent a month playing the best footy of his career. It's been 31 years since their last title, and no team has gone longer without a preliminary final appearance than the blue and golds. Easy decision: The Parramatta Eels are the logical choice as the bandwagon team of the 2017 NRL finals. Credit:AAP

It's been a rough few years for the Eels and their long-suffering fans, but 2017 just might be their year – and few would begrudge them success.